Of Gods and Monsters

by Susan Harris

  Derek snapped his head around and snarled, charging for the berserker, who tossed him aside like he was a mere human. Twisting her hips, Ever sprang from the bed and crouched on the ground with her sword in hand, a feral snarl on her lips. Her newfound power pulsed in her hand, the runes on her sword flaring as the berserker roared and came for her.

  Ever slid across the floor and slashed his legs with her sword. The creature shrieked, its wolflike maw snapping at her as he struggled to stay upright. Getting to her feet in front of the berserker, she watched patiently as the creature buckled, his knees on the ground, bringing its face level with Ever’s.

  He slashed out with claws as Ever jerked back, the lightning in her veins sending currents along her sword, and the berserker’s eyes widened even as she felt the power in her own eyes.

  “You have your father’s eyes,” it said in old Norse.

  He surged forward, but Ever was already swinging her sword, the blade cutting through the creature’s neck as if it were butter. His head hit the ground with a thud as Ever heard a caw from near the window, where her father’s ravens watched her.

  Ever gripped the head of the berserker in her free hand and regarded Huginn and Muninn as if they were a direct line to her father. “I’m ready whenever you are, Father. Come face me, one on one, and let us end this. This is a matter for gods, and Midgard does not need to be caught in our war.”

  You think yourself a god now, daughter?

  Muninn ruffled his feathers, his beak moving as he spoke on Odin’s behalf.

  Ever dropped the head and gripped the blade of her sword within her hand, slicing her palm, her blood dripping to the ground with a hiss, lightning in her eyes as she gave her father a sinister smile. “We shall see. On the battlefield, we shall see.”

  Then Ever banged on the window with her bloody palm, the birds shrieking as they flew away, a ripple of power shaking the glass as she shielded the room from her father’s eyes. Turning back to the people in the room, she offered Derek a smile as he stumbled toward her. Her eyes widened at the scarred flesh on his neck and chin. She made to ask him what had happened when her mate closed the distance between them and kissed her until she was dizzy.

  When he broke the kiss, his eyes were wolf amber as she stroked up his neck, her fingers touching the burnt and healed flesh gingerly for fear she would hurt him. “What happened?”

  “Phoenix. Long story. He’s dead.”

  “Good. That’s one less person I need to kill. I love you.”

  His eyes blazed as he held her, his strong hands on her hips as he leaned his head down to rest his forehead on hers. “And I love you.”

  She stayed in his grasp, in his arms for a few heartbeats, until footfalls sounded behind her and a voice said, “I know someone who has been waiting to meet you.”

  Ever turned to Caitlyn, dropping her sword as the vampire’s gray eyes rested on Ever as she handed Ash to her. The moment she held her daughter in her arms, she sucked in a breath as her daughter opened her eyes, and in them, Ever saw streaks of lighting before they closed and Ash stilled.

  “It’s okay, sweet girl. Mom’s back, and I’ll never leave you again.”

  Ever felt arms around her waist as Derek pressed a kiss to the side of her throat. “She’s perfect, isn’t she?”

  Ever agreed with her mate one hundred percent as Ash fell into a slumber. She cradled her child within her arms and knew that she would destroy the world to keep her child safe. It was that instinctual bond that Ever had not witnessed before with her own parents, yet her human parents had shown it, Tom had shown it and even Ricky and Caitlyn, who had found children, some of blood and some created as their own.

  Lifting her gaze, she smiled at Donnie and then cast her eyes in Caitlyn’s direction. “I know now why Ash loves you like a second mother. I heard you singing to her. I heard you comforting her while I healed. I felt your heart and the sadness for what you lost. Yet you held her to you despite that. You have my eternal gratitude.”

  The vampire swallowed hard, even as her own mate took her hand in his. “I was a pale substitute for her mother.” Clearing her throat, heavy with emotion, she changed the subject. “Now, before we have Valkyrie and more trudging into the room, perhaps you would like to dress in more suitable clothes?”

