by Unknown
“Yeah, I can understand that,” I grimaced.
“He wasn't mature enough to handle his magic back then,” Brahma shrugged. “I did what I thought was right and he's eventually forgiven me for it but we'll never be as close as we once were.”
“So what do you think you can do to help us?” Finn's slight Irish accent cut to the chase.
“I can get us invited to dinner probably,” Brahma smiled. “We can continue practicing our good behavior,” he glanced at Epona. “In fact, I must insist on it. There are quite a lot of vanara, their numbers alone will make a battle difficult, but they're also wily and strong. On top of that, I can almost guarantee there will be were-bears there.”
“I'm sorry, did you say there will be care bears there?” I gaped again.
“Were-bears,” Pan laughed. “Though I'd pay good money to see the vanara having dinner with some care bears.”
“So would I. It would make our situation a lot easier to deal with,” Teharon grimaced. His girlfriend, Karni Mata, couldn't make it to the meeting, which was a shame since she was a Hindu goddess and her input might have been helpful. Instead, Teharon's new family was sitting beside him in her usual place. Mrs E and Mr T were there, the later of which was freshly returned to us from the Void.
“That's true,” Brahma agreed. “ As it is, the rikshas, aka the care bears - as I will now be referring to them, will most likely be in attendance. There will also be suparnas; were-falcons.”
“That sounds super daunting but can I just say a quick thank you for the care bear thing?” I smirked.
“I could hardly remain unmoved by your tendency towards humor in dire situations,” Brahma chuckled. “We've been friends for eight years after all.”
“Holy hand grenades,” I whispered. “It has been eight years, hasn't it?”
“And I've enjoyed every moment of our acquaintance,” he gave me a regal nod.
“Right back atcha,” I grinned.
“Eight long years,” Ull teased. “hey, I just realized something. Odin is my grandfather, which makes you my-”
“Don't you dare,” I growled.
“You're a grandma!” Persephone exclaimed while her husband, Hades, shook his head and tried to politely hide his laughter.
“Sephy!” I gaped, shocked by her betrayal.
“Well, she's the best looking grandmother I've ever seen,” Blue, aka Huitzilopochtli, said gallantly.
“Thank you, Blue,” I looked pointedly from Sephy to him, as if to show her how a friend was supposed to behave. “You will always be welcome in my home. Unlike one traitorous woman who looks a lot like my ex-best friend.”
“Aw, come on, Vervain,” Persephone grumbled.
“Fantastic,” Epona drawled. “Can we get on to the rescuing of my daughter?”
“As I said,” Brahma started again. “I can get us an invitation but not all of us and those who attend must be on their best behavior. These men are easily angered and offended.”
“I promise to hold my tongue,” I agreed.
“There will be things you'll disagree with,” Brahma set his eyes on me. “Slaves, for one. You cannot interfere there, Vervain. Not if you want your men back.”
“Slaves?” I frowned.
“It's a long story,” Brahma waved it away. “Just do not interfere. Promise me.”
“I promise,” I mumbled as I crossed my fingers beneath the table.
“Vervain!” Brahma said sharply. “Remember how long I've known you.”
“I promise I will not interfere unless you tell me I can,” I gave him a sassy look. “Is that good enough for you?”
“It will do,” Brahma sighed. “I'll go and contact them now. I should be able to get invites for ten visitors. That's the amount of attendants they usually allow me. So decide amongst yourselves who will be going and I'll return for you tomorrow.”
Chapter Eighteen
The Net's effects must have worn off the men because that evening both mine and Azrael's rings finally alerted us to the danger they were in. Wearing them became unbearable and we ended up having to remove them. After a long, sleepless night of snuggling with Azrael, we got up and got dressed. Az ran up to his tower room while I went into my walk-in closet.
I came out of my closet to find Az already waiting for me. “What are you wearing?” I stopped and gaped at him.
“I thought it would be appropriate,” he set his hands on his hips proudly.
