by K.N. Lee
She looked up. Bork fluttered behind the women, his wings spread wide. “Like your sword?” he yelled.
“I love it!” she called back.
“Ancient elves forged the steel.”
“Cool!”
“The rubies represent your fiery nature.”
She grinned. “I love it!” she said again.
“Use it wisely, warrior woman.” He gave her a thumbs-up, then pivoted and flew away.
She stared down at the other women, still all smiles.
“Welcome, sister,” Fraya called. She brought her hand to her forehead in a salute. “You passed. You’re a Valkyrie. You can now call yourself a member of the Favors for the Fallen sisterhood.”
Pride surged in her chest. Kara savored the moment of completion and success. Then, the image of her dying body appeared in her mind’s eye. She lifted her gaze to Fraya’s. Staring at the intense expression pouring from Fraya’s eyes, all delight fell from her face. The real work would soon begin. All of this—this training, this remembering, this sense of satisfaction at getting her wings—all of it would mean nothing if she died at the Sisters of Mercy hospital, in downtown Boston.
5
Not ready to face her life in Boston, Kara spread her wings, took a couple running steps, and launched herself off the mountain. Exhilarated, she soared over the canyon. She’d almost died at the bottom of that ravine. Well, I would have died if I hadn’t remembered who I am. But guess what? I remembered. Easy-peasy. A cocky grin spread across her face.
“Soldier, get back here!” Fraya’s words lanced her like she’d struck her with a sword.
I don’t want to. I’m not ready. Free flight felt fantastic. Now I can keep up with the crows. She grinned again.
“I said get the fuck back here,” Fraya called again.
She began rocketing toward the ground as if she’d been lassoed. “Holy crows!” She barely managed to slow down before performing a crash landing.
Her fellow warriors whooped, laughed, and cheered.
Her wings folded along her back naturally, as if she’d been born with them. She bowed, pretending she’d meant to look stupid and nearly crash land. Truthfully, she didn’t want the moment to end.
Fraya stood apart from the others, her eyes a deadly glow.
Ignoring Fraya, she let herself be patted on the back and congratulated by others. The thrill of getting new wings and graduating from the Valkyrie Academy and doing one last self-congratulatory flight didn’t last long. The back of her head started to burn. She brought her hand to the back of her skull and felt for fire. Nothing.
“Are you finished?” Fraya’s scorching eyes burned through any pretense hinting at the worst being over.
“Feeling good about myself? I hope not,” Kara said with a smile. “I’ve waited for this moment all my life.”
“If you hadn’t forgotten in the first place, you wouldn’t be in the mess you’re in,” Fraya snapped.
Her good mood vanished. She gulped.
“All this means is you passed the first test. Now we get to see how you perform in real world settings.” Fraya turned to the other women warriors. “Go on. Get back to your training.”
They all took off, leaving Kara alone with Fraya.
Stirrings of anxiety swirled in her belly, like leaves in a windstorm. “I guess this means no thanks and congrats will pass your lips, right?”
A cold, chilly demeanor fell across Fraya’s face, making Kara wish she could swallow back her words.
“That’s not what this is about,” Fraya said flatly. “Your clock is ticking. We had to rush your training. Concessions had to be made for you.”
“So, I should be the one thanking you. Is that what you’re saying?” Kara glared at Fraya.
She ignored her snide remark, continuing. “You did well enough, I’ll grant you that, but time, my good warrior, is not on your side.”
Kara pictured her dying body at Sisters of Mercy. “Am I…am I already dead?”
Fraya’s words came out slow and clipped. “Not. Yet.” She studied Kara’s face for a few seconds. Then, she said, “All right. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” Butterflies with chain saws began flying through Kara’s stomach.
“To Boston! Close your eyes.”
Kara did so.
When she opened them, both she and Fraya stood on St. James Avenue, dressed in civilian clothes, not the supple armor Kara had worn for the last few…she couldn’t put her finger on how much time had passed. I wore armor in one place. Here I’m dressed like a normal person. However, none of this is normal, not by a long shot.
