Bjorn Cursed

by N. J. Walters

  It broke him to see her so disheartened. “No young boy could have defied a goddess. Being reborn meant his memories of the past had to be severed.”

  “I know.” Her smile was forced, which made it all the sweeter and braver.

  Bjorn caught her face in his hands and leaned down until their foreheads were touching. “This time, we live and fight and die together.”

  Her face was pale, but she tilted her chin up and nodded.

  He placed her hand over his heart, on top of the names tattooed there. “If we end up in Helheim, I will be beside you. Even if they toss our souls into the void, I will seek you out. Nothing will keep us apart.”

  Not this time.

  Inside him, his wolf stilled. Then the creature threw back his head and howled. It echoed through his head, the vibration spreading to the land beyond. The crash of power was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. He had the fanciful thought that the sound wrapped itself around the entire world.

  “Nothing will keep us apart.” She echoed his words, sealing their pact. “I want to know about your life, but I need to tell you what happened when you were away with Maccus.”

  The hairs on the back of his neck rose.

  “Did you know Morrigan is an oracle?”

  “No.” That was a fucking big secret, but they all had them. And Maccus would be particularly protective of his woman.

  “She went into a trance and said something. Something specifically to me.”

  Every muscle in his body tensed. His wolf stilled. “What did she say?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Anja licked her dry lips, wishing for some water. Or maybe something a little stronger. She closed her eyes to help her recall exactly what Morrigan had spoken.

  “The sun rises, cloaking your world in darkness. The wolf howls.” She paused and sought the last part of it. “The sun burns with rage. You are the key. If you fail, all will fall into darkness.”

  As she spoke them, the words resonated with a sense of destiny that made her shiver, suddenly cold in spite of the heat.

  She opened her eyes. “Do you understand it? The howling wolf has to be you.” Which she hadn’t known at the time, but the others had. That was why they’d acted so strangely. “What does it mean about the sun burning with rage and cloaking the world in darkness. And how can I be the key?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He shifted her off his lap. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him walk away, his broad shoulders practically touching either side of the doorway. Not knowing how long he’d be gone, she scooted off the bed and went to the bathroom. After quickly using the facilities, she wet a cloth and rubbed it over her face and neck. Rinsing it again, she ran it over her body and between her legs. It wasn’t a shower, but at least she was fresher. There was no glass, so she used her cupped hand to get a drink.

  When she entered the bedroom, Bjorn was seated on the side of the bed. His clothes were dumped on the floor at his feet. His phone was in his hand.

  “You’re going to call Morrigan? But why? That was all she said.”

  “Maybe she had another vision or whatever it is she does. Or maybe she can give us some more clarity now that time has passed.” He patted the mattress beside him. “You need to learn how to use the phone. No time like the present.”

  Both excited and nervous about using the odd technology, she sat beside him, their shoulders touching.

  “Shouldn’t I use my phone?”

  “Shit, you’re right.” He set his on the nightstand, grabbed hers, and handed the device to her.

  She turned the rectangular box around in her hands. “It’s so slender and small for something that allows communication over vast distances.”

  “Technology is changing faster than people can keep up, but the cell phone is a great tool. Like this.” He showed her how to turn on the phone and pull up her contacts. “Press one for Maccus.”

  “I remember.” Mostly because Asher had made the joke about being number two.

  “You can put names in your contacts list, but we prefer to remain as anonymous as possible.”

  “Right. Because of the Brotherhood.” Hard to forget her husband was actually part of a group of paranormal assassins. Although it didn’t bother her as much as maybe it should. The Brotherhood had given him an outlet, one that allowed him to atone for past mistakes.

  “Yes. We remain safe by staying in the shadows. Technology makes it more difficult in some ways, easier in others.”

  “How so?” She was procrastinating. Maccus was downright intimidating. The idea of calling him? Yeah, she wasn’t eager.

  “I’ll explain later. Make the call.”

  “You talk to him.” She thrust the phone at Bjorn.

  He took it and pressed the button. “I’ll put it on speaker so you can hear.” The phone rang several times.

  “What? You’re barely gone and you’re calling already.” Even though he wasn’t anywhere near them, was hours away by truck, Anja involuntarily jerked away from the anger vibrating in Maccus’s voice.

  “As much as I’d love to chat, I want to talk to Morrigan.”

  “Bastard,” he muttered. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

  “Hey, Bjorn. How is Anja?”

  Anja admired Morrigan’s fearlessness. Taking a breath, she joined the conversation. “I’m fine. Thank you. I told Bjorn about the prophecy. He has questions.”

  “Of course he does.” Maccus sounded more resigned than upset. But she didn’t forget for one second how much he’d already done for her and Bjorn.

  “Have you learned anything more?” she asked, deciding it was better for her and Morrigan to speak directly.

  “I wish I could help you, but that’s not how the gift works. I get the message and that’s it. It’s up to you to decipher it. I’m sorry.”

  “I understand.” The gifts from the gods, or in Morrigan’s case, God, were ever frustrating.

  “All I can tell you is that you’ll understand when the time is right. I know it in my heart.”

