Defender (Night War Saga Book 2)

by S. T. Bende

  “So, I take it you’d like to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ with me?” Elora winked.

  “You betcha.” I grinned. “Tore, you know how to drive one of these?”

  With a chuckle, Tore took hold of the chair’s handles and guided me out the door. When Elora emerged with the cake and flowers, we followed her down the hall. Tore placed one hand on my shoulder as I drew a nervous breath.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. No. Both,” I admitted. On the one hand, I was badly battered and my mom was trapped in a curse. On the other hand, neither of us was dead, and I was about to celebrate her birthday with her, in person. My feelings were all kinds of mixed up.

  Tore bent down so his lips brushed my ear. “I understand,” was all he said. And it was enough. Tore was with me, and knowing that single fact made everything else disappear. We’d get through this—and everything else the universe threw at us—together. Because we were a team. Because we fought to right the wrongs of the darkest side of evil. And because, underneath it all, Tore really did understand.

  And that was all I needed.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  WE ENTERED MY MOM’S room in a funny little parade. Elora led the way with the cake; Tore followed behind, pushing my wheelchair; and Greta begrudgingly brought up the rear, muttering the whole time about how I was only hurting my own healing if I didn’t take the time to mend. When I craned my head around Elora to see my mom, my breath caught in my throat. There were hundreds of bouquets, gifts, and cards scattered around my mom’s room. Greta had to sneak past us and move some of them out into the hall so that there was room to roll my chair beside my mom. Elora and I flanked her bedside, while Tore stood behind me with a hand on my shoulder. Greta left us alone, closing the door behind her to give us privacy.

  My mom looked better than she had the last time I’d seen her here. She didn’t have any crazy, evil, dark energy cords, just the usual blobs that held her in her curse. Her face looked so peaceful, lips in a relaxed almost-smile. It gave me some degree of comfort to know she wasn’t suffering.

  “Your daughter is getting into quite the trouble over here, Eir,” Elora smiled as she reached over to grasp my mom’s hand.

  I grinned. “Not on purpose. It’s not my fault danger follows me.”

  With Elora here, talking like this, it was almost as if my mom was awake and we were all just joking around.

  But just as quickly as Elora’s bright smile lit up her face, it fell into a frown. “Another birthday like this.” Tears lined her eyes, and she bit down on her bottom lip. I leaned forward in my wheelchair and grasped Elora's hand, setting it atop my mother’s.

  “Tell me a story about her. Please. I have no stories,” I begged my godmother.

  Her face shifted immediately. “One does come to mind, but she would kill me for telling you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “She’s asleep. It will be our secret.”

  Elora’s eyes crinkled as her smile turned into a full-blown laugh. “Tore, this story involves your dad as well.”

  “Great.” Tore muttered from somewhere over my shoulder.

  Elora leaned forward, her entire demeanor changing. “Well the demigods, gods, and those of us with extraordinary affinities go to a special school. I was permitted to go for four years once it was clear I had a strong affinity with the healing arts and midwifery.”

  Interesting. I didn’t know demigods went to fancy schools. Why had I been shipped off to human high school with all the mean girls?

  Elora smiled again, “Now, grade eight isn’t a nice time for any girl. When your mom was that age, she hadn’t yet grown into her radiant beauty.”

  Preach. I was still trying to block out middle school and the horrors that happened there.

  “Your mom carried a bit of extra weight, her hair was rather unruly, and her teeth . . . well, let’s just say she was a late bloomer.”

  Tore chuckled behind me, and I grinned. I liked this story. It was hard to believe the supermodel on the bed in front of me had ever had an awkward phase.

  “The winter ball was approaching,” Elora continued, “and no one had asked your mom yet. Vidar, being the god that he is, took it upon himself to make flyers offering one hundred gold coins for anyone that would take poor Eir to the dance.”

  Tore’s hand clenched my shoulder so hard I squealed.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. I reached up to give his hand a light squeeze.

  Elora waved her hand at our reaction. “Adolescents can be mean no matter what realm they live on.”

