by Kate O'Hearn
Freya shook her head. ‘I am not death, but I am a Battle Maiden of Odin who delivers the dead to him.’
Dr Klobucher staggered back. Freya caught her before she fell. At her touch, the Principal flinched.
‘Please don’t be afraid of me, I’m wearing my gloves,’ Freya said. ‘And I never take them off in school.’
‘H-how?’ the Principal stammered. ‘I don’t understand. Why are you here? Why would you choose my school?’
Freya assisted Dr Klobucher back to her chair and then covered her wings. As she pulled on her long coat, she started to speak filling her in on everything: the threat to Tamika’s family and how JP was terrorizing Archie and the weaker students at school.
‘We have a zero tolerance policy toward bullying,’ the Principal said. ‘But I know it happens – especially off school property. I’ve been trying to work with JP for years. He’s a very troubled boy.’
‘He’s dangerous,’ Freya said flatly. ‘While I am here, I’m going to teach the Geek Squad how to stand up to him.’
‘I can’t condone violence – especially from you. This is a school matter.’
‘Not violence,’ Freya corrected. ‘Defence. I will teach them to look out for each other and how to keep from being victims. I will not always be here to fight their battles.’
‘You can’t fight their battles!’ Dr Klobucher insisted. ‘You’re a Valkyrie! You could kill someone.’
‘I am well aware of that. But I have no intentions of killing anyone.’
‘You may not intend to, but it could happen. One mistake is all it will take. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow a Valkyrie to run loose in this school.’
‘Please don’t ask me to leave,’ Freya begged. ‘I’m careful. I have Orus with me to keep everyone away. I wear gloves and my coat. No one can touch my bare skin.’
‘How can I risk it?’
Freya leaned over the desk. ‘Dr Klobucher, I know you are a good woman. You care about everyone here; your staff and your students. I am a student. I may be unusual, but I am still just a student. Please, help me find a way to stay just a little while longer. Just until Tamika, Archie and the Geek Squad are safe.’
The principal looked down at Freya’s essay. ‘Is this really true? Were you there?’
Freya nodded. ‘I have been to every battle fought over the past six hundred years.’
Dr Klobucher raised her eyebrows. ‘If you have been through all those wars, it is no wonder you want to stay here.’ She paused. Finally, she nodded. ‘I must be insane to be considering this, but OK, I’ll help you. You may stay in school if you promise to be extra careful and keep a low profile. You are not to argue with your teachers, even if they are wrong. And if you make one mistake, just one, you must go. I am risking everything to allow you to stay. Please don’t disappoint me.’
Freya beamed with relief. ‘I promise. You’ll see. We can make this work. No one will ever learn the truth about me.’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
While Archie slept, Freya felt restless. After her tense afternoon she needed to work off her anxieties and flying always helped. She changed into her leather trousers and black boots. She took her sword and breastplate and grabbed her long velvet coat.
‘I’m going for a flight,’ she announced to Orus. The raven was on the sofa watching television.
‘You can’t,’ Orus cried. ‘They’re about to start a Judge Judy Marathon. I can’t miss it.’
‘What’s a Marathon?’ Freya asked.
‘I don’t know,’ the raven replied excitedly. ‘But I want to see it. Judge Judy is my favourite show.’
‘Fine, stay here, Orus. You don’t have to come everywhere with me.’
The raven muttered under his breath and released the remote. He flew off the sofa and landed on her shoulder. He nipped her ear. ‘If I don’t go, who’s going to keep you out of trouble? Although I think it’s a little late for that!’
Soaring through the night sky, Orus flew close to Freya. ‘I thought you had done enough. You’re going to teach the Geek Squad to fight, and you are helping Tamika’s family. How much more do you want to do?’
‘It’s not that I want to do anything,’ Freya lied – she loved helping innocent people in trouble and hoped she could again tonight, ‘but, unlike you, I can’t just sit watching television all night. And I’ll go crazy if I keep reading my school books.’
