Of Gods and Wolves (39 page)

The smell of vanilla mixed with a light undercurrent of citrus. I breathed it in deeply, loving the feel of the grass beneath my feet and Nick snaking happily around my legs while emitting heavy purrs. I smiled and reached down to give him a quick scratch before moving back to finish watering my vanilla orchids. They grew off chunks of tree fern which I’d hung in the orange tree in my front yard and their smell alone made them valuable to me but when you added to that their fragile beauty, it was clear they were nothing short of works of art.

The sound of an expensive engine cut into my peace and I looked over my shoulder to see Trevor pulling into the garage in my Jag. I dusted my hands off as I watched him and Fenrir get out of the car. A big smile spread across my face.

“Zis is Wolf God?” Kirill jumped down from his perch in the orange tree, where he’d been keeping guard, and watched the men approach carefully. His stance was casual, relaxed, but I could tell he was missing nothing. He’d probably already gauged the best ten ways to bring Fenrir down in case it became necessary.

Fenrir, for his part, had also been sizing up my new bodyguard with unconcealed interest. By the time he and Trevor stood in front of us, Fenrir had a small smile playing about his lips. Before he could say anything though, a violent barking assaulted us from the yard beside mine.

I looked over in shock to see my neighbor’s two German shepherds snarling at us over the wooden fence. I’d seen them bark at strangers before but I’d never been the focus of their fierce attention. I was stunned. Nick however was severely annoyed and let the girls know it in no uncertain terms. The dogs stopped a second to stare at my hissing feline before once again renewing their vigorous disapproval of my guests.

“
Vasse, Roxy!” My neighbor Tahnee came running out and pulled the girls down from the fence. They immediately quieted and circled her happily, although they continued to cast suspicious looks toward Fenrir. “I’m so sorry, they get spooked sometimes.”

“
No problem,” I reached down to calm my own upset animal but Nick just flicked his tail at me and took off. “My Dad’s kinda big. He’s probably what got them so excited.”

“
This is your Dad?” Tahnee looked over at Fenrir with open curiosity.

I could almost feel Fenrir stiffening under her gaze, taking offense to what he assumed she was thinking. I, however, knew those thoughts weren’t anywhere near what Fenrir was expecting. Tahnee’s one of those genuinely sweet people who you just keep thinking will someday let her façade fall and you’ll find out she’s a serial killer or something but it never does, because she actually
is
that sweet.

She moved in last year with her husband Justin, who’d taken a job doing research at UH and we’d become fast friends. Something that didn’t happen very often with me. So I knew the next words out of her mouth would be something that would endear Fenrir to her forever. She didn’t disappoint.

“So you must take after your Mom in the height department, huh? Does he play basketball?”

I laughed, more at Fenrir’s pleasantly shocked expression than at Tahnee’s innocent observation. “He’s actually Trevor’s father but I call him Dad too and I don’t think he’d know a basketball if it bopped him on the head.”

“Ohhhh,” she smiled big, “I should’ve recognized the handsome face.”

Fenrir’s smile turned into a leer. “Thank you,” he started sauntering over to her, drawn like a moth to the flame of her fiery curls and genuine smile.

I grabbed his arm before he could get too close. “How’s your
husband
doing, Tahn?”

“
Oh, fine, fine, you know Justin,” she looked over her shoulder at the little two-bedroom they were renting. “He’s watching the football match and eating pretzels. He’ll realize I’m gone when the pretzels run out and he starts to get hungry.” She gave a cute little laugh.

“
He obviously doesn’t appreciate you enough,” Fenrir slipped out of my grasp to lean against the fence beside Tahnee.

I swore under my breath but before I could do anything more, the dogs once again shot up and resumed their barking, this time directly in Fenrir’s face. Fenrir leaned back a little in surprise and Tahnee let out an expletive that still sounded sweet because she said it. She pushed the dogs back down with an exasperated huff.

“I’m sorry, I better take them inside,” she shook her head.

“
We’re heading in too,” I waved. “I’ll catch you later.”

“
Alright, take it easy, mate.” She shooed the girls into the house as I turned to do the same with my boys. “It was nice to meet you, Trevor's Daddy.” She called out as she closed the door.

“
Did she just call you her mate?” Trevor looked like he didn’t know whether to be upset or intrigued.

“
She’s Australian, you moron,” I pushed at him until he started into the house. “It’s their term for friend.”

“
Huh,” he frowned. “Oh, so when she said Justin was watching football…”

“
She probably meant soccer,” I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“
Ah, I thought so,” he nodded sagely.

“
Yes, you’re brilliant, everyone says so,” I let the sarcasm drip but Trevor didn’t seem to notice.

