Marked by Death (The Godhunter, Book 4) by Amy Sumida Page A

have left.”
    “ There is a leather journal,” he bit out. “In the office upstairs. Look in the desk drawer. It will have the locations of the other sites. It has everything in it.”
    Pele looked back at me, “Godhunter, would you mind?”
    “Sure, no problem,” I turned to leave and Trevor followed me out.
    I didn't bother with all the stupid female empowerment shit like, I don't need any help, or I can manage going up a set of stairs by myself . That wasn't just a waste of my breath, it was stupid. Some of Acan's sun-cooked men could have woken up or maybe fresh stock arrived. Whatever, there could be shit to get into and I wasn't about to begrudge Trevor's company.
    We found the main staircase and ran up it quickly. The landing at the top gave way to two hallways and that was where we split briefly. I ran down one and he the other until I heard him yell: “Here.” I went running back to find Trevor already rummaging through a gigantic wood desk. I went to help, pulling drawers out and sorting through the mess of paperwork that it appeared even drug lords couldn't escape.
    Finally, I found the book and we headed back downstairs. When we reached the open door to the storage tower, the sound of cracking wood alerted me to what my companions had been occupying their time with. Inside, I found dozens of crates smashed open, most of them filled with the white blocks but quite a few had those sparkling blue ones too.
    “ I didn't realize Net was illegal,” I handed the journal over to Pele, who flipped through the pages efficiently.
    “ Not illegal,” Odin said with distaste. “We don't govern ourselves as such. It's just a wicked substance used by the weaker of our kind to control those more powerful. Very few take it recreationally, and those are usually gods who have given up on the world and life in general. It's a coward's weapon.”
    “ I understand,” and I did. When Balder had used it on me, I had dropped down into a paralysis born of apathy and confusion. He could have killed me and I wouldn't have raised a hand to stop him. In fact, he would have if it hadn't been for Loki.
    When I looked back at Acan, Pele had him in her grip again. This time she smiled and it sent shivers down my spine. Who knew the Fire Goddess could be so cold?
    “Why do you care about them?” Acan screamed up at her, held in mid-air by magic and her hand around his throat. “They’re only humans! We are gods! I’ve only done what all of us do.”
    “ Not all of us,” Odin’s voice was a low rumble, “and we especially don't use such underhanded tools against our own kind.”
    “ Then you’re fools,” the Mayan was fighting the bonds with everything he had, veins bulging in his face and neck.
    “ No, you are the fool,” Pele’s eyes went hot and a river of lava flowed out from them, traveling beneath her skin and down her arm. “The relationship we created with humans was meant to be symbiotic. They gave us power and we gave them magic, be it through protection, love, healing, or even sickness. It all had a place and we were there to decide where it should go. We guided them with our advanced knowledge and we learned as well. A lot of the gods have forgotten this and that saddens me but I have not forgotten, my people have not forgotten, and I will not abandon them. Not now, not ever, and definitely not for the likes of you.”
    Acan started to scream, his skin blistering and turning bright red, before his clothes caught fire. I gasped and stepped back but a part of me applauded and was moved by Pele’s speech. I had heard before that the relationship between us and the Atlanteans was meant to be symbiotic but I'd never heard it said with so much passion. Or heard a god admit that they could learn from us. Also, it was rare to find one who truly loved her people.
    Enjoying yourself, Godhunter? Anubis’ voice echoed in my head. I clenched my teeth and tried to ignore him. Do you like watching gods suffer? Grovel?