On the soot scored ground, Sadie groaned and pushed herself up, giving my body a frantic shake.
“Patra! Oh, no! Patra, wake up, honey.”
Chelsea’s hand ran across my chest as Drago seized, scaled body bumping and thudding against the earth. Sadie shrieked as his writhing tail pounded the earth ten feet from her.
One eye cracked open. My left arm hurt like Hades used it for a dartboard. I scrooched closer to Sadie and pulled into a semi-seated position.
“What’s wrong with my arm?” I muttered, trying to focus.
I held my forearm out, squinting. The identical repeating symbol, each more tingly than the last, etched into my skin.
Rebirth.
“OK, I see it. I am it, thanks to you. You can stop now.”
Vapors aren’t much for suggestions.
The pain throughout my chest dropped me flat in the dirt, and Sadie gripped my hand, squeezing hard. The Vapor erupted from my heartspace, a seismic cloud of mist, and condensed, forming a faint, then more opaque likeness.
“Another dragon,” Sadie breathed, eyes locked on the evolving fog. “But it’s shaped like Drago.”
I cracked an eye, watching the shape advance and fold into Drago’s seizing body. The calming effect was instant. Peace flowed from Drago, and his eyelids opened and blinked before closing. As the peaceful vibe permeated the space, I felt my sense of self restoring. I sat up and hugged Sadie.
“OK?”
“Patra, we did it!”
Drago’s voice rumbled, eyes still shut. “Knowledge seeps into my bones. I know my lore.”
Well played, Ares.
Chapter Thirty-One
Chelsea eyed Dracena’s handiwork, still attached and attacking the dragon’s Vapors, and frowned.
“Chelsea, I know what to do!” I called, a huge grin splitting my sooty face.
“Shush, we have to study these briquets, Keeper,” Glenna replied. “This is unknown magic.”
“Nope,” I chortled. “When you added your twelfth, the joy knocked a bunch of the Vapor embedding bricks off their chests. What do you do when a coven finds a new member?”
“To celebrate, we dance.” Chelsea gazed at her now full strength coven.
“No more headaches! Better get to it,” I grinned. “Can anyone join?”
“It’s not forbidden,” Glenna twinkled as I beckoned to Ballard.
Queen Flitana offered a fairy band, and they struck up a rockin’ tune. Feet tapping, Ballard swung me around in a wide, celebratory circle, music punctuated by the cracks and patter of falling charcoal chunks.
On the periphery, the shifters watched, exhausted and anxious. The musicians cranked and bear booties shook. Bears can’t help it; they’re the original party animals.
“Good song,” one, a Boogey regular, shouted as two pairs of bears got their groove on, easing into the center circle.
Loboli stared at the ecstatic dancers and shrugged, crooking his finger at his mate. Head lowered, she slunk past the celebrating witches. A long finger lifted her chin and he kissed her.
“A new day.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you.”
Loboli folded her into his arms and they danced, swaying, the forever mates they were meant to be.
I beamed at Ballard, loving our once-again survival.
“Watch out for that tail,” Ballard eased me away from a pair of sashaying dragons, clinched in a fantastic, surreal tango.
“I’m more interested in this one.” I bit down on his lip, leaving a black smudge, and leaned into his hard-on.
Hands smoothed my spine, and Ballard kissed me until I sagged against him, breathless.
He grinned. “Wanna boink in the woods?”
The brittle sounds of shattering glass, so loud it filled the skies, ricocheted over the music, and I jumped, startled.
“Cleopatra. nice cheeky shorts.” Poseidon’s gold feeler shot out and snapped my butt cheek, dialing my aroused senses to twenty. “Hey Ballsy, you’re welcome.”
He cocked his head. “The face paint isn’t working for me though, it needs to go.” A small wave and Sadie, Chelsea, and I got a god given rapid rinse.
His sex mojo flipping me sideways, I grabbed Ballard’s hand, and we walked, stopping to kiss every few feet, into the trees.
Best.Sex.Ever.
As we staggered from the woods, the party still in full swing, I shot Ballard a glance. “We have a problem.”
