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“What are you doing?” The man said behind him.

“Getting food.”

The man made an uncertain noise like a pained animal. “I don’t like this.”

“So do not follow.” Pan took another step in and paused for a moment to see if anyone would yell. No one did.

The man shoved past him. “Don’t dawdle.” He pulled open an illuminated cupboard and helped himself to several bottles. “Want some water?”

“Yes.” Pan held out his hand and accepted the bottle. It was cold against his skin. They didn’t use magic to keep things cold, so how did humans do it? He pushed the thought aside. “Where will the food be stored?”

The man pointed toward the light spilling through the doorway.

A woman stepped into the doorway. “Hey, you shouldn’t be in here.”

“Are you open?” Pan asked as though he had every right to be in there.

“No. You need to leave. Both of you.” Her voice was firm.

“I told you this was a bad idea,” the man hissed as he scuttled backwards.

Pan tilted his head and waited. Sure enough, the door slammed, leaving him on his own with the woman. He didn’t know how to do this without magic. Usually, he’d smile, hold out his hand, and offer a blessing.

Usually, he didn’t need to ask.

She should know who he was and offer him food. He resisted the urge to stamp his foot and make demands, but only just.

“Leave,” the woman said again as if she had the authority to tell a god what to do.

Pan took a step forward and tilted his head. He lowered his voice, hoping for some resonance…but there was none. “Not until I have been fed.”

Her gaze skimmed over him, taking in the fur coat and pausing on the top of his head. Were his horns catching in the light?

Her lips parted. “You’re one of them.”

“One of what?” He silently dared her to say monster.

“There’s been reports of…of…strange beings. Mythological beings.”

Mythological beings. That was better than monsters. Though he was hardly mythological. “Has there?”

“You caused the earthquake.”

“I caused no earthquake.” That was not something he was capable of. Other gods might be able to if tested. “I woke up here. And I would very much like some food and to go home.” He forced a smile. “You want to go home?”

She nodded.

“Give me some food, and I will leave.”

“What about your friend?”

“He’s not my friend. He’s a drunk from the alley who expected me to eat rubbish.” Pan snapped. The woman flinched and stepped back. “I’m not going to hurt you. But I am very hungry and very tired.” He didn’t understand how a perfectly normal day had ended up like this.

But he’d figure it out.

He would get his magic back and fix things. Because he was not spending the rest of his life as a mortal, begging for food.

This was a pile of steaming minotaur crap.