“Catch up!”
Kara’s head snapped up. She didn’t have time to contemplate anything.
Fraya strode several yards ahead of her.
Kara jogged to catch up.
“Look!” Fraya stopped so suddenly, Kara nearly collided with her back.
She turned to see what Fraya pointed at.
Her attention was instantly captured by the reflection of an unrecognizable woman, caught in a mirror at the back of a window display of high-end clothing.
“Is that me?” She pivoted and placed her fingertips on the cool glass, staring at a mirror surrounded by trendy clothes-covered mannequins.
A spring breeze played with coppery strands of her hair as she stood on the sun-warmed sidewalk. People hurried past her, on their way to who knew where. Having grown up here, she knew every street, every alley, every building in Boston. What she didn’t know was the person in the mirror.
The woman in the reflective glass appeared taller than she knew herself to be. Though she still possessed the same long red hair, her face held a foxlike fierceness. Her high, elegant cheekbones framed somber eyes, the color of topaz gemstones—not the hazel eyes she’d grown up with.
“Who else could it be?” Fraya stood next to her, no sign of her wings or her Valkyrie stature evident. Instead, she looked more human, albeit a stunning human dressed entirely in black—black long-sleeved, form-fitting top, black skinny jeans, and black boots. Tiny gray-winged angels dotted her shirt in a playful pattern. A tall, statuesque beauty, her raven-colored hair held back in a braid, she could pass for royalty. “Actually, this is your doppelgänger. Your soul’s been split apart while you’re in transition.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, you’re occupying your new body while we figure out what happens to the old one. This is no big deal for me.” She swept her hand at her own body. “I can blend in…assume this human form at will…then, do what I do best when needed. You’ll get there, if the gods are on your side.” She tilted her head to study Kara for a few seconds. “It might seem disorienting at first, but…” She shrugged, turned, and resumed her powerful stride down the sidewalk.
“Wait!” Kara called, scurrying toward the concealed warrior. “Where are we going?”
“To get your first, and hopefully not your last assignment.”
The butterflies with chain saws returned to her stomach—only now some of them had blowtorches. Kara’s tummy roared with queasiness.
The hungry eyes of countless men tracked the two of them as they trekked along the sidewalk of Kara’s familiar haunts. Her red hair had always drawn attention. Now it was as if she reeked of sexuality, like a filly in heat in a sea of stallions.
Fraya paid them no mind.
Kara frowned and quickened her steps. She didn’t like feeling like someone’s next meal or conquest.
“You look more like yourself. Thank the stars. You had to dumb it down to look like an FBI agent.” Fraya smirked.
“Thanks, heaps.” Kara glowered at Fraya. “Jaidon thinks...thought...” She shook her head.
“I’m listening,” Fraya said, her golden falcon eyes directed at Kara.
“He thinks I’m beautiful.”
Fraya pressed her ruby red lips together and shook her head. “Now you’re beautiful. You’re real. You know who you are. That’s when one’s radi
ance shines.”
Kara smiled, breathing in the compliment this no-nonsense, ferocious warrior-woman had bestowed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s jet. You’re not out of the woods yet.” She spun on her heel and strode along the sidewalk.
Kara blinked, then rushed to catch up. “What does that mean? I’m not out of the woods? I thought I passed the test to become a Valkyrie.”
“You mean resume your role as a Valkyrie.”
Kara waved her hand. “Resume, become, whatever.”
“There’s a huge difference. You passed the skills test,” Fraya said, barely glancing at her. “Now we have to determine if your psychological make-up can deal with the reality of being a Valkyrie. You’ve forgotten almost everything. We had to jump start your mind a couple times in training to get old memories to awaken. Now, let’s hope they hold.”
A tall, lean, handsome man approached. He gave her a lascivious leer. “Hey, beautiful. Want to...”
“Go fuck yourself,” Kara shot back, hurrying past him. “There. I passed.”