‘What’s wrong with television?’ Orus demanded.
Freya looked at the raven and laughed. ‘Don’t get me started!’
When they reached the main downtown area of Chicago, Freya swooped closer to the rooftops. She focused her senses on finding traces of fear or people in distress. She was barraged with emotions, but none of them particularly threatening.
Then she changed direction and headed to the part of town where she had encountered the couple in danger the other night. She immediately sensed the change. Raw and sinister emotions hit her from every angle. The landscape had changed too. She and Orus were flying above a neighbourhood of damaged and burned-out buildings . . . when suddenly they heard rapid gunfire.
‘Not again!’ Orus cried. ‘Is there any point in me asking you to ignore it?’
Freya grinned at him. ‘Nope!’
Flying in the direction of the shooting, her ears picked up the sounds of different weapons. Mixed in with the gun battle were police sirens.
‘The police are here already,’ Orus warned. ‘You mustn’t be seen.’
‘You really do worry far too much,’ Freya teased. Up ahead the gunshots grew louder and more frequent. ‘It sounds like a war.’
Then they saw it. Two police cars were parked askew on the street. Officers were crouched behind their open doors, firing into the shell of a burned-out building.
Freya landed on the rooftop across the street. She peered into the building. ‘In there,’ she called to Orus. ‘Look, they have weapons.’ Her eyes moved back to the street. There were four police officers. They were badly outnumbered, but still brave in the face of danger.
She sensed at least fifteen men inside the building, shooting at the police. Focusing in on one of them, she felt fear and then determination to keep the police out at any cost. There was something hidden inside the building they didn’t want the police to find. Something they were prepared to kill for. Reaching deeper, Freya finally understood.
‘They’re drug dealers,’ she told Orus. ‘This is where they’re hiding it. They will kill the police to keep them out so they can move it from here.’
‘Freya, you can’t go down there. This is too big for you. You’ll be hurt, or captured.’
‘We can’t just stay here and watch.’
On the street, she heard a strangled cry. An officer was hit and fell to the ground. As his partner ran round the car to help them, she too was struck down.
Freya looked at the raven. ‘See what I mean? They won’t stop until everyone is dead.’
‘Uh-oh,’ Orus called. ‘Speaking of death, look who’s just arrived.’
An Angel of Death landed close to the first fallen officer.
‘Wait here,’ Freya said to Orus.
‘I’m coming with you,’ the raven insisted.
‘Orus, you’re not wearing protective armour. Just stay here and warn me if more police arrive.’
Freya grabbed her coat and leaped off the building. Silently, she glided down the street, half a block from the gun battle. She folded her wings, pulled on her coat and drew her sword.
When she reached the police car, she saw there was nothing she could do for the first fallen officer. The Angel of Death was already doing his job.
‘You shouldn’t be here, Valkyrie,’ the angel warned as he rose. The spirit of the dead officer was standing beside him, staring in wonder. ‘This is our territory. Azrael will be furious.’
‘I know. But still, here I am.’ Freya left the angel and ran over to the policewoman lying in the road. Out in the open, she was an easy target for the cri
minals in the building. But when she saw Freya, she held up her hand.
‘Get back,’ she warned through gritted teeth. ‘This is police business.’
Freya felt her intense pain and could see that she had been shot in the side of her torso. ‘I’m here to help you.’ She easily lifted the woman and carried her to safety behind the police car.
‘Go, get away from here,’ the officer cried. ‘You could be hurt. I’ll be fine.’
But Freya could see that she wouldn’t. Blood was pouring from her wound. If Freya didn’t act quickly, the woman would bleed to death. She covered the gunshot wound with her gloved hand. ‘If I leave you, you will die. Just be still.’
Freya searched for something to wrap around the wound. But there was nothing. She reached under her coat and tore off her blouse, exposing her silver breastplate. She ripped it into pieces and covered the bullet hole, applying pressure.