“A big one. What’s your plan?”
“First, I believe a petition is in order. Asclepius, I am asking.”
A shimmer and he appeared, gorgeous dark eyes twinkling. “Well played, Keeper. Your record remains unblemished.”
“Clep, will you help Parker? My request is for him.”
“Witch Glenna’s efforts prevailed, Cleopatra. He kept his foot.”
“Is it full strength?”
“I’ll swing by and ensure that young man surfs for years.”
“Thank you, Asclepius. I’m grateful.”
“No questions for me, Keeper? I’m surprised. You aren’t the poster child for reticence.”
“Oh, I had a dad. I get it.”
A warm chuckle, and he vanished.
“Not too shabby, Babe, you got the answer without asking.”
“The learning curve on this job is steep, but I’m humping.”
“Yes, you were.” Ballard’s eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Lord Apollo, I petition for an audience.”
The pause was longer, but damned if he didn’t show.
“Very well, Keeper, I’m listening.”
“Did the balance restore to its earlier state, or was the goal of closing the sway achieved?”
“The creation grew closer, poised to contract further. A successful effort.”
“What does this mean for Olympians? Greater transparency? A larger role with the races? For example, will you have more ability to interact with the arts? ”
Apollo watched the joyous dance for a long beat. “I did not think the tip was avoidable, Keeper. I was wrong.”
HOLY SHIT. Gods have never, and I mean never ever in the record’s history, admitted error.
I blinked.
Apollo gave a rare smile. He needs to do that more often. No wonder Glenna took a tumble.
“We aren’t infallible, just immortal. We get lots of practice. From your perspective, we might appear to always know the outcomes.”
I grinned back. “Thanks for the honesty, and for caring about our creativity. It means so much to so many.”
Another little smile. I was rolling.
“I need to speak to Zeus, but he’ll never do it. Any suggestions?”
“I’ll call him for you, Keeper. I owe you that.”
Lightning cracked across the sky and the dancers looked up, surprised. A bolt sizzled near the resized Drago, trying a flashy dance move with the newest coven member, and smiling. A genuine smile. Mr. Grouchy Bottoms has a few moves, too. Strange times.
Ozone tickling my nose, I stared at Zeus as the dancers slowed and gathered around us. Asclepius appeared with Parker, limp free and sporting a humorless countenance. He’d read the Zeus entry. Here we go.
“Lord Zeus, in the presence of these lives, I petition.”
“What do you want this time, Keeper?”
Hoo boy. Ol’ Big Bolt was pissy. Perfect.
“In private?”
Bushy eyebrows drew together, and he gave me a curt nod. I stepped ten feet away and waited until he joined me.
“I know you made Apollo a deal he couldn’t refuse, and he poisoned me. That’s a big no-no. Then you pressured Apollo to withhold Asclepius from petition so that healing was off the table, nearly killing both Keepers, another prophecy violation. It’s not the fact that you organized this that triggers the prophecy’s call for your banishment, but the publicity that you were the root cause.”
“Harrumph.”
“Lord Zeus, for the love of you, stop it. I’m con
tributing what I must, and the creation you preside over is doing better. Let me live my life, do my work, and be one more human in the creation’s grand scheme. And frankly, I’m the most helpful human you’ve had in a long freaking time. Can I get on with it unmolested? Please?”
A grumpy snort. Jeez, he’s uphill work.
“Otherwise,” I gestured to Parker, who waved the journal, “This shenanigan heads for wide distribution, and you’ll be in free fall by sundown. Let us do the job. We didn’t ask for it, but dammit, we are the line.”
Not my most spectacular finish, but his mojo was cranked to max volume. Being in the best post-coital glow of my life helped. Another tidbit of information to add to the book.
Zeus stared at me, active dislike covering his features, and shrugged. “Fine. You’re on your own.”
Ares shimmered into view, shield up and spear angled toward Zeus. Not menacing at all.
“Keepers may petition any god, including,” the spear waggled at Zeus, “this one. You have my word.”