  “What did my mom do? Did anyone ask her to the dance?” This story had better have a happy ending.

  Elora looked at my mom with an adoring gaze and continued. “I’d never seen Eir so mad. Not in all my life. It was that day, on the school yard, that the Liv awakened within her. Tore, you know how much your father values his hair, right?”

  Tore cleared his throat. “He loves his hair more than he ever loved me.”

  Elora nodded. “Well, Eir pinned him against the wall, fashioned a sickle from the Liv and buzzed his hair clean off. He was completely and totally bald.”

  Laughter burst from my throat. “She didn’t!”

  Elora laughed along with me. “She most certainly did. But being Eir, she felt bad and went back the night before the dance to use her healing powers to grow his hair back.”

  Tore groaned. “He didn’t deserve it.”

  Elora smiled. “But that’s Eir.”

  I couldn’t stop grinning. It was a good story, exactly the story I needed to hear. It gave me a glimpse into my mom’s life.

  “Did she go to the dance?” I asked.

  Elora nodded. “With your father, Allie.”

  My heart pinched. I wished so much that I could have met him. My eyes moved to my mom, and I could have sworn a tiny smile lit up her face.

  “Happy birthday, Mom. You need to wake up so you can teach me how to shave Tore’s head with the Liv when he gets out of line.”

  “Hold up, Pepper, that’s not nice,” Tore admonished. “Besides, I never get out of line. I’m perfect.”

  “Keep on telling yourself that.” I snorted.

  We spent the next hour chatting around my mom, telling her stories as if she was fully conscious. We laughed, cried, and ate cake. It was wonderful and just what I needed after my deeply scarring Nott experience.

  After a while, a soft knock sounded at the door, and Greta poked her head in. “Allie, I need to check your vitals.”

  I nodded to my friend and looked back at my mother. I’d needed this family time badly—no matter how brief it had been, it had grounded my soul. “I’m gonna get you out of here, Mom. Hang tight.”

  Elora leaned over to kiss my mom’s cheek. “No more birthdays like this. I want to hear your laugh again, my dear friend.”

  With tears glistening on my cheeks, I allowed Tore to push my chair back into my room. My body was in substantially less pain; it felt merely bruised instead of shattered. Demigod healing rocked.

  Once inside my room, I let Greta fuss over me. She poked and prodded for several minutes before finally nodding. “I think you’ll be able to walk with an aid for a few hours, and after that you should be good as new.”

  She stepped into the hallway for a moment and came back carrying a cane. I ran my gaze from the elongated crystal bulb at the top, down the rich, mahogany staff. “That’s a cool cane. I mean, if a girl needed a cane, then that would be the cane to have.”

  Greta smiled. “The crystal will accelerate your healing.”

  “So, she’s all good?” Tore seemed to be unsure.

  Greta smiled. “She’s all good. What’s next?”

  Tore reached over to lace his fingers through mine. “Now, we fuse Gud Morder.”

  I nodded. “What are we waiting for?”

  There was no such thing as down time when an evil goddess was gunning for control of the realms. All I could do was keep moving forward.

  And, of course,
dream of Bora Bora.

  * * * *

  I kept a tight grip on my cane as I hobbled into the house. The enthusiastic barking that greeted me reminded me that we’d recently acquired a dog—one I’d completely and totally forgotten about. Killer bounded over to Tore and me with his endless enthusiasm. He looked like he was going to jump straight on top of me, which would undoubtedly lead to a fresh wave of broken bones. I winced, but Tore stepped in front of me and folded his arms across his chest.

  “Killer, heel!” Tore commanded. Killer skidded to a stop, panting wildly. Tore leaned down to run a hand behind his ears. “Good boy.”

  “Sorry.” Johann raced into the hallway. “I had him tied up but, well, he’s strong. Welcome home, Allie.”

  “Thanks.” I accepted Johann’s fist bump before limping into the living room. I cast my gaze around the space, moving from the spot by the couch where Mel packed crystal wands into a bag, over to the fireplace where Mack was deep in conversation with a tall brunette.