The woman officer squinted at Freya. ‘Are you wearing body armour?’
Freya nodded. ‘It keeps me safe.’ She looked up and saw that another Angel of Death had landed. She was walking closer to them. There was a confused expression on her face when she spotted Freya crouching over the fallen officer.
Freya held up her hand. ‘Stop! I am sorry, Angel, but this woman will not die. You have wasted your journey.’
‘Valkyrie, you cannot do this,’ the angel said softly. ‘It is her time. I must take her.’
Freya shook her head. ‘I was too late for that man, but not her. Please tell Azrael that I have claimed this human for myself and say that she will live.’
‘Who are you talking to?’ the policewoman asked fearfully. ‘You said Azrael. I know that name. He’s the Angel of Death.’
‘Not quite,’ Freya corrected, turning back to the officer. ‘He’s the top Angel of Death, but there are others who serve him. Now, just stay calm. She will not take you tonight.’
‘You must not get involved,’ the angel said, stepping closer. ‘I am here for this woman. I must take her.’
Freya looked back at the angel. ‘She is young, with her whole life ahead of her. Give her that life. We both know she’s a good woman. This world needs more people like her. If you must claim a life, go into that building and take them.’
‘You know we do not touch their kind.’ The angel spat in disgust.
‘What’s happening?’ The officer’s voice was tight with fear. ‘There’s someone here – I can feel them.’
‘Calm yourself. Here, touch my arm,’ Freya offered her arm. ‘Then you can see her.’
The young officer touched Freya’s covered arm. She gasped in wonder at the sight of the Angel of Death standing close by.
‘She’s so beautiful,’ the officer said, calming. Tears of joy rushed to her eyes.
‘Do not be afraid, my child,’ the angel said directly to the officer. ‘I am here to bring you home.’
Freya shook her head. ‘No, you’re not. She’s going to live.’
‘This is not right, Valkyrie,’ the angel said. ‘You can’t be here. There will be consequences. Azrael—’
‘I know,’ Freya finished. ‘Azrael will be furious with me. But I will take that chance. I outrank you. Just leave this woman be and return home.’
The angel nodded and bowed. ‘So be it.’ She opened her wings and flew away.
‘Where’s she going?’ The officer sounded disappointed.
‘Back where she belongs. This is not your moment to die.’
The officer’s eyes focused on Freya. ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m someone who is tired of all the killing humans do.’
An agonized cry filled the air. Freya looked up and saw another officer fall to the ground. She looked behind him and didn’t see any angels. He would survive his wounds.
She peered up into the building. The men inside were moving – she sensed they were planning to bring the battle to the street. If they succeeded, it was unlikely the officers would survive.
‘Listen to me,’ Freya said quickly. ‘Those drug dealers are intending to come out here and kill everyone. I can’t let that happen. Please keep pressure on your wound and don’t move. Although the Angel of Death is gone, it won’t take much to bring her back.’
Freya rose, but the woman caught her arm. ‘No! Please don’t go. I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but that armour of yours won’t protect you. Please, stay with me. Others are on their way.’
Freya removed the officer’s hand. ‘By the time they get here, it will be too late. Stay here and live. I argued for your life tonight. From now on, please do all the good you possibly can.’
‘I – I don’t understand any of this,’ the officer said.
‘You don’t have to.’ Freya rose and reached for her sword. ‘Just live a good life.’
She darted across the street towards the building. Bullets continued to fly and she heard a ping as one cut through her coat and hit her breastplate. They were being fired from within the building.
Once inside, she opened her senses fully. She instantly felt three men descending the stairs from the upper floor where more men were firing down at the officers. Feeling too constricted, Freya shrugged off her coat and freed her wings.
She lifted her sword and charged up the stairs, releasing the Valkyrie cry used when approaching the battlefield. The sound rattled the entire building and momentarily halted the gunfire.