I formally invited Fenrir into my home so my wards would recognize him and let him pass. He spoke the proper acceptance and ducked to come into my suddenly tiny house. I was a little nervous but he smiled widely.

“This is a good den, little Frami.”

“
Thanks, Dad,” I gestured to the low sofa, wondering how his knees would fare. “You ready for movie night?”

“
Most definitely,” he surprised me by easily lowering himself into the furniture and relaxing back with a contented sigh. “What are we watching?”

“
Well, since we have all day and night,” I smiled and held up three DVDs. “I thought we’d go for a classic trilogy… Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.”

“
Star Wars,” Fenrir seemed to be considering, “sounds like appropriate entertainment for gods. I accept.”

“
There are many good lessons in these stories,” Fenrir mused, hours later, surrounded by empty beer cans and scraps of pizza. “I especially like the little toad creature with the speech impediment. It shows how power can come in even the most repulsive of forms.”

“
Little toad?” I squished up my face at him. “Do you mean Yoda?”

“
Yes, yes,” he waved dismissively. “I enjoyed the humor of the cowboy captain as well but I think the main character, this Walker of the Skies, I think he’s a lover of men.”

“
What?” I choked but Trevor and Kirill started literally howling in laughter.

“
He’s a total pufta,” Trevor agreed.

“
Luke Skywalker is not gay,” I looked from one man to another, “he was just young. He grows and matures through the sequels.”

“
Grows and matures into gay man,” Kirill said quietly, sending Trevor and Fenrir into fresh bouts of laughter. Kirill smiled wider at the shared camaraderie and I found myself easing off because of that one look. I badly wanted him to feel accepted and at ease around my Froekn family.

“
Ok, maybe he’s gay but Han Solo is totally straight.”

“
A little bit of a weasel but with enough honor to make him likable,” Fenrir nodded.

“
Did you just call Han Solo a weasel?” I blinked as my mouth fell open.

“
He reminds me of my father,” Fenrir’s face got pensive.

“
Whoa, right there, Wolf King,” I waved wildly. “Calling him a weasel is one thing but I will not stand for you comparing Han Solo to Loki, it’s just not right.”

“
Okay,” he reached over and tousled my already tangled hair. “I’ll stop ridiculing your hero.”

“
Thank you,” I nodded curtly.

“
Hero?” Trevor snuggled closer. “I thought I was your hero.”

“
Well technically, I saved your life first,” I grinned unabashedly at him. “So I’m
your
hero.”

“
What I’m confused about,” Fenrir interrupted a potential debate, “are those little fluffy things living in trees. Nature would not create such as they. The short legs alone are not conducive to survival in a forest setting and how would they be able to build their homes in the trees like that? It’s impossible.”

“
Take it up with Speilberg, Dad,” I yawned.

“
Ah, the great huntress is tired,” he leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. “I’m glad you’re home safe, Godhunter. Get some sleep and I’ll come visit again.”

“
Okay,” I snuggled up into Trevor, enjoying the feeling of him lifting me and carrying me to our bedroom. “Goodnight.”

I drifted off to the voices of my lion and my adopted werewolf father:

“He is a weasel though.”

“
Zat is true.”

“
And why was that woman wearing her hair in the shape of breakfast pastries?”

“I like him.”

It was the last thing I expected to hear from Fenrir, and judging by the way Trevor was staring at his father with huge horrified eyes, he shared my surprise. The focus of our discussion was standing ten feet away, surveying the interior of Moonshine from the second floor railing. He most likely knew we were talking about him, what with the super hearing of the shifters and all, but he showed no signs of his attention wandering from the task of guarding me. He was better than Kevin Costner.

“You
like
him?” Trevor’s voice had that careful edge to it, the one he got right before he exploded.

“
You needed some backup protection for our Rouva,” Fenrir looked from me to Trevor, “since you insist on living outside of the God Realm where you’d be truly safe. You're too easily distracted by her to make a good guard.”

“
Quite a few of my worst moments have been in the God Realm,” I grimaced.

“
I meant in my Hall,” Fenrir’s lips twisted, “where I can guarantee nothing will cause you the slightest distress.”

“
Uh-huh,” I smirked, “one of the aforementioned worst moments was in your fighting pit,
Dad
.”

“
Girl, you’re trying my patience,” he rumbled.

“
Could we get back to our chat about us having a new cat in the house,” Trevor glared at us both, “a tomcat.”

“
Did you forget that I’m the queen cat?” I lifted a brow. “I don’t think we need to resort to name calling, puppy.”

“
Minn Elska,” Trevor sighed, “stop trying to pick a fight. I’d just like to get some sympathy from my father but there doesn’t seem to be any forthcoming.”