  “Ahem,” I cleared my throat with a smile.

  “Allie!” Mack’s face lit up when he saw me. He crossed to my side and enveloped me in the gentlest of hugs. A quick scan of his energy revealed that his heart center radiated love. But as happy as he looked to see me, I was pretty sure that glow wasn’t for me.

  Finally.

  The brunette stepped forward and bowed lightly to me. “Namaste, Allie. I’m so glad to hear you’re healing.”

  I chuckled to myself. This chick was perfect for Mack.

  “Er, Namaste. And thank you.”

  The smattering of freckles along her nose crinkled with her smile. Her long, brown hair was draped over one gently-muscled shoulder, and she radiated a peaceful vibe that immediately put me at ease. This girl had amazingly pure energy. She was another good egg.

  “I’m Lela,” the girl introduced herself.

  Mel popped up beside me. “She’s my master healing teacher. I’m going to work in the healing unit when I’m older. Like Greta.”

  I smiled at Mel. “And you’ll be amazing there.”

  Lela clasped Mack’s hands lightly in farewell. “It was lovely to meet you, Mack.”

  When their hands touched, sparks of pure pink energy shot from their bodies.

  Lela swallowed hard before turning to face me. “Bless you on your journey.” She folded her hands together and nodded her head. Then she and Mel were on their way.

  Mack just stood, his eyes locked intently on the closed door, as the light of the Bifrost flashed through the windows. “I’m going to marry that girl,” he vowed.

  A raucous laugh ripped from Tore’s throat as he clapped Mack on the back. “The eternal romantic. When he falls, he falls hard.”

  Johann, who’d been clearing the room of chewed up Killer sticks, joined in Tore’s laughter. “Dude, you’ve known her a couple hours.”

  Mack shrugged. “You’ll see.”

  “Don’t ever change, Mack,” I begged. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

  Mack raised his chin “Thank you, Allie. It’s a blessing to see you healing. You gave us quite the fright, falling into the eternal fire.”

  I nodded. “You and me, both.”

  Tore looked around. “Where’s Bodie? And Greta?”

  It had taken me longer than I wanted to convince the upper echelon of the healing unit that I was sufficiently recovered to leave Asgard. While Tore and I had bartered for my freedom, Greta had returned to Vancouver ahead of us. She needed the time to prepare for the Gud Morder binding session.

  “Guys?” I raised my eyebrow. “Where are they?”

  Johann’s mouth pulled up in a devilish grin. “Probably in Bodie’s room. You know, getting reacquainted.”

  Mack just shook his head.

  My mouth popped open. “Wait. What? Tell me everything!”

  Johann eagerly stepped closer to me. “After we dropped you off in Asgard, we came back to see how he was doing. We found them together, making out on the couch.”

  “Johann! Have some discretion,” Mack scolded. But I just grinned from ear-to-ear. Bodie finally got to right the wrong of that kiss. Sometimes karma got things just right.

  Killer barked then. Johann and I jumped apart, while Mack groaned. “He eats as much as a small horse, Tore.”

  Tore looked proudly at Killer and walked to the kitchen to get his food. “Wait until Allie’s dragon moves in. Then you’re really going to have a mess on your hands.”

  Mack shuddered.

  While I tried to picture my tidy protector and my oversized dragon cohabitating, Bodie and Greta came down the stairs. Their hands were entwined, and they both had swollen lips and mussed-up hair.

  “Hey, guys. What’s up?” Bodie asked.

  Johann wagged his eyebrows. “That’s what she said.” His comment elicited a groan from Greta.

  “Really, Johann?” she chided.

  “We owe him about a thousand of those,” I pointed out. “Sorry, it’s payback time.”

  Greta shook her head. “I suppose.” She met my eyes, and we both broke into ear-to-ear grins. I’d learned that life was all about timing. And this was Bodie and Greta’s time. I wished them nothing but the best—they deserved it.

  Tore walked out of the kitchen with a set jaw and a steady gaze. Suddenly, he was all business.

