Chapter 61

My life was quieter than it had ever been for about two weeks following my departure from Asgard. None of the gods contacted me, and I have to admit I was a little disappointed by that. I thought at least Ull would come by to say hi but then again, Thor was his father. Blood before buds.
I sank into a depression deeper than I'd ever experienced before. I never left the house. I couldn't even paint. Thankfully, I'd already finished the commissioned portraits and was able to deliver them on time or I'd have had some very upset customers. My altar was neglected and so was my garden. The herbs I grew for eating and witchcraft were probably overrun with weeds. I didn't know for sure since I only went outside to get the mail. All phone calls went unanswered until Jackson and Tristan stopped by to check on Nick and found me sleeping. It was two in the afternoon. They held me while I cried; Tristan giving Jackson accusing glances the entire time as if it were all his fault.
But no one can be sad forever. I finally got up one day and decided I'd had enough of pizza and Chinese food. I needed to go grocery shopping. I also needed to clean. I took a good look around my disgusting house and felt the first pangs of renewed vigor. I'd get some food, cook myself a nice meal, and while it was cooking, I'd clean up my life. Or at least my house.
I drove down to Safeway; squinting in the afternoon sunlight like a bear coming out of hibernation. I'd forgotten my sunglasses, dammit. My eyes were a little watery by the time I pulled into the parking lot. I blinked rapidly and walked toward the store with my purse tucked under my arm. There was a dagger in my bag, and I'd worn my gloves as well. I was depressed, not suicidal. So, I wasn't scared when I spotted Trevor. I was shocked as hell though.
"Hey, Trevor,"I called as he pushed himself off the wall he'd been leaning against. I glanced around the parking lot warily but didn't see any other werewolves.
Trevor gave me a lopsided grin as he stepped up to me; his gait casual but smooth. Animal smooth. He was wearing a black T-shirt that showed off his thick build, a pair of worn blue jeans, and black work boots. His eyes were warm honey peering out from behind the unruly locks of his midnight hair. Too bad Persephone wasn't there, she would've been in werewolf heaven.
"Hey, Vervain."Trevor leaned in to rub his face along the side of mine. His nose traced my chin and then he withdrew.
"Uh."I cleared my throat; avoiding the looks I was getting from passerby. "Thanks for that. Now, is there a reason you're here or is this just a coincidence?"
"It's no coincidence."He looked around and sniffed the air before continuing. "I followed some Froekn here and then sent them home. The contract is still valid. I'll defend you to the death, even against my brothers, but I still can't betray the confidence of a customer. It's bad for business."He smiled and half-shrugged.
I shook my head. "Trevor, I told you; you don't owe me anything. Please don't endanger yourself anymore for me. I can take care of myself."
Trevor shuddered and his eyes closed briefly. I frowned at that and was about to ask him if he was all right when he started speaking again.
"I can't give you a name, but I can give you a hint,"he leaned in closer to whisper. "How do you think we found you?"
"I don't know,"I said. "That's one of the things I can't figure out."
"Then let me just say that it's not you who we followed, Vervain."
"Then who?"I looked pointedly around at my lack of companions.
"We only needed to catch your scent."Trevor stared at me as if he could will me to understand. "All it took was one time."
"So, I guess it's a good thing that I haven't left my house in weeks,"I huffed.
"Definitely."Trevor looked a little unsteady but his voice sounded strong. "Stay inside. Your home is well warded, and I can't watch you twenty-four-seven. I have other obligations."
"To your pack?"I felt a little dizzy for a second, and I wavered on my feet. He caught me and steadied me with a hand on each arm. I looked up into his warm eyes. They seemed closer than they should be; bigger and more intense. "What does Froekn mean?"
For some reason, it was supremely important that I know.
"It's the name my father gave us."Trevor smiled gently; the honey of his eyes darkening to caramel. "We are the Froekn, his valiant ones, children of the Great Wolf."
"Valiant,"I whispered reverently. I felt drugged and blissful. Tingles were spreading along my skin. Did I have low blood sugar?
"Godhunter."Trevor pressed his forehead against mine and then drew his face upward; inhaling and keeping contact with me with the tip of his nose as he went. Then he whispered into my ear, "Call my name into the wind if you ever need me, and I'll be there."
"Thanks, I'll remember that."I shivered under his intense wolf stare and tried to shake off the strange way it made me feel. Maybe I was just overtaxing myself or maybe it was the Sun; I hadn't seen it in awhile.
"You're welcome, Lady Hunter."Trevor smiled in his lopsided way and suddenly the world was back to normal.
He loped off before I realized that I still didn't know who was after me.