The Banished Gods Box Set: Books 1-3

by L. A. McGinnis

  “Fuck this and fuck you, Orobus.” Fen ground his teeth and pressed his mouth to the top of her head, sensing her pain, her utter devastation.

  “It’s going to be all right, love.”

  No one noticed Njor staring straight at Celine, something faintly predatory gleaming in his eyes. Without another word, Fen swept her up and carried her away from all of them.

  Chapter 20

  Watching the two of them disappear through the door, Njor felt a quick, furtive stirring inside his head as the dark god sensed his prey, so near.

  He’d watched the pale girl carefully, surreptitiously, from the moment she’d burst in until the wolf carried her away. Yet, he didn’t sense the object he’d been sent here to find.

  Perhaps it was hidden somewhere in this very building. Perhaps all he had to do was follow the wolf and complete his task. And perhaps the stone was lost after all.

  Yet. It seemed he was closer to succeeding than he’d dared hope when he had summoned the wolf to his hall. He should have known it was a woman. It was always a woman.

  As the dark god’s command twisted inside him, Njor debated his next move. The woman was the door, and obviously they didn’t even see it. To reveal her as such might doom her. Which could make his quest easier, in so many ways. To hide the fact though…

  “Odin, I would have a word.” Tyr’s big arm came across his chest to block his way, but the God of War would let him through because he had something that the All Father wanted. “I know where this dark god will come through. And I believe I might have thought of a way to prevent him from ever crossing over.”

  Odin turned and motioned him forward. “Walk with me Njor. We have not walked together for many years.”

  Not since you stole my wife away, thought Njor. Not that I’m bitter or anything.

  “And tell me of this door.”

  “The only way to prevent the future I have seen is to prevent him from ever entering this realm. Once he crosses over…even together, my lord, you will not stand a chance. Closing the portal is the only way.” Njor tilted his head thoughtfully. “But I require your counsel. These visions I have seen, they carry the ring of truth, but there’s something false about them I cannot put my finger on. For lack of a better word, they do not feel true.”

  Odin nodded as they progressed down the wide hall. “Visions sometimes feel that way. To see everything, to know everything is often too much. Time is made up of shifting sands. And the mind plays its own tricks. What feels true?”

  “The place. The time. And the door.” Njor made a show of searching his memories. “The dark god hungers for destruction. Revenge. It is waiting to grow stronger before it enters your world. For the right moment. But that, I cannot see.” He sighed. “Perhaps there is much in this realm that such a creature does not understand.” They had reached the tall doors to Odin’s throne room. Njor smiled bitterly. Now he would know, again, what it felt like to be bettered by the All Father.

  Seeing his expression, Odin laughed and clapped a hand on the Vanir’s shoulder. “Don’t judge me so harshly, my friend. She made me a good wife, and she hated the sea. Don’t tell me you would have moved to another realm for her?”

  Grudgingly, Njor admitted to himself, he would not. He loved his ocean, and his harbor, more than any woman. He was especially fond of his boats, even though they were gone.

  “You’ll allow me to go back to my own realm, when this is over?” It was what Odin would expect, after all, a feeble request from a beaten man.

  “I will. If you don’t die alongside us in the process. No more Valhalla for any of us, so try to stay alive, will you?” Odin pushed the doors open, and Njor followed him into what could only be described as an enormous white tomb. Echoing with every step they took, it rang of hollowness and ruination. “You said he’s waiting to grow strong? Start figuring out a way to stop this thing while it’s weak, then. You said you saw a door made of light. Can you describe it?”

  He could. But Odin would never know the truth, nor could he breach the protections of Njor’s mind. Njor had endeavored to make sure of that. The dark god had built a veritable stronghold around his memories, and should Odin look, he’d find nothing of any consequence.

  Njor shook his head sadly. “No, I can’t. Only that it seemed to shine with light.”