Along with his usual blue jeans, he had on a T-shirt with a picture of a meditating cow on it. The cow was seated cross-legged, his upper legs placed like arms in a relaxed pose over his lower ones, with their hoofs drawn to resemble fingers in mudras over his knees. He had a starburst of color behind his head and prayer beads around his neck. His eyes were closed in spiritual focus and above his head were the words: Holy Cow.
“Azrael,” I shook my head. “You couldn't be more inappropriate.”
“But they're Hindu gods,” he smiled wider. “Hindus believe that cows are sacred. Get it?”
“Yeah, I get it,” I rolled my eyes. “Don't you have a nice suit you can wear?”
“I do,” he started laughing. “I just wanted to give you a giggle.”
“You're an ass, you know that?” I finally laughed in relief as he ran back up the stairs.
After Az was properly dressed, we met everyone back in my dining hall. Not all of us would be going though. Besides myself, we'd decided to take Azrael, Thor, Blue, Teharon, Hades, Persephone, Horus, Ull, and Pan with us. The others would wait at Pride Palace just in case something went wrong. Teharon had established a god link with his new grandparents so he'd be able to notify Mrs E or her husband of our status.
We were all dressed pretty nicely since this was supposed to be a social visit but there were hidden weapons aplenty. It was such a relief for me to not have to worry about stuff like that anymore. When you hold three animals inside you, you're weapons are always hidden. So I didn't have to worry about hiding my gloves in my purse or my leather pants beneath a long skirt anymore. I could dress as I wanted.
In this case, I was wearing a simple, black, cocktail dress with a V neckline and three-quarter sleeves. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself. The others wore similarly sedate but elegant fashions, probably thinking the same thing I did. Everyone except Pan, who was wearing a bright pink shirt with his suit. He just couldn't help it.
“I don't see why I can't go,” Finn grumbled.
“You know why,” Horus rolled his eyes.
“I'm a great fighter,” Finn snarled at Horus.
“And a bit of a hothead,” I patted Finn's shoulder. “Then there's the fact that your main magic is turning into a swan.”
“I'm known for riding swans,” a delicate voice interrupted us and we all swung around to see a beautiful woman standing beside Brahma.
“Um,” Brahma cleared his throat. “This is my wife, Sarasvati.”
“Well cover me in malt vinegar and call me a fish dinner,” I laughed as I went over to finally meet Brahma's wife. “I thought I'd never get to meet you. Hi, I'm Vervain.”
“Of course you are,” she smiled sweetly and shook my offered hand. “I knew you immediately. Brahma's told me all about the God Squad.”
“He has, has he?” I lifted a brow. “Because he's been awful tight-lipped about you.”
I looked her over with blatant interest. She had sleek, long, black hair, worn straight down her back to her hips, and dark eyes to match. Her features were refined and delicate, almost fey-like, and her skin was very pale, almost white. I wasn't expecting that from a Hindu goddess. She was dressed in a short, red dress which looked magnificent with her coloring, and heels high enough that I immediately recalculated her height. She was just a tiny thing. Even I, with my short stature, could have probably thrown her over my shoulder and ran off with her.
“Yes,” Sarasvati slid Brahma a sassy look. “He doesn't like to share me.”
“Who could blame him?” Ull
slid in beside me and took her hand. “You're breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” she nodded to him graciously. “And you are... let me think. Blonde hair, tall, well-built-”
“Oh please continue,” Ull laughed.
“Cocky,” she added and Brahma chuckled. “You must be Ull.”
“Well done,” he grinned, not at all offended by her description.
“And I am?” Blue came up to meet her.
“Oh, you're most definitely Huitzilopochtli,” she glanced at me. “But I believe you've nicknamed him Blue?”
“Yes,” I laughed. “He didn't really like it at first.”
“But it's grown on me,” he bent over Sarasvati's hand and kissed it gallantly. “And you may use it if you like.”
“We don't have time for this,” Brahma pulled Sarasvati's hand away from Blue and then swiftly introduced the rest of the group.
