Torrent went grim. “Only because I try very hard not to be bad, V. I was made by an evil god, remember? Iktomi will always be a part of me. He lives through me. His magic gives me life. And so, I will always be part bad.”
“Torrent, you've just described what it's like to be human,” I said gently.
He blinked. “What?”
“We've gone over this already. Obviously, this is an issue that's rooted deep in you. You need to work it out on your own. My words won't get you past it. But I'll say it again. I'll say it over and over, as many times as you need to hear it, Torr. You have a part of your creator inside you, but you are not him. He is not you. Like every child, you can either follow your parent's lead or make a different life for yourself. As you said, you try very hard not to be a bad guy. And it's that choice that makes you good. It's simple, Torrent. Be good and you are. I know that better than anyone.”
Torrent laughed. “Yeah, I guess you've said something similar to me before. But sometimes hearing something old in a new way helps it sink in. Thank you for your persistence, V.”
“You're my friend, Torr. I will never give up on you.” I hugged him. Then I sighed as I eased back. “So, what do we do about this rain goddess?”
Torrent glanced at the door. “What's that saying about enemies?”
I grimaced. “Keep them closer than your friends.”
Chapter Eighteen
By the time we rejoined the group, they were looking for us. Because they had a plan that involved us. Yes, Torrent and me.
“There you are,” Odin said when we emerged from the stairwell. “What were you doing?”
“I needed to talk to Torrent.” I frowned as I looked around. “Why? What's happened?”
“We're hunting the beaver,” Hermes said.
My lips twitched.
“Oh, for fuck's sake!” Hermes huffed. “Enough with the beaver jokes.”
“I didn't make a joke.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Anyway,” Trevor drawled. “We're going to split up and visit the sites where there were beaver attacks. See if we can track the beaver god.”
I almost smacked myself on the forehead. “Of course.” I settled for rolling my eyes. “I've gotten used to not tracking the trickster. I forgot that we can still track other gods.”
“Will you be able to smell anything after a place has been drenched in water?” Angelia asked.
“Sure,” Trevor answered for us. “There are only a few ways to stop a tracker, especially a god tracker, and you'll forgive me ifI don't share them.”
My smart man. I grinned at him. Then I said, “I call dibs on Torrent.”
“Yes, Minn Elska,” Trevor said indulgently. “We assumed you'd want to team up with him.”
“We'll split up our trackers, but if we find a trail that enters the Aether, we'll have to bring Torrent in,” Odin said.
“I can help,” Ty said. “And we can call in more Froekn.”
“We've got the Intare too,” I said.
“But Froekn are the best hunters,” Trevor said, then winked at me. “With exception to dragons.”
“All right, let's get to it,” Thor said. “Ty, call your people and then check in with Torrent to get a location. Torrent, we'll need you to have a list ready, starting with the most violent attacks.”
Torrent nodded.
“Vervain, you and Torrent take the first site on the list,” Thor went on. “Pick a couple of non-trackers to guard you.” He looked around. “Every team needs gods to guard their back. Do not go hunting alone. Understood?”
