The Sword of Souls

by Karina Espinosa

  “Hrefna,” he rumbled, and his voice traveled through the woods.

  I only stared at him. I couldn’t move, much less speak. Fen did warn me that if I took the sword, I’d be attracting Odin’s attention.

  “This is how you greet your father?” he chastised.

  “You are not my father,” I croaked, breathing heavily.

  “I made you, girl. I—”

  “The minute you sided against me, you no longer held that title.”

  He clasped his hands in front of him, and they bounced as he huffed. “Being with the humans for so long has made you emotional. You’ve forgotten what it means to be a valkyrie.”

  Being a valkyrie meant having no emotions. Zero feelings. I’ve learned a different way while being with Charlie and Will though. A better way.

  “You mean follow the rules of the ones who have abandoned me? Left me here to spend eternity alone?”

  “So you have forsaken your kin?” He raised a white bushy brow.

  “My kin have forsaken me!” I stabbed a finger at my chest. “I stayed behind because I thought it was what you wanted! You loved these damn humans so much. You are to blame for why I am here.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I did show you much affection. Much more than the others. That was my error. Unfortunately, I cannot go back in time, and here we are now, paying the consequences.”

  I chuckled. “We? You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me. You set everything in motion, you crazy old man! All your prophecies and visions would have never happened had you not meddled.”

  Will reached for my wrist and pulled me back. I hadn’t realized I was taking steps toward Odin. “Calm down,” he whispered.

  “And who’s this?” Odin nodded toward Will.

  “Mind your business,” I gritted through my teeth.

  He laughed. “I know who the detective is. I just wanted a proper introduction. It’s rare for Hrefna to have friends.” Odin walked toward us, and Will quickly raised his gun, aiming it at his chest. Not like it would do anything. He stopped halfway. “Easy. I just came for what’s mine. You know what I want, Hrefna.”

  The Sword of Souls was the only weapon in existence that could kill Odin. It was why it had been entrusted to me until a ridiculous prophecy said I would help Fenrir destroy Odin.

  “I don’t have it.” I eyed him carefully. It didn’t look like he had a weapon, but I can never be too sure.

  “Don’t lie to me, Hrefna. I know it’s no longer in Fenrir’s possession, and you were in the Fae realm recently. My ravens talk.” He stroked one of their feathers.

  “They may talk, but they don’t have all the facts. I don’t have my sword,” I retorted.

  “I’ve had enough of your insolence!” He snapped his fingers, and his staff appeared, its sharp arrowhead glinting in the sunlight. He slammed the wooden stick on the ground, making an earthquake erupt. Will and I fell against the car. “I created you, Hrefna, and I can easily dispose of you. Now, I won’t ask again. You have until the next full moon.”

  Odin thumped his staff on the ground again, and he and his ravens disappeared, making the earthquake stop.

  8

  Flashback

  I was counting down until I was allowed into Valhalla. All but a mere ten years of age, I had to wait until I had a woman’s body—another ten years—to be allowed inside. Once there, I’d be trained to fight with my sisters and protect the realms. All for my father. I looked up from where I sat on the steps to the man who was seated on the throne beside me—Odin. Freya sat next to him, beautiful as always. Her reddish-brown curls fell to her lap and onto the finest clothing one could own. She was known to be loving and caring, her beauty unmatched. But to the valkyries, she had a cruelty unlike no other.

  “Girl,” she sneered, “stand up and don’t slouch. This is not your home.”

  I got up quickly. “Yes, Mother,” I muttered.

  “I am not your mother!” she yelled, and I winced. She stood and stormed out of the room in a huff.

  “Rest, child.” Odin smiled, and I exhaled. “Come.” He patted his lap, and I crawled up to sit on him.

  “I’m sorry, Father. I did not mean to anger Freya.”

  He shook his head, his golden-blond hair shining brightly. “Ignore her. She’s only bitter.” He adjusted me on his lap and his blue eyes twinkled when he smiled. “Hrefna, have I ever told you where you come from?”

  I shook my head.