“Very nice to meet you all,” Sarasvati smiled. “Please call me Sara,” she winked at Blue and I understood then why Brahma hadn't wanted to introduce us. She was just as flirtatious as he was.
“So about that swan thing,” Finn came up beside Sara, causing Brahma to glare at him.
“It's her familiar,” Brahma answered for her. “The myths say she rides swans and peacocks but don't get any ideas swan-shifter.”
“I'm a black swan,” Finn grinned at Sarasvati, completely unswayed by Brahma's gruffness. “If you ever get tired of your other familiars, come give me a try.”
“I will kill you, Fiachra,” Brahma narrowed his eyes on Finn.
“You'd have to catch me first,” Finn laughed.
“No I wouldn't,” Brahma grinned evilly. “I can strike you down with my voice alone.”
“So unfair,” Finn griped and went to sit at the table.
“All's fair in love and war,” Sarasvati said.
“Yes,” I got serious, “and it's time to find out if I have to go to war to get my lovers back. Is everyone ready?”
Chapter Nineteen
“Croiky,” I exclaimed as I set foot out of the little, white, domed building.
The vanara's tracing room was a separate building set at the end of a cobblestone road. At the other end of the road, directly in front of us, was the vanara palace. It was massive, spreading out the length of a football field, and made of cream colored stone adorned with gold. It had numerous towers crammed close together, some topped with gilded domes and some with square balconies. The architecture was so detailed, with arches over every door and window, and even some in between. The stone was carved and painted, or possibly mosaicked, it was hard to tell from a distance. It seemed as if every inch was covered with some type of adornment.
Around the towers, monkeys flew, and that alone wouldn't be so odd for me but they had no wings. They were wingless flying monkeys, just floating around like superheroes. On top of that, they were clothed in human garments and armor. They held spears and even from a distance, they seemed fierce. The courtyard below them was empty, except for a large fountain and a couple of wandering peacocks, but the jungle around the palace was full of life. Bird song and the call of larger beasts was a constant soundtrack and the thick leaves of jungle plants shifted so much with the passing of creatures, that it seemed like the jungle itself was moving.
“It's like The Jungle Book and The Wizard of Oz had a baby,” I blinked in awe.
“Yeah, except King Louie and Baloo will rip your face off if you say the wrong thing,” Sarasvati said from my right.
“Another person who understands me,” I said with happy wonder as I smiled at her. “We're keeping you... and also, that was a horrifying comment.”
“Just keeping it real,” she laughed.
“What the hell is this?” I finally noticed the contraption set on the road before us.
“An Indian carriage,” Brahma walked up to the thing and opened a door in its side.
It was cylindrical and looked like someone had cut one of the towers off the palace and stuck it on four wheels. It was open to the air, with only thin posts holding up its elaborate domed roof. The whole thing was gold, carved with so many designs, it was dizzying to look at, and it was tethered to two white horses.
We followed Brahma up into it to see that there were benches curving around the walls. They were lavish, upholstered in green velvet and adorned with plush pillows, some of which were on the floor. After we all were settled, Brahma went to the front, where there was a shelf-like seat for the driver. He took up the reins and we began to move smoothly forward.
“Just when you think you've seen it all,” I muttered under my breath.
“Shehaquim's more impressive,” Azrael shrugged and slung an arm around my shoulders. His wings were put away, the better to blend in with the crowd. By put away, I mean that he'd actually pulled them within himself. Yep, they just kind of disappeared into his skin. Weird, huh?
“Yes, you're Heaven is better,” I rolled my eyes. “Mainly because there's a dragon in it and nothing that wants to kill me.”
“Well, not anymore,” he grinned.
“What do you mean?” I sat up and looked back at him. “Is Salem gone?”
“No, your dragon is still there,” he chuckled. “I meant that there's no one there who wants to kill you anymore. Now that we've dealt with the rogue angels.”
“Ah, I get it,” I nodded.
“Rogue angels wanted to kill you?” Sara asked, leaning forward in her seat.
“Everyone wants to kill her,” Pan said merrily. “It's because she's so charming.”
“Thanks, Pan,” I rolled my eyes.