  “Mir seemed convinced you saw Chicago. Maybe a tour of the city will jog your memory. I’ll have Thor and Vali drive you around tomorrow. Perhaps something will ring familiar.” Odin’s gaze narrowed. “You mentioned earlier that this god speaks through you. You will tell us if that happens while you’re here?”

  Njor inclined his head. “Of course. Everything. He must not cross over. He must remain in his prison. If ever he escapes…” He allowed his voice to taper off.

  “I don’t trust you, Njor. Never have, never will. Showing up on my doorstep on the eve of war isn’t going to make me trust you more. But…”

  Odin shrugged. “Beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll use you to get what I want, just as I’m sure you’re using us to get whatever you want. I have a feeling that before the end, we may both get what we deserve.”

  A hint of unease tugged at Njor as he searched Odin’s face. “What have you seen?”

  “The Vanir might see the future, but you don’t see everything. Neither do I. The mind lies. Visions lie. Sometimes the truth is elusive, even for the strongest of us.”

  For a long moment, all Njor could do was stare. This was, for all intents and purposes, an admission of utter failure. Gods had no weaknesses, and even if they did, the gods never admitted it. Turning this over, he remained quiet as Odin continued.

  “Do you know how I see the future? I envision all threads of life, woven together as they are, leading back to the Fates. But they tangle. And they fray. And so, every possible future…is changeable. Not exactly false but mutable, and therein lies the problem. My visions may not come to pass. And if I change this version of the future, I may bring about one that is far worse. So you see, foresight is a prison of its own making.”

  Odin laughed, but that, too, sounded hollow in the hall. “Don’t look so shocked. While you were in isolation, the world changed. Things are more…” For a second, he struggled for the word. “…complicated on Earth than when we first arrived. You’re lucky, Njor, you’ve been living the dream for thousands of years. And didn’t even know it.”

  Even as he betrayed him, Njor felt obligated to point out, “My lord, if the dark god crosses over, you will need all of your strength to stop him. There may not be another way.”

  “There is always a way. And there is always a price.” Ah yes, magic always demanded a price. For everything. Njor noticed Odin had his eye back. And Tyr his hand.

  Odin winked, noting where his interests lie. “We were lucky. We came into this world as we came into being, whole and perfect of form. Perhaps someone’s idea of a joke. But no matter, I will take it. As will Tyr. As will we all.” He continued pacing. “So tell me of this door. Once we find it, how do we seal it closed?”

  “Mir may be better able to answer that question, my lord.” He thought long and hard of the slight, white-haired woman cradled in the wolf’s arms. She knew where the object was, and therefore, his best chance. He would use her first then throw her to Odin as fodder. “But there are other ways I may be of assistance.” He made a move to step away.

  “You’ll be assisting us here in the Tower, Vanir.” Odin nodded to the door, smirking at the look of horror on the god’s face. “That’s right, you’re staying on Midgard until this thing’s finished. So I suggest you think hard on the solution to our problem. But not too long because we don’t have much time left. And know this. I don’t have a second’s hesitation in taking a life, no matter how innocent, to save my world.”

  Njor bowed his head to hide his smile. “In that matter, I am in perfect agreement with you, my lord.”

  Chapter 21

  Celine had thrown the pen down onto the table, when what she
’d really wanted to do was scream and rip the pages apart like a lunatic. But she’d torn up pages once before and the symbols had just reappeared in her head, as had the uncontrollable, driving compulsion to write them out. She knew it was an exercise in futility. Which was why she’d opted to pull on her big girl panties and just get it done.

  In front of everyone.

  It was strange though. Somehow, maybe after the first page, with all those eyes fixed on her, she realized she wasn’t alone. That everyone in that room was in this together. Which made her feel better.

  She’d been living her life in a strange kind of duality. The real life, college Celine, who worked her ass off in class and the nighttime Celine, who took notes from a monster in her dreams and was pretty sure she was going crazy. Now that she was surrounded by people who not only believed her, but were all on the same page, it felt pretty damn good. To not be crazy. To be validated.

  And to finally feel like she fit in.

