The room was large—one big bed, a small dining table, and a general sense of neglect.

  Athena sat cross-legged atop the bed, wearing a sleeveless toga that revealed her sculpted arms and legs, her presence both regal and disarming.

  (Image created with Gemini AI for illustrative purposes only.)

  “I waited for you last night,” she said with a sly grin. “But I suppose none of you could resist a good drink, could you?”

  “I didn’t come here to talk about that,” Ana said sharply, still standing at the doorway. “I came for information. Nothing more.”

  “It would be rude of me not to offer you something to eat,” said Athena as she rose from the bed. Her clothing left little to the imagination.

  “In my kingdom, hospitality is sacred. How about bread with olive oil—and a glass of wine?” she offered, moving toward the table.

  “No,” Ana replied curtly.

  “Oh, come on, Ana—we haven’t seen each other in—”

  “I said no!” Ana snapped, her voice echoing through the room.

  Athena stopped. Ana took a deep breath, eyes closed.

  “I want your information, and then we’ll leave. This never happened—we never saw you, and we don’t know where you are. Deal?”

  Athena smirked.

  “Alright, Ana. I assume you know Anat’s a neurotic mess, right?” she said, sitting back down.

  Ana nodded.

  “Then you must realize she knows everything about the years you spent with me,” Athena continued, her smile turning sharp.

  Ana froze.

  “Anat wants you dead, Ana,” said the Greek goddess. “She believes you might talk about me under torture—or even join my army, given our history. Tannit falls into the same issue. She considers her weak and cowardly. She wants both of you dead before this mission ends.”

  Ana’s face drained of color. Rodrigo reached for her arm as he noticed her trembling.

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  “Epona did nothing wrong,” Athena went on, “but she’ll die as collateral damage. And the death of two goddesses of Lel in Odin’s territory will force an intervention in Yggdrasil. Tell me—who do you think released Loki in the first place?”

  Her words hung heavy.

  “One of the Elohim—a being who can cross between dimensions—freed Loki easily, under the direct command of… lord El.” Athena’s lips curved into a sinister smile as she watched Ana’s composure shatter.

  “I knew it! You’re trying to manipulate me into turning against Lel!” Ana shouted, furious.

  “Quiet down!” someone yelled from outside.

  “I have no reason to lie to you, Ana,” Athena said calmly. “And I have nothing more to add. Do you understand?”

  She turned to face the window.

  “But,” she added, “Loki isn’t alone in Jutland. Two of his children are with him—alongside a J?tunn. You’ll need your totemas if you hope to survive.”

  “If the malak beside you returned to Lel and explained the situation, he might bring them back to you… but I’d bet he won’t be given permission. Still, you can try.”

  Then Athena looked back at them, her eyes gleaming wickedly.

  “Or maybe… I’m wrong.”

  Ana said nothing. After a moment, she simply bowed her head slightly. “Thank you,” she whispered, then turned and closed the door behind her.

  The three of them descended the stairs in silence and made their way back to the inn, not a word exchanged between them.

  When they entered the room, Tania was sitting quietly while Epona read a book by the window.

  “I’m glad you made it back safely,” said the fire-haired goddess.

  “I have something to tell you,” Ana said darkly.

  She recounted everything Athena had revealed. The room fell silent again.

  “The only way to verify her story,” said Anpiel, “is for Lel to release your totemas. I’ll have to go there myself.”

  “That might be for the best,” Tania agreed grimly.

  Anpiel pulled Epona’s totema from his pocket and tossed it to her. The blonde goddess barely caught it before it hit the floor.

  “Idiot! Don’t throw something that valuable!” she snapped.

  “As if it makes any real difference with your poor skills,” he retorted dryly.

  The others laughed.

  “I’ll be back before you reach Jutland,” said the angel. “From Lel, I’ll keep watch and teleport to your location when I can.”

  “Good luck, Anpiel,” said Ana and Tania together.

  “Take care,” added Rodrigo.

  “As for me, you can stay there,” Epona muttered with a pout.

  At that moment, brilliant white wings unfurled from Anpiel’s back. Light filled the room, and in an instant, he vanished.

  “Well,” said Tania, standing up with a determined expression, “if Anat wants us dead, then let’s put Loki’s head before her and say, ‘Don’t underestimate us, Whoranat.’”

  “Now everything depends on Anpiel,” said Ana softly. “Let’s hope he returns with our totemas.”

  They shared a quick breakfast downstairs in the tavern, and afterward, the group departed from Toulouse—heading north, toward Normandy.