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Whether he agreed with my actions or not, he follows close on my heels.
Gravely, Dad asks in a voice as soft as the wind. “Have you seen one?”
My stomach turned sour. He didn’t need to explain who he was talking about.
“Never.”
“Fine.” His voice is sprained. “But we will need to be in and out. Absolutely no time to delay. Then,” he adds, his eyes lock with. “We will be having a talk about your midnight ventures.”
“Not midnight. Also, early morning.” Instantly, I’m kicking myself. Why did I say that?
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Only the sun and moon immortals witness me at that hour. A time where Artemis hands off the skies to her twin brother, Apollo.
Dad gestures toward the woods ahead hesitantly and I move ahead of him. Stepping over the ring, I look back at my dad who is surveying the area. His face is as white as Winter Solstice snow. Finally gaining enough courage, he steps across the boundary. His legs are shaky and breathing heavily.
Trying to make conversation and ease his nerves, I return Dad’s question. “Have you seen a god or goddess?”
Taking several steps, Dad holds off on answers before grimly stating, “Too many to count. Let me tell you kid, they bring bad news.”
“Wait, WHAT?” I demand.
Since when?
How long has he been hiding that from me?
“Anyone who hunts long enough ends up meeting the occasional god and always regrets the meeting.” Trudging along, we check my traps. “Which is why after today you can’t be here.”
Ignoring him, I collect our game. Making a point to reset our traps.
This isn’t my last venture to the Veil.
Standing up, I turn my attention to the area around us.
Tensely, my fingers curl around the string to my bow. Seven more rabbits are in the snares. “What happened the last time you saw a god?”
The air between us is silent. Dad sighs. “When I was younger, I stole something in which the gods desired dearly from the immortal side of Veil. I was forced to cross back over the boundary and nearly died doing so. Take my warning, Pandy, do not mess around with the gods. They’re cruel and vindictive. They’re left with only time to plan how they’ll torture a whole lineage of descendants. Eternally bored. They took nearly all who I ever loved. Leaving you and me.”
Mom. He must be talking about her. Who else would he be talking about?
… But I thought her ailment was what did her in?
Gods above, I have so many questions and not enough time to ask them all.
“What did you steal?” I whisper, my voice only barely audible.
My chest tightens as I wait. What would be so valuable? What could he have taken that would make the immortals so upset?
“That’s for another time. You and I need to be focusing on these infernal woods,” Dad warns. Holding his weapon up, he continues to take silent steps forward as he slowly surveys the area.
Pushing onward, I know Dad is upset but I’m praying that our haul will placate the worst of his disappointment with me. “Want to stop at the pomegranate tree before leaving? We can pluck enough fruit for the whole family.”
Pursing his lips, he replies, “I don’t know kid. I think that we should get back to the safer side of the wood.”
Relative safety, that is.
“Please? I promise to be quick.” Looking up at him with big pleading eyes, I wait for him to cave. Knowing that he’d budge. I could see it.
