by Brey Willows
Dani laughed. “I like that idea more than I can say, although this goddess gig is a bit overwhelming. I need to go see Poseidon to see if he’s willing to work with me.”
Idona frowned. “Better you than me. He’s always given me the creeps.”
“I know. Which is why I’m not asking you to come with me. I think you give him the creeps too.”
Idona puffed out her chest. “No way. Everyone wants a bit of this.” She grinned and flexed her biceps.
“Whatever. Go celebrate with your twins. I’ll see you later.”
Idona ran down the amphitheater seats and called back up from the stage. “Good luck. I won’t be thinking of you for the next several hours.”
She waved and disappeared down the road she opened. Dani made her way down to the stage and looked around her. She thought of the ancient Greek plays, the Roman comedies, and Shakespeare’s tragedies, all done in places a lot like this one. All the world’s a stage. She’d always been a shadow player, the one quietly chasing humans down the time tunnels of their mortality. Now I’m on stage. I hope I don’t screw this up. She opened a road and headed to Poseidon’s home in Atlantis.
Muted blues and greens ebbed and flowed over and around the tunnel, the shadows of sharks and millions of fish sliding ghost-like past her. She loved that the tunnels through the ocean were more like clouded glass than the earth-based ones she used. Occasionally, she wanted to let the tunnel open and let herself get swept into the current, to be part of the ocean. Today, though, she concentrated on the walk to Poseidon’s place.
When she got to the city gate, she nodded at the guards. She’d always found their silver armor over-the-top and even a little crass, but the god of the ocean liked his bling. They nodded back at her and let her pass without question. Few denied Death entry, and those who tried were usually the ones she’d come for. She went straight to the enormous white palace and appreciated the smell of honeysuckle and jasmine, though she wondered when he’d started cultivating land flowers instead of the beautiful flora of the sea. The rainbow coral exhibit he’d done last century had been stunning.
She loped up the steps and into the hall, a tiny bit of anxiety kicking in. Poseidon kept apart from the other gods. He’d always been a little put out that although most of the planet was covered in water, humans gravitated to the sky gods rather than the ocean gods. When he was in a particularly bad mood, he messed with the currents and sent sharks into populated areas just to mess with the humans. He didn’t seem to get that creating fear of the ocean didn’t mean he’d get more followers. But then, he was one of the oldest gods, Zeus and Hades’s brother, and logic didn’t always matter as much as ego.
“Dani! What a lovely surprise.”
Dani turned and smiled. “Hey, Reef. How are you?”
He enveloped her in a huge embrace, his opalescent scales catching on Dani’s T-shirt. He held her at arm’s length, his yellow eyes narrowed slightly and the tips of his razor-sharp teeth showing. “I think it’s literally been an age since you were last here. Should I be worried?”
She shook her head and hooked her arm through his as they made their way toward the office. Reef had been Poseidon’s lover and confidant since Dani had taken office, and few beings knew the kind of love and devotion they shared. She’d envied it herself. Until Meg. The thought made her tingle, and she forced herself to focus. “Far from it. In fact, I’m here to ask for a favor.”
He looked surprised and slowed his pace. “Your timing might be a little off, Soul Collector. He hasn’t been in a great mood since the gods started walking among humans again. You know how he feels about sky gods.” He ducked his head slightly and whispered, “In fact, he was even considering Dis’s invitation to join her little party in Rome.”
Dani stopped and stared at him. “But he didn’t?”
Reef shrugged. “In the end, he decided to let the sky gods kill each other off, and then he’ll be there to say I told you so. You know how he gets.”
The information was disturbing. They’d simply assumed Poseidon wouldn’t want to be a part of the new course Afterlife was taking. But no one had thought to ask him, and it could have been disastrous to have a god with his kind of power and resources on the other side of the Vatican issue. She wondered if there were other gods they’d overlooked who might feel similarly slighted. She thought quickly and hoped she wasn’t making a bad decision.
“That’s part of why I’m here, actually. Although I’ve got a favor to ask, I also wanted to talk to him about where he stands with all the changes going on.”