The men on the stairs saw her charging towards them with her sword held high. Using their sudden confusion to her advantage, Freya launched into battle. Within the tight confines of the stairwell, she slashed at them with her sword until they tumbled down the stairs. Soon they were all lying in a heap at the bottom.
She charged up to the next floor. To the right she saw a room with shabby furniture and several metal barrels with fires burning brightly. It appeared the men were living here. She heard a shout from another room, followed by the appearance of two men in the hallway ahead.
Freya ran at them, this time with her wings open fully, and howled with all her might. The men dropped their weapons and covered their ears at the horrific sound. Disarmed, Freya was able to kick them to the ground, leaving them unconscious.
‘Freya!’ Orus called as he flew through a broken window. ‘More police are here. There are hundreds of them and they’re surrounding the building. Get out before they see you!’
‘Not yet – there are more men upstairs. Orus, they don’t want to be caught. They’re going to kill everyone to protect their drugs. I won’t let them hurt the police.’
‘That’s it – you are crazy!’ Orus cried. ‘If we survive this, I’m telling your mother you’re completely insane.’
‘Come on,’ Freya called as she launched into a run. ‘They’re this way.’
Finding the remaining men wasn’t as easy as finding the others. They had separated and spread out across the remaining floors. But one by one Freya hunted them down. She cornered the final criminal in a small room on the top floor. As he fell to the ground, she heard a new voice.
‘You in there, freeze!’
Freya turned and saw two police officers entering her level. Holding torches, their guns were raised and pointing right at her. ‘Drop your weapon!’
Freya lowered the sword and put it back in its scabbard. ‘I’m on your side. Look around you. I’ve stopped all these men. If you search, you’ll find this is where they are storing their drugs.’
The officers were checking on the unconscious men as they cautiously advanced on her.
‘We don’t approve of vigilantes around here,’ the officer said. ‘You are under arrest. Now, take off that sword and raise your hands where I can see them.’
Freya looked around. She was in the remnants of a room with no windows. If she was going to get out of here, she would have to get past the police.
‘Please,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what a vigilante is, but I’m here to help. These men were shooting people outside. They wanted to kill everyone
to keep their drugs safe. I had to stop them.’
‘If you really want to help, start by removing that sword. This is your last warning. Do it now!’
Another officer entered the level. ‘You ain’t gonna believe what some of those guys are saying. They claim an angel attacked them. Said she got black wings and all—’ He stopped when he noticed Freya in the room. ‘Whoa, who’ve we got here?’
‘A vigilante with a sword,’ the first officer said. He focused on Freya. ‘I won’t tell you again. Surrender your weapon.’
‘C’mon, kid, do what we tell you,’ the new officer said kindly. ‘You’re too young to be caught up in any of this.’ As he approached, his eyes landed on something resting on the floor. He bent down to pick it up.
Freya realized too late what it was. A large, black flight feather. It was one of hers.
‘No! Don’t touch that!’ she cried.
But she was too late. He had already picked up the feather. The instant his bare hand touched the Valkyrie feather, his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the ground.
‘No!’ Freya howled.
Orus moved. He launched himself at the remaining officers and pecked at their heads and faces. ‘Run, Freya!’ he cawed. ‘Get out of here!’
Reacting instantly, Freya ran. She pushed through the officers struggling against the raven. She could hear them cursing and calling for help. Soon other officers appeared and blocked her exit.
‘Stop!’ they shouted as they raised their weapons.
With no recourse, Freya opened her wings and let out the loudest Valkyrie howl she’d ever made.
The police clutched their ears and collapsed to the ground as Freya darted past them and ran to the closest window. Without pausing, she leaped through the glass and opened her wings.
On the street, she heard the hysterical voice of the woman officer she had helped. Freya looked down and saw her being assisted by others. She was pointing up and screaming.
‘That’s her, that’s her – there she is!’
The sounds of gunshots followed Freya as she gained height in the sky and flew as fast as she could from the area.