“Dude, she just told you that the reason we thought Ty was with the trickster was that he didn't leave a trail.” Viper shook his head. “I thought you were supposed to be smart?”
“I am. I'm just used to ignoring Vervain. It's second-nature. So, I didn't hear her say that.”
“Bird man, I'm gonna pluck your feathers and shove them down your throat if you insult my wife again.” Viper leaned in. “She's here to help you, asshole.”
“This is unacceptable!” Thoth crossed his arms, ignoring Viper. He was good at ignoring people. “There must be a way to find the trickster.”
“If you think of one, let me know.” I headed out of the library, even though I wanted to spend the rest of the day in there. Speaking of which. I stopped and looked back at Thoth. “Maybe you could search your spellbooks for something to help track someone who leaves no tracks.”
Thoth frowned, looked around, and nodded. “Very well. I shall have Anubis contact you if I find anything.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Thank you, Thoth.”
He nodded and headed for a bookshelf.
“We shall escort you out,” Anubis waved us down the corridor.
“Thank you again for coming, Vervain,” Ma'at said.
“Anytime, Ma'at. I owe you.”
“Da, for helping her escape Anubis,” Kirill said.
Anubis stiffened, Gello glared at her husband, and I winced.
“I believe I made up for that when I saved her life, lion.” Anubis snapped over his shoulder. “Or have you forgotten the Darkness that nearly consumed her and Torrent? Or maybe you've forgotten the souls of your—”
“Da, da.” Kirill held up a hand. “I remember. Ve all remember. Ve remembereverything, Anubis. You should too.”
Anubis sighed. “I do.” He looked at Gello. “And although I regret my actions, I'm grateful for where they've led me.”
“Good answer!” I smacked Anubis's shoulder as I stepped up beside him. “Ignore them. We're good. And I'm so happy for you two.”
“Thank you, Vervain,” Gello said. “I know my husband has a dark past, but I'm a Demon. I'm friends with darkness.”
“Me too. That Darkness that infected me—I helped Faerie make it into a new race of fey. Everyone deserves a second chance.” I leaned in to add, “My husbands like to forget that I was even worse than Anubis. He tortured me. I tortured the entire world. If I can be forgiven, so can he.”
Anubis smiled. “I rather liked you dark.”
Kirill growled.
“Oh, please, kitty.” Anubis sent a sharp look back at Kirill. “You're inmyhouse. Don't bare your fangs at me.” But then, suddenly, Anubis stopped walking and spun to face Kirill. He leaned in and sniffed deeply. “What have you done, Death God? You're different. Stronger.”
Kirill grinned. “I formed trinity vith Azrael and Odin. So, it doesn't matter whose house I'm in. I'm biggest, baddest cat in room.”
“Whooee!” Viper grabbed Kirill by the shoulder and pulled him past us. “Yup, that's our cue to skedaddle. Nice home you've got here. See ya around.” He shoved Kirill down the hallway, hissing at him, “What is wrong with you, dude? They were making nice, and you say that crap?”
“I'm sorry about that,” I said to Anubis. Then I shouted at Viper, “Left!”
Viper turned left with Kirill.
Anubis started walking again. “Watch your death gods closely, Vervain. That trinity is unnatural. Death walks alone.”
Shivers raced over my arms, but I pushed aside my dread and grinned at Anubis. “Not anymore. When you're bound by love, even Death can have a companion.”
“I hope you're right.”
“Enough with the dramatics.” Re took my arm. “Just because no one has done it before, it doesn’t mean it’s dangerous.”