  “Bodie, retrieve the weapon pieces. Mack and Johann, secure the complex. Greta, do . . . whatever it is you do. Allie, come with me.” We hadn’t been in Vancouver for fifteen whole minutes, and Tore was back to barking orders.

  Typical, adorable Tore.

  “On it.” Johann hightailed it out the back door, with Mack and Greta hot on his heels. Bodie ducked up the stairs, his footsteps overhead letting me know he was en route to the safe.

  “Do they always do what you tell them?” I followed Tore into the kitchen, set my cane on the countertop, and leaned my elbows on the island.

  “When they know what’s good for them, they do.” Tore shrugged. “You’d be wise to do the same.”

  I treated him to my best eye roll. “Dream on, Protector.”

  Tore chuckled. “Come on. Let’s get you suited up.” He tilted his head at the kitchen table, where it looked like Greta had already set out my armor. She’d sent it home with Mack while I was still in the healing unit. If it’s fresh sheen was any indication, Mack had taken it upon himself to give it a nice polish while I’d been in recovery. Bless.

  “Any word on Nott?” I asked as I limped to the table. I picked up my extra-shiny arm piece and positioned it over my left shoulder.

  “Not officially.” Tore came up behind me. His fingers brushed the bare skin of my arm as he strapped the shoulder piece into place. “But if the earthquake in Southern California is any indication, she’s not happy. A freeway near downtown LA collapsed before sunrise this morning. Twenty people were killed.”

  I sucked in a sharp breath. “Twenty people? My God.”

  “There’s more.” Tore gave the strap another tug, then handed me my wrist cuff. “The quake cut power to most of downtown, and one of the local gangs figured it was the perfect opportunity to loot the shops. A few of the owners happened to be in early, and they decided to fight back.”

  “How many casualties?” I whispered.

  “A lot.” Tore grimaced. “Humans are innately reactive. But those shop owners had to know they weren’t going to be strong enough to take on an entire gang. If they’d sought out law enforcement, or rallied their community . . .”

  “There probably wasn’t time for that kind of planning in the moment,” I offered gently. Unlike Tore, I’d had the experience of living as a human firsthand. I could only imagine how terrified those owners must have been when looters busted into their shops, whereas Tore would have grown up with the luxury of going all demigod on their butts and killing them with one well-aimed broadsword.

  “True. But lack of cohesion is a big-picture problem, and it’s why Nott has been so successful at driving her stake
into this planet.” Tore strapped the cuff to my wrist. “Many humans, for whatever reason, are reluctant to believe the best in each other. It shows in the way they treat opposing religions, political parties, Hel, even the way they treat total strangers on their internet.”

  Whoa. I’d stumbled into a whole new subject that got Tore all hot and bothered. “Not everyone’s that way,” I countered. “There are a lot of good-hearted humans, who believe in happy ever after and want to see each other succeed.”

  “True. And those humans are the reason their race has survived as long as it has. But they are not the vocal majority.” Tore continued, “Nott didn’t invent the race wars, or the class wars, or any of the negativity that plagues Midgard. But some humans’ willingness to embrace negative thought patterns, to turn on those who are different from them, to banish entire cultures from crossing their borders in the name of security? All of that makes it a Hel of a lot easier for Nott to prey on their fears. And ultimately, to destroy them.”

  “Wow,” I whispered. “You think she’s behind all of that?”

  “I know she is,” Tore confirmed. “She’s got a bug in the ear of the administration of nearly every major power in Midgard. Some leaders are strong enough to resist her messaging, but some . . .” Tore just shrugged.

  “So, what can we do?” I asked.

  “We keep fighting. We fuse the five pieces of Gud Morder that we have; then we hunt for the final three. We take out Nott and any other entities we discover to be aligned with her agenda. We ensure Midgard retains its free will, and we hope its citizens make good choices with that will. Asgard has fought against the darkness for thousands of years. And we’ll continue to do so for thousands more.”

  “What about the traitor?” The rising tide of anxiety crept up my centers. “Did Hjalmar or Vidar say anything else about the security breach in Asgard?”