“Not even close,” Fraya said, a slight smile forming. “Although congrats on the effective brush-off. Jerk wad...” She stabbed her thumb over her shoulder at the retreating male. “If he jammed his cock inside of you, he’d fry, whimpering like a baby. Now let’s get to this assignment.”
Kara pictured a man frying to death from having sex with her. The image gave her the creeps. “Are you going to give me a clue what you’re talking about? With the so-called test?” Kara’s lungs heaved as she scurried after Fraya.
Fraya put her hand out, shushing her. “Wait for it.”
They rounded the corner and headed toward a street fair. Assaulted by the smell of food, Kara glanced at Fraya. Her stomach growled like a mewling kitten. “Can we get something to eat?”
“Not yet. Wait for it,” she said again. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd.
Booths selling crafted goods lined the street. The path between the booths hummed with women pushing baby carts, mothers clinging to children’s hands, couples, older individuals, teens, and twenty-somethings.
Fraya powered through as if she were a bowling ball striking pins.
People parted or stopped to stare.
Finally, Fraya came to a stop. “Over there,” she said, with a sweep of her hand.
“What?” Kara said. She peered up the street, through the crowd.
“Him.” Fraya pointed.
“That guy?” Kara stared across the row at a dark-haired guy, who looked about her age, sketching a pretty blonde on an easel. He wielded the colored chalk with graceful fingers. Other sketches he’d done hung from his booth.
“Yes, that guy,” Fraya said, crossing her arms along her chest.
Kara sized him up. His spikey hair looked like it had taken some time to get it styled just right. He wore red and black board shorts and a sleeveless black t-shirt with a skull and crossbones image across the chest. His strong legs ended in feet clad in untied sneakers. With muscular arms adorned with ink, he looked like he could be Jaidon’s rogue brother.
Kara’s tongue darted along her lips as she looked at him. Then, she chided herself for finding him far more attractive than Jaidon in an animalistic, uncaged sort of manner.
Jaidon was, by all accounts, a rule-follower—to the letter. He’d told her on countless occasions, “The rules are in place to protect us, Kara.”
This other guy seemed to vibrate with chaotic energy. She imagined him viewing rules as rocks in a stream—something to find your way around, not get stopped by them.
He kept up a steady chatter with the woman.
She batted her eyes and talked all flirty and girly to him.
He laughed, leaning forward to position a lock of her hair.
She dipped her head, coyly.
He laughed again, leaning closer. His hand dropped to her purse which sat near the chair on which she perched. He withdrew her wallet and dropped it deftly into a nearby box of art supplies. Without missing a beat, he procured a box of chalk. Then, he flicked a cloth over the box and moved away from her, waving the chalk.
“I knew these were somewhere. They were right behind you,” he said, like he was having an “a ha” moment.
“Did you see that?” Kara asked. “He’s a common thief.”
“Oh, he’s way more than a street thief. Ace is a special guy. And he’s going to be your special guy.”
“Mine?” Kara frowned. “Mine in what way?” She crossed her arms loosely over her chest.
“He’s had a hard life. He’s fighting his destiny. You two get to figure it out together.”
Kara shook her head. “You’re not making any sense. How can I figure out his destiny if I’ve barely started figuring out my own?”
Ace lifted his head and stood stone-still, staring at her. His eyes narrowed slightly and a seductive smile spread across his face. He gave a small jerk of his head and swept his hand toward an empty chair near his booth. Waving a piece of chalk, he seemed to indicate he wanted to sketch her.
Kara gave a quick toss of her head. She guessed he had more on his mind than a quick sketch. She wanted to say, “Not happening, dude, I’m engaged.”
Fraya interrupted her thoughts. “See? He’s ready for introductions. Get on in there, girl, and embrace your destiny.”
“I still don’t know what I have to do with the guy,” Kara said, bringing her attention back to Fraya. “Clearly, he wants to bang me.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that.” A look of alarm flashed across Fraya’s face, which alarmed Kara even further.
