by Unknown
“Kirill,” I stroked a hand down his arm and his muscles quivered under my touch. Not a good sign with lions. “I would never betray you.”
“I know,” his voice still had that edge to it. “Zhat's vhy I vill kill him instead of leaving you.”
The whole room went even more quiet than it already was. My heart was beating fast. He'd said he wouldn't leave me but just the suggestion of it had me close to hyperventilating. That dream kiss seemed so stupid now. How could I let some stalker threaten my relationship with the men I loved? I know I should have been taking Kirill's threat to the dream god more seriously but honestly, the thought of him killing some unknown god was not as frightening as him killing our relationship.
“We'll take care of this together, brother,” Trevor's hand reached around my back and gripped Kirill's forearm. “You and I will protect our mate.”
It was exactly what needed to be said but then Trevor and Kirill had a bond even I didn't understand sometimes. Kirill responded immediately to Trevor's words, settling into a more relaxed state, his face smoothing into the man I knew, and his eyes thawing to sun-washed pools. Oh, thank goodness, catastrophe averted.
“Is someone going to tell us what gods we need to investigate?” Thor's voice cut through the silence and we all let out relieved laughs.
“Oh I know,” Torr held up his hand like he was in a classroom.
“Yes, Torrent,” Mrs. E patted his hand. “We know you know, go ahead.”
“Yes, ma'am,” he smiled at her. “So it took me a long time to find these gods. It seems like there aren't too many that work with dreams.”
“Yes,” Horus said with a bored tone. “Actually, you did a smart thing by sending Torrent to investigate, Vervain. I don't think any of us know all of the dream gods.”
“I know only those in my pantheon,” Hades offered. “There's Hypnos, he's the God of Sleep, and then his sons, the Oneiroi. There's three Oneiroi and they all live in a cave in the Underworld. It's near Hypnos' cave. I guess dream gods like caves, though I fail to see the appeal.”
“So four possibilities total?” I asked.
“Yes, as far as the Greek pantheon goes,” Hades nodded.
“No fair,” Torrent whined. “I was going to start with them.”
“Oh, I'm very sorry, Torrent,” Hades inclined his head. “Please proceed.” He shot an amused glance my way and I shook my head at him.
“Okay,” Torr sighed. “So there's the Greeks,” he glanced at Hades, “and then there's this guy Nodens. He's also known as Nuada.”
“Nuada?” Thor leaned forward. “He's a god of dreams?”
“Yes, why?” Torrent narrowed his bright green eyes on him.
“He was,” Thor cleared his throat. “He was the King who Bres replaced. Bres, as in Brighid's husband. Nuada lost a hand and couldn't rule because he wasn't whole. So Bres replaced him but Nuada was given a silver hand and was able to retake the throne. It started a huge war. A war that killed both Bres and Brighid's son, Ruadan.”
“That's a hell of a coincidence,” I whispered. Was that who I'd been dealing with? More importantly, was that who I'd kissed? Some king with a silver hand? Weird. I know, my priorities were off.
“I think we should investigate Nuada together,” Thor said to me. “We may be more successful with him than the others.”
“I agree,” I nodded. “Okay, Torrent, who else have we got?”
“There's the Muludaianinis of Australia,” Torrent added. “There's a lot of them though. They're kind of a collection of gods and goddesses. The myth is that some married men had affairs with married women and it caused a big fight. All of them ended up in the sky for some reason. The men, the women, and everyone's poor cuckolded spouses.”
“Yeah, I'm going to stay far away from that one,” I grimaced. “I have bad luck with women who are angry over their husband's behavior.”
“I'll go check them out,” Brahma offered. “Would you like to join me, Horus?”
“Oh?” Horus looked at Brahma. “Yes, of course.”
“I'll go too,” Pan piped up and Horus sighed painfully.
“If you must.”
I hid my smile. Horus couldn't fool me anymore. I knew he liked Pan, they'd been friends from childhood, back when they were in Atlantis.
“It's kind of a gross myth,” Torrent was continuing. “The story says the men became the milky way and the women became stars. At dusk, the men travel across the sky to visit their wives. They all have lots of sex and when they're done, the men wipe the sweat from their foreheads and it falls on the mortals below and makes them sleepy.”