  Ever glanced down at her hospital robe and laughed. “Ya, I guess I assumed I’d wake up and be dressed. I mean, I did manage to bring the sword through.”

  But then Ever didn’t move, loath to remove her daughter out of her arms now that she was finally holding her. Derek sensed her unease, kissed her throat again as his voice rumbled in her ear. “The sooner you dress, the faster you can hold her again.”

  Reluctantly, Ever handed Ash over to her father, who rested the child against the bare skin of his arm. Donnie held out a duffle bag for her as she slipped into the bathroom, removed her hospital gown, and stood looking at herself in the mirror. Her pregnancy belly was gone, replaced with a smooth, flat stomach with just a little cord of muscle. She was surprised to miss the protruding belly, having had little time to enjoy it as most mothers would, even with the short pregnancy.

  She told herself that next time she would be free to enjoy it.

  Ever dressed quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top, then throwing a leather jacket over her shoulders. She took the time to brush her hair and then plait three braids into her hair, then pulled the rest of it off her face. When she felt like she was suitably dressed, Ever opened the door and stepped outside.

  On the edge of her hospital bed sat a warrior with hair the color of whiskey, eyes of the same shade, her lips curled into a mischievous grin as she ran those eyes over Ever and then quirked her brows.

  “What the hell took you so long?”

  Ever laughed as she strode forward and embraced her oldest friend. She felt the tiredness in the Valkyrie’s bones, smelled the death that she had no doubt dealt on her skin. “I was making sure not to steal your glory. For when they sing sonnets of us, your name should always come first, my sister.”

  Erika chuckled, taking Ever’s face in her hands before she pressed her lips quickly to Ever’s, earning a growl from Derek and an amused chuckle from Loki, who appeared in the doorframe and watched her with those eyes of his that saw everything.

  “Come now, brother. Come give me a hug.”

  When Loki refused to come to her, Ever rolled her eyes and strode over, punching him in the shoulder before she embraced him. After a moment of hesitation, he returned her hug.

  Lowering her voice, knowing everyone could still hear her, she said, “Thor came to me in my sleep, and he is content with his warrior’s death. He misses you, though, and waits for the time when we are all together once more, in the great hall.”

  Loki plucked at the ends of her braid. “I almost believed you until you made claim that the great oaf missed me.”

  “If it helps, his exact words were that he even missed that troublemaking little guttersnipe.”

  Loki’s smile was brilliant as he shook his head. “Now that sounds more like our brother.”

  Stepping away from Loki, she returned to where Derek sat in a chair with Ash on his chest. Perching herself on his lap, she leaned in against the curve of his scarred neck. She wanted to know what had happened whilst she slept, yet if her mate wanted her to know, when he wanted to tell her, she would be there with an ear to listen.

  “I can scent your worry. I am at peace with the outcome. Neville Morris is dead. I killed him. My friend who I thought was dead was actually a phoenix, and he did that to me. Then Loki killed him, and I came to you. That is the bones of what happened.”

  She didn’t question him on it, for she heard the resolve in his tone and knew he really was fine with what had transpired. Ever heard a scrape of metal as Erika leaned down and picked up her sword. “I didn’t think I’d see this again.”

  “Neither did I. It was hidden within the sands of Valhalla. Perhaps it returned to its rightful place after
those Vikings were done with it.”

  Erika’s lips slowly curved into a smile as she angled the sword out in front of her. “At least those Lodbrok boys took care of the sword. It looks as good as the day it was forged.”

  Ever patted her daughter’s back. “And that is why you never try to outdrink a Viking. You end up drunk and somehow losing your sword in a bet.”

  Erika chuckled as Donnie’s eyes darted from Ever to Erika. “Now that is a story I need to hear.”

  “Sure, once we survive the end of the world, we’ll have a few beers and tell you about how we lost Ever’s sword to the world’s most famous Viking,” Erika teased before she glanced toward the door and muttered, “Incoming, in three, two, one ...”

  Teenage Ash came around the corner and spluttered to a halt, her eyes going to the bed before traveling to where Ever sat, her eyes widening. “Mom?”