Reef smiled. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that. We used to go on land occasionally, hang out in the thermal hot springs in Iceland, or at the ones in Lesbos or Cyprus when we wanted to spend time with Athena. We used to swim to the Caribbean and watch the turtles. But lately, he just sits in his office and stews like a musty mussel. Maybe you can help.”
They walked the rest of the way to the office in silence, and Dani’s thoughts were a hurricane of options and possible outcomes. Reef opened the door to the office and ushered her inside, before giving her an encouraging smile and closing the door behind her. She turned to Poseidon, who looked up from the massive charts on his desk.
“Soul Collector. It’s been a long time. Sit.”
He got up from his desk and went to pour them drinks. The ocean god preferred a unique brand of salted whisky Dani had learned to tolerate, and she wouldn’t say no now. He handed her a glass of the pinkish concoction, and she took a sip, trying not to wince at the sharp flavor. He poured himself a larger glass, and she realized she’d forgotten how much he looked like Zed, except for the crown with a triple trident on his head. His white beard, unlike Zed’s, also looked slightly more like coral than hair. She wondered if it was scratchy when he kissed Reef.
He sat and tilted his glass at her before taking a sip. “To what do I owe a visit from Death herself?”
“There are a few things I wanted to chat about. But first things first, how are you, Salty?”
He grinned at the nickname she’d been using for him for years, then his expression turned somber. “Worried. Frustrated. Occasionally as pissed off as a seahorse trapped in an octopus tentacle. I know it was my choice not to work at that ridiculous building in California, but you can’t imagine what it feels like to not be consulted on a matter as important as gods walking among humans.” He stood and began to pace. “And then, to be ignored when things get out of hand, as though I’m not a viable ally.” He pointed at Dani. “Dis thought I’d be a good ally, and she’s eel-shit insane. But my own brother didn’t have the decency to call.”
Dani relaxed slightly. If he considered Dis nuts, it was a step in the right direction. “An inexcusable oversight. But also, part of the reason I’m here today.”
He looked at her suspiciously. “He sent you to talk to me?”
“Not specifically, no.” She held up her hand to stop him when he started in on a tirade again. “Hear me out, Salty.”
He frowned but sat down, his arms crossed and his expression petulant. “Fine.”
“You’ve heard about the rebranding most of the departments are doing?”
He leaned forward, and Dani could swear she heard the ocean rumble around them.
“That’s another thing! No one consulted me on that—”
“I know. And I’m here to see if you’d be interested in working with my department on a kind of co-rebranding.” She hadn’t known she was going to say it until it came out, but she knew she’d hit the right key.
He looked surprised. “With the Deadlands?”
“I’ve developed goddess status, and I’m rebranding the Deadlands at the same time. Idona will be taking over the day-to-day running while I concentrate on the god stuff. But I think we could make an amazing team. By combining my Sundo with your mer-people and messengers, we could develop a unique new system where the journey to and from the Deadlands would be via the oceans and waterways. The most powerful,
most complete presence on earth.” Dani wasn’t above pandering to his ego a little.
He sat back and studied her for a long moment, and she let him take his time. Rushing a disgruntled god wasn’t the way to get what she wanted.
“Water and Death. Giving and taking life. Why haven’t we considered it before?” He nodded slowly, clearly considering the concept in full. “What do you propose?”
She wasn’t completely ready for the question, but she homed in on the feeling Kanaloa had taught her to focus on and jumped in. “Megara mentioned simplicity in a meeting the other day.” He began to glower, and she rushed forward. “I think that together we combine the beauty and power of the oceans and waterways with the inevitability of death. I want humans to become less afraid, and therefore less focused, on death. By showing them how their souls move from their bodies to the Deadlands, we can take some of that fear away. At the same time, we can use that to rebrand your own realm a little and show them what a magnificent god you are.”
He puffed up slightly, his chin lifted. “I only tend to get sailors or sea cultures in my afterlife areas. It’s not a high-growth area for me.”
“Do you want it to be?” In truth, Dani hadn’t considered his afterlife sector at all, but she wasn’t about to admit to it.