She’d never seen the warrior lose her cool. Fraya didn’t do alarm.
From what she’d seen, Fraya took life by the cojones, performing her job with skill and competency. She oozed confidence. Kara felt like a clumsy newbie next to her.
“Why shouldn’t I? Besides the fact, I’m engaged. Would he fry? Not that I’m interested in fucking him…”
“Oh, the whole frying thing.” Fraya waved her hand. “I may have exaggerated. Valkyrie and mortals don’t mix well in bed. You’re far more powerful than a mortal man. As for Ace, you wouldn’t have that effect on him, no. He’s not an ordinary guy. We don’t know what he’s capable of—how it might affect you.” Fraya spoke, but the words barely registered.
Kara met Ace’s eyes. A sense of being penetrated powered into her, like he’d reached inside and stroked her soul with practiced fingers.
Head cocked, he studied her with more than seductive interest. He chewed his lower lip, a deep frown lining his forehead. Then, he got back to his sketch, a serious look clouding his face.
Kara wondered if she’d been dismissed.
Fraya let out a cold laugh. “Perfect. He saw you. He doesn’t know what you are, but I guarantee you he knows you’re different than the blonde chick he’s drawing.”
“How can he know that? He’s human, right?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. What I do know is he’s your first assignment. You have four days to prove your worth and get your life back.” She cocked her head and put her hand to her chin. Then, she said. “Here’s what I was told. There’s a rare full moon in four days hence. It’s a super moon coinciding with a planetary conjunction between Chiron and Neptune. First one to coincide with the equinox for a hundred years. It’s when black magic is the darkest. The Drascatu have some sort of ritual cooked up with some leader. We don’t have the dirt on their leader yet. All we know is…if Ace gets caught and the ritual happens…” Her lips pressed tightly. “You have four days to get your life back,” she said again.
“Get my life back? I thought I got to live in this doppelgänger body, now. Until something miraculous happens and both bodies integrate.” Confusion settled over Kara’s brain like a thick fog. “Or, something like that.”
“This is your Valkyrie self. When you’re in your Valkyrie—your true self form—this is what you look like. And, like me, all your Valkyrie features—your wings, sword and so on�
�can be cloaked when you’re among the normal. Here, let me show you. Put your hand here…” She pulled Kara’s hand at hip level. “Feel that?”
Kara nodded. “I don’t know what I’m feeling but I feel something.”
“Close your eyes and feel it.” She brushed her hand across Kara’s eyes.
Kara did so letting her fingers caress the object at her side. “It’s my sword!”
“Right. See? You’re cloaked. Humans can’t see it, at least most of them can’t. Try not to test the theory, though.”
Kara nodded again. “Okay, so I’ve got my tools at hand. Now what?”
“Well…depending on what happens with you and Ace—that will determine your fate and the fate of your body over at Sisters of Mercy. Both this you and the you in the hospital need to be synced.”
“Wait a minute. I thought by accepting my role as a Valkyrie, I scared away the Drascatu and get to live, anyway.”
Fraya gave a quick toss of her head. “It’s not that simple. All you did was postpone the Drascatu taking your soul.”
A shiver ripped through Kara. “Are you kidding me?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Why on earth would I be taken away by the Drascatu? I’ve done nothing despicable!”
“If you can’t or won’t accept your destiny, you’ll be considered weak.”
The word “weak” struck her like a bullet. In her past, both boys and girls had called her weak, weird, strange, stupid, and more. And Agent Richter called her a weak link on a regular basis. She reeled backward.
“Exceptions in the reasons the Drascatu take people have been made for someone such as yourself. Those who refuse to make the choice to accept their greatness…” Fraya shrugged. “You can be consumed just as easily. Same as him.” Fraya cast a sad gaze toward the artist. “Ace has had a brutal life. You need to save him before the full moon, four days from now.”
“Save him from what?” Kara’s stomach churned with apprehension.