I hesitated. I’d wanted to tell Raine first. “I’m like you. I came from the other realm and was adopted.”
She didn’t look surprised. “When did you find out?”
“Earlier this week. I’m still processing. On top of that, my biological parents want to meet me. I’m not sure I want to.” I shook my head. “My life was perfect until now.” That wasn’t exactly true, but I’d accepted my ability to see souls and why. That was no longer true. “I used to see souls when I was younger. I guess that’s my special ability, but my adopted parents wanted to spare me, so they used runes to block it and homeschooled me for a while. When I started seeing the souls again a year ago, they tried to block my ability again. It didn’t work the second time, so here we are. Do I have that energy you mentioned, the one connecting the orphans?”
Hayden shook her head. “No, or I would have felt it the second we met.” A weird expression settled on her face. “So you really don’t want to meet your parents?”
“Nope. I have no interest in Immortals beyond Echo and my friends. Echo hopes to appeal to Goddess Hel so I can visit his home, and that’s about as far as I planned to go. From the stories I’ve heard, she’s not nice. I try not to say anything about her to Echo because he’s loyal to her, but I’m scared of visiting her hall. What if she decides not to let me go? What if she comes between us? I’ve heard she’s very petty.”
“Oh, crap,” Hayden muttered.
“What?”
“I think you need to stop listening to anything anyone says about her. Don’t watch movies or read comics about her. She’s nothing like that. She’s tough, yet willing to compromise. Firm, but loving. Ohmigod, you should see her with Celestia and Eirik. She even took in one of the orphans no one wanted and adopted her. And your, uh, her husband, Eirik’s father, is so amazing. Every time I visit, he insists on giving me hugs and warming me. He is a god, yet he’s not pompous or pretentious. You’ll love them.”
Somehow I doubted it. “How often do you visit?”
“A lot. Celestia got hurt and stayed there for a while, so her father and I would visit her. Even Zack came with us. He is Celestia’s cousin.” Something in her voice said Celestia’s cousin meant something to her. “I love it there so much I’m hoping I become a Grimnir some day.”
Maybe the place wasn’t as bad as I’d thought. “What’s Celestia like?”
Hayden grinned. “She’s the best, and the craziest Witch I’ve ever met.”
No wonder Eirik was chummy with Witches. “Crazy how?”
“She’s very proud of her powers. She can astral project to places before or after something happens. Her father is the police chief of our town, and she helps him solve crimes. When you meet her, ask her how she and Eirik met.”
“How?”
Hayden grinned. “I love the story, but it’s hers to tell, not mine. But she and Eirik are amazing together. He took her to Asgard to meet his grandparents. That’s where they are now.”
“Now, that’s one place I wouldn’t mind visiting. I’ve heard great stories about it.”
“Me too.” She glanced at her watch. “I gotta go. I promised my mother I’d watch the store while she and some of her friends went to a soccer game in California. If you need to know anything else about the other orphans, or if you want to meet more, let me know. We’re keeping in touch now that the threat is gone. My mother and other parents are trying to help the ones who’ve been kept in special homes for years because their parents couldn’t cope with their abilities.”
Like me. So my parents weren’t the only ones who couldn’t cope with my powers. Maybe I was being hard on them.
“A group of local Immortals are starting a special school, Mystic Academy, so hopefully they’ll find a place there.”
Hayden laughed. “So it’s true about the school. Eirik had mentioned a special place for Witches and Immortals, but we didn’t think it would happen so soon.”
“It’s happening. They’ve already selected a location and are renovating the rooms.” I stood. “I’ll be in touch if I have questions.”
“Anytime. Now that I’m not being forced to go to school, I’ll be at the shop a lot, unless I sneak off to visit Celestia in Eljudnir.”
She made it seem like it was nothing, yet despite all her positive comments, the thought of visiting the realm still filled me with dread.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“She’s awesome.” She opened a portal to the room with the large table and turned, a frown on her face. “Could you tell Echo to swing by the store? We’ve had a couple of Idun-Grimnirs visit us for no reason. Mom’s really spooked because we don’t know if someone is about to die or if they’re shopping for new robes. They never talk.”
“Idun-Grimnirs? Raine’s husband is one, but for Valkyries.”
“Oh, these are nothing like Torin. They are old and ancient.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him.” I waited until the portal closed before I went looking for Echo. He wasn’t in the kitchen, and neither was Dev.
I pulled out my phone and texted Raine. “Where r u?”
“StubHub @soccer game,” she texted back.
Was that where Hayden’s mother and her friends were headed? Wait a second. Hayden had mentioned Torin. How did she know him? “Do you know a Hayden Ferrand?”
“No. Who is she?”
“An Immortal girl I just met. So what’s happening? Soccer or something Witchy?”
“Both, but I have it covered,” she texted back, adding emojis.
“K. Let me know if you need me.” When I’d had problems with dark souls, Raine, the Valkyries, Grimnirs, Immortals, and even the souls had all stepped up to help. We were like one giant family, so I knew she’d call if she needed me. The way the souls had rallied for me during the prom had shown everyone I had loyal followers. I might not have a special ability to hurt someone with a wave of my hand or an artavus, but I had them and they’d do anything for me.