“Thank you, Lord Ares.”
“None who wanted this battle were worthy, with motives of fools and cowards. When faced with a warrior of noble purpose, they shrank, unable to pull from their heart’s depths to prevail. Keeper, you are battle tested, iron willed, and a force of reckoning. It is an honor to share the earth with you, for you embody the purpose of war.”
A hard stare, and his gaze turned to Chelsea, who walked with deliberateness toward him. She took his hand, and they vanished.
Another crack of lightning and Zeus disappeared in a smolder of nose prickling ozone. While he hadn’t agreed to my petition, with the exposed alliances and cracks in the Olympic unity, maybe he’d give it a rest. Oh, well, I guess we’ll find out. His ego needs its own planet.
“Didn’t see a Chelsea and Ares pairing coming,” Sadie murmured.
“Can’t call them all.” I smiled at her belly. “Hi Baby, are you still kicking in a frenzy?”
“Just now and again. He lets me know he’s there.”
“He?”
Sadie grinned and pushed her long hair off her face. “Absolutely.”
With a pleased smirk, Poseidon glanced at Sadie and crooked a finger. “We’re going to visit Aegeus, Keeper. You and Ballsy take the night off.” With leering eyebrows, he extended a hand, and grinning, she clasped it as they faded away.
“Keeper,” Queen Flitana fluttered in front of me. “May I say it’s a pleasure to share a stake on the same battlefield. Unflinching and resourceful.”
“And the mer?”
“Our nations agreed to meet again at the next full. Both are misunderstood races and have interesting intersections to explore.”
“Your Majesty, I can’t describe my delight over this news.”
“You comprehend the magical world and see it from new angles, Keeper. I find your curiosity refreshing. Visit us sometime.”
“Thank you, I’d enjoy that.”
To visit the fairies without an invitation was an excellent path to disembowelment, so I’d call this another win for the Triune.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Time to extend an olive branch. I kissed Ballard and walked, unquaking, to Loboli, surrounded by slinking shifters. Huh, maybe the River Styx dunk had more practical applications. It sucked I lost my protective staff, but who knows, Hades’ trick might stick around and prove useful. Or not. The hot god of death loves messing with me.
“Mayor, I’m glad you survived.”
A couple of wolves dropped their heads, and a few bears looked sheepish. The big cats blinked, unmoved, but cats are asinine regardless of size.
“With your permission, I plan to ask Keto to mediate a truce and craft an ongoing en venterim treaty. Will you work with her and accept the agreed upon outcome?”
Loboli’s expression wilted the wolves and bears further, and the cats looked away. Boredom or agreement, I couldn’t tell, but Loboli nodded.
“Yes, we’ll attend and negotiate in good faith.”
“Excellent. You’ll hear from me soon.”
I headed for Campe, secured his acceptance, and glanced at Drago.
“He’s different.”
“You were the only way forward, Keeper. The gratitude of the Thundra is yours.”
“So Drago’s trainable? Safe?”
“Yes, on both counts. And many other stable demis survived. We’ll bury our dead and embrace the future. We wish to join the Triune.”
“Come to The Boogey, and I’ll brief you. It’s a fluid project.”
He rocked a sexy time look that, if I wasn’t loving Ballard, might have landed. Timing, amirite?
I shook my head and grinned. “Wear pants.”
Nereus gazed at the mer surrounding the cracked bubble and shrugged. “What can I say? The outcome was a game.”
“Henceforth, our allegiance is to the Triune, the Keeper, and Poseidon. Stay away from us, Nereus. Tell the traitorous Nereides they are not welcome in the mer’s world.”
Turning in a flash, the mer departed. Tiny crabs pushed up from the sands and transformed.
“Daughters, I landed on the wrong side of the bet, but trust me, they’ll forget it in a few moons.”
In the sea, a fog swirled, tapping the fifty Nereides and Nereus, leaving a sense of both peace and disquiet. The old man scratched his head. “I never thought I’d say this, but Poseidon is smarter than he looks.”