  “Well then, settle in, little one.”

  I nodded and giggled as I got closer to him.

  “Valkyries are very special. A long time ago, I wanted to create a race, one that would be invincible and would fight to protect the nine realms. I wanted warriors who could not die easily, had special abilities, but most of all, had part of my favorite species—humans.”

  I gasped loudly.

  “Yes,” he said. “So I visited a Norn and told her my desires. She gave me the ability to produce a child any time I visited Midgard. And not just any child, a female child who would be part god and part human. She would have the ability to read souls and bring those warriors slain in battle and worthy of entering Valhalla to rest in peace until they are called for duty again. She could have wings so glorious they’d make angels weep. And these female warriors would be known as valkyries.”

  “Wow,” I beamed brightly. “I’m going to be the greatest valkyrie ever!”

  “We’ll see.” Odin set me back on the steps.

  I almost ran away when a thought occurred to me. “Father, if Freya is not my mother, who is?”

  His expression darkened, and a coldness I’d never felt before swept into the room. I shivered.

  “It does not matter who your mother is, Hrefna. You do not need a mother. Never ask me again. Now go away.” He waved me off as if I were nothing but a servant, but I would cherish forever the few moments of softness I had with my father. It wasn’t every day that Odin behaved this way, although he was more lenient with me than the other girls.

  I ran out the room and straight for the outdoors. Hildr was playing in the garden with the other valkyries in our age group.

  “Hrefna!” she called out. We’d been best friends since I could remember. Inseparable, really. No one knew me as well as Hildr did. “Where have you been?”

  “With Father. He was telling me a story.” I giggled. The other valkyries hushed around us. I began to whisper. “He told me where we came from.”

  “Really?” Her eyes widened. “Well? Tell me.”

  I looked around to make sure no one was listening. “We come from Midgard.”

  She gasped. “We’re human?”

  I shook my head. “No, silly, only half.” I winked. “Because those are his favorites.”

  “What about the other half?” Hildr asked.

  I grinned. “We’re gods.”

  9

  We sent out warnings to Charlie and Verdandi after our run-in with Odin and sped back to Portland, where I left Will at the station. We had too many enemies lurking in the shadows, and the real evil hadn’t even appeared yet.

  I had the rest of the day to myself to do as I pleased. The shakes were coming back, but I didn’t know if it was withdrawals or if my nerves were just shot from everything that was going on. Or it could have been both. I wanted to keep my promise to Charlie and Will, and since I’d cheated already, I wouldn’t cheat again. Instead, I went looking for my other vice. No one said I couldn’t have casual sex. I needed something to get my mind off of Odin’s return. He was yet another piece to this chessboard, and I needed a good lay to take my mind off what our next move needed to be.

  I walked into the first bar I saw, which wasn’t the best idea for someone trying to avoid alcohol. Heading straight for the bar, I sat down and ordered a club soda before I got any ideas. I grimaced at my first sip.

  Fenrir slid into the seat beside me. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. A club soda?”

  Of course. Because the gods couldn’t punish me anymore than
they already had. Odin and now him.

  “Took you long enough. I thought you would have given up by now,” I smirked.

  “Pfft.” He threw his head back and laughed. “In your dreams, gorgeous.” He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I’m not going anywhere until that sword is in my possession.”

  I turned my face toward him. “Well, get in line.”

  He leaned back, his face filled with concern. “Odin?”

  I nodded. “Daddy dearest paid me a little visit earlier today. You really just missed him. I’m sure he would have loved to say hello.” I smiled wide.

  “I’m sure he would. Are you hurt?” A touch of worry shadowed his voice.

  “Don’t act like you care, Fen. We both know you don’t.” I looked away and drained my glass.

  “And we both know how callous Odin can be. So, I’ll ask again, are you hurt?” He gripped my arm and turned me to him.

  I snatched my arm away from him. “I’m fine. He didn’t touch me. Only reminded me that he brought me into the world and can easily take me out.”

  “So can you, Raven,” he whispered.

