I cleared the uncertainty from my throat. “God doesn’t deny the existence of other deities. He—He just commands us to worship no other gods before Him.” When she tilted her head back, a smile nearly cleaving her face in two, I focused my attention on the waves. The horizon. I had a job to do. Unlike Coco, I did know how to pray. I’d done it every day—multiple times per day—for most of my life. Praying to Deveraux would be no different.

Except it was. Deveraux wasn’t a nameless, faceless divinity. He was a fiddler, for Christ’s sake.

I winced at the apt profanity.

Delicate fingers touched my elbow. Célie’s earnest face looked up at me. She swallowed, clearly torn, before whispering, “Perhaps you could . . . start as you would the Lord’s Prayer.”

I was going to Hell. Still, I nodded, closing my eyes and trying to disassociate. To compartmentalize.

Our Father who art in . . . Cesarine, hallowed be thy name.

I felt the others’ stares on my burning cheeks. Felt their fascination. Felt like a complete and total idiot. This wasn’t going to work. Deveraux was a god, not the God, and if I hadn’t been damned before, I would be now. No sense in further ceremony. Irritably now, I called, Deveraux? I don’t know if you can hear me. You probably can’t. It’s me. Reid. Nothing happened. Nicholina has possessed Lou, and we need you to exorcise her. Please. Still nothing. I tried again. Can you meet us? We’re in a small village along the coast of northern Belterra called Fée Tombe. It’s about three days from Chateau le Blanc. You probably already know that. You probably already know all of this. Or you don’t, and I’m talking to myself like a jackass.

I cringed again, cracking an eye open.

Beau searched the cliffs for a moment before frowning. “Well, that was underwhelming.” He glanced to the sky instead. “He is god of the wilderness, right? I didn’t mishear his pretentious little speech?”

Coco squinted down the beach. “King of flora and fauna.”

“Frankly, his silence is insulting. He could at least send a bird to shit on our heads or something.” Beau harrumphed and turned to me. “Are you sure you’re doing it properly?”

I scowled at him. “Would you like to try?”

“Let’s not be rash. Perhaps you should give it another go.”

I forced my eyes shut. Launched another prayer into the ether with all my concentration. Please, Claud. Answer us. We need help. We need you. When he still didn’t answer, heat prickled my collar. I opened my eyes. Shook my head. “His silence is answer enough.”