Chapter 1

Aftershocks Continue

Chad Collins Austin Statesman

Published 5:15pm CT January 10th, 2040

February 17th 2029 was a day that changed the world. Many lives were lost. Our understanding of reality and what humans are capable of was shaken, for better or worse. If the advent of shapeshifting powers in the form of the Children of Loki was an earthquake then September 26th 2039 was a major aftershock that will continue to send ripples through society for years to come. The investigation into what happened leading up to and during the incident with Ezekiel Williams, of the Church of our Lord, is still ongoing. Lawmakers are rushing to introduce new legislation in the next session of Congress to more stringently regulate the use of CoL powers. Detective Page Simmons, also known as Book, has not commented on the events. Legal experts have weighed in claiming Simmons did nothing illegal despite extensive property damage reported across the city of Austin due to their battle with Williams.

Public opinion is split between Simmons, a Class S CoL, being a danger to society and portraying them as a folk hero. Many people have expressed concern over the new round of studies scheduled for this February in Kentucky. The lab has put out a call for Class S CoLs, but as of this time it is unknown how many have signed up or if Simmons will be participating in the study.

What is known is that we are in a new era.

It's early enough that the sun hasn't risen. The air has a chill to it I have to remember not to ignore outside the car. The traffic to Austin International Airport was lighter than I expected for a Thursday. It'll only get worse as the double whammy of Valentine's and CoL Day nears in a couple weeks.

I can't believe they both decided to squeeze into the backseats.

"We're almost there," I say as I take the exit for the airport.

"Thank you, Driver," Neoni replies.

I roll my eyes.

"Did you just roll your eyes?" she asks hotly from the seat directly behind me.

"I didn't not roll my eyes," I reply.

"It helps that they're pretty eyes," Neoni says. "Though you could stand to have a few more of them."

"Please don't grow more eyes," Eterna squeaks from the right passenger seat.

"Don't worry, I won't...while I'm driving. I still can't believe y'all wanted to sit in the back. No offense, Neoni but you're car's pretty tight on legroom back there."

"It's enough room for me, and Eterna just made herself a little smaller. Besides, it's worth it to get to have Book as our chauffeur," Neoni teases, amusement thick in her voice.

I feel her lean against the back of my seat as we get closer to the departure area. She's close enough that her breath brushes the shaved portion of my scalp. I think she's doing it on purpose, but decide to ignore it. She probably wants to goad me into shifting an extra eye or something so she can laugh when Eterna cringes.

I flip on the hazard lights after pulling up to the curb. The girls pile out of the car on the passenger side while I quickly glance around for any sign of trouble. There are a few other cars dropping people off, bags with wheels, kids with loaded backpacks, a few of those luggage pieces with a little seat you can ride like a scooter I thought went out of style twenty years ago. Families mostly. There are at least two business people chatting with one another several car lengths way. Satisfied the coast is clear I pop the trunk then get out of the car as well.

Eterna and Neoni both linger by the rear of the car, all smiles. Eterna's returned to her Basic form, five foot four, warm dark skin, and short curly hair. I wish I could pull off the cream colored sweater and black sweat pants look she's sporting but people might give me looks given my current frame. Neoni hasn't shifted all day, she's about five foot three, thinner than Eterna with lighter brown skin and long slick black hair. Neoni's wearing a lightweight jacket and tight jeans with chunky boots. They're both a little over-dressed for the current weather.

"Let me help with your bags," I say.

Eterna shoves me in the chest, not hard, and not seriously. She throws an arm over her forehead and leans back. "I care not for your false words of love and help!"

Season two of Book of Secrets when the Witch Queen was trying to get Thesaurus to marry her!

I freeze for a moment. We're in public but only a couple of the people who're minding the exterior check-in desks have even bothered to look up. There's not really any harm in playing along.

"Oh, but...uhhh...beautiful lady of the shadows, I mean only to assist you in this, your time of need. The army of the dead is a threat to you as well," I recite the lines including Thesaurus's famous six second 'uhhh' in there as well.

I thought the Witch Queen looked cool but some people found her off-putting. Maybe it was the scales?

"Ahahahahhaha," Neoni cackles. "I knew it. I knew you'd do that. I knew you'd do the quote. You'd do the rest of the scene. You really do like that dumb show? Oh my gods."