  And then there was Fen. She watched him from across the room, sorting through the stuff he’d carried from her apartment. “Thanks for going and getting some of my stuff. Did you bring me any of my shampoo in the blue bottle? Or my soap from the bathroom?” She loved how his attention locked right onto her when she spoke, as if she was the only thing in his world, as if he really saw her. Like she really mattered.

  “Nope, sorry, but I can run out and buy you anything you need, Celine. Anything at all.” He looked at her with something like regret on his face. Then went back to sorting through the big, black trash bag. “I’m sorry, this is all I had time to grab. Give me a list and I’ll...”

  “Or better yet, just tell me, Celine. If you send this big oaf, you’ll be in trouble. He probably doesn’t even know the difference between OPI and Essie. And since I’m going out anyway, I’ll be happy to pick you up whatever you need.” Morgane perched in the doorway, purse over her shoulder, a coat tucked under her arm. “I’m Morgane, by the way.” She pushed into the room slowly, cautiously, giving Celine plenty of time to adjust. “My sister and I live here too, which means you’re not all alone with these Neanderthals. Now. Tell me what kind of shampoo and conditioner you use and I’ll get it while I’m out.”

  Fen’s hands tightened around her shoulders, his voice rough when he answered, “Thanks Morgane, you’re the best.” Celine dictated a long list of toiletries, while his hands never moved, the weight of them a strange, heavy comfort. When she finished, Morgane and Fen traded warm smiles.

  Morgane shot Celine a friendly, open grin before tucking the note into her pocket.

  “When I get back, I’ll give you a tour of this mausoleum. You at least need to know where the kitchen is. And you can meet my sister, Ava. It’s sure to be a treat.” Morgane’s big, green eyes were kind, Celine thought. Kind but also serious, like they’d seen too much, even though she didn’t seem a whole lot older. “Be back in an hour, Celine. Fen.”

  The moment she was gone, Fenrir shut the door firmly behind her and locked it with a loud click. And waited for the questions that were undoubtedly on their way.

  “She’s nice,” Celine pointed out. “I thought I was… I mean, I didn’t know there were any other women here.”

  “That’s my father’s…mate. Which means we’re family. She moved in a few months ago, so the arrangement is rather new. For all of us. Her sister, Ava, lives upstairs.”

  Celine nodded briskly. “Now. Catch me up. Who’s the new guy at the table? I feel like…I’ve seen him before.”

  An utter stillness filled him as he asked, “Where? There’s no way you could have seen him before Celine. No possible way.”

  “How can you be that sure? I feel like he’s familiar, somehow.”

  “Because he’s here by default.” Fen growled, Celine holding him at bay when he tried to push into her space. “He’s a liar and a cheat and there is no way you have ever met him.”

  “Well,” she murmured, “still, I can’t help but think we’ve met before.” She ran her hand up the front of his chest. “At least tell me he knows what’s going on?”

  Fen pulled her into him, if only to feel her warmth against him. “I don’t know much at this point,” he admitted. “His name is Njor, he’s the last of the Vanir. Once, they were an ancient race of beings who could see into the future.”

  He explained quickly, “He yanked me into his world to have a word. Or so he said. But I sensed something was wrong, so I brought him back here, instead. Odin’s probably beating the truth out of him right now.” He prayed Odin figured out what the old god was up to and soon. Somehow, the feeling in his gut didn’t get any looser.

  “Well then, tell me what you do know.” She tugged at his shirt when he hesitated. “I know you think you’re protecting me by keeping me in the dark. I know you think I’m weak because I’m a, well, a human. But I’m not. Weak. Sure, I might still be getting my feet back underneath me, but being in the loop is the only way I’m going to stay sane.”

  “He admits the dark god speaks to him, mind-to-mind. Just like you.”

  “Oh.” The word came out in a whoosh of air.

  “Exactly. Njor can see the future, though, and is going to help us stop him. So we have another ally in this. Which is a good thing. Except….”

