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“And what are you going to do?”

“Much the same to start.”

“And why are you so obsessed with Pan? There are other gods and goddesses.”

Pan opened his mouth, but he didn’t have a good lie. And as soon as he met with other Tarikians, they’d take one look at his curly horns and realize he wasn’t an incubus. When Noah met the vampires, he’d learn the truth, and the lie would fester between them.

Noah took a step closer, his gaze narrowed. “Nan said you aren’t an incubus and that you’re hiding something. And the vampire lord put you in charge, a supposed traveler he’d never met before? You also speak Dragon?—”

“It’s not that hard to learn. They have a limited vocabulary.”

“And you can speak English.” Noah was now the one counting off a list on his fingers.

“Again, not that hard. I’ve always had a gift for languages.” He held Noah’s gaze, torn between telling him the truth and wanting to see if he figured it out.

“You know an awful lot about this world, yet you only look a few years older than me.”

Pan smiled. “I am much older.”

“How much older?”

“I’m not sure.” That was the truth. At some point, centuries and millennia all blended together.

Noah took another step closer, his stare defiant as though daring to challenge a god. “I pray that Pan will reveal the truth to me because I don’t keep friends who lie.”

Ah, there it was. That flutter of magic, a sweetness on Pan’s tongue that left him craving more, and it vanished before he had a chance to use it

“Ha!” Noah stepped back and pointed at him. “Why do your eyes do that when I pray to Pan?”

Pan tilted his head. “What do my eyes do?”

“Flicker with gold.”

He gasped. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it happened before. I thought it was the light…” His lips twisted into a grin. “You’re him. Pan.”

Pan put his hand over Noah’s mouth and lowered his voice, whispering in his ear. “Do not say that again.”

Noah licked his palm.

His tongue tickled, and Pan laughed. “I would rather you lick elsewhere, but you may worship my hand if you choose.”

Noah pulled a face.

“You are correct, and I really do love hearing my name on your lips. It is also the only way I get even a glimmer of magic. I have none. I am currently mortal, which is as horrifying as it sounds. My people need help, and I am impotent, yet if they lose faith in their gods, then magic may not return. And I hope you agree that a world without magic is a terrible place.” He removed his hand and swallowed, trusting that he hadn’t revealed too much of the truth. “I pray you understand my need for the deception.”

Noah glared at him. “So you only like me because you’re jonesing for magic, and I’m your hit.”

Pan lifted an eyebrow as he processed the words and the intent behind them. “No. Maybe. You are also very pretty, and you want to help me search for the dragon.”

“Do I?”

“I’ll introduce you to the Strega.” Assuming she was alive. He’d need a new plan if she wasn’t, and he could only plan so far ahead. “For the moment, all I ask is that you do not reveal the truth to others.”

“How can I be sure it’s the truth when you lie so easily?”

The words stung. He was a god, and he didn’t owe anyone anything. He didn’t plead for favors. Or he hadn’t. Everything was different now, including him. Now he was the petitioner, asking to be blessed by magic.