“I know it's the middle of the night, but I took a chance that you might be awake,” she went on.
“Welcome to Pride Palace,” Wren said as he stood. “Please, take my seat.”
Wren was the youngest of my Intare; at least he'd been the youngest when he was made a werelion. He looked around thirty-years-old but I got the impression that he'd been even younger than that. His blond hair fell just below his ears and his shamrock-green eyes were bright with mischief. Tan skin coasted smoothly over an abundance of muscles; shown off in a tight tank top and jeans. Athena took in the full Wren package as she slid into the seat he offered her.
“Thank you... ?”
“Wren,” he gave her his name along with a smile.
“Wren,” she murmured.
“Athena?” I prompted as she continued to stare at Wren.
She blinked and shook her head a little. “Sorry; I'm having one of those days.”
“Coffee or tea?” I offered.
“Dear Gods, I'd love a coffee,” she said and sighed.
Wren ran off to get it for her. When he passed Hades, the God of the Underworld leaned toward him, and Wren stopped.
“Be careful, Romeo,” Hades whispered. “She's the Mistress of Olympus. You break her heart, and she'll probably break yours right back; literally.”
“But the heart wants what the heart wants,” Wren said with a cocky grin as he hurried off.
I shared a grimace with Hades, and we shook our heads at the folly of men and beasts.
“It's our father,” Athena said to Persephone and Artemis.
We all went still.
“What about Zeus?” Sephy asked.
“He's in Argentina too,” Athena said. “Well, not physically; he's expanded his logging company to include Argentina.”
“What in all the realms has drawn so many Greek Gods to Argentina?” Sarasvati asked.
“I suppose it was our people who brought Argentina to our attention.” Athena shrugged. “It doesn't matter; we're there now. Zeus was the victim of the first attack. Although, we didn't know it at the time, and it wasn't really an attack.”
“What does that mean?” Trevor frowned at her.
“Every time Zeus' employees would start to clear a site, the trees would disappear,” Athena said. She took a cup of coffee from Wren and paused to say, “Thank you.”
“I'm sorry; did you just say that the trees disappeared?” I asked.
Athena tore her gaze away from Wren. “Um; yes. They'd disappear and then reappear as soon as the loggers moved on.”
“What in tarnation?” I exclaimed.
“I've been looking into the Tupi legends,” Athena said. “Those are some of the indigenous people of Argentina. There's a god called Sachayoj, the Father of the Forest. When natives cut down a tree without need, he would punish them by making all the trees disappear.”
“Sounds like you've found culprit,” Kirill said. “At least he's not hurting anything.”
“Yes; it was the most passive of the attacks,” Athena said. “Zeus wouldn't have even brought it to my attention if he hadn't heard about Triton and me.”
“How are your mines?” Eztli asked.
“I've kept them closed so I haven't experienced any other losses, but Triton's ships keep sinking,” Athena said. “He's gone back to that house you found, Vervain and tried to confront Mayup Mamman, but she wasn't there. He's furious.”
“She did warn him,” Finn pointed out.
“That doesn't make it right,” Athena countered. “I could warn you right now that I'm going to kick you in the balls. Would you fault yourself for it when I did?”
Finn grimaced as several men winced. “Point taken.”
“I think what Finn is trying to say is that Triton went into this knowing what he'd be up against,” I said. “He knew that Mayup would attack his boats if he didn't leave. He took the risk.”
“Triton warded his boats but it didn't work,” Athena said. “I think it's become about pride for him now. He's the son of the greatest sea god in the Greek Pantheon; Triton feels like he has a reputation to uphold and the right to fish wherever he pleases.”
“Pride again.” I sighed as I looked around the table at my lions. “The bad kind of pride.”
“We think these gods might be after you because of the way your people have invaded their country,” Odin said. “Their people have faded away—along with their religion—while yours have thrived. And now, you've all gone there and begun to strip their country of its natural resources for profit.”
Athena's cheeks turned red. “What did you just say to me?”
“Those are simply the facts, Athena,” Hades said gently. “He's not trying to be rude. Our people weren't exactly invaders, but they did immigrate in large numbers to Argentina, and you yourself admitted that it was what led you there.”
“I'm trying to tell you that this may be about more than gold, fish, and lumber,” Odin went on. “This could be about the Greek people; your people. They could be in danger.”
“We don't know that for certain,” I quickly interjected. “It's all a theory based on what Mayup said about wanting the Greeks out of Argentina. She didn't specify the Greek Gods; just the Greeks.”
Athena's gaze went distant and then widened. She swallowed roughly before she answered. “All of us employ Greeks; it's a way of providing for our people.”
“It might be a good idea to watch over those people a little more closely,” I suggested.
“That's it?” She asked in surprise. “You're not going to help us?”
“Athena, you have one of the biggest pantheons in existence,” I pointed out. “I helped you before because you needed a tracker, but I don't understand why you'd come to me and expect me to help you again when you already have plenty of gods at your disposal.”
Athena grimaced. “Those gods aren't adept with dealing with things like this.”
