“It’s not your fault,” I said.
“I know.”
“Do you?” I asked, ducking my head to get her to look at me.
Finally meeting my eye, she ran a hand through her hair, inadvertently smearing icing into it. I suppressed my smile since it was not the appropriate time. The boy’s death clearly agitated her.
“I know, it’s not my fault.” She sighed. “But my head’s all messed up after seeing that guy go splat on the sidewalk. And he died for what? A stupid fake sword?”
I licked my fingers and ran them along the iced strands of her hair. “Gods are accustomed to playing games of power and deception.”
“Well, I fucking hate it.” She crossed her arms across her chest and pouted. “In three months, we’re no closer to figuring out who this psycho is. I mean, I could guess, but even I know I’m biased against your a-hole brethren. There is no actual evidence. I feel like I’m trapped in some game of mousetrap, and I can’t get to the piece of cheese.”
It was true. While I saw to my duties of judging souls, Vivien had been hunting for the Blade of Bane. She’d spent time in the library, trying to trace its path through history. Eventually she gave up and went to Timothy for the “CliffsNotes,” as she called it. He shared that the last sighting of the weapon had been during the Renaissance era. A demigod had been found slain, but no one mourned the loss. His reputation had been cruel, particularly toward animals. After that, the Blade of Bane disappeared.
After pumping Timothy for information, Vivien turned to the internet for leads. Then she prowled the Strip at night, when I was busy. Vivien suspected the blade was being held in one of the hotels. But as the days came and went, her frustration mounted.
“Eventually, they will show their hand,” I assured her. “Whoever started creating vampires, whoever killed Seth and revived the god slayer, has an agenda. They can’t play games forever.”
She eyed me. “Yeah, but they can go for a really long time.”
“True. Gods have been known to play games for centuries.”
“I can’t wait that long. I’ll lose my tiny mind.” To prove her point, she pulled at the roots of her hair, re-icing it.
My thumbs stroked over her bare thighs. “Stop thinking like a mortal. Impatience will make your existence a misery.”
I told myself the same thing with each passing day that she didn’t return my sentiment. Still, not having all of her neared torture.
“Are you saying that because once we figure this out, Osiris will kill me?” She asked the question plainly. Her eyes jerked down as a snout poked at her leg. Cupcake rose up onto her hind legs so that Vivien could scratch the pup’s head. The reaper had sensed her distress and come to Vivien’s aid.
“I won’t let that happen,” I said, the words coming out low and dangerous.
Vivien scratched behind Cupcake’s ear. “Osiris said I was the only vampire allowed to exist because I could help figure out who is behind this conspiracy bull. But the second we Scooby Doo this shit, he’ll come for me. I know he’s your dad. I got the 411. I’ve been reading up on it too, but I’ve also met the dude. Even I’m not stupid enough to pretend I’m not afraid of Osiris.”
I cupped her face, getting her full attention. She paused her ministrations on Cupcake. “Listen to me, Vivien, I swear to you. Osiris will never take you from me.”
Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I believe you.” She shivered.
“Shit. You’re cold. And you haven’t eaten since yesterday.” I pushed back my chair and stood up, pulling her to her feet as well.
Vivien’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you just curse?”
“What can I say? You are a terrible influence.”
“Mwuahahaha,” she cackled dramatically, back to her normal self. “I honestly thought it would take at least a couple of decades to see the effects of my evil influence.”
“You either underestimate how powerful you are, or how adaptable gods can be. Now stop stalling. Where do you want to eat?”
She stared longingly at the iced confection still sitting on the counter.
“Later,” I promised.
Knowing she’d done her job, Cupcake trotted back to her doggie bed and curled up again.
Vivien huffed. “Fine. Couch, then.”
With that, I hoisted her over my shoulder. She yelped in surprise. In the past, she would have clawed, beaten, and bitten to get out of the hold. But now, she relaxed against my possessive need to carry her around.