"Hey, it's not that bad!" I protest as I take Neoni's bags from the car trunk. "It's way better than that low budget horror movie where I ate people's livers and shit."

"That one was so bad," Eterna agrees. "I heard they couldn't get a single CoL to be in it. You should sue. My uncle's a lawyer."

"I'm not suing anyone," I say.

"Fine," she pouts.

I'd expect Neoni to tell me she can handle her bags fine but it's obvious she likes the idea of me waiting on her. Doesn't take me long to make sure the smaller bag is strapped securely to her larger rolling suitcase.

"Thank you, oh chivalrous Book," Neoni says.

I roll my eyes again. "You're welcome."

She grins then gives Eterna a hug. "You're gonna get to spend a whole car ride alone with the big guy now."

I'm not sure why Eterna's flustered but it's visibly apparent she is when her ears grow pointed and horns sprout through her short curly hair on the top of her head. Neoni notices the changes and laughs as she releases the younger woman.

"I'm missing something, aren't I?" I ask.

"She thinks you're hot," Neoni announces loudly.

"Hey, wait, no I don't. It's not like that. You're the one that thinks that," Eterna protests.

"He already knows how I feel," Neoni laughs as she grabs the handle of her luggage.

"This is my curse," I say with a sigh. "Either people think I'm a monster or people think I'm attractive."

"Or people are attracted to you for being a monster," Neoni counters with a wink.

"This conversation is going places I don't like," I say.

Not to mention we're in public.

A few people have noticed us and it's taking everything I have not to go incognito.

"I know you're ace, but the books say you're also panromantic," Neoni says with a smirk. "Keep in mind you have options."

"Oh my gods, please stop," Eterna pleads with her face buried in her hands. She's also about a foot taller than me now, which is quite noticeable as I am about six foot three. The people around us are starting to cast looks in our direction.

"I think you should head on in, Neoni. We've gotta move your car or people'll start to get angry, not to mention, Eterna's parents are expecting her soon," I say.

I'm careful not to mention Eterna currently can't fit in the car. She probably won't calm down until Neoni's gone. I'd rather not carry the car and my giant friend, but if it comes to that I can think of several ways to manage it.

A few of those ways don't even look that horrific.

It'll make a scene of course, probably get me trending on social media again, but we do have a bit of a schedule to keep.

"Fine, fine, Mr. Joykill, but you're still hot," Neoni teases before blowing me a kiss and heading into the airport.

I turn around and lean with my palms against the roof of the car, my eyes shut for a moment. I've still got to calm Eterna, get her in the car, and then drop her off with her parents.

"Oh no, I shifted. I'm so sorry," she says from behind me.

"It's okay," I reply.

When I turn around Eterna's returning to Basic. After a moment she's still flustered but no longer a giant embarrassed fiendling from Wizards and Shadows, a table top role playing game. Other cars have lined up behind us, waiting to drop people off. I notice a few of the drivers, and passengers, have their phones out to take photos and video. I can't miss the intermittent honking.

Pretty sure they're not honking because they recognize me.

I open the passenger door for Eterna who gets in without saying another word. Someone leans on their horn when I get back to the driver's side. I ignore them and get inside, pulling us out of the drop-off zone and back onto the network of airport access roads.

We drive in silence for a bit.

"I'm so sorry," Eterna finally says.

"For what?" I ask. "Shifting? It's okay. It happens. I'm sorry Neoni was picking on you. She should know better than that."

"I...just... I'm sorry she was teasing you."

"I don't mind being teased. I mind her teasing you," I reply.

She gets quiet again as I drive out of the airport complex and back onto the highway. Traffic's not great. I don't want to look away and get in an accident. I keep an eye on the road while I turn my head to look at Eterna. She's quietly wiping away tears with her sweater sleeves.

"Are you only upset about Neoni teasing me or are you nervous about seeing your folks?" I ask.

She looks up at me and goes pale. Her lips move but no sound comes out. I realize I probably look pretty bad, what with one eye on the wrong side of my head and all. I fix my face as I turn my full attention back to the road.

"Sorry about that," I say.

