Ishtar-Dinitu, too, seemed satisfied. She held out her hand to the keeper of the north. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Nedu. I hope to see you again soon.” The king saw her stifle a yawn.
Nedu was equally as polite as he bent over Ish-Din’s hand and gave it a perfunctory kiss. “The pleasure was mine, my lady,” he intoned, and passed through the layer of guards back to the atrium where those cleared of suspicion were now free to continue their Nergal-paid vacation or head home.
Hours passed by and the crowd of detainees dwindled. They came down to a half dozen possibilities; all dead on their feet waiting for their turn.
The last to be cleared made it through without missing a beat. Ish-Din’s shoulders fell and Nergal echoed her frustration. She had worked hard all day and had turned up no sign of the traitor.
Erra’s hands landed on her shoulders, attempting to rub away the tension. She rolled her head, and Nergal commiserated. He could use some ministrations of his own.
His musings were interrupted by Beletseri.
“I’ll just go process these,” she mumbled to no one in particular, picking up the numerous sheaves of parchment she’d been working on to scuttle off in the direction of her office. Ishtar’s head raised.
“Wait.” The dawn goddess jerked forward, straightening her neck. “What did you say?” She blinked at Nergal while beckoning to his office help.
“I am going to enter these into the computer.” Beletseri said each word separately and distinctly, her intonation flat.
Ish-Din pushed Erra’s hands off her shoulders and took a tentative step forward. “Tell me what you’ve been writing, Beletseri?”
Nergal interjected, “She’s just being her normally overcompensating self.” He sought to assure Ishtar. “But don’t worry about it. I’ll have a look at what she’s done in the morning and speak to her about her unnecessary waste of parchment.” He waved a hand to his secretary, dismissing her with a glare. It had been a long day. He would deal with her tomorrow.
Oddly, Lavarette blocked her way. “What Lady Ishtar needs, King Nergal,” she addressed him. “Is for the goddess to speak a few words…in her normal tone of voice.” The glowie stood her ground as Beletseri attempted to move around her.
“What for, you stupid creature?” The now irate woman hissed. “I have work to do.”
Nergal’s interest was piqued. “Put the papyrus down Beletseri, and comply with the wishes of my security chief.” Nergal had emphasized Lavarette’s title, not liking his secretary’s disparaging words and the tone she used with the glowie.
“Fine.” She walked over and dropped the pile at Nergal’s feet, glaring up at him. “When you find your grunt-work piled up tomorrow, don’t cry to me.” Beletseri’s temper flared.
Ishtar’s eyes lit up and narrowed. “Tell me about the work you do for Nergal, Beletseri?”
“You want to know about my work?” The goddess lost the edge to her voice, feigning pleasure as she’d been made the center of attention. She moved slowly and deliberately toward the queen’s side, speaking in low, undulating tones. “For years, I’ve toiled in Nergal’s offices. I’ve compiled records, kept all his files, typed and sent his memo’s, and thoroughly researched every god.” She drawled out the last, slowly as if savoring the feel of the words on her tongue.
Nergal wasn’t sure the last bit was in her job description. He watched the interplay between his secretary and Ishtar, waiting to see what would unfold.
“And have you always had Nergal’s best interest at heart?” Ish-Din asked cryptically.
Beletseri laughed. “Of course.” She tittered, moving one hand slowly to her thigh. “His best interest and…mine.”
She swiftly drew a knife, moved behind Ershkigal before anyone could so much as blink, and put the blade at the queen’s life-giving shoulder. “Fat lot of good it did me,” she fumed. “Do you care that nobody ever wondered what I wanted? Not one god or goddess ever did anything for me. If I didn’t do something for myself, it never got done.” She yanked the queen back with her a few steps. Nergal made to move.
“Don’t even think about it.” Bel’s eyes blazed. “You think you know everything about me, don’t you?” She twisted her head around taking in everyone’s shocked glances. She turned to Erra. “So you know everything about destruction, do you? Well let me enlighten you, I’ve been studying your powers, War. And yours,” She jerked back on the queen’s head. “And yours,” she spat at Nergal. “And every fucking-one else’s for centuries.” She laughed triumphantly.
