A few things had survived the fire. My gun, although I couldn’t find the ammo…taken or blown up, I supposed. My sword and the horn that I sometimes thought had started all of this.

No doubt as an Asgardian artifact it couldn’t be destroyed by mundane fire…even one started by a fire giant.

Kanesha was just staring at the disaster. Finally, lamely, “All my stuff was in there.”

“We’re going to Thruor’s. He probably didn’t manage to burn her out.”

It was something to do. It was a direction to spook in, as if we were both skittish horses. But Thruor would have supplies and a place to go.

“Probably not. She probably kicked the butt of whatever arsonist he sent.”

“These are fire giants, but Thruor can take them.” I told myself I should call her Thea in case somebody overheard, but I wasn’t sure I cared in that moment. I was numb. Kanesha was on the verge of tears

“At least my laptop was in my bag.”
And her bag was with her, still slung over one shoulder. I’d left mine in the dining hall.

“That’s something anyway. Let’s go before anyone thinks we did this.” I knew where Thruor was crashing, but I’d rather have called her.

Of course, my phone had been in the fire. That guy…no. He hadn’t been knowingly working for them. They’d just made use of his rage and stupidity, his desire to cause trouble. Used him. He would probably feel awful tomorrow, thinking this was a copycat.

Which in a way it was. It was odd to be out on the street in the middle of the day. Odd and conspicuous. And cold – our jackets had been in our lockers, and it was the start of December. Even DC started to get cold then. I didn’t feel it much, but Kanesha was shivering in short order.

Thruor’s place, then. Then I shook my head. “Wait. That’s exactly where they’ll look for us. I have a better idea.”

I changed my course. Towards St. Jacob’s.

“The church?”

“Last place a fire giant will look for us. I think. And burning out a church would get a squad of angels down on their butts.”

I knew I was right about that. There might not be much rivalry, but what god would appreciate having something that belonged to him destroyed by people from a different pantheon?

Or worse, people who belonged to him hurt. And indeed, St. Jacob’s, when we got there, was perfectly intact and unharmed.

I felt quite a bit safer when we stepped inside. Allies were good. Allies in the real world and also in whatever the other worlds were, however many there were.

I knew Hell existed, so it would be foolish to refuse to acknowledge Heaven.

There was somebody standing by the altar. It was not Father William, but a younger man, one I did not recognize. In fact, I wasn’t sure I could identify any features other than black hair. He lifted a hand to me in a sort of salute.

I shivered. There was no familiarity of person, but an understanding that, perhaps, this was an ally or an enemy, or both at different times. There was nobody else in the church, just me, Kanesha, and this one.

“Lokisdottir,” he greeted, with a slight inclination of the head.

That told me the last of what I needed to know. Kanesha’s eyes had widened. “Is he…?”

“An angel. I think so. Don’t worry. If not on our side, I’m pretty sure he’s not against us right now.”

“No, but when fire giants start setting fire to people’s homes and schools, then things might be going a little bit too far.” He stepped towards us, and suddenly sort of resolved into something rather more mundane.

Almost effeminate, almost androgynous, looking vaguely, I thought, Greek. “I’m not responsible for the actions of my enemies.”

“Or your suitors.”

I felt my lips quirk into a smile. “Or those. But you know I sent one of them packing.” I was sure he did know, whoever he was.

“Quite neatly, too. We’re grateful for that. We did not need that particular alliance.”

Between me and the demons? Between my father and the demons? “Relax. My father didn’t particularly approve.”
The angel laughed, a ringing sound. “So, you come here for sanctuary.”

“I figured they wouldn’t burn down somebody else’s temple.” I didn’t mention I considered Father William to be a friend.

“Just be careful. And please try to…” His eyes slid to Kanesha. “…reduce the collateral damage.”

“She’s with me,” I found myself saying, defensively. “Of her own free will.”

“Indeed.” And then he withdrew, the shadows behind the altar extending and then returning to normal and he was gone.

“Why was he more scary than the demon?”

I had no good answer for her.