"It's okay. It happens," she replies stiffly before letting out an awkward little laugh. "I guess I am nervous about seeing my parents but the Priestess said that people can have more than one belief at the same time. There's lots of Lokean CoLs who are also Christian, or Muslim, or all three. A person doesn't have to be one thing, or hold one belief and all. Kind of like a CoL in general."

"Priestess?"

"Yeah, at my Heathen Temple."

"Heathen Temple? You mean that big Temple on the north side of Georgetown?" I ask.

I've heard of it but never been, partly because it was out of the way even before I moved to Austin, and partly because I don't want to cause a scene by showing up.

That seems to happen wherever I go these days.

"Yeah, it's the Universal Heathen Temple of Central Texas. I go on Wednesdays sometimes. They welcome everyone, even non-Heathens. Priestess Sigyn says 'Odin's the All-father, not the 'some-father.' I'm hoping my mom will be open to the idea of me believing more than one thing at the same time. Baba seems to like the idea, at least. Sorry I'm rambling about this, I'm just really nervous," Eterna says.

"It's no problem. You're not rambling at all. I totally get being nervous. Just give me a call if you need anything while you're at your folks' place okay?"

"But you're gonna be in Kentucky," Eterna says.

"Yeah, but if you need a ride back to Little Asgard Heights or something it won't take me long to fly over and pick you up," I say.

She gets quiet.

"You okay?"

When she doesn't reply, I shift a pinhole camera on the right side of my head at the point where my shaved scalp meets the longer portion of my hair. This way I can get a look at her without her seeing me turn my face into a Picasso again. Eterna's got her full lips pursed while fussing with the hem of her sweater.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I wouldn't have to...ride inside you or something like your...meatbox?" She squeaks.

"Gods no. I'd get Neoni's car then pick you up," I say.

Her shoulders fall as she lets out a relieved sigh. "Thank gods. In that case, yes. I'll call if I need a ride or anything."

Windgate was right. I need to get a car of my own, I think to myself.

I take the exit for Georgetown, the city North of Austin where Eterna's family lives. It also happens to be the same place the Temple she mentioned is in. Which means she's regularly been traveling to her hometown to worship. Close to her family yet not actually visiting them. I haven't asked her the details of her situation but from what I've observed, her mother didn't take kindly to Eterna becoming a Pagan after she gained her powers.

"OH, you have the cookies, right?"

"They're back at my place, yeah."

"Thank goodness. Don't eat them all, okay? You need to share them, okay? I tried to make enough for Doctor Hailu and Doctor Ayoub. If Ash wakes up give him some too, okay?"

"I will. Thank you, Eterna."

"And, you can call me if you need anything too, okay?" she adds.

"Will do."

She is super nervous.

I stay in the car when I drop Eterna off at her parents' house. It's a nice neighborhood. Though the sun is just barely starting to brighten the sky there are quite a few people out and about preparing to go to work. I'd rather not cause a fuss.

Eterna's parents are waiting for her outside. Her father greets her with a bear hug. He's a middle-aged black man and looks exactly like Eterna did when she tried to sneak into Ezekiel's church last year. However, her mom's a bit more reserved. She hangs back and doesn't seem to notice me, which is probably good. I can't imagine her being happy to learn Book is the person dropping her daughter off at their house. Eterna talks to them excitedly for a moment. I try not to listen in but she's a little loud.

"I gotta go thank my friend for dropping me off. He's been really sweet giving me a ride," she says.

"He drives a sports car," her mother says disapprovingly.

"It's not his car, he's borrowing it."

"So, he doesn't even have a car?" her mother asks with even more acid in her voice.

Please don't tell your mom I drive a motorcycle.

"I'll be right back," Eterna says before hurrying back to the car. "Thank you again for the ride."

"You're welcome. Give me a call if you need."

"I will, um, do you want to meet my parents?" she asks weakly.

I think your mom wouldn't like that. I don't want her freaking out, I think to myself.

"I've still got to get on the road myself after I drop Neoni's car off at the garage. Sorry," I say.

"Oh, no, it's okay. Thanks again, drive safe."

"You're welcome."

It doesn't escape me that Eterna hasn't said my name since we got to her parents' house. I try not to think about it as I drive away.