Green Tea and Black Death (The Godhunter, Book 5) by Amy Sumida Page B

Grandma perked up like she always did when the good Christian children showed up. What would she say if I told her I’d met Christ and he was a pretty cool guy, just totally not into all this crap that they’d built around him? Oh, and that he was a hippie.
       I loved my grandma too much to cause a scene at Grandpa’s service, so I just clung to Kirill and let him lead me inside. The cool, holier than thou air seemed to welcome me at first but soon it became frigid, like it always did. No, I’m not bitter, I’m grieving, piss off.
       We sat in the second pew, the hardwood making my lush butt wish it were even lusher. Why does everything in a Christian church feel like punishment? My mom sat in front of us, Uncle Danny taking my grandma’s left while Aunty Dorris sat on her right. Uncle David was next to Mom, his family next to me and Kirill. Where, might you ask, was Harvey and his kids? Oh well, they were up at the pulpit of course, singing like they were having a concert for Christ.
       I took a deep breath.
       A murmuring started behind me and all I could think was, “What are they going to do now?” I turned in my seat and saw what all the excitement was about. Grandma's church was finally feeling the presence of the Divine.
       The gods had arrived.
       Persephone’s hair was back in a modest bun and she looked more mature than I’d ever seen her, walking up to me on Hades’ arm. Behind her came Pan, his normally jolly face etched with seriousness and beside him was Horus, whose expression was more caring than I’d ever seen.
       Brahma was there, his black hair as slick as his designer suit, and Finn looked just as GQ next to him. Teharon’s long hair was neatly braided but Blue’s dark locks hung loose to his shoulders. Mr. T and Mrs. E brought up the end of the Native American group, and behind them were the Vikings.
       Odin was with all of his sons, Vidar, Thor, and Vali. Thor’s son Ull was there as well. They were all so amazingly beautiful that people couldn’t help staring. I laughed a little under my breath to see the stir they caused. I guess I’d gotten a little numb to their stunning looks, which when applied en masse, were a bit overwhelming. Like a sledgehammer overwhelms a watermelon.
       They converged on me, piling into the pews behind me and planting a kiss or hug on me as they went by. Before the crowd could recover from that overdose of beauty, Fenrir walked in with Trevor beside him and several of the Froekn. The werewolves looked both sympathetic and nervous, and I couldn’t blame them. Their Prince was arguing with his mate, who’d just lost her grandfather. What a day.
       Then I did a double take. Trevor had shaved his head. All of his beautiful silky hair was gone, leaving only a shadow of color on his scalp. He caught me gaping at him and looked away, running a self-conscious hand over his head. I swallowed hard and looked past him, I'd have to deal with that later.
       Behind Trevor were a few of my Intare. Darius of course, and Fallon with his Froekn girlfriend Samantha, as well as Aidan, and Lucian. Kirill had told me the rest of the lions were staying home due to a lack of space. My Pride would have filled the pews all by themselves, but they'd sent their love and sympathies. That was enough for me.
       The pews behind me were completely filled as it was. The other guests had to make due with the remaining pews across the aisle. My grandmother didn’t even notice, she was too busy listening to my cousins sing, but the rest of my relatives gave me curious looks, especially when my lions filed up to kiss and nuzzle my hands.
       Then the service began.
       The idiot pastor who wouldn’t let my cousin dance, started it off, then my Uncle Harvey took over. It actually began well. They played the video of my grandfather talking about his life, growing up in the Big Island, joining the military, going to college in Wisconsin, and meeting my