“Anytime,” he smirked.
“How exciting,” Sara's eyes gleamed. “I never get to do anything fun anymore,” she cast a look sideways at her husband. “I wouldn't even be here now if I hadn't overheard Brahma's conversation with Hanuman. I shouted out to Hanuman that I'd be coming as well, so Brahma couldn't make up an excuse.”
“Yes, very witty, my sweet,” Brahma said dryly.
“You never take me anywhere,” she shot back. “I'm going to start following you. I had no idea you had such interesting friends.”
“We'll talk about this later,” he sighed. “We're here.”
He pulled the carriage around the circular fountain and reined in the horses so that we stopped right in front of the palace steps. There was a thin, dark-skinned man standing at attention on the steps, wearing a white tunic and loose, red pants. He came forward and opened the carriage door for us.
“Perfect timing, my lord Brahma,” the man bowed. “You and your guests are expected in the main dining chamber within ten minutes. If you will please follow me?”
“Yes,” Brahma helped Sara down and then took her hand. “Lead on.”
We all followed after the little guy, going up the steps and into the palace. Huge golden doors swung silently open and revealed an interior even more richly adorned than the exterior. There were more arches inside, sweeping over the walls to encase brilliant murals and intricate stonework designs. At some points the arches swept inward, reaching across the hallway to touch the opposite arch. From these connected points, multi-colored glass and brass lanterns hung, casting light over the thick Persian carpets on the floor.
It should have been overwhelming but the colors were muted enough that it was pleasing. Then the walls opened up and became stone railings. Airy rooms were revealed to either side of our path but we kept walking till we were within another enclosed hallway. I stared at the murals on the walls, fascinated by images of men shifting into monkeys, birds, and bears. Finally, we took a turn and once more, the walls became railings, leading us into a large space with a long table in its center.
“And now I'm in an Indiana Jones movie,” I muttered.
The table was laid with heaping platters of food on top of brilliant colored fabric. All around it were large carved chairs upholstered in red velvet. Even the chair arms had little pads of velvet laid into them. Those chairs were filled with a motley group
of gods. Usually the appearance of gods didn't surprise me anymore but these were strange enough to lift my brows.
There were hairy, massive men with wide chests and more muscles than anyone should have(with the exception of red caps), eating food delicately with golden knives and forks. Beside them were the flying monkeys I'd seen above the palace and there were also winged men with sharp looking features and golden brown skin. They reminded me a little of the Thunderbirds or maybe even angels, with their feathered wings, except these guys had scaled and taloned fingers, which they used to stab their food and bring it to their mouths.
Even more startling than all these strange gods were the amount of humans sitting with them. Dark skinned and dark haired, they had the swarthy look you'd expect of gypsies but they were dressed in modern suits and gowns. Not at all what I was expecting but I guess that was pretty silly of me. It's not like the Romani went around dressing like Stevie Nicks anymore. Unless they were working in a carnival as a fortune teller... but I digress.
All of these guests were being served by hooded men and women with downcast eyes. There was something odd about those hoods. I frowned and looked closer. They weren't articles of clothing at all. The hoods grew directly out of the shoulders of the servants, lifting up and out to the side before cresting smoothly around their heads. Each hood seemed to be scaled and bore patterns of black and cream, some had swirled symbols on the back. Those scaled patterns faded down into dark skin and I followed them with my eyes, confused until I finally realized where I'd seen those patterns before.
“King Cobras,” I whispered.
“Those are the nagas,” Brahma whispered back to me. “Don't be too friendly with them or you'll draw attention to yourself.”
“Okay,” I mumbled as I watched a long, black, forked tongue dart out of one their mouths.
The naga glanced up at me and his snake eyes gleamed gold within the shadows of his hood. When he saw me looking back at him, he immediately lowered his gaze and his hood eased forward around him, concealing his face further. A cold shiver shot through my core. I knew that look, it was defeat and fear. No, even worse than that; despair. I looked away from him, knowing that if I focused too long on these nagas, I'd do something foolish.