“
I do sympathize with you, Son,” Fenrir patted Trevor’s knee. “I wouldn’t want male sex kittens rubbing all over my mate either but the fact of the matter is, the boy seems pretty honorable and although he’s half in love with our girl here, I think it’s the more courtly version of pining without pursuit.”

“
Lancelot pined like that for Guinevere,” Trevor sat back hard in his seat, taking me with him since his arm was tight around my shoulders. “And you saw how that ended.”

“
I think you just threatened to burn me at the stake,” I blinked melodramatically. “You know how much I don’t like that kind of anti-witch talk.”

“
Guinevere took sanctuary in a convent,” Trevor looked over at me with exasperation.

“
Yeah, after Lancelot rescued her from the huge pile of highly combustible sticks they tied her to.” I rolled my eyes, “Men and their jealousies.”

“
Men
and their jealousies?” Trevor sputtered. “So you think it was okay for Gwen to sleep around on her husband, who also happened to be the king?”

“
No I don’t think it was okay,” I shook my head. “God, babe, irrational much? I’m just saying that burning her at the stake was a little harsh.”

“
That was a just punishment for royal adultery back then,” he looked almost smug.

“
Oh, I get it now,
Prince
VѐulfR,” I gave him my
you just lost big points, buddy
look. “You longing for the good ol’ days when you could burn your wife for cheating on you? Not exactly a great argument for marriage, baby. And here’s another thing… why did the women get burned for finding love outside of  marriage but the men got to cheat with every courtesan who caught their eye? Hell, if he was the king, they practically couldn’t say no to him. Didn’t those kings constantly recognize bastard children? That’s absolute proof of adultery but no one started a little fire under their royal asses, did they?”

“
Are you enjoying being a little taller?” Fenrir was reclining back, delighting in our exchange immensely, if I was reading his expression accurately.

“
Excuse me?”

“
The soapbox you’re standing on is sure a big one,” he took a casual swig from his mug and then choked when I gave him a little magical nudge and made him spill beer down his front. “Hey, you’re not supposed to use magic in here.”

“
It’s good to be the boss,” I grinned. I'd been studying god spells out of Ku's book and I was thrilled I'd gotten that one down, even if it was just a small nudge.

“
Trevor’s right,” Fenrir looked a little concerned, “You’re awful touchy tonight. You know damn well he’d never harm a hair on your head, much less burn you at the stake. What’s your problem, Rouva?”

I sighed. “I’m sorry, it’s the cat in me. She likes to fight, especially with the doggies.”

“We can fight later, Minn Elska,” Trevor whispered into my ear, sending chills down my spine. “I’ll chase you around the garden again.” I laughed and settled back into him. Our garden chases were the best, especially when they turned into catches. Which was every time.

I looked around at the mingling Intare and Froekn, and hoped they weren’t having the same urge to fight that I was. Then I spotted Fallon talking to Samantha and changed my mind. This could give new meaning to the term interracial couple. What would the children be like? I had to veer away from that thought, the possibilities were a little too unsettling.

“I don’t like your cats, Rouva,” UnnúlfR plopped down onto the faux hill next to us and began to sulk.

“
Just discovered that there’s no female kitties, huh?” I laughed.

“
That has nothing to do with it,” he glared at Fallon's back.

“
Oh, so then it's a particular lion you're angry with. Perhaps for talking to Samantha?” I laughed harder at his narrowed gaze. “They are some lookers, that’s why they were chosen after all. Don’t hate them because they’re beautiful.”

“
I can hate whoever I choose,” he grumped.

“
Whomever, and no you can’t,” I pushed at him. “They’re good boys for the most part and they’ve been abused by a terrible woman who denied them sex for years…and when they did get it, it was only with her. Have a heart, little brother. Imagine having to go without for that long.”

“
Years huh?” He swallowed hard. His name didn’t mean “to love a wolf” for nothing, UnnúlfR had a reputation with the ladies. “That would suck.”

“
Yes,” I winked at him, “besides, imagine all the tail you could get with back up like that.”

“
Hmmm,” he started to see the light.

“
Girls will flock,” I murmured.

“
Like pigeons to that crazy bird lady,” he muttered.

“
I’m sorry,” I sat up straight and looked at him with huge, shocked eyes. “Did you just make a
Mary Poppins
reference?”

“
What?” UnnúlfR had a panicked moment where he forgot to be cool before he realized that bluffing was always the best way to go. Deny, deny, deny, it was the American way. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He got up quickly and stalked off to the nearest grouping of Intare and gorgeous women.

My Intare were having the time of their lives and I was thrilled to see it. All except for Kirill that is, who stood at alert attention and barely looked at the women who gathered the courage to go talk to him. I sighed, this wouldn’t do at all. I patted Trevor’s knee.

