“Wisdom and Speed,” Thor murmured. Then he blinked. “Well, if he's going to keep stealing god treasure, those things will assuredly assist him.”
“So, you're saying that he stole the Caduceus so he can steal more shit?” Finn, a swanshifter, asked in his slight Irish accent.
I snorted. Then I saw Thor frowning at me and added, “Sorry, that wasn't directed at you. I was thinking that it would be just the sort of thing that crazy god would do. I mean, look at how he went about things with us. It was so complicated.”
“Because it was a game to him,” Trevor said.
“Exactly!” Odin smacked his hand down on the table and set the precarious arrangement of china and food to trembling.
“Are you going to tell us what that 'exactly' means or keep us in suspense forever?” Horus asked.
Odin shot Horus a look I normally gave the Egyptian God, then said, “I thought you'd be smart enough to figure it out, Horus. I apologize for giving you too much credit.”
“Oh, dang!” I exclaimed. “Ouch. Does your face hurt where he just orally bitch-slapped you?”
Horus's lips twitched before he said, “How are we supposed to deduce anything from a single word? And if he bitch-slapped me, he did the same to all of you simultaneously, since none of you know what he means either.”
I made a face, transferring it from Horus to Odin. “He's right. I don't know what you—hold on!” I sat up straighter. “I do know. You're saying that he's playing again. And we've played his game before.”
“That's my girl.” Odin grinned proudly and shot Horus a smug look before continuing. “And so?”
“And so we know his tricks.” I blinked. “We know his style.” I stood up. “We need to put a notice out to the God Realm. Like now!” I looked at Hermes. “And you're the god who can do that.”
“What notice?” Hermes said as he rubbed his temple.
“You need to warn the gods to guard their magical items,” I said. “And to notify us if they're taken.”
Hermes grimaced. “I can do the first, but I don't know how many gods will want to seek help from the Godhunter.”
“He's right,” Thor said. “Tell them to notify you, Hermes. Then you can let us know. When they contact you, get as much information as you can about the theft, then ask if we can send people to investigate the scene.”
“You're going to trust Mr. Slow to remember all that?” Viper asked.
“Don't call my dad slow!” Pan snapped.
Hermes, who'd been about to defend himself, smiled at his son. “Thank you, Pan, but I've got this.” Then he looked at Viper and said, “Even without my snakes, I've got more brainpower than you, god-infant.”
“Nice one, Dad!” Pan exclaimed.
“Was it though?” Viper drawled. “God-infant? Really? That's the best you can do? That's pretty sad. If you want to consider my age, then all I've learned—without the help of magic snakes—far surpasses your capabilities in every way. And by the way, I don't need magic snakes because I am one.” Viper spread his arms and said, “Iamthe knowledge.”
“Holy shit,” Brahma whispered.
“Indeed,” Horus added, his eyes just as wide. “I don't believe I've ever heard you speak so well, Viper. You sound like anadult. An arrogant adult, but that's all of us.”
Viper grimaced. “Just because I like human slang, it doesn't mean I'm dumb.”
“Fair enough,” Thor said. “Now, can we stop insulting each other and actually do something productive?”
“Hermes,” I said pointedly. I was still standing.
He stood up. “Very well. I will send out the herald immediately. And I will . . .” He blinked and frowned.
“Have them contact you if something is stolen,” Pan supplied.
“Right. I will have the gods contact me, and I will take the information down.”
Pan sighed and stood up. “I think I'd better go with you, Dad.”