  “Except what, Fen? What aren’t you telling me?”

  Except nothing. Just this weird feeling that the bastard was lying. Or hiding something. But it was ultimately up to Odin whether or not to trust him, so it didn’t much matter what he thought.

  “Nothing. I’m telling you everything, Celine,” he said firmly, not wanting to add to her worries. “We have another ally, and he’s seen the doorway the Orobus is going to cross through. Gives us a better chance at preventing this whole thing.”

  “So tell me Fen, did Njor say why he pulled you out of my dream?” Her face grew thoughtful.

  His chest tightened. “No, not exactly. Just some horseshit about how he wanted to help us save the planet. I’d only gone in to the Otherworld to make sure you were okay. See for myself that thing couldn’t find a way inside your head and past Mir’s wards.” He sighed. “Obviously, I was wrong about that. I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing you could have done about it. Maybe the runes are only to keep you in, not keep things like Orobus out.”

  Her voice turned steely. “What if that thing would have gotten ahold of you, Fen? What if he got his claws into your mind? Ever thought about that? He could control you. Possibly control the wolf. Then what would we do?”

  He felt the weight of her knowing, gray eyes on him, growing heavier with every question they asked.

  Fen frowned.

  He hadn’t thought at all. He’d just followed her in, charging into her dream, with no thought of how or why, except that he’d wanted to be with her. “I didn’t think, Celine. I just fell asleep and all of a sudden, I was inside the Otherworld, looking for you. Except…I couldn’t find you. Then Njor pulled me out and I landed on my ass in the grass up above the sea.”

  “Wait, you’re telling me the guy pulled you out of my dream, and don’t even get me started on that, and deposited you into his world? How does that even happen?”

  “Well, if you bend the rules of magic, technically, you can pull one entity into your realm, using a bit of…” He watched her eyes widen a bit. “Never mind. He’s a Vanir, and it’s something that the Vanir can do. Thank the gods he’s the last of them, or we’d be in trouble.” Fenrir snorted. “Besides, once I grabbed him, I was able to drag him back here for a little con fab with Odin. Didn’t go quite the way he’d planned, though.”

  “Really? Are you sure about that?”

  Celine’s expression made Fen nervous. Like she was a step, no, make that a thousand steps ahead of him and he was finally catching up. “I don’t like this, Fen. I’ve seen him before. I know it. And he happens to know the exact moment you step into the Otherworld? This smells like a trap if I’ve ever smelled one.”

  Lips pursed, she went on. “Wh
at if the Tower is exactly where he wants to be? He shows up now, out of the blue, when this thing’s so close to coming into our world?”

  Fen blinked, liking the way she said our.

  “I hate coincidence. I think because it defies logic, it makes me feel all squeamish inside.”

  “Same here.” Fen remembered the way he’d felt back on Vanaheim. He trusted his instincts, and they told him something was off. “The whole thing hasn’t felt right. I knew he was lying to me, even then. But about what?” Fen shook his head. “Couldn’t tell you. But there’s something going on here.”

  “Okay.” Celine foundered for a moment. “Okay. So you followed me into my dream but never found me. Instead, this Njor guy found you and what? What am I missing? I’m missing something, but what? Missing…missing, what am I missing…” She flew over and began frantically sifting through the trash bag, emptying it out, muttering the entire time. “Shit. It’s not here. Not that it would be. Not that you would have known to look for it…” Her voice trailed off and her head snapped up. “I need to go back to my apartment right now. There’s something there I’ve got to find.”

  Fen’s heart sank even as he automatically offered, “What did I forget? I’ll pick up more of your clothes if that’s what you’re looking for.”

  “It’s not clothes I’m after. It’s…” Glancing up, she looked completely embarrassed. “Okay, this is going to sound so weird, even in the middle of this total weirdness, but there was this stone. Hidden in a metal box under my bed.” When she got no response, she hurried on, “I need it. Actually, I’ve got to have it because I’m sure it’s tied into all of this.”