I hadn’t seen much of him lately, except for when Gunnar, Alucard and I visited the Fight Club he and Achilles held every week to brush up on our fighting and to let off some steam. I think he still felt guilty for being on the opposite side from me in the Greek war.
Achilles sat beside Alucard, looking tense and uncertain. Understandable, since he had also been on the other side during the war. Even if he and Asterion had only been pretending to help Indie at the time. He was in his war garb, his helmet sitting beside him, resting on top of his shield and spears. His armor shone dully in the rays of sunlight streaking through the tree branches overhead.
Dean had found a way to let the animals in, so Pegasus, Grimm, Shiva’s bull – Nandi – and Ganesh’s rat – Krauncha – stood in a huddle, watching us with hyper-intelligent eyes. Nandi and Asterion eyed each other several times, faces thoughtful. Which was downright hilarious to me, since they were both bulls. Kind of.
Talon was playing – of all things – Cat’s Cradle with Carl, barely hiding the smirk on his face at Carl’s frustration with the dexterity required.
Tory was leaning back against the Reds – who were in full dragon form – and the Huntress and Alex were sitting about as close as possible to the trio as well, also using them as furniture.
I wasn’t sure if Yahn was present, utilizing his invisibility skills to study my guests, or if he had left the room to practice his dancing. It was his form of meditation – to rage out to the loudest techno possible and mimic having a seizure in the privacy of his room. Whatever.
I sat on a small couch beside Gunnar. Hugin and Munin flew down from the trees around us, and perched on either end of the couch, one beside Gunnar and one beside me. They hadn’t spoken yet, so I couldn’t tell which was which. But it had the desired effect, sending everyone into silence.
“I’m glad you could all make it,” I began, lifting my glass in cheers. Everyone did the same by reflex, and then followed my lead as I took a drink. Gunnar was first, but I made sure everyone took a sip of the tea Dean had prepared. Gunnar opened his mouth, cleared his throat audibly, and then continued to do so again, but this time there was no sound, despite him obviously trying very hard to make some.
The guests watched this in confusion, and then Gunnar casually pointed at his cup, and leaned back with a smug smile, folding his beefy arms behind his neck. I let the silence build for a few moments, until they started to realize what had just happened. Eyes suddenly shot wide, and a few began to fidget anxiously, but before anyone could grow too alarmed, I held up a hand.
“Relax. It’s not permanent, and it is not an attack. You have been… sworn to silence.” Suddenly hard, angry eyes latched onto me. Because I had spelled the drinks, preventing anyone from speaking for about thirty minutes. Since this was no attack – they had just seen Gunnar a victim of the same drink – they couldn’t retaliate. And it would be rude for them to leave after I just told them they were perfectly safe. So… they were stuck here, forced to listen in silence.
To the Godkiller.
“You see Gunnar is experiencing no ill effects, so that is proof you will all survive having your tongues stilled for thirty minutes or so. We all know you haven’t had a problem doing that in the past,” I added in a dark tone. Several cheeks puffed red at either the insult or with guilt, I wasn’t sure which. “I wanted to make it abundantly clear that this isn’t a discussion. I have asked you here to tell you things. I don’t need your opinions or persuasions, and at this point, I don’t really care what either of those are. No matter how important you are, or how many people worship you…” I took a sip of my drink with an exaggerated motion, flashing the crowd of angry faces an overly polite smile. “Sucks, doesn’t it? Being forced to use your ears, rather than your mouths. But this whole soiree was also designed to point out something. Plenty of you here right now have decided to not use your mouths in the past, so I thought this fitting.”
I cleared my throat, and began to lay the hammer down. “In recent years, I have come against foes and forces that should have been well beyond my ability to handle. But I overcame them all with the help of friends. After the fact – almost every single time – I have learned that one, some, or all of you had held back information that could have been vitally helpful – possibly even saved lives.” I leaned forward, and the ravens behind me screamed, startling everyone.