  Water glistened in her eyes as Ever got to her feet, held out her arms, and then she was engulfed in a hug that caused her to take a step back. She felt Ash’s tears on her skin as she smothered the girl’s hair and tried to reassure her that she was fine.

  Ash detangled herself from Ever, then her amber eyes studied her for a second. “Your aura is different.”

  “Is that a good or bad thing?” Ever asked with a smile.

  “Good. This is how I know you.”

  Ever cupped her cheek for a second before dropping her hand and turning to those in the room. “Odin knows I’m awake. Probably felt the upgrade in my magic. He won’t wait much longer, and that dead berserker is not going to be the last to come for me. We need a more secure location.”

  “We can use the warehouse. Me and Cait had already set up a sort of mobile command there. Ricky has set magical alarms all around the building so we know if anyone crosses the threshold.”

  Ever nodded at Donnie. “Okay, we need to regroup and see what we’ve got to fight with. Erika, any Valkyrie wounded?”

  “Danae took a knock to the head, but it was already hard to begin with. Kenzie is a little tired, still not used to her wings; however, she refuses to rest. She definitely was destined to be one of us. Other than that, it’s all minor cuts and bruises that will heal. I think seeing their queen up and about will give them a refreshed appetite for blood.”

  Ever glanced at Derek, who slowly got to his feet with baby Ash still in his arms. “Is she okay to be moved?”

  “Ya, we just decided that it was better to stay here with her ma until we could leave as a family.”

  The heat in his gaze nearly melted her bones, and she stepped forward, leaned up and pressed her lips to his. A rumble sounded in his chest as Ever heard Ash groan.

  “Please keep the PDA to a minimum, please.”

  Ever turned away from Derek as Erika tossed her sword in her direction. She caught it easily, like it was an extension of her arm. Donnie slipped from the room and returned seconds later with a car seat, settling it on the bed. Derek strapped the tiny being inside.

  “I could just flash her to the warehouse,” Erika said, a statement that made Ever think. Closing her eyes, Ever willed herself to stand by the door, and when she pried open her eyes again, she was standing where she wanted to go. She had only been able to flash once, when she had spoken the words out loud that she was a Valkyrie and left Derek and Erika behind in order to save them from Odin.

  Now it would seem that she, too, like Erika and Ash, had the power to flash.

  “Looks like you finally found the power.” Erika mused.

  “I did.”

  Derek slipped his arm through the handle of the car seat before glancing around. “Right, let’s get moving.”

  “Hang on, Boyband. Don’t you have to meet the commissioner in the next few hours? You stay here, and we can bring Ever and Ash to the warehouse.”

  “No.” His tone was dangerous, as if he was barely containing himself and his wolf.

  “Derek ...” Ever began before he cast his amber-filled eyes in her direction.

  “I’m not leaving you or her right now.” His voice was a growl that had Ash’s eyes flaring and a snarl curling her lips.

  Ever walked over and patted his arm. “Okay. Then we stay until you’ve spoken to the commissioner. It’s fine. Erika, you and Ash go to the warehouse and make sure we have everything we need. Loki, can you go with them and double check that Ricky’s wards are strong enough to keep Odin out? I’m gonna stay here with Derek and baby Ash, and maybe Donnie could keep me company.”

  Derek seemed to relax as Ever squeezed his arm. Erika, Loki and teenage Ash vanished without another word.

  Caitlyn pulled out her phone, frowning. “I must go speak with Chester.”

  “I’ll tag along if you need me,” Donnie said, resting his bulky frame against the doorframe.

  Caitlyn smiled, her face softening as she walked over to Donnie. “I will always need you, yet it will be a quick trip to Chester’s. I will be at the warehouse before you arrive.”

  His eyes held Caitlyn’s for a moment before he nodded his head, then dipped his head to allow Caitlyn to kiss his cheek. Then she slipped from the room, her boots making no sound as she left, and Ever knew that Caitlyn was as deadly a hunter as Erika.

