“So, you don't—”
“Oh, duh! His feather! That black feather he wears. The one I used to bring him back from the Void. It holds his magic.”
“His Water Magic?”
“Oh.” I frowned. “I don't know. Wait. No, I don't think so. I think its purpose is to subdue his enemies.”
“Perhaps it holds some of his Water Magic too. Or we could be barking up the wrong god.”
“Either way, I think we'd better warn him.”
“Call Estsanatlehi. She's his mother. She can warn him.”
“You're right. It will be better coming from her.” I looked over my shoulder at the suite door. “We have to tell the others.”
“I'll take them aside one by one. You text Estsanatlehi.”
“All right.”
Re and I headed into our suite with grim looks that quickly shifted into smiles for the children. Why is parenthood so full of subterfuge?
Chapter Twenty-Four
I texted Mrs. E as quickly as possible so I wouldn't dwell on Toby and how I should NOT call him because he was NOT my boyfriend anymore and I did NOT have the right to barge into his life because of some possible threat. Mrs. E said she'd go to him immediately instead of texting and she'd text me back as soon as she knew if Toby had been targeted.
Then I had to smile and read bedtime stories to my children as I anxiously waited for that text. It came while I was putting the twins to sleep. Toby still had his feather. All was well with him, and he was now on high alert. For the time being, he and Doba (his dog) would be staying with Mrs. E and Mr. T., circling the wagons as it were.
I let out a sigh of relief and went back to the story. It felt odd to be tucking the boys in without Azrael, and they noticed the difference too. Sharply. They wouldn't even get into bed until I let them kiss Daddy goodnight. I didn't want the kids to see him like that again, but they already knew he was “sleeping” and the manacles were hidden under the blanket. Plus, Holly helped, pasting on a bright smile when we came in.
After the boys were asleep, I went back into Azrael's room to update Holly. Re had already texted Odin about the theft of his scepter, and Odin said he'd tell Luke.
“Do you really think this trickster has our best interests in mind?” Holly asked.
“I don't know for sure, but his game ended well for us lasttime.” I took Azrael's hand. “He couldn't have known that Az would end up like this.” I paused. “Although, he does know a lot that should be impossible for him to know.”
“What are you saying, Vervain? Do you think he's some kind of super god?”
I considered the question. “I don't know. Maybe he's a god of knowledge or a seer.” I blinked. “That's it! I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. He must be psychic. It would explain why he acts so strangely. Every psychic I've met has been a little unhinged. It just comes with the territory.”
“Brevyn is psychic,” Holly reminded me gently.
I lost some of my enthusiasm. “Yes. And I'm going to do everything in my power to keep him sane. I think Ull's ancient soul helps, but I've already noticed the toll it's taking on him.”
Holly laid a hand on my knee. “He's a strong boy. Ull's soul does steady him. And with you as his mother, I'm sure he will be fine.”
“Thank you. That boy has gone through so much already. He came into this life saving me. A child shouldn't have to save their parents. I'm supposed to protect him.” I cleared my throat. “But I knew he was going to be special. How could he not be with Ull inside him?”
“I thought he was fully Ull?”
“He is. But it's in the way that I'm fully human. There are other parts of me too. Ull is there. All of his soul. But there's more to him now.”
Holly nodded. “Death changes things.” She looked down at her son. “I never thought it would turn on Azrael. He's served it so well. So diligently. He practically gave his life to death.” She looked up at me. “Until you showed him what it is to truly live. I never thanked you for all you've given him, Vervain.”
“You shouldn't.” I shook my head. “He has given me far more than I could ever give him. Az sacrificed a lot to be with me.”
“You need to get past that guilt, sweetheart.”
“Guilt? I don't feel guilty.”
