Deadly Call by Martha Bourke

head start on his training before his transition. He’s gonna kick some serious ass afterward. Right, Dies? Dies?”
    Adriana looked down the table and realized Diesel was sound asleep with his chin in his hand.
    “Diesel!” Pax called.
    Startled awake, the brother face planted straight into his mashed potatoes. He picked his head up, his usual three day beard white like Santa Claus. “Hmm?”
    The roar of laughter from the table was so loud, Geoffrey ran into the room like there was a fire.
    “Oh, my fuckin’ God! I can’t believe I picked tonight to stay for dinner!” Troy roared.
    Helen handed Diesel a napkin.
    As Adriana took a very grumpy Maya and put her over her shoulder, she looked down the table at Pax. He wasn’t laughing. He had the strangest expression on his face. He looked almost…worried.
     
    Reyn crossed his arms. “So, suffice to say, it looks like you’re off that extra duty, Diesel.”
    “Because I fell asleep at the dinner table? Are you serious? What are you, my dad?”
    “I’m going to ignore that. It’s not your decision to make. It’s mine. And I’m not only looking out for your sorry ass. I’m looking out for everyone. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not safe in the field. And that’s not a risk I’m willing to take. Not by a longshot.”
    Diesel threw up his arms. “What, now I’m not safe in the field?”
    “I didn’t say that. What the hell’s the matter with you tonight, anyway?”
    “Nothing. If you need me, I’ll be in the field , boss.”
    “Jesus,” Richard said as Diesel almost flattened him in the doorway. “What the hell is up with him?”
    “I wish I knew. It may be time I brought it to a higher power, but I’m reluctant to do it.”
    Richard reached behind him and closed the door. “How is she?”
    Reyn shook his head. “She’s tired, Richard. And worried. She tries to hide it, but…”
    “Have you talked about getting more recruits? I think we need to face the facts. Regardless of how we change strategy, we are vastly outnumbered.”
    “I know. And she knows it, too. She just needs about six more of herself.”
    “That bad.”
    Reyn sighed. “Worse.”
    “Jesus. Alright, look. Before we put something else on her plate, I’ll check on Diesel.”
    “Are you sure? I know how you hate that Obi-Wan shit.”
    “Well, I’d say it’s early yet, but if it comes down to it, I will. You know, there’s always Pax.”
    “I don’t know. I hate the idea of asking him to break any confidences he might have.”
    Richard nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll handle it if we need to.”
    “Thanks. The thing is, I…”
    “Everything okay?”
    “Not really. I’m worried about her, Richard. I probably shouldn’t be saying this. I’m sure I’ll get a divine ass-kicking when I see her, but she’s in danger. Every time she comes here, she has to cross through her own world first — her own part of the Otherworld.”
    “The part where I assume the other gods are, the ones who destroyed her in the first place?”
    “Exactly. So far, she’s been able to do it undetected. I’m sure that’s got something to do with her being technically dead. But for how long? How many trips? As far as I’m concerned, the more we can handle on our own, the better.”
    “I agree. Seriously though, what else can they do to her?”
    A chill made its way down Reyn’s spine. “Christ only knows.” Okaaay. Why the hell was the brother looking at him all WTF? Had he just grown ten extra heads? “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Reyn, your eyes are glowing.”
    Oh, for fuck’s sake.
     
    Helen handed Diesel a mug of coffee and grabbed a box cutter. The new lab was shaping up very nicely. She could hardly wait to start running tests.
    “Thanks.” He took a sip. “This is good. Did you Keurig this, Doc?”
    “Yep.”
    “What kind is it?”
    “Dark Magic Extra Bold.”
    He took another swig. “Huh. Who the fuck knew?”
    She gave him her