“I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think so…too much work and too many rules. But I like the idea of working with you on your portion of the afterlife journey, and I wouldn’t say no to more appreciation. Humans are mostly water. They’re like thinking cucumbers. They should appreciate that more. Not being cucumbers. Being water.” He reached across to his desk and pushed a button on the phone. “Reef, come in here, would you?”
Within seconds, Reef entered the room, and Dani grinned at the idea he’d been hovering nearby, hoping to be invited in.
“Dani has an offer I’m entertaining. I’d like your thoughts on it.” He motioned at Dani, who went on to repeat what she’d said to Poseidon.
“Wow. That’s great news about your god status, Dani. Congrats.” Reef kissed her cheek and then settled onto the arm of Poseidon’s chair. “How are you going to approach marketing, and what do you need from us?”
“I’m still working out the details. But first, I want to know if you’d be willing to allow me, as part of a cooperative between our realms, to use water as my way to answer prayer.” This was the part she was worried about, and when Poseidon frowned she knew she’d been right to be.
“Granting prayers through water has always been the specific domain of the water gods, Dani. I’m not sure how I feel about a non-water god using it for that reason.”
She nodded. “I understand that. I really do. The thing is, I seem to be a bit of a hybrid. My natural connection to the planet is through the oceans. I learned that from Kanaloa recently, and it feels right. And if we create a partnership, people will see your messengers helping deliver prayers and possibly even assisting with soul collection with my Sundo. It would be good for both of us.” She wasn’t sure if it sounded as weak as it felt saying it, but she really couldn’t come up with a better reason than it felt right.
Poseidon stared at the wall, seemingly far away. Reef studied Dani, but she got the feeling he was thinking more than actually looking at her.
“A lot of your followers are near large bodies of water. If not the ocean, they’re near lakes and rivers.” Poseidon’s far-off gaze returned to her, and he nodded. “I can see them, and I see why you’ve gained god status.” He looked at Reef. “What do you think?”
“I like it on pretty much every level. We need some fresh air down here.” He touched Poseidon’s arm when he began to protest. “You know we do. It’s time for us to take our place at the table with the other gods, and I think Dani’s plan means we don’t have to do nearly as much rebranding as the other departments, because we don’t want an influx of people. But it will get your face back in the minds of humans who aren’t water-bound. It will also tie you to one of the most powerful concepts, and now deities, on earth. Maybe not everyone will pray to Death, but there isn’t a person on the planet who doesn’t respect her.”
Dani had always thought of it as fear rather than respect, and the different wording made her a little heady. “Kanaloa taught me the basic elements of granting prayer, but I feel like I’ve still got a lot to learn. Would you be willing to teach me? I can’t imagine a better mentor.”
Once again, Poseidon looked like the god he was when he smiled. “I’d be happy to. And that way I can see the kinds of prayers you’re granting and make sure you’re using water the way you should be.”
Reef rolled his eyes. “Of course we’ll help. And you’re welcome to begin using the waterways for soul retrieval too, if you want to. Our mer-people and naiads can help your Sundo use the water for travel. It’s faster than your roads.”
“I want my face on the marketing materials.” Poseidon crossed his arms stubbornly, as though expecting resistance.
“Obviously. That’s the best way to show us working together. If you don’t mind, I’m going to leave some of the rebranding and marketing stuff to Idona and Meg. I think they’re better at the conceptual stuff than I am.”
“I haven’t spent time with the fury sisters in centuries. Meg used to come to some of the parties we had here back when she was just a little fish, but once they got their official duties, she stopped coming around as much. I think she enjoyed the company of a certain mer-woman who I recall had a particularly versatile tail—”
Reef squeezed Poseidon’s shoulder and said, “It would be great to see her again. Maybe she and Idona could spend some time with us one day soon to get started.”
Dani wondered if her expression had given her away. It wasn’t that she minded hearing about Meg’s sexual exploits; rather, it was that she preferred to hear them from Meg, when she could picture all the sexual energy and play and put the imagery to good use.
“Thanks, guys. I’ll let them know, and they’ll get in touch to work things out. And if it’s okay, I’ll get in touch soon to talk through some training with you, Salty?”
He nodded and leaned forward. “Fine, good. Now, tell me what’s going on with Dis? Does my hammer-headed brother need help, even though he’d never admit it?”
