Page 35 of Seas the Reckoning

Jackal raises an eyebrow.

“We already talked to Coven Leader Pearl, and she’s been clear on what she’s willing to give us.”

“But she did say to trust our instincts, and our friends.” Ji-hwan matches the hyena’s stare, holding it.

Jackal barks out a laugh.

“You cannot be thinking of calling Never!”

I cringe as the chaotic Were is named. As helpful as she has been to us in the past, I don’t know that I’d consider her a calm voice of reason, and that’s what I think we need in this situation.

“No,” Ji-hwan agrees, “but she has a wide circle of influential friends. Including a very wise Founder who might be more than happy to help, given his current role.”

“Mind putting that in words the rest of us can make sense of?” Starla asks, and I can tell she’s trying to keep the edge out of her voice.

Ji-hwan dips his chin to her.

“All right. I think we should call a god.”

16

FERAL INTRODUCTIONS

If I was drinking something I’d spit it out, and the sparks jumping from Starla’s fingers tell me she feels the same.

“A god? As in … the moon, or fire, or whatever different shifters beseech for help?” Starla asks.

“And they’re real? And we’re just going to ring one up and ask for a favor? And we expect them to answer?” I add.

Jackal is laughing behind his hand, and Exos grins.

“I can think of two of them who could potentially help in this situation, actually,” Exos says.

Jackal puts his hand down.

“True, although I know for a fact that one of them is busy at the moment. That leaves Feral.”

I’m still staring, wide-eyed, at the trio of men.

“Y’all have me more confused than a tourist who’s mixed up Austria and Australia and landed in the wrong airport. Someone should clarify.” Starla’s statement is funny, but the glare she levels at the men is one step short of a growl.

Feral may be the name of this supposed god, but if someone doesn’t put Starla in the know pretty quick, she’ll embody the quality herself.

Ji-hwan holds a hand up, his palms out.

“Feral is a vampire, but also a god. The god of wisdom, to be precise. He’s a reasonable individual, and despite what his name suggests, he is tough to rattle. But, as his name suggests, he is a formidable foe. He’d be a good asset to have.”

“And I trust him for this,” Jackal adds.

Starla’s eyes are still flashing.

“Fine. Call him. I’m not meaning to sound ungrateful. I’m just overwhelmed. Gods? This has gotten a lot bigger than I anticipated.”

I can’t help but agree. I’m fighting off thoughts of exactly what could happen if we involve an actual deity, not to mention what the consequences could be if we upset a god. But Jackal hasn’t shown a single sign of worry, and I try to lean on that.

“I’ll reach out to him,” Ji-hwan volunteers.

“Um, how exactly does one contact a god?” I ask.