“All my years stuck in this hell hole with everyone ignoring me. Beletseri, fetch this. Beletseri, get that. Just a lackey unworthy of any respect.” Her nostrils flared evilly.
“Now think of all the bad things that have happened down here over the years; inexplicable accidents, things missing. You all searched for a traitor who would commit these crimes, but no one, not one of you, ever thought to look to me as the culprit. And why was that? Because none of you ever considered me capable of anything but photocopying.” Her face turned cold. “Well, now you can reconsider. Look back. See how I spent my years now that you know. Everything that went missing.” She looked at the glowie contingent arrogantly, and Nergal knew the banishment of the kind creatures had not been an accident. “Every memo that got lost, and every irrevocable event that occurred… I did it.”
Nergal was stunned, but he hadn’t been made king by becoming prostrate with indecision during a crisis. He quickly sent out a call, blocking only Beletseri from his mind.
We have uncovered the greatest of traitors among us. Gods, come to me.
Bel, watch out. The king is calling for reinforcements. Nedu’s voice came back for Nergal to hear.
The once-secretary, and now the most dangerous enemy of them all, cackled in glee. Damn the traitorous Nedu.
“You think it will help your cause to fill the room with gods?” she cried malevolently. “I’ve told you. I have learned the power of each and every one of you.”
Nergal was allowed to see everything Beletseri did. She instantly filled Erra’s head with visions of the wars he’d created and the souls who died because of him. She tortured Ish-Din with the sun, burning it so brightly the goddess fell as if her head was on fire. She turned to Nergal and showed him the death that had, centuries before, brought him to his knees, and damn her, it made him bend in agony again. Their combined pain seemed exquisite to the deranged goddess, and it incapacitated him in a way he’d never imagined possible.
“I have been rejected by you all,” she sneered. “The goddesses who think they’re too good for me and the gods who dismissed me as nothing. Well, you will learn,” she cackled. “You will all learn.”
The immortals who had rushed to Nergal’s aid, scrambled backward as Beletseri incapacitated their king with the pain of his own raw emotions.
The immortals from the Blue Hills who had been given instant passage to the Underworld by Nergal, were not so cowed, thank the gods. Nergal gasped for their help.
Marduk and Shamash moved first, followed quickly by Ishkur and Ninurta. Nergal could see Dagon and Dumuzi not far behind. Anshar also appeared, and last to show were Enten and Absu. But they all rushed to the forefront, ready to avenge their king and queen.
“What?” shrieked Beletseri, taking in the Earthly gods carefully. “Where’s my favorite? The one who spurned me more cruelly than most?”
With a bowed head, Nergal watched Enlil materialize toward the back of the room with Lahar and Kulla. He knew of Bel’s hatred of Enlil, but not the cause of it. The god of wind pushed his way forward.
“I’m here, Beletseri,” Enlil stated in a steady voice that echoed off every corner of the room. “Is it me you want?” His lips curled back. “Let the queen go and you can have me.”
“I wouldn’t touch you now if you were the last god in hell, you arrogant bastard,” she sneered. “I would, however, trap you with your own power. So good luck with that.” She barely blinked and Enlil bec
ame surrounded by a whirling funnel of wind. It encased his entire body and, try as he might, he couldn’t battle his way out. He roared his displeasure, pushing at the walls that held him captive, but clearly unable to cast off the tornado that only he should have been able to manifest.
Beletseri laughed. “Anyone else?” She most assuredly enjoyed the show. Her eyes glanced around the room. “No one? Really? I had thought I’d get a better fight from at least some of you.” She eyed Marduk, who, Nergal knew, had the most to lose. “Watch that pretty woman of yours, Marduk. I’d hate to think anything could happen to her…or the baby she carries.” Her threat hit its mark.
Marduk’s thunder filled the throne room.
“I think it’s time for me to be off,” she hissed at the irate gods. She yanked at the queen, still stiff in her arms. “Me and Ereshkigal.”
