He pointed out a warehouse that looked very much like the others, but I trusted Florian’s sense of direction more than my own. He was an alraune after all, right? Someone who was in touch with the earth? Or flat concrete, in this case. I had to admit, I didn’t like the idea that we were walking into the lion’s den with little to zero vegetation to depend on.
“Hey, out of curiosity.” I nodded at the warehouse, panting. I was close to drenched in sweat, but at least the sun was down, which promised some slightly chillier weather. “No plant life in there, and none for a huge radius around. What would you do if we got in a fight?”
He shrugged. “Punch stuff, I guess.”
I frowned, but got an idea. “In the future, would it help if you carried around at least one plant with you?”
Florian blinked, then frowned back. “What, you mean cradle a potted ficus wherever we went, just in case? That’s ridiculous.”
“No, dumbass. You can get these super cute necklaces with tiny little terrariums for pendants.”
Eyes wide, Florian rubbed his chin, pursed his lips, and nodded. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Make them overgrow in a pinch, you know? Choke a bastard out. Whatever helps in a fight. Next time, then.”
A cold, leathery arm draped over my shoulder, and I yelped. “What are we talking about?”
I pulled myself out of Sterling’s reach, pedaling backwards as my goosebumps found their way back under my skin. “Jesus, Sterling, give a guy some warning, would you?”
He still had his other arm slung over Florian’s shoulder. Florian looked perfectly unperturbed.
“Oh, so that’s how you greet me?” Sterling scoffed. “No appreciation for me showing up to the fight? ‘Thank you, Sterling, for being our handsome and extremely sexy backup.’ It’s really not that hard.”
Florian smiled, then chuckled. “Thank you for being our extremely sexy backup.”
“Don’t encourage him,” I snapped. I shook my head, my heart still racing from both the sprint and Sterling’s little scare. “How did you find us out here, anyhow? How’d you know where we were heading?”
Sterling grinned, then lifted one hand, twiddling his fingers. Both his fangs and a ring with an amber gem in it gleamed. “Borrowed one of Carver’s scrying rings. You know he loves to enchant his jewelry. He won’t miss this one.”
I gnawed on my lower lip, annoyed that even my friends had resorted to stalking, but at least Sterling had good intentions. “Thanks,” I said grudgingly. “But don’t make a habit of this.”
Sterling stretched out his fingers, admiring his nails and his newly pilfered ring. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
My eyes drifted down to the scabbard attached to his hip. So the ring wasn’t the only enchanted artifact he’d brought along. Sheathed in the scabbard was a katana gifted to him by Susanoo, the Japanese god of storms.
“Wow.” Florian nodded at the sword. “Looks like you’re ready for a fight.”
Sterling scoffed. “Please. Don’t tell me you two seriously believe that this isn’t going to end in hellfire. It’s Loki we’re talking about. The katana is just there for insurance.”
Despite my nerves still fraying, I forced myself to give Sterling a smile. “You’re a good friend, Sterling. Thanks.”
He wagged his finger. “No. Nope. Uncle. I’m a good uncle.”
I sighed. “Let’s just get this over with. Florian?”
> Florian nodded, then led the way into the warehouse, knocking on the shuttered doors. They rattled open as they flew upwards, guided by one of those massive, icy-looking gentlemen that Loki liked to employ. The frost giant nodded curtly, then ushered us in.
Loki – sorry, Theodore Thorpe’s warehouse was different. There was way more stock than before, crates piled higher, pallets as far as the eye could see. A couple of forklifts lingered towards the back of the warehouse, their work for the night completed. Sterling whistled as he looked around.
“What the hell is he shipping? Doesn’t he run the Happy Cow? These can’t all be burgers.” He rapped his knuckles on a nearby crate. “Not very sanitary either. No refrigeration.”
“You would know all about decay and decomposition, wouldn’t you, blood-drinker?”
Loki’s voice filled the warehouse, but when he stepped out from behind a stack of crates, he was just another man, just Theodore Thorpe in one of his snazzy suits. Out of my peripheral vision I caught Florian stiffening. Sterling’s knees bent a little lower to the ground. I could hear him snarling under his breath.
“We’re here to give you the goods, Loki.” I stepped forward, patting at my fanny pack. “Got ’em all right here.”
Loki narrowed his eyes and grimaced as he looked at my waist, but he said nothing. Instead he turned to address Sterling, gesturing at the crates around us. “These are not hamburger patties, friend. Give me more credit than that. Haven’t you heard? Happy, Inc. is expanding into technology now. These are all virtual home assistants.”