Valhalla

by Jennifer Willis

  * * *

  Sally sat down and started typing. “I’ll email the URL for these search results, okay? Then just see if you can narrow them down to something useful pertaining to that book.”

  Opal sat down beside her and powered up her roommate’s laptop. “What’s it called again?”

  “The Myth and Magick of Freya’s Rune Spells.” Sally paused to type out Opal’s email address and hit SEND. “See if you can find the text online anywhere. Second best would be a hard copy of the book, someplace local.”

  Opal started typing in her roommate’s password.

  Sally glanced quickly at Managarm in the corner. “So, looking for a reinvigoration or healing spell for an old god . . .” Sally started simultaneous searches on the PSU portal, Google, PaganNet, Occult100, Ariadnespider, ShadowsWeb, and MagickBucket.

  David got up and wandered over to the computer desk. Sally ignored him, and his reverent bow of the head, as he stepped past her and stood next to Opal’s chair. “Nachos? Chili dogs?”

  Opal looked up from the computer. “Are you serious? You’ve wolfed down every frickin’ scrap of food I had!”

  He gestured vaguely in the air in front of him. “I’m hungry.”

  Sally looked at him hard. “David, really.”

  The warrior immediately dipped his head in shame. “I apologize, my lady. It was not my intention to offend.”

  Sally’s wrinkles deepened into a frown. “You’re really odd, you know that? You’re all giggly and scarfing down pizza, and then it’s like you’re Sir Lancelot or something.” She typed new keywords into the search engines. “What’s up with that?”

  David kept his head bowed. “Simply my nature. Command me. I will behave as you wish.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Sally perked up.

  Managarm pressed his fists against his aching head. “Berserkers are like this when they’re not fighting.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at Opal. “You will fetch doughnuts, and pizza, nachos, sugared water. Whatever the warrior requires. And take him with you on your errand.”

  “Awesome!” David leapt into the air and did a celebratory jig.

  Opal raised her eyebrows and looked at Sally. “Did the old guy just snap his fingers at me?”

  Sally shrugged. “He’s in pain. Cut him some slack.”

  Opal got up and reached for her purse on the bookshelf. David was practically drooling with anticipation.

  “Let’s hit Plaid Pantry first, and Burgerville. And Voodoo Doughnut! They’re open all night.” David’s mouth spread into a wild grin as he danced around, kicking his legs and elbows out at odd angles. “The magic is in the hole.”

  Opal shot Sally a pained look as she grabbed her car keys and headed for the door. “You owe me.”

  “Don’t let him out of your sight,” Managarm added.

  As soon as the door closed behind Opal and David, Managarm got up and struggled with the remote control to turn off the television. “Godless heathens! Motherless sows of Álfheimr!” He pounded on the buttons to no avail, and then started slapping the TV screen.

  “Here.” Sally rushed over, feeling her knees creak with every step. She took the remote out of Managarm’s hand and quickly turned off the TV. “Better?”

  Managarm sank down onto the futon, rested his head back and closed his eyes. “Much.”

  Sally went back to the computer. “I’ll find something to help. I promise.”

  “Your condition is not permanent.”

  Sally looked at him expectantly, but his eyes were still closed. “You really think so?”

  Managarm nodded and propped his feet up on the wobbly coffee table. “Your friends are correct. You drew too much from your own power when working your magick.” He waved a hand in her direction. “Most of these unfortunate effects will reverse themselves over time, but I can set you back to normal again. After the Black Moon.”

  “Right.” Sally looked back at the computer screen. Another three days as an old lady? Maybe the chance to hang out with an old god—one who needed her help to save the world—was worth it. Scanning the search results, she clicked on a few healing rituals and natural headache remedies and scribbled in her Book of Shadows.

  Sally glanced at Managarm and an electric shock jolted through her as she watched him massaging his temples. Managarm! She squealed silently. Remembering his earlier admonition, she took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. “So, tell me more about your quest? To repair the planet? I think maybe we’ve been working on pretty much the same thing, all this time.”

  Managarm waved at her again. “Later, little witch. There will be time for swapping tales when we go to my campsite in the morning, where we’ll complete our work. Together.”

  Sally’s fingers shook on the keyboard as her stomach shot into her throat. He’s taking me with him? We’ll work together?! She couldn’t hide her excited smile as she bent over the computer, and she didn’t see the wry grin spreading across the old god’s face.