Chapter 25

Aly spun and pointed at Daine. "Where's Kitten? Let's talk to the dragons. What about your parents?"

"Aly," Numair said slowly, "I don't think this is such a good idea."

"Listen!" Aly said. Thunder cracked across the sky. "Would you rather have the Trickster win or lose this bet?"

"He's probably lost bets before. He can handle it. He is a god, Aly."

"You wouldn't help Daine's parents if they needed it?"

"That's different."

"No, it's not! There are some things that only humans can do! And the last time the Trickster lost was when he got kicked out of the Isles. We all know how that ended." Aly turned to her mother. "Mom, we've got to do something. What if we're involved in the bet?"

"Wouldn't someone tell us that, Aly?" she answered.

"Not necessarily," George cut in. "If we were the only ones that could tip the balance in favor of one god or another, then they would do their best to keep us out of the way. Especially if we would help the Trickster and he doesn't know that he's the object of a bet."

Aly pointed to him. "Exactly!"

Nawat stepped closer to Aly. "But how do we get there?"

"The darkings?" Dove suggested.

"They don't work that way," Daine said. "My parents' powers are limited, and I left Kitten with Tkaa. We'll have to find another way." Daine paused. "The Badger might be able to do something."

"Wouldn't he have come already if this is as big as we think it is?" Numair asked.

"Good point." Daine said, a little crestfallen. "He must not be able to help."

Aly glared at empty space. "We need to do something," she insisted.

"What about the crow gods?" Nawat asked.

"We'd need to give them something in exchange." Aly said. "They only like shiny things. What would be shiny enough?"

"I know." Nawat said. He turned to the member of Aly's pack that had led her to the room. "Go get the necklace I got for helping Aly. It is very big, and very shiny, and is in my room."

The woman gave him a half curtsey and said, "Right away," before turning and fleeing the room as fast as she could.

She was only gone for a moment, but it was long enough for everyone to absorb how bad the situation actually was. Everyone was nervous and twitchy when the woman got back. She immediately handed the necklace to Nawat and he raised it to the sky, saying, "God and Goddess of the Crows, accept my offering, and give us aide. I ask as your child."

Say please.

That's not funny. He told the Trickster to leave. He has backbone. He's Aly's mate, and she stood up to the Trickster, too. I think we should help.

I never said we shouldn't help, just that the boy should say please.

"Please help us." Nawat said.

See, said the crow god. That's all I wanted. I'll take that.

The necklace disappeared from Nawat's hand.

Who are we taking? Asked the crow goddess.

"Aly, Nawat, George, Numair, Daine and Alanna." Dove answered immediately.

Oh. Is that all? Well here you go.

Merry Christmas!

Piroko Hatake