The Wolf smiled and reached a hand out to me. I gave Re an apologetic look and went to my wolf. I was hoping he'd settle soon and bring Trevor back. Then things would be less aggressive between my men. Although, I would miss the Wolf.
“You haven't asked me how I know that Katila was hunting you, Death Angel,” the Wolf casually pointed out.
Everyone went still. And then the cabin exploded with questions.
The Wolf glanced at his father—who was shaking his head and laughing—and smirked. He took my hand calmly and led me to the chairs before the fireplace—it must have been lit by one of the Froekn because we had never bothered with it. The Wolf helped me into a wingback chair and then leaned against the top casually; my hand still in his. The others simmered down, followed us over, and gathered around us; waiting for the Wolf to say more. Fenrir and the Froekn stood behind us, near the kitchen. A few of them went to grab something to snack on while they watched the show.
“Start from the beginning,” the Wolf said. “What would you like to know?”
“How did Katila possess you in the first place?” Odin asked.
“Someone jumped me on my way out of Moonshine that morning,” the Wolf said. “I was going to grab a bite to eat and went around back to get my bike. The next thing I knew, I was at Pride Palace, but I wasn't in control of my body. I could feel and see everything, but I couldn't speak or move. Then I realized that there was someone else inside my head.”
“They must have used a spell,” Odin muttered. “Although, I'm not familiar with any of the sort, and I can't understand how a god was strong enough to possess another god; even a demigod. You should have been able to push him out. No; he shouldn't have been able to get in, in the first place.”
“He was extremely strong,” the Wolf said without emotion. “I fought him constantly, but he retained control for most of the time. I was only able to break free once; when I tried to warn Vervain to run.”
“He has to be taking power from those demon souls, not just destroying them,” I said. “He's found a way to do the impossible.”
“Taking their magic for his own,” Odin murmured. “It would explain his strength, and his ability to possess a body with a soul already inside it. With a demon's magic, Katila wouldn't need to cast a spell to possess Trevor.”
“I think you're right,” the Wolf said. “He felt... confident; as if it was his magic, not a spell that could backfire or wane.”
“He offered to share Hell with me,” I said grimly.
“What?” Azrael's eyes narrowed.
“Katila thinks he's going to rule Hell,” I said.
“Over my dead body,” Azrael vowed.
“Baby, I think that's part of his plan,” I said gently. “If he can take a demon's magic, not just destroy it, then he can become stronger than Luke.”
Azrael gaped at me.
“Why target Azrael and Lucifer? Or is it too soon to ask that?” Odin gave the Wolf an irritated look.
The Wolf smirked wider at Odin. “The timing is appropriate.”
“Lucifer did bring his demons to the battle of Dvaraka,” I said to ease the tension.
“And Abaddon showed up as well,” Kirill muttered. “The Trinity Pantheon made up a large part of our forces.”
“Katila blames Azrael for his father's death,” the Wolf announced.
We all went still and looked at the Wolf.
“I could feel his hatred,” the Wolf said as his gaze went distant. “It's very focused; enough so that I could even hear some of his thoughts.”
“Like what?” Azrael asked.
“Like how Macaria was supposed to keep you distracted, but instead, you seduced her and swayed her to your side.” The Wolf gave Azrael a taunting look.
“I did not seduce her!” Azrael roared. “And she wasn't swayed; she was at that fucking battle to fight on her mother's side.”
“We know, Az,” I said gently. “It was Katila's thoughts, not the truth.”
Azrael took deep breaths, simmered down, and nodded. “I'm sorry for my outburst.”
“He needs someone to blame,” the Wolf said in a conciliatory tone. “And he's settled on you. You're convenient; you're related to Satan and have a horde of demons for your family.”
“And Katila's mother happens to be good at killing demons. Human myth has given her a way around the difficulty most gods face when killing each other,” Toby pointed out. “Maybe she took that ability a step further and found a way for her son to take a god's magic.”
“I wouldn't be surprised.” The Wolf grimaced. “Katila believes this path was shown to him because he was meant to rule Hell. He thinks it's his destiny. And now, he's decided that Vervain is part of that destiny.”
“He vill die screaming long before he touches Vervain again,” Kirill vowed.
All of the men exchanged looks of vicious agreement; including the Froekn. But I glanced up at the Wolf, and we shared a secret smile. Yes; Katila would indeed die screaming—beneath wolf and dragon claws—and I would beg him not to die so quickly.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Katila screwed up!” I declared.
The men were still making plans on how they were going to kill Katila. They stopped at my outburst and stared at me.
“Don't you see?” Getting back into human brain seemed to stir up thoughts that had been percolating there while I was having my little sex-a-thon. “Katila went to Moonshine to kidnap Trevor; he must have left a trail there. We have another location to investigate, and this one is under our control.”
The men started to smile, and the Wolf straightened.
“Back to Moonshine,” the Wolf said as he