“The ankle healed, but I can see right through it, Parks. Tendons, veins, muscles. You look like a mannequin in an orthopaedic office! Have you got an explanation ready? People, humans at least, will ask questions.”
His ankle looked kinda cool, but this is Florida. It’s hot; we wear flip-flops and shorts ten months a year.
“Clep said once it turns opaque, I’m healed and can return to work. Until then, it’s a reminder not to overdo.”
“Fair enough. But I’m at the ‘stick a fork in me’ level of toastiness and have two bars to run solo.”
“No, you don’t.” Poseidon, Aegeus on his knee, looked up from their book. “I shut The Boogey for two weeks to prepare for the Triune’s new moon celebration. Go to your cabin, sleep three days straight, do whatever feels good.” His horn dog eyebrows waggled, and I burst out laughing.
Ballard grinned from across the room. “We’ll figure out something. Aegeus doesn’t do landlocked well, though, so we’ll stick around here.”
“Aegeus is visiting me. The seas are safe with the mer’s declaration of loyalty and she misses her friends. We’ll return in two earth weeks. Oh, and Keeper? The Boogie’s human side is closed for renovations. I hope you approve when you come back.” His blue eyes crinkled in the corners. “Not The Boogey’s bathrooms, of course. I enjoy making a spectacle of myself.”
“With consistency,” I snorted. Big Red’s bathroom escapades added a nice lowbrow vibe. “I missed you, and I’m glad you’ll be hanging out and making The Boogey interesting.”
“Careful, Keeper, unless you’re looking for round two. In which case, I’m available.” A feeler shot from his palm and wagged in my face.
Behind his head, Ballard grinned. Sometimes that mojo rocks.
Dracena peered at the unfamiliar coven, searching the woodlands below her cave.
“That bitch set the world after me.”
She patted her abdomen and sighed.
“Come little love, we run to live.”
With a pop, she disappeared.
Top down, I steered the fish-scented Beetle north, mountain bound, as Ballard worked on his laptop perusing real estate listings. Since my cabin exploded and wasn’t rebuilt, we took a rental for these two free weeks. The plan was to find and buy a new, larger cabin, one with a pool and room for Aegeus and Justice, rumbling on her pillow between the seats, and goofy-faced Daisykins, busy slobbering out the backseat window.
A family. I have a human, loving, sloppy, slobbery family.
Peace tingled my arms and the symbol rose.
Contentm
ent.
Ballard glanced over, read the message, smiled, and squeezed my thigh.
“Damn skippy.”
Keto passed the treaty copy to Loboli, then Campe, as the assembled wolves watched, then repeated the signings with each shifting nation, finished with the owls whose leader dipped a foot in the ink and squelched a taloned footprint on the bottom.
“Is that everyone?” Keto’s gaze slid from race to race, as nods moved in unison.
“This is a historic day, expanding the creation with positive energy, and embodying an ending. Within its structure, both lines and lore are preserved and given freedom for new knowledge, protection for broadening your paths, and opportunity for interaction with the magical and human worlds. You should be proud of the effort spent to create this treaty, the transformation details within its pages, and the release of old hatred and violence. Know I both admire and am impressed by your efforts.”
The slap of running sandals filled the clearing, and Hermes trotted toward the group.
“Success?”
“Indeed. The races are in accord.” Keto passed him the sheaf of papers.
Hermes tucked them under his arm, nodded and took off, the retreating sound of flying feet lost in the hoots, howls, roars, and celebrations.
“Daddy, why did Lord Ares tell me not to call the water from Mommy’s blisters?”
Poseidon gazed through the transparent walls of his underwater dwelling, as a mer, standing guard, swam by and inclined his head.
“The liquid was poison, Aegeus. One not meant for you, but…” The god’s voice trailed off. He picked up a date from the tray and chewed, thoughtful.
“You have an important spark, child, a gift this healing world needs to become greater. But change has enemies, those who fear and ones who fight. Remain vigilant, daughter. The transformation you embody beckons, and some hearing that signal are foes. Ending you before you begin appeals to their small minds and motives.”
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