“No matter how powerful he is, he's still just one man,” Odin said. “Too many soldiers may hinder us instead of help.”
“We don't know if he'll still be one man when we fight him. Al thinks he might be backed by that unknown force.”
“What unknown force?” Austin asked.
“Something has been working in my life, possibly to help me,” I said. “But Alaric and Faerie don't know who or what it is. And Al doesn't know how Katila got out of the Void. So, we can't underestimate him. He could be backed by something powerful.”
“And he's powerful on his own,” Kirill said.
“Why would this unknown thing bring your enemy back from the dead if it was supposed to be helping you?” Austin asked.
I shrugged. “Why doesn't my star work sometimes? What we view as bad may be necessary to advance us in some way. You cut back a plant, and it thrives.”
“So, this entity is cutting back your branches?” Trevor asked.
“Maybe.”
You must be careful with this god, Vervain,Alaric said in my mind.
“I know,” I said. Then to the confused looks, I added, “Al said I have to be careful with Katila.”
“We are always careful,” Odin said.
Yes, he is. You . . . less so, Al said.
Ha-ha, I replied in my mind.I learned my lesson with him today. I won't underestimate him again.
Good girl.
“Anubis vants to join the fight,” Kirill said, lifting his cellphone.
My other men grimaced. All but Viper, who didn't go through that crap with me.
“Those jackals can't die,” I reminded them. “And anyone they kill joins Anubis. If Katila raises an army, they'll be helpful.”
“How is he going to raise an army?” Re asked.
“How did he come back from the Void?” Odin shot back.
“Let's talk to the Squad before we decide on anything,” I said. “We still don't know how we'll get him to face us.”
“What are you talking about?” Odin asked. “We know where he is, and we have Torrent.”
“I learned my lesson with Marduk. You don't fight a god in their territory.”
“We killed Marduk.”
“TheJinnkilled Marduk, and Marduk nearly killed Arach. I don't think we should go after Katila in Naraka.”
“It's a shared territory,” Re said. “He won't be . . .” He grimaced. “Right. He ate everyone else. Never mind. I'm with Vervain. Gods are more powerful in their territories, and this one is super powerful to begin with.”
“We have no other option,” Odin said.
“Of course, we do,” Trevor said. “We set a trap. We know who the trickster is now. And we know what he wants.” He waved toward me.
“I like that plan,” Viper said. “Traps are best.”
“The question is, how do we lure Katila into a trap without being obvious?” I asked. “I ran from him. If I suddenly show up somewhere public, it will be suspicious.”