The words of the oracle, Nergal. The queen sent out to him. Her eyes implored. Don’t forget the words of the oracle.
Beletseri was unaware of Ereshkigal’s communication. She called to Nedu, who had long ago disappeared. The bastard, clearly in league with his secretary, stood poised―his glowies reported, rapid-fire in his head―at the north entrance to hell.
Beletseri vanished from the throne room, taking his queen with her. Nergal could only hope his security could stop them, but using her enhanced powers, Bel thwarted all glowie attempts at interception.
Nedu and Beletseri, with Eresh as hostage, were now loose in the world.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Enten’s whole body shivered, an unusual occurrence for the god of cold. But he’d just heard from Marduk about the cluster fuck in hell. It was time to haul ass back to the compound and regroup. The recall order included all gods, witches, and humans with whom they were involved. Now that the opposing evil was a known quantity―and an extremely dangerous one at that―everyone needed to be safe behind their god-installed barriers before Beletseri had time to settle in and amass minions with whom she would most certainly wreak havoc.
Everyone checked in as they complied with Marduk’s orders. The witches, aided by Anshar and Lenore―rapidly back from hell and Northampton, respectively―were quickest to close up their home. Anshar kept everyone abreast of their progress. We’ve emptied the fridge and turned off utilities for an indefinite period. The ladies’ herbs, plants, and spell books are piled high in their enormous convertible and we’re taking off back to the Blue Hills.
Lahar and Kulla gave their progress next. We’ve delivered Enlil’s wind-wrapped body back to the compound, and have taken off to get all the rest of Dani-Lee’s possessions from her apartment. Her space had come furnished, so there’s not much. When we’ve finished, we’ll drop the key in the apartment manager’s mail slot, and poof back to the T-Taj.
The same sort of scrambling went on in Northampton. While Enten listened to all of the head-chatter, he called Emesh for help. Both of them hurried Glory along, sorting furniture and possessions. Without complaint, they helped her quickly scrub some errant dishes, empty cupboards, and pack her “smalls.”
Unlike Dani, Glory owned a bed and dresser―one that had been in her family for generations―which she wouldn’t dream of leaving behind. Several chairs had the same sentimental attachment. In the end, there was still too much to tie to the top of the compound’s small sedan.
Enten finally recruited all the gods’ whose hands weren’t already busy, and between them, they invisibly acquired and muscled her stuff across Massachusetts while he and Glory took the slow route and drove her boxes back.
During the trip, Glory didn’t talk much, and she didn’t ask what had gone down with Pete. She clearly still thought everything over, and Enten knew enough to give her the space she needed. She’d had to move far faster than she’d previously been led to believe―toward a life he wasn’t sure she had decided to accept―so he wouldn’t rock the boat any more than necessary.
Enten, trying to remain calm while quietly driving, tuned in to the happenings in Maine. The immortals there faced some trouble with Mr. Abelard. He understood the urgency for Dagon, Holly, Huxley, and Dani-Lee to get back to Quincy, but he’d dug in his heels, not at all happy they wanted him to clear out as well.
This is my home. Enten heard him declare through the mind-network that relayed his words. I have no intention of being forced out.
Dad, you don’t know how dangerous this situation really is. Holly tried soft peddling without success, and Huxley gave it a shot.
Matthew has been up here, and he knows where you live. We have to assume he’s met up with Beletseri since he did her bidding all along, and his next move will be to scope out all the places we have connections to.
That should get Mr. Abelard onboard.
If they find you here, they’ll take you hostage. We’d have to come save you, and it would put everyone in danger. Huxley laid it on thickly.
Enten heard Mr. Abelard’s sigh. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, Huxley, and you’re right…but you’re talking about closing up the house indefinitely. Enten could picture the older man turning sad eyes around the kitchen where he’d had his morning coffee for almost forty years. I just don’t know if I can leave.
