“That's the question.” I glanced at Azrael.
The last thing the trickster built with god items was a tool that brought Azrael back from stasis. What would this one do?
“He hasn't left us a clue,” Odin said. “This isn't a game anymore.”
“Da, game's over.” Kirill spun on his heels and left the room.
Chapter Four
I returned to Moonshine with my husbands, leaving our kids in Samantha's care. When we walked out onto the VIP floor, Fenrir was on the phone, off to the side by the trees. From what I could hear—and that was both sides of the conversation, thanks to my dragon hearing—it sounded as if he were orchestrating an invasion . . . of the entire world. I assumed he was sending his wolves out to hunt for Ty. If it had been one of my kids, I would have done the same, even knowing it was futile. So, I didn't try to stop him.
When he put the phone away, I laid my hand on his massive biceps. “Dad, he's going to be all right. As crazy as the trickster is, they love Ty.”
“A lunatic in love is dangerous, little frami.” He patted my hand. “We need to find him before it goes too far.”
“We are all lunatics when in love, but yes, you're right. Just prepare yourself for the possibility that he doesn't want to be found.”
Fenrir glanced at the others, gathered nearby, before whispering, “Isn't there something you can do with your Love Magic?”
I considered it. “I could destroy their love, but that feels cruel.”
“Could you make him love someone else?”
“Yes, but who? And it would be unnatural, Dad. He'd feel it. He wouldn't be able to change it, but he'd know something was wrong.”
“So what? You can always release him after we catch that fucking trickster.”
“You want me to break them up temporarily? If I returned him to his normal state after that, he'd never speak to me again. He wouldn't be able to trust me, and I wouldn't blame him. It would be a terrible betrayal.”
“Then just destroy their love. It's what's best for him. Shit, I should have asked you to do it sooner.”
“Dad, people have the right to experience heartbreak. That being said, you're right. I should have eased his pain sooner. I did it for Thor. I should have done it for Ty. I just didn't know how to approach him about it.”
Fenrir sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “Maybe you're right. The heart shouldn't be toyed with. But I want him home, Vervain. I want my boy back safe. He belongs with his pack.”
“I know, Dad. I want him home too.” I drew him over to the others. “There's nothing we can do but keep watch and wait. Go home, all of you, and we'll contact you as soon as we know anything.”
“You want us to go home and wait?” Ereshkigal sounded horrified.
“Do you have a better suggestion?” I waved at Fenrir. “The Froekn are on the hunt. They're the best trackers in the god world. What else can we do?”
“They are not the best trackers.” Hephaestus pointed at me. “You are. You should be on the hunt.”
“There's nothing for me to track. The Froekn are on a futile search. If they find a trail, I'll join the hunt. But I can't do it now. I have children to look after.”
“Then I will build a hunter whose sole job is to find the trickster.” Hephaestus headed for the stairs.
“Hephaestus!” I called after him.
He paused to growl, “What?”
“There's a tracing wall at the end of the corridor downstairs.” I motioned at the Family Room door.
With a huff, he changed direction and left through the door.
“We're staying at the Kahala Mandarin.” Ninkasi handed me the hotel's card with a room number scribbled on it.
“All right. I'll call as soon as I know anything.”