“Nevermore,” I growled, just like we had rehearsed. “This is very literally the last time you will keep your mouths shut around me if you have something useful to share.” With a whisper of thought – emotion, really – I allowed the golden light to flash through my arms. My eyes also flared brighter for a moment, judging by the startled looks I received.
I smirked, nodded, and then leaned back in my chair, pulling out my coin and rolling it over the backs of my fingers. I let this silence build for a few moments before stopping, as if at a thought. “Each of you is aware of everyone present. Right?” They slowly nodded, still angry, but many of them hiding their true emotions behind poker faces. These were the guilty, and unfortunately, it was almost everyone in the room. “This means that you all know exactly who heard this message, this warning. You’re all aware that you’re in exactly the same boat. But rather than me demanding you to give over information in front of your associates, I will allow you to come to me in private to share what information you see fit. This way no one knows who tells me what, and by not knowing what has already been told to me, it would behoove you to be utterly honest. Consider your prior omissions as a free pass. Future omissions or lies will not be tolerated. I am here to stay, a Godkiller. And… it’s probably smart to be nice to the Godkiller, if you know what I mean…” I winked at them.
One by one, they returned stiff nods.
“Good. Now, Dean will hand you a list of questions and topics before you leave. Namely, I want information. Anyone with knowledge on the whereabouts of Castor Queen or Matthias Temple. Updates on the war we just won against the Greeks, and if any of the Olympians are planning something. Or if anyone has knowledge of my parents and what else they may have been involved in. There are a few other things on the list, but those are the big ones. Any questions so far?”
They shook their heads. I had to bite back a smile at Shiva and Ganesh – who were grinning at each other. Even though they were as guilty as the rest, they approved of my response. That was a start.
“Now, I know you all had your reasons to keep things from me, but that ends now. I am not an enemy, and neither are my friends. We have proven time and again that we are here to help, putting ourselves at great risk to do so. Our actions speak very loudly, if rumors are true. This is me drawing a line in the sand. Because I’ve been told something much bigger than all of us is coming. A war that will make everything we’ve seen so far look like…” I glanced at War with a faint smile, “a bar fight. We should be on the same side. Nod if you agree. For everyone to see.”
One by one, although some unhappily, they all complied. I snapped my fingers and Dean entered with a tray of cupcakes. “Refreshments, if you wish,” he said in a formal tone.
Gunnar reached down and took a big bite of the cupcake. A few seconds after swallowing, he smiled. “These are good,” he said, dipping his head in thanks at Dean.
The guests blinked in surprise, and then each reached in haste for their own cupcake. Within seconds, a dull hum of voices filled the room as they realized the cupcakes had restored their voices. I let them do this for a few moments, watching as they slowly turned back to face me, eyes calculating.
“Now, if anyone has something they don’t mind sharing in front of the others, you may do so. If not, seek me out later. But know that if I seek you out, answers will be due immediately. No waffling.”
Shiva cleared his throat, grinning mischievously. “I like your moves, Temple. Not pleased to be on the receiving end, but we all deserved it. No matter how justified we were. You’ve earned our trust. But you also need to understand our trepidation�
�”
I nodded. “I do. That’s why I’m not punishing anyone for past omissions.”
He chuckled, shaking his head absently, as if still coming to grips with being coerced or forced into treating me as an equal. Then his eyes flickered to the golden light on my arms again, and his smile faded, remembering that I had earned that right. “Well,” he continued. “Your friends made quite the impression during the war. Not just you, but they, as well. I was hoping to meet the one who killed Hercules…” he said curiously, eyes roving over my friends. Gunnar didn’t flinch, but I could sense he was as tight as a wire. When no one else spoke, Shiva continued. “Some other time, then. Matthias Temple has sought… sponsorship. None of us have dared respond after what you did to Athena.”
I grunted. That was something. Knowing that Matthias had tried to find a god to help him kill me wasn’t good news, but at least it let me know he was doing something. “He thinks I killed his son, Ichabod. I can assure you I didn’t. I was busy fighting Athena at the time.”
“We heard,” Shiva muttered drily.