I turned off the phone and opened a portal to the farm. My room was in total darkness, and right by my bed was a woman in a cloak.
Chapter 4. My Brother
I do not want to deal with a soul right now. Souls were not supposed to come into my house.
“Get out!”
The soul didn’t even look at me. That was the first sign I was dealing with a very unusual soul. She moved closer to my bed, and all three drawers on my nightstand opened with each step she took. I couldn’t even explain how I knew it was a she. I couldn’t see her face under the cloak, but her shoulders were slender. She raised a gloved hand, and something floated from my drawer to her hand.
“Hey,” I yelled and stepped forward, or tried to, but I was frozen in place. I looked down and attempted to lift my leg. Once again, nothing happened. It was as though I was glued to the floor. Who was this soul? And how was she doing this?
“You!”
Ignoring me, she brought the cloth to her nose and inhaled. What in Hel’s Mist? I recognized the baby blanket my parents had shown me.
“That’s mine! Put it back.”
She turned and faced me. I was sure I’d see her face, but the cloak made it impossible. Dark souls were like that. Amorphous with no features. But something was different about this one. I couldn’t see her face, yet her robe was normal. And she had opened my drawer telepathically and taken my blanket.
“Listen here, you piece of smog. Put that back right this instant or I’ll never help another soul again.”
She disappeared. One second she was there with my blanket, and the next, she was gone and the drawers were closed. This time, when I tried to step forward, I could move. What in Hel’s Mist just happened?
I opened the drawers, but the baby blanket was gone. That thing had taken it. I couldn’t hear sounds from downstairs, but I knew Dad was in his cave. He had a deadline. Mom was probably in the chicken coop. I stood at the window and studied the barn. They’d hurt me by keeping secrets from me, but they were still my paren
ts. Talking to Hayden had helped me see things clearly.
I headed downstairs. Dad left his nook and stood at the bottom of the stairs before I reached the bottom. He watched me with worried eyes.
“I’m fine,” I said. The door opened, and Mom rushed in. Dad must have called and told her I was home. “I’m still angry with you guys for not telling me the truth.”
“We know, sweetheart,” Mom murmured, moving closer. Usually, she would have hugged me. Both of them would have, but now they hesitated. I wasn’t ready to close that gap either. “We are so sorry,” she continued. “We thought we were doing what was best for you.”
“I know. It still doesn’t make it right. I was coming to ask you for my baby blanket, but I think a soul just stole it from my room.”
My parents looked at each other and frowned.
“Are you sure?” Mom asked. “We kept it in our bedroom, not yours.”
“But I just saw a soul in my room and she…” I shook my head. “The whole incident was weird.”
“Weird how?” Mom asked.
I opened my mouth to tell her, then remembered the lies. “It’s nothing.”
Hurt crunched her face, but I pretended not to notice. Dad went upstairs to get the blanket while Mom tried to feed me. She needed to reconnect with me, and food was her way of doing it. I accepted the slice of cherry pie. I knew she’d baked it specifically for me because I hated apple pie. Dad brought back the blanket.
I could have sworn that creepy soul had stolen it. On the other hand, the whole encounter had been weird. Maybe I’d imagined it.
“Thank you. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Upstairs, I spread the baby blanket on the bed, sat in my chair, and stared at it while I ate. Some of the runes were familiar. Love runes. Protection runes. I was still learning about runes, so I wasn’t surprised I didn’t know all of them. I got a piece of paper and sketched the unknown ones. Lavania would know them.
After a while, I couldn’t stand it. I had to touch it. I picked it up and pressed it against my cheek. The material was soft like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I checked the finish along the edges. The embroidery was gorgeous. Tears rushed to my eyes. Someone had taken her time making it. For me.
“Who am I?”
“You are the woman I adore,” Echo answered from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder. He grinned, coming to stand behind me. “Why are you questioning who you are?”
“Because I don’t know anymore. Last year, I was sure I knew exactly who I was—the only daughter of a loving, overprotective couple who homeschooled me to give me the best education. Then I started seeing souls, and they rushed me to the nearest psych ward, and I met you. Then I became the girl who could see souls, and the reasons for that were clear. An evil Immortal etched runes on me. I embraced my new gifts because I had you by my side. Without you telling the souls to behave, I may never have had the courage to help them.”
He walked around, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled my chair closer so I was between his legs, but I didn’t give him a chance to speak.
“And just when I’ve accepted that I’m a medium, life throws me another curveball. My parents are not really my parents, and Maliina’s runes are not the reason souls are attracted to me.” I dropped my forehead on his chest. “I want my life to be normal again, Echo. Don’t say it,” I added. “Our normal is different from an average Mortal. You are a reaper, and I am a medium. I’m okay with that. I just want my parents to be normal and Mortal.”
Echo chuckled, and I sat back. The smile disappeared from his face when he realized I meant it. “First of all, you didn’t need me to become the amazing medium you are. You were helping souls before I inserted myself in the midst of it and decided to referee. Two, the Jemisons will always be your parents. They might not have given birth to you, but they raised you, loved you, and gave you everything you ever needed. They are not perfect. Even though they are Immortals, they have the same failings as Mortals.”