“I need to go do a little kitty counseling,” I leaned in to kiss him but he twisted his face away.

“
With Kirill? Just leave him be, Vervain.”

“
I want him to mingle,” I frowned at him. “I thought it might be nice for him to find a girlfriend.”

“
Oh,” Trevor’s face changed instantly. “By all means then,” he waved to Kirill, “go get the cat laid.”

“
You are so horribly transparent,” I grimaced as I got up. “Could you give your son some perspective while I’m gone?” I gave Fenrir an exasperated look. “Like how life with an unhappy mate can be. Or maybe how the dance floor looks when you’re hanging by your feet over it.”

“
I’ll see what I can do,” Fenrir tried hard for serious but failed miserably.

“
Take your time,” Trevor called after me.

“
Tima,” Kirill’s soft tone washed over me as I approached. He continued to patrol the whole club with his eyes.

“
The security here is top of the line, you know,” I waved at the moon. “Those sensors can pick up any form of magic or ill intent. I’m perfectly safe.”

“
Yes, you are,” his gaze flickered over me quickly and then went back to scanning, “as long as I’m here.”

“
Oh-ho,” I laughed. “Conceited much?”

“
No, Tima,” he made a small snort of amusement, “dedicated.”

“
That’s one word for it,” I leaned on the railing and nudged my shoulder into his. “Another would be obsessive, or there’s morose, or even just plain ignorant.”

“
Ignorant?” He finally turned away from his incessant patrolling to look at me.

“
I’ve been fighting gods for years now,” I gave him a hard look because I was pretty sure that’s what it would take to get him to ease up. “I resent the implication that I’m no longer capable of defending myself, especially when I’m so obviously secure.”

“
Tima, I meant no offense,” he stammered, visibly shaken.

“
I appreciate your back up, Kirill,” I patted his shoulder, “but tonight I want you to enjoy yourself.”

He looked over at some of the Intare, flirting heavily with young women, and grimaced. “If you insist, Tima.”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” I pulled him back when he started to leave. “All I said was enjoy yourself. If you’re not interested in anyone here, then come and sit with me and the Froekn. Just stop with the Nazi patrol.”

His face cleared and he swallowed hard. “I vant you safe. I
enjoy
making sure of safety.”

“
Well, come enjoy it over here then,” I pulled him over to the grouping of little “hills” we were all lounging on and pushed him over to one near Fenrir.

“
You’re doing a fine job, lion,” Fenrir leaned over and pounded Kirill’s shoulder, leaving my poor lion a little shaken… literally.

“
Zank you,” he nodded curtly. “I vould prefer to be on guard but my lady insists.”

“
Your
lady?” Trevor growled.

“
Trevor shut up,” I whacked him and his growl turned into a whimper. “Ignore him, Kirill. Tell me, are you originally from Russia?”

“
Yes, Tima,” his mouth always softened into a smile when he looked at me. I thought it was a good sign that he was beginning to loosen up and trust. Trevor didn’t share my opinion.

“
Commi bastard,” Trevor muttered.

“
One more comment out of you, young man,” I began to growl myself, “and you can go to bed without your
dinner
.”

“
Aw, Minn Elska,” he did the puppy dog eyes.

“
Don’t even try it,” I shook a finger at him. “Enough. How long has it been since you’ve seen Russia, Kirill?”

“
Eighty-four years,” he sounded a little wistful.

“
Do you want to go for a visit?” It made my heart ache, the way his eyes filled with guarded hope. “I went to Russia last year when we were chasing Blue but I didn't get to sight-see. I could wear all the coats I never get to wear.”

“
Yeah, at the same time,” Trevor snorted. “It’s really fuckin’ cold there.”

I slapped him in the back of his head.

Hey,” he held a hand to the spot.

“
Stop being a prick.” I turned back to Kirill. “Do you want to go?”

“
I do,” leave it to him to keep it simple.

“
Okay great,” I looked at Trevor expectantly.

“
What?”

“
When can we go?”

“
Oh,
now
you need me,” he smirked.

“
I always need you, you jackass,” I smiled softly. “Unless you’d rather me and Kirill go alone. He could trace us there.”

“
Fine, I’ll take you to the wasteland,” he sighed.

“
Zank you,” Kirill’s voice was regal but filled with a wealth of feeling. It even stopped Trevor’s sarcasm.

“
You’re welcome,” my wolf grimaced when he caught me smiling at him.

“
It warms my heart to see how broken up you are over misjudging me,” Blue’s voice jerked my head up and silenced the whole top floor. “Couldn’t wait to come apologize to me, could you?”