“Well, if any of you talk to him in the future, maybe casually mention that I didn’t kill Ichabod. If I did, I wouldn’t be hiding it from him. I would flat out admit it.”
Ganesh glanced at Shiva, who nodded to let him know he was finished. “Are you a Horseman?” the elephant-headed god asked, staring from Gunnar’s stone eyepatch to me.
The room grew tense at that. I glanced over at the Four Horsemen, who hadn’t made a sound. They simply watched the proceedings. They stared right back at me, giving me nothing.
I turned back to Ganesh, pulling out my coin. “I think everyone saw what happened with Indie…” I said vaguely, because I wasn’t entirely sure myself, and I didn’t think the Horsemen knew either.
Ganesh’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t have any other questions.
Chapter 14
Achilles cleared his throat. “I think we’re good. If we need to have a talk in private for you to… vent some frustrations, let me know when.” It wasn’t said in a snarky or threatening tone. Just an honest statement. I nodded, happy to hear it. “I think you know my motivations, and although guilty of what you said, my end game has always been rooting for you.” This time he did smirk at the end. “You little shithead.”
I couldn’t hide my grin. “Thanks, you big shithead.”
He nodded in agreement. “Now, from what I understand, the Syndicate is pretty much toast. You sent the rest of them packing to the Academy, where they are currently under guard. Castor Queen – who I actually thought had died a long time ago – has apparently been running their operation behind the scenes this whole time, right?” I nodded. “And he stole the Syndicate from Matthias Temple in the first place, framing him for crimes he himself committed?” Again, I nodded. Achilles grew pensive, considering this. “I would keep a very close eye on the Academy and the Syndicate. If I was either one of those two Makers, I would be angling to get back my army to come take you out. Or to take each other out.” He grimaced at a new thought. “Any chance of them forgiving each other and teaming up to take you out?”
Asterion snorted audibly, both disgusted at the lack of honor that would entail, and in concern. I sighed loudly. “I sure hope not. I’d rather not have to face them together. I had hoped to get them to confront each other. But I’ll do whatever is necessary.”
Shiva studied me thoughtfully, his third eye seeming to shine brighter for a moment. “What’s Asgard’s stake in all this? They’ve been oddly silent in recent years,” he asked, studying the ravens perched on my couch. “Does your ultimatum apply to the Allfather, too?”
“I’ve never met Odin,” I answered honestly. “My ultimatum applies to only those gods I’ve personally worked with. I’m arrogant, but I haven’t reached that level of pride, to think the whole world revolves around me.” I smiled lightly. “Although some might argue that my level of arrogance climbs pretty high,” I added, my smile stretching wider.
“The boy and his dog are a good team,” Hugin cawed, offering up his opinion, even though I hadn’t asked for it. As if rehearsed, Gunnar silently raised a fist my way, not even turning to look. I didn’t look either as I punched fists with him. As only childhood friends can attest, we both did the explody hand motion after. Alucard muttered something full of jealousy behind us, but we ignored him.
“I’m sure the Allfather would be open to a meeting in the near future,” Munin agreed.
I tried to hide my surprise at that. It was literally the first time they had said anything concrete about their master, even though I was entirely confident he had watched me battle Athena. But I didn’t need anyone else to see my surprise, so I nodded matter-of-factly.
Because when in doubt, go balls out.
“Other than the two Makers, what else is on your plate at the moment, Temple? This feels very much like the calm before the storm,” Ganesh asked me, caressing his broken tusk absently.
Talon piped up at a slight nod from me. “We’re going on vacation tomorrow. Which is another reason Temple wanted to have this meeting. We might be gone for some time…”
The room grew brittle. “You’re… going back?” Asterion whispered loudly.
Talon shrugged, looking bored. “Everyone keeps asking that. The place is really quite beautiful this time of year. So many lovely things to kill…”
“But why?” Shiva asked, leaning forward, ignoring Talon’s remark. “Surely there is nothing of interest to you in the Fae. I imagine they were quite pleased to see you leave, as a matter of fact. After you stole the blade that could kill a god from them.”