“Sex sweat makes people sleepy?” I asked in a horrified tone. “That's almost as disturbing as Soylent Green is people.”
“Soylent Green is people?” Persephone gasped.
“Sephy,” I rolled my eyes. “I told you, you needed to watch the whole movie.”
“Sizzle-Butt,” Persephone looked at Hades. “Did you know Soylent Green is people?”
“It's just a movie, Bunny-Nose,” he patted her leg.
“Moving right along,” Mrs. E sighed.
“What's Soylent Green?” Torrent was totally lost.
“We'll watch it later,” I said to him. “Do you have any other dream gods?”
“No,” he said and we all began to talk but then he waved us to silence again. “But there's a dream goddess,” he grinned wildly.
“A goddess?” I felt my jaw drop. I hadn't even considered that Vex could be a woman.
“A goddess,” Pan bobbed his head suggestively, his tone making it sound dirty already. “Getting some girl-on-girl love in your dreams, Vervain?”
“Shut up, Pan,” I growled. Trevor and Kirill were both laughing their butts off beside me and I slapped them both in the chest at the same time. “And you two can knock it off as well.”
“Tima,” Kirill said seriously. “If you vanted to add voman lover, I vill not object.”
“You're gonna get it,” I waved a finger in his face.
“Da,” he smirked and damn, it was a good look on him. “Zat's vhat I vas hoping.”
“Or maybe you won't get it,” I corrected.
“Now, Tima,” he slid his hand over my neck and rubbed a thumb over the spot. You know the spot every woman has(besides that one), the one that makes her go oooohhhhmmm and then shiver uncontrollably. That's the one he rubbed and it was a dirty move.
When I finished shivering, I narrowed my eyes on him. “No fair!” I mimicked Torr.
“Who's the goddess, Torrent?” It looked like Mrs. E was going to be keeping us on track. Maybe we should make her the group moderator.
“Her name is Nastasija,” Torrent answered immediately. “She's a Russian goddess of sleep and healing.”
“Oh a Russian,” Pan's naughty tone was back. “Sexy.”
“Russian?” Kirill perked up and looked at me.
“Don't start,” my finger went back to his face.
“Okay,” he laughed, “but I zink I should go to see zis Russian goddess. Since I'm only Russian here.”
“You are walking a very dangerous line, buster,” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“You don't trust me?” He lifted a brow. “You kiss dream god... or goddess and now you don't trust me?”
“Oh, nice,” I sighed. “Of course I trust you, you ass. Go ahead, go to Russia. I know you've been wanting to go back after our last visit.”
“I vill find out if she's ze one, Tima,” he kissed my cheek.
“Yeah alright,” I grumbled. “Just don't go using any of James Bond's techniques to get the answer out of her.”
“I'll go with Kirill,” Mrs. E offered and I wanted to leap across the table and hug her. “Anyone else want to go to Russia with us?”
“I see your relief,” Kirill whispered to me. “And I have to admit, I like you jealous.”
“I'm not jealous,” I scoffed. “I don't even know this woman.”
“Goddess,” he corrected.
/> “Whatever,” I scowled at him and he laughed.
“I'll check with Hypnos and his sons,” Hades announced. “I can go alone, he won't pose a threat to me.”
“Thanks, Hades.” I smiled at him. “So, Hades has Hypnos. Thor and I are going to see Nuada, Brahma, Horus, and Pan will go to Australia. Trevor, do you want to come with me and Thor?”
“Yeah and let's take Torrent too,” he agreed.
“I'll go with you as well,” Ull offered.
“I'll go to Russia with Kirill and Estsanatlehi,” Blue said.
“And I as well,” Finn added.
“Does anyone mind if Karni Mata and I continue to keep an eye on my brother?” Teharon asked the group.
“Of course not,” Mrs. E answered for us. “He's your family. Go watch over him and call us if you need help.”
“What she said,” I grinned at Teharon.
“Excellent,” Teharon nodded. “Good luck, everyone.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
“There's nothing here,” I looked around the bare cliff we stood on in Ireland.
It was beautiful, don't get me wrong. All bright green grass leading up to a severe drop down into a gray sea but there wasn't anything there, much less a silver-handed god of dreams. Also, it was really cold. I'm a more tropical kind of person.
