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We walked in silence across the field, and Nathan stepped forward when we neared. “Greetings. I’d like to introduce all of you to Jupiter, who will continue with the introductions.”

“As Nathan said, I’m known as Jupiter, and yes, I amthatJupiter, which means I’m also known as Zeus, Odin, and many other names. Long ago, my kind withdrew from the affairs ofmen, but some of us still keep in touch with the supernatural leadership.” He nodded to Nathan and looked back to us. “William and David, Miccalena isn’t at liberty to tell you what she is, but I have no such restrictions. Your girl is a wee-bear, meaning she’s a female bear shifter.”

“Wee?” I asked, somewhat affronted at being calledsmall.

“Spelled w-i-f,” Nathan said. “Back whenwerwas the word for man,wifwas the word for woman. So, a werewolf is a man-wolf, and a wifwolf was a woman-wolf. Those prefixes can be put on any animal, but over the centuries we’ve stopped worrying with gender.”

“Yes, of course,” Jupiter said, looking at me. “Werebear, I suppose, though I can see you prefer bear shifter.” He looked to Will. “She’s quite powerful, your girl, despite being newly bitten.”

“With that out of the way,” Apollonius said, “We should address the issue of dual governance.”

“I don’t see a problem with the American vampires ruling themselves,” Jupiter said. “Vampirekind has enough problems dealing with technological advancements that make it so difficult to change identities, and to operate where nearly all public space is monitored by cameras. So long as Memphis and Italy maintain open communication and work together rather than against each other…” He sighed. “I’m here today to issue an edict that Micca and her found family are to be left alone. I’d assumed we could have Apollonius and Xander act as liaisons, but I’m guessing Xander is appointing Kendra to this task?”

“He is, Your Lordship,” Kendra said. “Bran Petrescu is also in contact with the leadership on both sides, but since he’s Lugat, we legally need Strigorii appointments.”

Jupiter shrugged. “Bran was part of the Concilio and likely will be again when he’s ready to leave Chattanooga. An exception could be made, but it can’t hurt to have multiple points ofcontact.” He looked to Apollonius. “My son, I know you prefer this realm to our home, but most on Olympia would welcome you with open arms should you wish to return to us.”

“Thank you, Father. I appreciate that, and I may choose to do so eventually, but for now, my home is in Italy on this realm.”

My heart stuttered in my chest a little at the implications. Was Apollonius actually Apollo? Son of Zeus? And since Zeus is Jupiter…fuck.

Jupiter turned to Mira. “Your life is here, as it should be.” He smiled. “You are my many-times-great-niece, since Poseidon is my brother. I would welcome visits from you, but this realm is your home, not Olympus.” He turned back to the crowd. “Everyone is clear on my edicts, yes? Dual governance seems more advantageous to me, based on the societal differences between Europe and the Americas. Old versus new, yes? People accustomed to living in feudal systems versus a new world with a civilization where the very idea is anathema. Also, no matter who is in charge, Miccalena, William, and David are to be left out of it. I’ve shared her status with her lovers, so if you have a problem with them knowing, you come to me with your grievance. I will enslave and torture for a thousand years not only the person or people who harm any of those three inanyway, but also everyone in on the decision to do so, and every person in the chain of command, from the order being given all the way to the one who carries it out.

“As for the Concilio’s grievances about their people killed by the Americans, I can see in everyone’s heads that the Americans warned if they weren’t to be allowed self-governance, they would take out the governance they didn’t want above them. The Italians thought they were strong enough to force the issue, the Americans proved them wrong. There will be no more killing. No more war. Everyone stay on your own side of the Atlantic and Pacific until a healthy balance has been achieved between thetwo ruling bodies. My allegiance is to the humans of Midgard. Become too big of a threat to them and I’ll be removing those threats myself.”

Jupiter looked around the group a good twenty seconds before saying, “I’ve been in everyone’s head to be certain you all completely understand, and I see that you do.” He looked at Kendra. “You should have that conversation with Mira now, rather than waiting.”

Kendra and Mira hugged, and I assume they telepathed, since they didn’t speak. I knew a little of the history between them, but it was clearly a lot more solid than I understood.

“Wait,” Will said, looking at Jupiter. “You’re claiming to be a god? What’s the protocol here? Are we supposed to worship you? Or give some kind of offering? I seem to recall people giving the old gods a portion of their crops? How did that work?”

“Offerings are…” He looked to Nathan and Aaron, and back to Will. I held my breath, hoping Will hadn’t just fucked up, but also a little glad he’d asked the question.

“A basket of fruit from you would be appreciated, certainly, but it wouldn’t mean as much from you as it would from a starving man who chose to give it to me rather than eat it.”

“Would youwantfruit from a starving man?” Will asked.

Jupiter smiled. “You’ve been on stage, adored by thousands. I know you’ve felt the energy of that — imagine what you could do with that energy if you could turn it into actual magical fuel? The truth is, that kind of sacrifice, whether it’s fruit or sheep or your own blood, if it’strulya sacrifice, it gives me enough magical fuel I can pay you back for it tenfold.”

“You’ve intervened to keep the three of us safe. What can we do in thanks?” Will asked.

Jupiter looked to Nathan, who said, “Nothing is required. He did it as a favor to me. For future reference, it’s best not to askpowerful beings how you can repay them. Figure something out and do it if you feel motivated to do so, but don’t ask.”

Jupiter looked to me and met my gaze. I had no idea if I should continue looking at him, or lower my gaze, but he spoke before I could figure out the protocol. “Young bear, I’m hereby ordering you to let me watch while you introduce your bear to your men, as thanks to me for intervening.” He looked around, and suddenly there was a huge picnic basket on the ground beside him. “You’ll have enough energy to change back to human without sustenance, and there’s plenty of food in the basket so you can top up once you’re back.”

“Thank you, Jupiter.” I was tempted to offer my services should he need them in the future, but an inner voice told me not to, so I merely gave a polite bow, tilting my body forward ever-so-slightly.

He smiled and said, “The vampires no longer need to be here.”

No sooner than he said it, they were gone, and I stepped away from the group, turned my back to everyone, and began disrobing. Most of the shifters don’t think anything at all of doing so around others, but I’m not quite there yet, so I only went down to my undies. I’d just have to go commando when I returned to human.

It’s hard to explain how I let my bear out, kind of like you’d be hard-pressed to explain how you release the muscle that allows you to pee when you sit on the toilet.

It’s something I have to hold all the time, much as we learn to flex that muscle all the time during toilet-training as toddlers. Letting my bear out is a matter of just relaxing the force I hold that keeps me in control and her underneath my psyche.

And to be honest, I sometimes have to make deals with her to let me have control again. Usually, I can take it from her, but sometimes she gets stubborn.

Before I let her out, I told Will and Davy, “She won’t hurt you, and she can mostly understand English, just nothing about time or numbers. She doesn’t getsoonorlater, or concepts likefive minutes. She’s good with basic nouns and verbs, so feel free to talk to her. Obviously, yes or no questions work best.”