I almost blinked in surprise. They thought I had taken a blade from the Fae? I suddenly began to feel very concerned. Weren’t they supposed to be practically all-knowing?
“There was no blade,” I corrected. “Just knowledge and willpower. But we’re not going back for that…”
Gunnar leaned closer, meeting Shiva’s gaze. One eye versus three just wasn’t fair, but I guessed between the two of them, it amounted to the same total of four eyeballs. “We’re going to save Hercules’ slayer. My fiancée. Maybe scoop up Pan if we have time,” he added as an afterthought.
Asterion grunted, looking even more concerned.
“So, that’s where they went…” Shiva murmured. Then he looked up. “You should know you can only go during a full moon.” Then he stared at me thoughtfully. “Well, those who have never been before must go during a full moon.”
I nodded. It was a step in the right direction. A god offering advice ahead of time. “Thank you. We are aware.” I smiled at him, letting him know I appreciated the sentiment of him offering helpful advice up front. He winked back with his third eye. I also wanted everyone to see someone offering advice, and me already knowing the answer, which would put them on edge, hopefully guaranteeing they would tell the truth in the future, unsure if I was already cognizant.
“How are you going to work around the time slippage? Last time you went you were gone for almost two months…” Asterion asked, leaning forward.
I let the silence build for a time, hoping that someone else might offer a solution. I had researched this very question like a mad man over the past few weeks. Othello had scoured thousands of pages of lore in hopes of finding some hidden answer, but we had come up with nothing. When no one else spoke – since none of them were Fae and likely had no idea either – I spoke. “I don’t have an answer to that yet. Our goal is to move fast and mitigate the effects as best we can. I have safeguards in place to keep Chateau Falco safe in my absence,” I said, pointing at Carl. “The Elder, along with a plethora of other safeguards, will protect the house in my absence. In case Castor or Matthias show up.”
Shiva grunted. “I don’t think anyone will be stupid enough to attack your home with two Beasts present,” he chuckled. At my questioning look, he elaborated, waving all four hands in explanation. “Your Beasts – Falco and Kai – are wild and somewhat free. In simple terms, do a hous
e and tree take more effort to destroy than a human body?” he asked.
I nodded slowly, not having thought about it in that way. “Kai made it sound like he had physical limitations. That he was bound to the tree.”
Shiva nodded. “Until he has fully recuperated. He can leave the tree at any point, although he would be vulnerable.”
“Oh. That makes sense.” Then I shot him another look, but before I could speak, he shrugged innocently, having read my thoughts or the look on my face, I wasn’t sure.
“Alex told me Kai’s name before we entered the Solarium.”
I glanced back to see Alex nodding guiltily. I waved a hand to let him know I wasn’t upset. It wasn’t a secret, I had just thought that maybe Shiva might know something helpful if he already knew my Beast’s name. Then again, Kai had said even he hadn’t remembered his name fully until Alex asked him.
I turned to Shiva, thinking slowly and openly, not wanting to speak out loud.
Do you know about Alex’s bond with Kai? Should I be concerned? I thought, hoping Shiva would catch it, since he was able to read minds.
He tapped his lips thoughtfully. “I’ll think on it, but I don’t see a need for alarm…” he said, causing a few others to frown. I nodded thankfully.
I met the eyes of each person in the room, unblinking. Once complete, I cleared my throat. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow night. If you have anything you wish to tell me, it would be wise to do so before that time. In case I’m gone for a while. To maintain secrecy – if you find that necessary – ask for the featherbrains, here,” I said, jerking a thumb at Hugin and Munin. “Just call out their name, and they’ll appear.” I glanced over a shoulder, ignoring their indignant squawks. “Won’t you. Promptly.” It wasn’t phrased as a question. These two assholes needed to start earning their keep. Flying around and shitting on Talon at any opportunity was amusing, but I wanted to find out more about their motivations.
War Hammer: A Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Book 8 (The Temple Chronicles) Page 7