“This is where we knock, for lack of a better term,” Thor explained. Then he shouted. “Nuada! Thor of Asgard seeks entrance!” A ripple shimmered through the air in front of Thor and he nodded with satisfaction. “Everyone grab a hold of each other,” he offered one of his hands to me and the other to Ull. I took Trevor's hand and Ull took Torrent's. “Here we go,” Thor stepped forward, taking us with him, straight off the cliff. Talk about a leap of faith.
Instead of falling to a very painful splat, we stepped out onto a white marble terrace. Before us was a set of glass doors thrown open to the salty air. I glanced behind me and sure enough, there was the sea but it was a lot bluer than the Irish one we'd been standing above just moments before. I turned back toward the doors and looked up. We were about to walk into a shining white castle that would have seemed right at home in Faerie.
Numerous graceful towers stretched toward the sky and silver pennants flew from each. Balconies were everywhere, as well as large windows, but they were all empty. A glance to each side showed me that the castle was quite large, impossible to fathom really, since the edges faded into mist. I was impressed.
“Come in, Thor,” a deep voice rolled out of the castle, like waves crashing on the shore. “You and your guests are welcome here.”
Thor nodded to us and we followed him into the castle. The interior was surprisingly dark compared to the exterior. Sunlight chased us in a few feet but ended then abruptly. The room simply went too far back for its reach. Near the entrance, I could see the vibrant colors in the rugs and tapestries, the oil paintings and curtains, but once we ventured beyond the light, everything darkened into more somber tones.
In the middle of this shadowed area stood a beautiful man who seemed to glow in the darkness. He was pale skinned but in the way that children are, a fresh paleness with the hint of rushing blood beneath the surface. He had blonde hair that leaned more toward gold, pulled back in an intricate braid, and ice blue eyes like whitecap on rough water. He was as big as Thor, barrel-chested, bulging biceps, and a trim waist. His left hand looked as if it had been dipped in silver. If this was the replacement, it was pure magic. I could see the lines around his knuckles and the matte paleness of his fingernails.
He had a careful look about him, like everything he did was planned. You could see it in the way his cable knit sweater was placed perfectly over a crisp white shirt, the way his faded jeans were pressed, and the way he studied all of us. This was a very intelligent god. A wary god. He had the look of a man who'd been betrayed and was intent on never repeating the experience. He also looked every inch the king.
He didn't show any signs of knowing me, not even a twinge around the eyes. If he was Vex, he was a very good actor as well. Around his feet were several white dogs. They were so quiet, that I hadn't even noticed them at first. Thin animals with long legs and pointed faces, they had tufted ears and a silver star on their chests. I did a double take but it wasn't my star, just a normal starburst of multiple spokes. The dogs were all regarding us diligently, waiting to see if we were friends or foes.
“Thank you for allowing us into your home,” Thor said, walking forward and offering his hand to Nuada. Nuada shook it with a smile and the dogs visibly relaxed.
“You're always welcome, Brother Sea God,” Nuada waved his hand to indicate a seating area further back. Several chairs of polished wood and tapestry were set in front of a marble fireplace. “Wine?”
“Yes, please,” Thor nodded. “But first, may I make the introductions?” Nuada nodded and looked us over with a smile. “You know Ull, of course.”
“Yes, Ull, how are you?” Nuada shook Ull's hand. “How fares your mother and sister?”
“Uh,” Ull shot a nervous look towards me.
“His sis is fine but his mom's not so good,” I stepped forward. “I killed her, some time ago. Hi, I'm Vervain,” I held out my hand and Nuada blinked twice before taking it.
“The Godhunter?” He asked as he shook my hand. “I hope you're not hunting today, Vervain.”
A flash of Brighid's memory played out in my head as soon as I touched his skin. She was screaming at Nuada, the body of Bres at her feet, and Nuada just stared at her with those icy eyes. Her words were muffled but slowly became clear. She was begging Nuada to heal Bres but Nuada couldn't bring the dead back to life. Damn, I wish I'd never tasted her blood.
“Not exactly,” I pushed the memory away and answered. “I'm on the hunt for information.”