  Wishful thinking or fact, it didn’t matter. It gave Anja hope. She glanced at Bjorn, who shrugged. “You or Asher dig up any other information I can use?” he asked.

  She pressed her hand against his thigh. The thick muscles were taut.

  “Nothing. Asher’s been monitoring online sites for any chatter. There’s been some, but nothing beyond the bounty on Anja’s head. No one knows who she is or why someone wants her dead. The person or god behind it is a mystery to them. Most of the werewolves seem to be ignoring it. They have lives of their own to worry about. This isn’t the old days when the gods commanded and their followers jumped to do their bidding.”

  “Bet that chaps their asses.” Bjorn’s laugh was harsh. She rubbed his leg, trying to soothe his anger. “But there will be some who can’t resist the money.”

  “Always is. If there’s news, I’ll call.” Then Maccus was gone.

  Bjorn pressed another button and turned off the phone. “Here. Keep this close from here on out. You know how to use it?”

  She wrapped her fingers around the phone. “Yes.” She knew which buttons to press to make contact. It was her only lifeline to help if she and Bjorn needed it. Not that it would do much good, since they were so far apart, but it made her feel not so alone.

  “What do we do now?”

  He pressed a kiss against her temple. “We shower and get dressed. I should have stopped somewhere to get you some clothes. You can wear some of mine.”

  She stood, phone still clutched in her hand. “When this is over, I want jeans.”

  He led her toward the bathroom. “When this is over.” The promise was flat. Like her, he didn’t believe this would ever be over until it ended in their deaths.

  …

  “What’s Net
flix and chill?”

  “Where did you hear that?” Bjorn lifted the pan of scrambled eggs and divided them between two plates. Anja seemed to know so much about his world, but it sounded wrong for her to say something so modern.

  She grinned and wrinkled her nose, something she rarely did but that he found adorable. “Some recent arrivals in Freya’s Hall were complaining there was no Netflix, which led to a whole conversation about television, computers, and streaming services. It all sounds complicated and magical.” She fiddled with the ends of her braid, her hair still damp from their shower. “Technology is changing so fast. I can’t keep up.”

  “Not many can.” The toaster popped, the slices of bread nice and golden. He’d showed her how to use the machine. She buttered these two and added them to the pile.

  “Let’s eat and I’ll explain.” They carried everything to the table and began to eat. “Netflix is a streaming service. You can watch movies and shows whenever you want.”

  “I sort of understand. I get the concepts of moving pictures, but things are not as modern in my world. We still cook over a fire and in brick ovens. Food is preserved in the traditional way. That,” she pointed at the kitchen appliances, “is so much easier. But then, the goddess prefers us all to keep busy.”

  A thought occurred to him, so he stood and went into the living area, rummaging around the shelf until he found what he wanted. “I don’t have a television here.” He’d never needed or wanted one. “When things settle down,” if they ever did, “I’ll get one and show you what it’s all about. In the meantime, this is a portable DVD player. It needs to be charged, but should have enough juice to show you what I mean.”

  Anja scooted closer, running her finger over the slim device.

  “Like this.” He opened the lid, turned on the power, and hit play.

  She jerked back in her seat when the picture appeared on the screen and began to move. “This is incredible. Movies are like plays, right?”

  “Yes. But this is on a DVD, a small round disk. There are thousands of movies I can purchase. With Netflix, I don’t need the disk.”

  Her eyes were glued to the small screen. “I know much about your world, but seeing it—” She shook her head. “I have no words. Humans have lost their belief in magic, yet they take machines like this for granted.”

  “You’re not wrong.” There was so much he wanted to share with her. “Have you ever had ice cream?”

  “No, but frozen cow’s milk doesn’t sound appetizing.”

  “You’ll love it. I should’ve bought some at the grocery store.” He wanted her to have the opportunity to enjoy all the little things she’d never had a chance to.

  Her hand covered his, the movie playing in the background, unheeded by either of them. “I’m happy I’m here with you. And when this is all done, I want to Netflix and chill with you.”

  “That’s a promise.” He kissed the top of her head and they finished eating.

  A short time later, the meal cleared away, the DVD player stored back on the shelf, he led Anja out the back door of the cabin.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her. Worry for her safety ate at him.

  “Where are we going?” The T-shirt she wore fell to her thighs and drooped down her shoulders. Primal satisfaction shot through him at the sight of her wearing his clothing. The leggings were the ones Morrigan had given her. They fit her better than anything he had to offer.

  With no bra, her full breasts swayed with each step she took. Her nipples were outlined against the thin fabric, making his mouth water.

  No matter how many times he had her, it would never be enough.

  “I have a secure storage cellar hidden beyond the clearing.” As they crossed the space, he scanned the area, all his senses open, his wolf on alert for any predators of the animal, human, or paranormal variety.

  Evening was rapidly closing in. Soon the stars would be out. He wished there were no threats against her, no reason they couldn’t simply relax and enjoy a beautiful sunset and watch the stars unveil themselves in the night sky.

