“I don’t care about your name, girl. Who are you?”
“I’m a Crow.”
“Perfect. Then I have a task for you, Crow.”
Kera glanced back at her sisters. “Uh . . . I don’t think I can.”
“Really? And why not?”
“My loyalty is to Skuld.”
The woman walked around Kera in a circle. “Of course your loyalty is to Skuld. You are a Crow. But I am Freyja and it is with my Valkyries that Skuld rides. If your loyalty is to her, your loyalty is to me, Crow.”
“That’s the first I’ve heard that.”
“Do not worry. If you take on this task, you’ll get the answers you seek.”
“What task?”
“Nothing you haven’t done before, Crow. You must retrieve something of mine. A necklace.”
“A necklace?”
“Brísingamen.” Kera heard gasps behind her, but she focused on the god in front of her. “It is mine, and I want it back. Find those who hold it and retrieve it for me.”
“I see . . .” Kera lift her gaze and saw that Aditi had moved around behind Freyja. Eyes intense, she gave a single nod and Kera said to the god, “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Good. And your reward will be answers, Crow. Answers you desperately need.” Freyja held her arm out, and Kera watched as something flew across the land and into her open hand.
She held it out for Kera. “Take it.”
Kera studied the rune-covered hammer. The head wasn’t nearly as big as the Giant Killer’s weapon, but power radiated from the runes burned into the head and handle.
Reaching out, Kera grasped it. It was heavy but it felt right in her hands.
“Where do I start looking for your necklace?”
“That coven of witches you let live—”
“How did you know about—”
“—start there.” The god turned away from Kera.
“How do I get the necklace back to you?”
She gave a little sniff. “Just find it, Crow.”
The woman’s feathered cape exploded into an array of falcons and hawks—and she was gone.
“That was Freyja,” Aditi explained.
“So she said.”
“She’s leader of the Valkyries. Goddess of love and beauty and jewelry.”
“Goddess of love? And jewelry? Her?”
“Odin tricked her to take the position of war god. She’s never forgiven him for that, but she can’t deny she’s very good at it.”
“She’s given you a mighty weapon,” the First Crow pointed out. “She must think you’ll need it if she’s given it to you and not one of her own Valkyries.”
“Well . . . that’s a disturbing thought.” Kera dropped the head of the weapon to the ground and leaned against the handle like a cane. “What does she really want from me?”
Aditi gave a small smile. “The gods can visit and talk to those they deem worthy on the mortal plane, but they cannot physically interfere.”
“So?”
“So she needs you to do it for her.”
“Why not her Valkyries?”
“That’s not something she’d ever ask them to do. But the Crows . . . it is what we do.”
“But you cannot do anything until you get back home. So for now,” the First Crow said, using her foot to scrape away the runes Kera had drawn in the dirt, “let us drink and sing to welcome our new sister to our ranks!”
The Crows and Ravens cheered and proceeded to pass out more wooden casks of ale, but Kera immediately noticed that Vig was not cheering.
She turned to him and softly asked, “This is bad, isn’t it?”
“Few things worry Freyja, but she was worried. That’s bad for us.”
“Is there anything good for us at this point?”
“Yes.” Vig pulled Kera close and kissed her forehead. “You are.”
Chloe had her feet up on her desk, her gaze locked on the ceiling. “Aren’t you blowing this out of proportion?”
“I know what I saw, Clo.”
“You saw . . . straw.”
“In a hospital room.”
“Yeah . . . and?”
“The old wives’ tale says that straw in a bedroom may mean the Mara were there.”
“Tessa—”
“But it wasn’t just the straw. It was him. The way he was reacting. Something had him.”
“Maybe. I don’t doubt that. But, Tessa, seriously . . . the Mara? I can’t remember the last time they’ve been seen.”
“They’re not supposed to be seen. They’re the Mara.”
The Mardröm or, as the Clans called them, the Mara, were what nightmares came from. At one time Mara was thought to be one witch who rode at night, searching for victims to drain. But the Clans knew that the Mara were made up of many female demons. And they’d sit on the chests of their victims, press their hands to their heads, and make them physically experience their worst dreams. Even more appalling, the Mara didn’t discriminate. They’d do the same thing to children, babies, even animals. And the more panic and fear and desperation that they aroused in their victims, the more powerful they became.
The younger Mara could be handled by the Clans, but the older ones, the Elder Mara . . . they were unbelievably dangerous. And very feared.
Chloe, who loved to dispute everything, had suddenly stopped talking. And she was staring off at the wall.
“What is it?” Tessa asked.
“I’ve been having dreams lately. And the dreams, they’ve been draining me. I’ve been so exhausted.” She rubbed her temples, wincing as if they were sore. “I don’t know. What do you suggest?”
“Bring in Holde’s Maids to protect the house. Hopefully that’ll keep the Mara out.”
“Why do you think they came here?”
“We’re easy. All of us have been killed, most of us violently. All they have to do is make us go through that experience again and again. It must be like elixir for them. Don’t worry, Clo. I’ll take care of it.”
“Anyone seen Kera yet?”
“No. Give her time. She’ll be back. I’m sure she’s off at some hotel, boffing her Viking’s brains out. Not that I blame her.”
