Page 37 of Seas the Reckoning

Feral addresses the witch. “I was led to believe your problem might benefit from a more subdued method? It’s not her style.”

Starla pouts for a moment, and I can see why. If this valkywolf is as engaging as she sounds, she would have been a fun addition, but Feral is right.

Go figure.

God of wisdom and all.

“Yes,” I say. “We have a few problems that need solving but a limited timeline, not to mention a few familial complications. Ji-hwan suggested you might be able to provide us some guidance.”

Feral adjusts the sleeve of the suit he’s got on, expertly tailored to accentuate his frame.

“I’d be happy to hear more about the situation and see what I can do.”

Jackal leads us back over to the garden chairs, managing to find another foldable one in his sister’s shed. Once seated, we fill Feral in on the situation.

“Per Grammy Pearl, all the answers we need are at this event. But we’re admittedly a bit dizzy just from thinking of all the answers we need, and the myriad ways we might go about getting them,” I say.

“More confused than a fly in a mirror maze,” Starla confirms.

Feral tilts his head at the witch.

“Flies have so many lenses in their eyes that a maze of mirrors would provide an untold number of reflections, confusing and overwhelming the creatures.”

“Yep, that’s what I said.” She turns and whispers to me, “He’s going to be a bag of fun, isn’t he?”

“Give me just a moment,” the god says, as if he hasn’t heard the witch. Perhaps he hasn’t, or perhaps he just doesn’t care.

He begins to pace, and I don’t point out to my witchy friend that she was doing the very same thing earlier.

As he moves, I can see the edges of his form go a bit shimmery. It’s as if the deity has the option of looking like the rest of us, but when he’s focused on something else his edges don’t look fully solid.

“He’s somewhat closed off, but he’s dependable. And if his help does involve sticking around, he’s also useful in a fight,” Jackal whispers, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on the top of my head. I lean into him, my muscles unclenching just a bit as I luxuriate in his warmth and comfort.

“Because he’s a god? Is his power limitless?”

“Gods are incredibly powerful but not unbeatable. His specific ability from even before that is feral.”

“I thought he was Feral. As in, that’s his name.”

“It is. But that’s also his ability. It’s tricky to explain. Just know that if he unleashes it, most in the vicinity will be frozen in fear. And he’d be able to tear through them faster than a rampaging Were with an anger problem.”

I chuckle, even though the imagery his words invoke is frightening.

“Don’t tell Never. She’s got competition.”

“Oh, they’re well acquainted with one another.”

That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.

Feral snaps his fingers.

“All right. I’ve got it. I mentally sorted through all your different priorities and obstacles, and then layered Coven Leader Pearl’s advice over top, since everything the seer told you would be laced with hints. And I have a suggestion on how to proceed.”

The rest of us crowd around him.

“We need to do exactly what you’re already doing,” he says.

I slump back in disappointment.