She thought about their imminent trip to Rome. “I think we could use every god possible on our side. We don’t know what’s waiting for us. It could come down to a simple discussion. Or…” Dani left it, not wanting to voice the possibility of something far more serious.
Poseidon stood. “That’s what I thought.” He turned to Reef. “Start making preparations. We’ll leave tonight and meet everyone there.”
Reef gave Dani a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you in Italy when the sun disappears, dark goddess.”
The title made Dani laugh. “Thanks, Reef. See you there.”
He left, and Poseidon turned to Dani. “Tell my brother and the fury sisters I’ll be there.” He put his massive hand on Dani’s shoulder. “And thank you for coming to me, Soul Collector. Reef is right. We need fresh air. I think you and I will do good things together.” He clapped his hands together, and the ocean rumbled around them. “Now. I’ll see you to the gate, and then I’ve got to get things in order before I leave.”
They walked to the gate, and Poseidon talked about possible tag lines for posters, along with musing about dying his beard to capture light better. Dani couldn’t wait to get home to Meg and to fill in Idona on the plans she’d set in motion. Meg would be proud of me for moving forward this way. The thought made her skin tingle, and she jogged back along the ocean tunnel. Tomorrow was uncertain, and she wouldn’t waste tonight.
Chapter Twenty-two
Sunrise brought a finger painting of pinks and oranges bleeding into a clear blue sky. Dis stood on the highest remaining wall of the Coliseum and looked out over Rome. Time meant nothing to her, but yesterday she’d watched from the shadows as a human had looked out over this same view and been reduced to tears. The dish
eveled, fragile-looking human had explained to the guide how small she felt and how insignificant her life looked from this vantage point.
The human was right, of course. She, and all the lives lived alongside her, were little more than dust specks, brief flickers in an uncaring, cold space. Almost everything they did would be forgotten, unless they built something like the building Dis was standing on now. Even then, it too would be reduced to rubble one day, nothing more than the rock ripped from the earth to build it, returned to the soil from which it came. The tract of ruins below her were a perfect example of that. Though the shells of some buildings remained, the people who’d used them, who knelt and prayed and wept in them, had vanished into time, not even a memory or whisper of them remaining.
She’d seen civilizations these humans didn’t even know existed rise and fall, to be buried beneath the seas and mountains that constantly shifted around them. Briefly, she wondered what this next stage would bring with it. Who would be remembered, and who would fade into nothingness? The coming conflict made her entire being hum with the energy of the universe, like a newborn star about to burst into the night sky with its blinding light. This feeling was what created her, what kept her alive and moving through the cosmos. Change on a massive scale demanded movement into the next stage of development. Or death. She didn’t care which, as long as she got to experience it. And to be able to do so under the light of an eclipsed sun, with all that pent-up energy just waiting to crash back through the darkness, was even more thrilling. She did so love the drama of it all.
With a quick thought of the Vatican, she stood in the square before St. Peter’s Basilica. Around the tops of the porticoes lining the square were various gods, standing like ominous shadows over the statues of saints. She’d been surprised when a large group of them had showed up the night before. Most were an amalgamation of good and bad rather than simply underworld guardians, secondary or tertiary gods in pantheons with cloud gods who treated them like upper-level humans rather than the gods they were. The main surprise had been Anubis, the jackal-headed god of the Egyptian underworld. Osiris had essentially usurped his position many centuries ago, but he was slowly regaining power, and the two would likely have to fight for the position once more. Others, like Apophis, with his snake tongue; Kuk, the personification of darkness; and several of the petra loa from the Haitian belief system were secondary gods with closets full of resentment. Their gods had mistaken their apparent subservience for acquiescence, and those smaller gods had decided to fight for a place at the big kids’ table. They knew the stakes; if they won, their place among their people was assured. If they lost, there would likely be dire repercussions. Gods could severely maim one another, and the heads of religions could excommunicate their rebellious secondary gods in an instant. Dis knew only the fury sisters had the power to kill off gods, though, and she was determined to make that triad a duo, if not obliterate it altogether. They would feel her pain and know what loss truly was.