“So you’re saying I have to stay here longer?” Sasha asked, crossing her arms and shifting her weight. Water dripped off the end of her nose, and her curls were losing their shape in the downpour.
“It’s coming,” he insisted, “and soon. Was it just me, or did it look like this one was gunning for Lexi?”
The spunky water wielder eyed me for a long second. “You haven’t seen one like that before, have you?” When I shook my head, she huffed a laugh. “That explains your hesitation. I’m not sure how much you know about demons, but they have ranks. Big boy was a step above the peons you’ve probably seen, but I can’t say for sure he was targeting you specifically. You just happened to be there when he came through.”
A sardonic smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. “Right place, right time?”
“More likewrongplace,” she quipped. “But a nice recovery there at the end. A fire whip?”
“Not your best work, but practice makes perfect, I suppose.” Loki appeared at my side, startling all three of us. The smirk on his face gave away his amusement at the fact. “Personally, I was a fan of the flaming chakrams.”
Confusion pulled Nathan’s eyebrows down again. “Would I be overstepping if I asked why you’re tagging along like a babysitter?”
Loki laughed loudly and smacked his knee. “Not at all! There are two reasons: first, because Ms. Sutton has a unique power that I’d like to study up close, and second, because Lucifer asked me to. It seems everyone else was afraid to let me help out anywhere, so I’ve been bored of late.”
Judging by Nathan’s nod, it seemed he believed the white lie. My dad sauntered up to him, getting into his personal space and forcing Nathan a step back.
“Demigods truly do manifest in interesting ways,” he mused, more to himself than any of us. “Lexi’s fiery red hair is far beyond that of either of her parents, and you”—He looked toward Sasha, who shrank back a step—“look nothing like your mother.” Circling Nathan, he traced a finger down one bulging bicep. “You, however, share all of Apollo’s features except for this… mmm, exceptional build.”
My mouth fell open. “Ew, are you hitting on him?”
Nathan actually flinched away from my dad’s touch, which only amused him more. “Um, thanks, but you’re not my type.”
“Please,” Loki said, waving a dismissive hand. “I can be any type you want. Does this suit you better?”
I was torn between awe and disgust as my father’s visage melted away, leaving a gorgeous, auburn-haired Viking woman nearly as chiseled at Nathan himself. The urge to smack my hand over my eyes was strong, but I resisted, if only to watch the big guy’s reactions.
“I gotta admit,” Sasha began, rubbing a hand across her face, “I don’t swing that way, but even I think she’s hot.”
Nathan kept shaking his head, but it took several seconds before he could form words again. His bright green eyes were round, and he took one step back for every one Loki took forward.
“Uh, Mr. Loki, sir? Can we go now?” I held up my arms, indicating my dripping wet clothes. “I’d like to get changed before I meet up with Lucifer.”
“Oh, he’s not home yet,” Loki said, his voice softer in his current form. His green eyes cut toward me, and Nathan’s shoulders drooped with relief at his diverted attention. “I can take you to him, if you like.”
The temptation was real, but Lucifer seemed adamant about my not getting involved with whatever he was doing. Curiosity gnawed at me, ate at my insides, but I couldn’t do that. I shook my head, though a frown tugged my eyebrows down.
“I think I’ll just head to my apartment,” I replied sullenly. “Maybe Sophie wants to hang out.”
He grinned and morphed back into his usual self. “Who wouldn’t? Mind if I join you?”
“Dude, read a room.” Sasha tossed her drenched ponytail over her shoulder and looked Loki up and down. “It sounds to me like a girls’ night, and I don’t think she wants her babysitter hanging over her shoulder for it.”
I was sorely tempted to invite Sasha along, but I didn’t want to seem desperate to make friends. I mean, I kind of was, but I wasn’t about to advertise it. We would get there eventually if Nathan let me tag along more. Then there was the whole still-waiting-on-a-demon mission she was in the middle of, too.
“Thanks for letting me join you today,” I told her. “I promise I’ll work hard to be a better fighter in the future.”
Sasha gripped the hand I extended and smirked. “Not like I had a say, but I’m glad to have met you. I’d love to swap notes soon. Female demis are hard to come by these days.”
I gave Nathan a questioning glance and he shrugged. “There’s only two in our team, all the rest are guys.”
“Technically, Cale is genderfluid, but he’s mostly right.”
“Everything with Cale is fluid,” Nathan chuckled, giving Sasha a quick fist bump.
She waved as Loki grabbed mine and Nathan’s arms. “See ya around, new girl. Welcome to the team.”
The warmth that flooded me had nothing to do with the dry apartment I suddenly found myself in. I’d never been part of a team before, not for anything serious. My college theater group was okay, but this was real stuff. And I’d just been welcomed by someone I just met. Next time I spoke to Nathan, I’d have to ask all about Sasha—about her heritage, her abilities, her life.