Please, Pops. Holly’s voice implored. We’ll get the neighbors to keep an eye on it. We’ll even have the kid next door cut the grass. Enten could hear her exasperation. When was the last time you took any kind of a vacation from this place, anyway? Oh. Wait. You don’t even have to stay with us in the Blue Hills. Enten wondered, probably along with everyone else, what Holly was getting at.
Am I right, guys? None of the gods, good or bad, can lock on and locate a human energy signature. They can only tag other gods. Affirmatives sounded from all directions.
So you can travel, Dad. Nobody will be able to track you down. You can take every cruise you’ve ever dreamed of and finally see all the places you’ve ever wanted to visit.
Enten could almost hear the older man thinking, before his response came.
I don’t have that kind of capital, honey. A very apparent sigh accompanied that. But don’t worry. We’ll close up the place and I’ll go back to Massachusetts with you.
Not going to be a problem, Dad. The gods have so much money that they can’t spend it in all of eternity…
Oh. I couldn’t take money from them.
Enten couldn’t help but interject. Lahar thinks money will be a thing of the past in a couple hundred years, commerce will be all digital and we’ll be stuck with a pile of cash in our vault that will only be good for feeding the furnace.
Except there won’t be furnaces either. Lahar huffed. Geothermal is how it’s looking.
There was no more argument form Mr. Abelard.
Great. Huxley’s voice was triumphant. I’ll deal with the water shut-off.
****
Having made it back to the safety of the compound, Enten took a semi-deep breath, dropping his tense shoulders. But that didn’t last long. He, along with all of the other immortals were instantly called to the office to try and solve the problem that was Enlil.
The wind god had been transported home as a tornado, and backed up to a wall in Marduk’s inner sanctum, demonstrating that if he got too close to any loose item, it immediately got sucked up into his vortex.
By the time Enten arrived, the poor guy sported some loose gravel, a lamp, two forks, a brand new laptop, and fifty-seven cents that whirled about him endlessly. The cat Wizarr had nearly joined the party when he’d gotten too close, but the feline had somehow “magic-ked” his way out, confirming everyone’s suspicions there was more to the ball of fur than met the eye.
A meeting of the minds had been called to see if they could free Enlil from his torment.
They had tried grabbing his feet and dragging him out from below, only to have his body stretch uncomfortably as the top half of him refused to move. Each one of the gods had tried using their special power to counteract the winds, but Enlil’s prison had only gotten cold, hot, wet, or loud, dependi
ng on who attempted a rescue.
Lenore cleared her throat. Enten instantly knew that, as always, she’d thought the situation through and come up with an idea.
“You’re going about this the wrong way,” she suggested. “Think now. Godly speaking, what is each one of your immortal Kryptonites?” she asked.
That was a no-brainer, Enten knew. They all answered at once, “Osmium.”
“Right. So to stop a god, or a gods-given power―like this one that’s out of control―you use osmium, am I correct?”
“That’s right, babe,” Anshar agreed. “But as much as Enlil is an asshole, we’re not quite ready to shoot him or stab him yet.” He got a well-deserved growl from the center of the tornado. Yeah. Enten wouldn’t have liked that either.
They all started brainstorming and contemplating the knives and confiscated bullets they’d taken from the PP’s Plymouth office, throwing out ideas on how else they could be used.
“You think he could cut his way out?” Marduk questioned.
Enten tried to picture that in his head, but failed. “That might work, but it would probably take a lot of time and energy for him to work his way through.”
Lenore pondered out loud. “No. I’m thinking of something entirely different.” She shifted her eyes to Shamash, who was in charge of cataloging things and keeping track of where things got to in the large dwelling. “Do you know where the net is that Dagon constructed?”
Comprehension dawned on Enten, and he could see similar understanding on many of the faces around the room.
When Dagon had been a bad guy, he’d procured all the osmium he could find, and woven a net out of material which he’d impregnated with the metal. His thought had been to trap gods with it, before hauling them back to Plymouth like a catch of big tuna. He had not only failed in his initial attempt, but the gods had won the net from him in a confrontation and tucked it away for a rainy day…or a windy day…as was the current situation.
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