The Shadow Crosser (The Storm Runner 3)

“In what world would you think that is any of your business?”

“Look…” Yeah, I know. I was pressing my luck. But I’m famous for being stubborn. And though we weren’t exactly friends, Ixtab and I we were definitely allies in a shared history way. “I know you wanted me to find the godborns,” I said. “You baited me that first day in your chambers, when I was playing dead for the gods. You wouldn’t have told me about the godborns if you didn’t want me to be curious, if you didn’t want me to find your kids.” There. I’d said it. And my head was still attached to my body.

“Ah, Zane. The son of fire.” She stretched the word fire. “How strong and bold you’ve become. Is that good or bad? Only time will tell. For now, my offspring are none of your business beyond your personal guarantee that they get to the World Tree safely. Because if even a hair on their heads is touched…”

“Let me guess: you’ll throw me into Blood River.”

She’s the goddess! I thought. Couldn’t she protect them much better than I ever could? And how was this my problem? I had fulfilled my end of the bargain. I’d spent three months in demon purgatory, found all the godborns, and blown their minds with the truth. Wasn’t that enough to earn me a free cruise or something?

“I see you still have no imagination,” she said. “I can think of exponentially worse punishments.”

Crap! I could barely keep my own butt out of trouble. Now I had to be responsible for two godborn thieves who carried secrets in their pockets?

“But you’ll come to the claiming ceremony, right?” My eyes flicked to the television, where black streaks zoomed around the track, and all I could think was Rosie would smoke them all.

“Of course. Do you really believe I would leave my heirs without their full powers just when they might need them the most? Really, Zane. What do you think I am, a monster?”

Sort of? “What do you mean, ‘might need them the most’?”

The goddess’s eyes ignited into blue flames. “My reputation has been sullied, which puts them in danger. Imagine anyone thinking I would assist the enemy! As if I would ever team up with that ghastly Camazotz or Ixkik’.”

A girl’s voice sounded in the room: “Escorts to Pus River’s pier thirty-six. It’s backed up with clueless souls who keep asking if they can have fries with that.”

Ixtab pressed a button on her bracelet and spoke into it. “And you’re bothering me with this because…?”

“Oh…uh…many pardons, my queen.” The girl’s voice trembled. “Wrong extension. Oops. ’Kay. Bye.”

“I’m surrounded by imbeciles,” Ixtab muttered, rubbing her brow. It made me think briefly of Scar from The Lion King, but I was pretty sure he’d said idiots.

“Can’t you just tell the other Maya gods that you’re innocent?” I asked.

“If only it were that simple. The Council of Gods is looking at all the details.”

Knowing Ixtab, she had her own spy crew working on it, too.

“Good,” I said. “Make sure they know Zotz and Ixkik’ want whatever it is the twins stole.”

Ixtab flashed a terrifying scowl. “Are you calling my children thieves?”

Well, it was a closed antiques shop, and they were dressed like burglars, and I’m sure they lifted something. “Er…no, not thieves,” I said nervously, followed by an even more nervous chuckle. “I’m sure they were just browsing.”

She went on. “Right now, we need to be observant, diligent, intentional, and, above all, you need to report any and all odd incidents to me directly.”

“Sure, but, uh…why would Ik join the baddies? She must think that Zotz will win, but how?” The demon’s confidence had me a little freaked. It told me we didn’t know everything, and whatever pieces were missing, they were big. I didn’t want to be around when the truth exploded in the gods’ faces.

“Iktan will be dealt with, as will the bat god and his pathetic sidekicks.”

Right. Jordan, Bird, and their mom, Ixkik’, aka Blood Moon. Yeah, if that nickname doesn’t spike fear in you, I don’t know what would. “But when?” I asked. “How? Like, who’s going to do it, and can they do it soon?”

Ixtab clenched her jaw and looked like she might incinerate the entire room. Okay, bad question. Bad silence. Bad moment that I really wanted to exit pronto.

But I’ve never been good at keeping my mouth zipped. I stepped closer. “What aren’t you telling me?”

She studied me carefully, like she wasn’t sure she could trust me to handle her answer. “Let’s just say that the day we were hoping wouldn’t come might be near.”

“You mean the war that Zotz and his pathetic sidekicks want.”

Her expression was deadpan.