“Why can’t they be like you? You are perfect. You are honest and blunt. You don’t play games or have hidden agendas.”
He laughed. “I’m far from perfect. I had a big fight with Rhys a few weeks ago and learned I can be a jackass.”
“Oh, I know that, but you’re still perfect.” I sat on his lap and leaned against his chest. “Tell me why you finally realized you can be a jackass?”
“It happened outside the hall the morning I learned he’s been keeping Dev’s body all these years. I gave up on Dev because I believed he’d betrayed us, but Rhys never did. He never believed Dev would do such a thing to us. His family. I tend to jump to conclusions fast and go with my gut. Now, I’m trying to weigh the consequences of each action before I act. Think things through. It’s hard, but I’m trying.”
“Oh, Echo.” I studied his face. From his expression, he meant it. “Your passion and spontaneity are part of what make you unique. Don’t go changing just because of one mistake.”
“My mind is made up.” He kissed me as though to shut me up.
“Then I’ll make sure I unmake it for you. Look at this.” I spread the green blanket on my lap. “This is the blanket that was wrapped around baby-me when I was brought to the orphanage where Mom and Dad found me. They think it might lead to my biological parents.” Echo stiffened, and I glanced at him. “What is it?”
“These are protection runes, but mixed with them are bind runes I’ve seen before.” He stood and deposited me on the bed. He spread out the blanket and studied the runes. “There’s a slight variation, but some of these are locator runes. And this one here”—he tapped the corner of the blanket—“is Goddess Hel’s rune.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that your parents considered Goddess Hel their protector. That means you are from Helheim.”
I grinned. “Looks like you are going to get your wish. That is, if I agree to visit.”
He was still staring at the blanket and frowning.
I folded it and slipped it under my pillow. “You need to work on your goddess while I gather the courage to meet her. Hayden said she is nice.” Aware that he was now staring at where I’d put the baby blanket, I shifted and blocked his line of vision. “What is it?”
He dragged his attention back to me. “You had a good conversation with Hayden?”
I had a feeling that was not what he was thinking about. “Yep. She wants you to stop by their store. Something about a couple of Idun-Grimnirs visiting them. She’s worried they want to reap them or something. You’re not listening to me.” I pulled out the blanket. “What is it about this that has you scowling so hard?”
“Can I borrow it for a few days?”
“No,” I said it quickly and frowned. The thought of giving it away filled me with a fear I couldn’t explain. Maybe it was the figure I’d seen stealing it or something else. I couldn’t explain it.
Echo stood, his eyes not leaving me. “I promise to bring it back.”
“I can’t.”
“Sweetheart, I know it’s the only thing you have that connects you with them, but—”
“That’s not it. I told you I’m not ready to meet them, whoever they are. If you took it, you’d find them like that”—I snapped my fingers—“and come back with some sob story about how destitute they were and how they were forced to give me up or watch me starve to death.”
His lips twitched.
“Or how devastated they were after searching for me all these years and couldn’t find me. I’ll only feel bad and forgive them when they don’t deserve my forgiveness. So the answer is no. You can’t have it or try to find them until I’m ready.”
He smiled. “Okay. I won’t say anything until you’re ready to hear it.”
Which meant he planned to find out who my parents were anyway. If my parents were in Helheim, he would have an excuse to make me go with him. I wasn’t ready to face them. Maybe I’d never be ready to face them.
“Come on. We g
otta go,” Raine said, entering my bedroom. “They are discussing Mystic Academy, and I don’t want to miss a thing.”
“Nice to see you, too.” I pulled on a swimsuit skirt and fixed the waist.
Raine grinned, watching me.
“What?”
“I love the outfit. I still can’t decide whether I hate you or love you. You can make any two piece look classy, despite the boobs.”
“They are the bane of my existence, so love me.”
“You know I do.” She sighed. “You know how evil Norns are behind natural disasters? I stopped a plane from crashing and pissed them off yesterday during the soccer game, so be careful around souls. I’m afraid the hags might send them after us again. They pulled that move a week ago and sent evil souls to possess bears. Ingrid and I were sprinting through the forest when the bears attacked us. All because the hags want my dagger.”
“Damn. We just got rid of the last horde.”
“I know. Be careful. Tell Dev to be on alert, too.”
I studied her. She didn’t seem worried. “A bear attack? Why is it I always hear things after they’ve happened?”
“Because I don’t plan them.” She plopped on my bed and kicked off her flip-flops. She was wearing a sexy one-piece swimsuit with large openings on the sides. The Raine of before would have worn a cover. It was nice to see Torin’s influence on her wardrobe. “But if you feel left out, I’ll open a portal in the middle of an attack and pull you in the foray.”
Raine was all talk. She would jump in front of a bear and kick ass to protect me. She was a powerful Witch with elemental powers, while I had no fighting ability. On the other hand, I had speed and strength runes now, so I could wrestle a bear.
Goddess: A Runes Book Page 6