“Holy cannolis,” Viper whispered.
This time, no one told him to shut up.
“Magical A. I.,” Azrael murmured. “Maybe I should shut down the power on Earth for a few weeks. That would kill it.”
“Shut down.” I gaped at Az. “Oh, crap. Maybe that's how the Wild Magic got into the Internet. Everything went down when the Wild Magic first hit.”
“And it's been lying in vait all zis time?” Kirill asked.
“No, it hasn't.” I flung my hand out. “It's been working. First, that game inside the machine to test us. Now, it's coming out.”
The room went silent.
After a few minutes, Odin said, “Again, these are only theories. As much as that makes sense, it's only a guess. I suggestwe explore every possibility. Frankly, I think it's more likely that this is the trickster—all of it.”
“Really?” I asked. “But—”
He motioned to stop me. “I don't know, Vervain. I think I'm hoping it's the trickster. It would be easier to deal with them than an entire realm.”
“Where would the trickster even put human souls?” Trevor asked. And then he blinked. “Naraka. He's putting them in Naraka!”
I glanced at Re, who grimaced. “Yes, we considered that. I think we should tell Fenrir, but they disagree with me.”
“Who disagrees?” Trevor looked at Re. “You?”
“And me,” Viper said. “If we go to Naraka, the trickster will have the upper hand.”
“Even Torrent was helpless there,” Re added. “And if you tell Fenrir, he will go. Danger or not.”
“And so will I!” Trevor snarled as he stood up and slammed his hands onto the table. “He's my brother.”
“Who may not want to be found,” Re said gently.
Trevor growled.
Odin stood up and put a hand on Trevor's shoulder. “We are family. If you go, we will go with you. They just want you to consider what we'll be facing. We have children to think of. A good life. Are you sure you're willing to risk all of that for Ty when we know he's safe?”
“We don't know that.”
“Yes, we do. The trickster loves him. They won't hurt Ty. Have some faith in your brother.”
Kirill, seated beside me, sighed and stood up. He went around the table to take Trevor's shoulders in his hands and turn Trevor to face him. “Ve go.”
Trevor's shoulders fell.
“Whoa, now.” Viper stood up. “You two don't get to decide for all of us.”
Kirill looked at Viper. “Ve need to see if souls are zere. Zis isn't just about Ty.”
“He's got a good point.” I took a deep swig of wine. “I vote to go.”
“I'm going with or without all of you.” Trevor stepped away from Kirill. “You should stay, brother. Protect the kids.”
Kirill made a rude sound. “You go, I go.”
“All of us go, you fart head,” Viper huffed. “You know that's how it is. You've just basically taken our say away.”
Trevor sighed. “I can't leave him there.”