The two old friends laughed and Chloe said, “Do me a favor. Get this place protected, let’s track down that asshole with Skuld’s bracelet, wipe him from the planet, and then we deal with the Mara.”
“Okay. Want me to tell the others?”
“Give them a heads-up. The Ravens, too. But I don’t want anyone freaking out about this until we know for sure. I’m not in the mood to hear it.” Chloe frowned. “Do you think the Mara are also the ones who’ve been stealing everyone’s shit?”
“Maybe.”
Chloe cringed. “But why?”
“Oh Clo . . . I don’t think we want to know.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Vig was dreaming, and in his dream someone was calling out his name. Over and over again. That’s when he realized it wasn’t a dream.
Opening his eyes, Vig looked around. Kera was asleep against his chest with his arms around her. He was so comfortable, the last thing he wanted to do was move. Ever. Even with the other Crows and Ravens passed out around him, he didn’t mind just lying here with her. Comfortable. Cozy. It was perfect.
But then he heard it again. Someone calling out his name.
Then it hit him. The sun would be coming up any minute . . . and they were still in Asgard.
“Kera, get up,” he ordered. “Now.”
Kera bolted upright, eyes wide and alert. “What? What is it?”
“We have to go.”
Kera looked around, panic growing in her eyes when she saw all the Crows and Ravens they’d fallen asleep with during their ridiculous bout of drinking.
“Good God, what have we done?”
“Nothing,” Vig said hurriedly, pulling on his boots, and lacing them up. “I promise. But we have to go. Now.”
Kera pulled on her own socks and boots before grabbing
her knives.
Vig heard a flutter of wings and looked up to see a Raven that wasn’t one of his ancestors perched on a large boulder overlooking the small lake.
“Are you planning on staying here forever, boy?”
“No. No.” Vig scrambled to his feet. “I lost track of time.”
“I can see why,” the Raven growled, blue eyes absorbing every detail of Kera.
Vig moved in front of her. “No.”
“I’m a Brother Raven. You wouldn’t consider sharing your little—”
“No.”
Laughing, the Raven yelled out, “Found them!”
By the time Vig led Kera away from the lake, Katja rode up to them. She was covered in blood and bruises from whatever battle she’d just come from.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“I’m sorry.”
Kat turned her horse around. “Hurry up. We’ve only got, like, a minute here.”
Vig grabbed Kera, holding her tight against him, making sure she was secure. He was reaching for the horse’s tail when the Crows who’d joined them at the lake suddenly surrounded them.
Kat reached for her sword but the Crows weren’t interested in the Valkyrie.
“We have to go,” Vig told Kera’s Elder sisters.
“We know. We know.” Aditi handed Kera the rune-covered hammer Freyja had given her the evening before. “Don’t forget this.”
“Thank you.”
Aditi kissed Kera on the forehead. “You will do well, sister. Just remember to be strong and let your rage be your guide.”
Kera held the weapon against her chest and grabbed hold of Vig around the waist.
Aditi stepped back. “Good-bye, sister-Crow.”
“Good-bye, Aditi.”
Vig pulled Kera closer, and grabbed hold of the horse’s mane with his free hand.
“Go!” Vig yelled at his sister and she urged her horse into a gallop. They took to the skies moments before the sun began to rise in the distance. Within seconds, they were back in their own world and Vig allowed himself to breathe again.
His sister stopped outside his house, and he finally released Kera.
“We’re not doing that again,” Katja informed him as he helped her dismount from her horse. “It’s too dangerous.”
“You always say that, but—”
His sister sort of hissed at him. “Never again.”
“Thank you for this.”
She glanced at Kera. “I heard from my sister Valkyries that she did well. But Odin’s still going to be pissed about you two.”
“I’m aware,” Vig replied.
She gave a short wave and, with her horse in tow, headed to the stables. “See you guys!”
Vig turned to Kera but before he could say anything, music began to play, and Kera frowned, her gaze searching. She walked up the porch stairs and into Vig’s house. A moment later, she came back outside with her phone.
“Yeah?” she answered and Kera frowned again. She glanced at Vig and mouthed, “What time is it?”
Vig looked up at the sky since he never wore a watch. “It’s evening.”
“But it was just morning—”
“Time runs differently in Asgard. We probably lost a couple of days there.”
Eyes wide, Kera replied to whomever was on the phone, “All right. I’ve got it.”
She ended the phone call and slipped the device into the back of her jeans. “They found the guy I let go on my last job. My team’s already heading over there. I’m going to go meet them. Finish what I started.”
“Hold on.” Vig ran into his house and opened a wooden trunk he kept behind his couch. He searched through some of his best weapons and armor, which he kept for fellow Ravens or Valkyries. He found what he was looking for and returned to Kera outside. He wrapped the leather strip around her, buckling it around her waist and at her shoulders.
“What is it?” she asked, laughing a little.
“This.” He took her hammer from her and slipped it into the sheath stretched across her spine. “It’ll hold your gift from Freyja.”
“It’s wonderful. Thank you.”
Vig took a step back, frowned when he saw the strange expression on her face. “What is it?”