  “Is that normal?” she asked, picking her way through the trees beside him. Like him, she watched where she stepped and scanned her surroundings.

  “For me it is.”

  “You’re always prepared.” She shot him a saucy grin that had his dick straining for release. “For anything,” she added, casting a meaningful glance at his erection.

  He wanted to take her down to the forest floor, strip her bare, and fuck her until she screamed her pleasure. “Enough of that for now, woman. You’re insatiable.”

  Her laughter washed over him, a gentle caress filled with love and longing. He ran his hand down her back and swatted her ass. “Just behind here.” He pointed to a large rock.

  She gave him a mock glare and rubbed her behind, but humor shone in her eyes, lightening the weight in his heart. These moments were precious.

  “What am I looking for?” She studied the area in front of her. “A hidden cache.”

  Moss and grass grew in abundance. Pine needles littered the ground along with some dead leaves. Mushrooms spread all around them. He dug his hand under one mound of moss, found the metal ring, and wrapped his fingers around it. There was no creak or groan when he lifted. Just a smooth glide.

  “Clever,” she praised as she circled the area. “There are stairs. How big is this cellar?”

  He eased the heavy door onto its side, then took a second to listen and sniff the air. When he was satisfied everything was as he’d left it, he started down. “Big enough. Watch your step.” He hurried ahead and grabbed a lantern, turning it on to light her way.

  She ran her hands over the walls. “This is metal. How did you build such a thing?”

  “I’ve had a lot of time on my hands.” And he’d used it wisely, painstakingly constructing such cellars in isolated areas around the world. “Here.” He handed her the light, since he didn’t need it. “This way.”

  The path was free from debris, even though he hadn’t been down here in about six months. There was a slight musty smell in the air, but it wasn’t bad. There were hidden vents at a distance that angled in to the underground hideaway.

  He paused in front of a giant metal door. It was three feet thick, as were the walls it guarded. The twelve-digit combination on the lock was one only he knew. It was a matter of seconds to turn the dial to the appropriate numbers, hearing each click.

  Anja leaned closer, her nose practically touching the metal panel. “That is an amazing locking device.”

  “It’s actually old and rudimentary. Asher would have a retinal scan and fingerprints required. But it works.”

  He pulled the heavy door open. Anja shone the light inside. “What is all this?”

  “Wait here.” It was still too dim for her to be able to see well. He went back for another lantern. He’d always lived by the mantra: one was none but two was one. In truth, he wasn’t sure why he’d added the lanterns, but he was glad he had them.

  The added illumination was more than adequate as he stepped inside the vault he’d carved in the underground. He set the battery-powered light on a small table.

  “Cans of food.” She raised her lantern higher and pointed to one wall that was floor-to-ceiling shelves, all of which were filled.

  “I stock them when I know I’m going to be in an area for a while. Otherwise, it’s a waste.”

  She picked up a label. “Carrots in a can. Peas and corn too. You can preserve food for a long time now.” She set it back into place. “We didn’t need to stop at the grocery store on our way here.”

  “We could have eaten what was here, but fresh is always better. It’s what you’re used to.”

  “You wanted me to see the large market. To experience the wonder of it.” She set her lantern next to his and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you.”r />
  “It was as much for me as you.” He pressed a kiss on the top of her head and rocked her gently from side to side.

  “What’s that?” She pointed to the locker on the opposite wall. “It has another lock.”

  “Weapons.” The floor-to-ceiling weapons safe was secured. He opened it up and spread the door wide.

  “Knives.” She went straight for them, plucked one from its spot, and waved it in front of her, making several thrusting motions. “Good balance and weight. Do you have a sheath?”

  Was it wrong of him to get hard watching her wield a sharp blade with such ease? It was a reminder she was from a different time and age, as was he. She’d welcome weapons, not be intimidated or shocked by them.

  He dug out a sheath that would strap to her thigh. “This will work.” Instead of handing it to her, he fitted it to her leg, making sure it was secure without being too tight. “Try it.”

  She stepped back and easily inserted the blade before pulling it again. After repeating the actions several times, she grinned at him. “I’m keeping it.”

  A smile twitched at his lips. “I think you’ll like this as well.” He lifted a short sword down from a rack, flipped it into the air, and caught it by the flat of the blade. Like the knife, it wasn’t fancy, but it was crafted from the finest steel, forged by a master.

  She gripped the handle. “It fits my hand to perfection.” As she’d done with the knife, she went through several maneuvers before giving him a nod. “It’s a worthy weapon.”

  “It’s yours.” A gun might be better, but she knew how to use a sword and blade. He withdrew the scabbard and fit it over her right shoulder and around her left side, buckling it over her chest. “How’s that?”

  She raised the blade over her shoulder and slipped it into the leather sheath before drawing it again. “Perfect. What about you?”

  With no more than a thought, long, thick claws emerged from the tips of his fingers. “I have these.”

  She lifted his hand to her lips, seemingly unconcerned by the razor-sharp claws so close to her vulnerable throat. “You are a mighty wolf.” She brushed a kiss over the back of his hand. “But how do we defeat the gods?”