“Ah, well information I will gladly share, if I have what you seek,” he winked at me. “It's my head that I'm unwilling to part with.”
“As am I,” I chuckled. “Let's agree to leave each others where they lie.”
“I'm all for that arrangement,” he joined in my laughter.
“This is my boyfriend, Trevor, firstborn son of Fenrir.” I held a hand towards Trevor.
“King Nuada,” Trevor extended his hand and Nuada shook it.
“Prince VéulfR,” Nuada inclined his head. “I've heard of you. I like your shirt,” he gestured to the T-shirt Trevor was wearing and I blanched. It read Reach out a hand to harm a Froekn and you shall lose it. “A brave choice to wear today.”
Trevor glanced down at his shirt and then at Nuada's silver hand. “I hadn't even realized,” he shook his head. “My apologies if I offended you.”
“Not at all,” Nuada laughed. “It wasn't a Froekn who took my hand and the loss of it hardly matters anymore. I think I like this one better,” he wriggled his silver fingers at Trevor and Trevor barked out a surprised laugh.
“And this is Torrent,” I held a hand towards Torr. “God of the Internet.”
Torrent blinked at me, mouth hanging open, and I winked at him. It was true after all, he was a god of the Internet. Then his face broke into a radiant smile and he offered Nuada his hand.
“A pleasure to meet you, sir,” Torr said.
“A pleasure indeed,” Nuada nodded. “I had no idea there were Internet gods.”
“Torr is the first,” I placed a hand reassuringly on Torr's back.
“Then I'm honored,” Nuada waved a hand towards the sitting are. “Come now, let's sit and have some refreshments.”
He led us to the sitting area and poured us all glasses of a clear golden wine. It smelled like strawberries dipped in sea salt, a strange but intriguing combination. I took a long sip and sighed appreciatively.
“So what questions do you need answered, Vervain?” Nuada asked.
“I've had a visitor in my dreams,” I tried to word it carefully. I really didn't think this was the guy and I didn't want to insult him after he'd been so welcoming to us. “He won't tell me his name or show
me his true face. It's very vexing,” I watched his face for any kind of reaction but there was none. “He manipulates the Realm of Dreams like a god born to it. Since you're a god of dreams, we thought we'd ask you if you might have any thoughts on his identity.”
“He doesn't show you his face?” Nuada leaned forward in his chair. “You've never even glimpsed it?”
“Well,” I frowned, remembering a moment when his face had shifted. “Once I caught a quick flash of dark hair and angular features but I can't be certain it was his actual appearance.”
“I can tell you about all of the dream gods I know,” he got serious. “But first, I must know why you seek him. It must be more than him haunting your dreams. You're a goddess, he can't harm you there.”
“You've found the point precisely,” I gave a little grim laugh. “I saw him try to kill a woman in her dream. He actually tried to strangle me the first time we met but like you said, I can't be killed in the Realm of Dreams.”
“Wait,” he held up a hand. “You said you saw him try to kill a human in her dream? How did you gain access to this human's dream to see this happen?”
“I followed him through the veils,” I held up my hand when he started to speak. “I'm a dragon-sidhe.”
“A dragon-sidhe!” He sat back with a smile. “I should have sensed it on you immediately. But I don't understand, I thought the Godhunter was human.”
“I am,” I laughed. “It's a long story but I'm human, fey, and goddess.”
“So you can manipulate the Realm of Dreams better than he can,” he nodded. “Better than I even.”
“So I'm told,” I confirmed.
“Well, I'm honored to be in the presence of a fey again,” he inclined his head to me. “Do you have access to the Faerie Realm?”
“Yes, the path is open once more,” I smiled. “Did you know a lot of fey?”
“Oh, my dear,” he laughed. “The Irish gods were very close to the fey. We were even confused for them. They were called the Tuatha Dé Danann by the humans and some of us gods got put into that category too.”
“Really?” I cocked my head.
“The fey had entrances to Faerie here, back when Faerie was connected to the Human Realm,” Nuada smiled wistfully. “The doorways were similar to the entrance of my territory. A path that bypasses the Aether entirely. It was their way of luring the humans into their world. Then the death of the dragons made them withdraw from the Human Realm. I imagine you know all about that though.”