  Derek pulled an envelope out of his pocket, ripped it open and frowned. “We need to go down to the emergency room. That’s where he’ll wait for us.”

  Derek cradled the car seat as Ever picked up her sword and glanced around the hospital room, wondering if she should grab some stuff to take with them. A nurse stumbled into the room, her eyes widening at the sight of Ever, then at the dead berserker, before Donnie took her outside and spoke for a few minutes before coming back in.

  “I told her to lock down the room and we would send someone to clean up the mess. And get any clothes and stuff you guys need. Most of her onesie things are in that bag, and I made sure that the warehouse is stocked with nappies and formula and things.”

  “Thanks, Donnie.”

  “I just got what Caitlyn told me to get.”

  They made their way down to the eerily quiet emergency department, where a tall, thin man rose when they came through the doors. His face was grim, and the two guards that were with him had haunted expressions on their faces. Derek set the car seat down and strode over to where the man stood. They shook hands as Ever felt a strange pull from Donnie.

  She glanced at him and narrowed her gaze. “What have you that calls upon the power of gods like a beacon?”

  Donnie frowned as he fished in his pocket and withdrew a compass. Ever felt the power in the compass even as she reached out and placed her fingers on it.

  “I went to Asgard when I was unconscious, and Lady Sif left this for me to take. Tyr was working a spy in Odin’s camp in the hopes that he could find a way to end the war. I’m not sure how or why, but he knew I would come and that I was to use it to find what we needed to end it all.”

  Ever felt grateful that Tyr had not in fact turned against them, felt the sorrow for her beloved general who had found her father, only to lose him before she knew him. Why the hell had Tyr left this for Donnie to find? And what weapon would it lead him to in order for them to get the upper hand in this war?

  The ways of gods were confusing, like sun when the heavens opened on the earth and rain fell. Ever knew from the magic in this little compass that Donnie had to figure out how to get the compass to work.

  Now that she was awake, the time for war would come sooner rather than later. If Tyr had found a means to kill Odin before the final reset of Ragnarök was set in motion, only to die before he could tell them his findings, then it looked like the god of war had entrusted his secret of the compass to the brave vampire standing beside her.

  “I don’t feel very brave,” he muttered, lowering his eyes to the compass.

  But Ever knew that when the time came, he would be brave, and in the end, when all was said and done, that was all they could hope for.

  Odin sat upon his eight-legged horse, the steam of i
ts breath warming his skin as his ravens flew back and perched upon his shoulders. His daughter was awake, her newfound power a pulse across space and time, sending ripples of discord among his berserkers. He had held them at bay for the last two days and nights by sheer force of will, and yet they grew restless.

  He heard the flutter of wings as his young Valkyrie floated in the air beside him, her eyes on the wings of her kin who fought to keep the monsters of this world under control. He felt her longing, her sadness that they considered her a traitor; however, he would kill her or send her to be killed once she had served her purpose.

  “What do you need of me, Father?”

  Odin ran his fingers through his white beard. Always willing to please, his Marya, still not even two centuries old, and in human years, she was perhaps fifteen. He smiled at her, wondering why his own child could not be as obedient and obliging.

  His daughter was far too like her headstrong mother.

  “Kill the babe. You need to kill the babe, and then my daughter will crawl on her knees for me to bring about the end of days and, with my beloved Frigg, bring her child back from the dead.”

  “As you wish.”

  She flew upward into the blackened sky, her wings a mixture of gray and red, like a streak of blood against the sky, before she shot forward and toward either certain death or victory.

  At this stage, Odin wasn’t sure he cared which was the outcome.

  Derek

  * * *

  Derek was having a little trouble getting Ash settled into the car, having not had time to scrutinize the instructions before the arrival of his newborn daughter, and now the edges of his temper were fraying. The calmness that had shielded him while Ever slept was dissipating, and he wasn’t really sure why something as trivial as a car seat was making him want to unleash his claws. He had only been aggravated by the meeting with the commissioner that had just ended.