“Do you think you can track down those witches for me? The coven I let go. I just need their location. I’ll make sure to do the rest.”
“Are you planning to kill them?”
“I’m hoping I won’t have to. But I do need answers.”
Vig nodded. “I think I can find them. You said they were in the Santa Monica Mountains when you saw them last, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll go to the Isa. Those mountains are part of their territory, and they always know when witches are doing any rituals nearby. They’ll be able to help us.”
“Help me. I don’t need you to fight this battle for me, Vig. I just need a location.”
“Freyja herself not only asked you to do a task for her but gave you, a Crow, a powerful weapon. Chances are high that whatever’s happening, you’ll need us as much as we’ll need you. This is not the time to worry about petty bullshit. And as long as I have breath, I will always be there for you.”
Kera pressed her hand against Vig’s jaw, fingers stroking his beard.
“Go, Kera.”
She went up on her toes, and kissed him. Then she unfurled her wings, and was gone.
Erin hit the wall, the power of it sending her blades flying out of her hands.
The man was still wearing the bracelet, and Erin was determined to get it and kill the idiot. And she was going to do it for Kera. He was the one who’d made her doubt herself and that pissed Erin off. Only she was allowed to make Kera feel insecure. As her mentor, it was her job.
Honestly, Erin didn’t think this would be such a big job. Especially once Chloe decided that all but two of the strike teams would go. The remaining two were to stay behind to protect the Bird House. But even with the majority of Crows and Chloe leading, they hadn’t been prepared for this. The asshole still had that stupid bracelet and had not only healed from the last battle, he had reinforcements. Lots of them.
Well-trained, magically enhanced reinforcements.
Erin reached for her weapons, but the leader grabbed her by the throat and threw her across the floor. She slid into the back of Tessa’s legs, pushing her team leader into her prey.
“Do you know who I am?” the man bellowed. “Do you know what I’ve become?”
Erin rolled her eyes. Nothing bored her more than what she called “The Speech.” These people got a taste of artificial power from the little gods-blessed jewelry and weapons they obtained and inevitably they believed themselves to not only be invincible but actually gods. So, when challenged, they always ended up making The Speech.
“Each day,” he went on, “I feel my strength, my power, growing! For I am the ultimate predator! No one can—”
Brodie dropped from the sky and landed on the leader. She attacked instantly, tearing into flesh and muscle with a brutal rage Erin truly appreciated at the moment.
The leader screamed in panic and reached back, grabbing hold of her and flipping her off his back.
He was bloody and wounded but already healing. That didn’t deter Brodie, though. Erin had the feeling nothing would stop the pit bull who’d tagged along tonight despite Chloe’s annoyance at her presence.
Brodie slammed into the wall and scrambled back to her big feet. With a snarl, she charged again, launching herself at the leader. He caught hold of Brodie by her big head and twisted.
That animal-whimper of pain had Erin jumping to her feet to help, but a blade rammed through the leader’s neck from behind and brown fingers grabbed him by the head. He was pulled back until Erin saw that it was Kera.
“What are you doing to my dog?” Kera demanded, dragging the leader to the floor. “Never hurt my dog!”
“Crows fighting all around her and she’s worried about the g
oddamn dog,” Erin muttered, not willing to analyze the fact she’d been seconds from risking her own life to help a damn dog.
The leader released Brodie so he could get his hands on Kera. But once he let one go, the other attacked.
Brodie wrapped her maw around the leader’s neck and bit down, while pulling up; Kera gripped the leader by his hair and began to pull, too. Together, and in seconds, they separated the head from the body.
Then Kera straddled the headless body, tore open the leader’s shirt, and used her blade to cut open his chest.
“Uh . . . Tessa?” Erin said, reaching back to tap her team leader.
“What?”
“You may want to see this.”
“I’m a little busy.”
“Yeah . . . but this is really interesting.”
With her prey in her hands, Tessa spun them both around so she could see what Erin was looking at.
With the flesh pulled back to reveal the bone beneath, Kera punched her fist into his chest.
“Hey, Chloe,” Tessa called out. “You may want to . . . uh . . . come here.”
Chloe joined them and together they watched as Kera dug around inside the leader’s chest cavity for a few seconds until she dragged her hand out, her gore-covered fingers gripping a Rhine-gold ring.
And once the ring was no longer inside the leader’s body, he began to disintegrate right before their eyes. Kera, though, didn’t seem to care or notice. She simply stood and stepped over what was left of him.
Tessa slit the throat of the man in her arms and dropped his body to the floor. Now that their leader was dead, it was easier to kill the subordinates.
Chloe pushed her hair off her face with the back of her hand and demanded, “Where the hell have you been, Watson?”
“Asgard.”
Tessa took a step back. “What?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story. Anyway, while I was there, Freyja asked me to get a necklace back for her. She said it would answer our questions about the runes we found in Catalina.”
It was like the world had abruptly stopped. The Crows were so focused on Kera that they didn’t even bother to stop the men from making a run for it.
“Freyja . . . talked to you?”
“Uh-huh.” Kera reached behind her and grabbed a weapon she had strapped to her back. She held it up. It was a hammer. “She gave me this.”
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