  “We’re not having this discussion, Fenrir.” I gripped the club soda in front of me so tightly, I worried I’d break the glass. I never thought about killing Odin, even if I did have the power to do so. The repercussions were too deadly. And he was my father. If the time ever came, would I have it in me to do so?

  “Then give me the sword, Raven. I can protect you.”

  I scoffed. “Are you kidding me right now? You think by having the sword you can protect me? You’re delusional.”

  “Odin won’t stop until he gets what he wants. Are you prepared to do what’s necessary?” He gripped the back of my chair and the wood creaked under his hold.

  I put my glass on the table and turned to face him. “Fenrir, there are darker forces than Odin out there. He can do whatever the hell he wants, but no one is getting shit because that sword is mine.” I motioned for another club soda. “Always has been and always will be.”

  “You’re making a mistake, Raven.” He furrowed his brows. “One I cannot protect you from.”

  “I never asked for your protection.”

  “You’re gonna need it because your two sidekicks aren’t going to cut it.”

  Sadly, Fenrir was right. There was only so much Will and Charlie could do, and I wouldn’t risk their lives. If only Verdandi would tell me what great evil was coming, I’d feel more prepared, like I wasn’t shooting in the dark.

  “I have things under control,” I lied and looked him in the eyes.

  “It doesn’t look like it.” His gaze flicked to my trembling hands. “You’re sober?”

  I didn’t want to tell him. We shouldn’t be talking at all. I wanted to walk out of the bar and fly away. We were enemies, and enemies did not do idle chitchat. But here we were …

  I nodded. “It’s been a few weeks.”

  “Cold turkey?”

  “The only way to do it.” I gave him a small smile.

  “Hrefna,” he whispered my name like a plea and reached for a strand of my hair before tucking it behind my ear.

  “Don’t.” I pulled away. “You lost that right.”

  I made a move to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “I will stop at nothing.”

  “Good luck.” And I walked out of the bar.

  It didn’t take me long to find another place where I wouldn’t be followed. The bartender was cute, and I made him my target. If I couldn’t get drinks, I might as well get something else.

  I slept in the next morning, not feeling the urge to get out of bed. With everything that had happened, my body couldn’t take it anymore. I was physically and emotionally drained. A knock sounded at my door as I rolled to my other side.

  “Raven?” Charlie mumbled. “Can I come in?”

  I whimpered. I wasn’t ready to fully wake up. “Yeah.”

  The door creaked open, and her feet pitter-pattered on the tile. The bed dipped as she sat at the foot of the bed.

  “Are you okay?”

  I was starting to get tired of this question.

  “I’m just exhausted,” I said with the covers just under my chin.

  “Any updates on the Castellano case?”

  We hadn’t updated her since Odin’s surprise visit had overshadowed everything.

  I turned around to face her. “The compound was empty, but we’re searching for buildings similar to it that were purchased around the time Castellano was accused of murder.”

  “Oh …” She deflated. “That’s smart.”

  I stuck my hand out of the covers and held hers. “We’ll find him, Charlie. He’ll pay for what he’s done.”

  “Thank you,” she muttered and stood from the bed. “I have to get to work. See you tonight?”

  “See you tonight.” I smiled but it didn’t reach my eyes. I wasn’t being a hundred percent truthful with Charlie—I didn’t tell her I had seen Fenrir.

  After a rough start to my morning, I made my way to the cemetery to have a very important conversation with Verdandi. I thought about my conversation with Fen and how the basis of everything was on a vision from a Norn. Very similar to Odin. I didn’t want to be like him, living off these prophecies like they were gospel. I needed to worry about the here and now, and I had a lot to worry about.

  I walked through the cemetery and went to the crypt. She stood with her back facing me, and I couldn’t see what she was doing.

  “Seems like it’s been a while.” I stopped just a few feet behind her. Her long black hair was unbraided and fell below her bottom.

  “You’re not one for small talk, Hrefna. Say what’s on your mind.”

  “Have you gotten any other visions about this evil that’s coming to destroy the human race?”

  She turned her head and spoke over her shoulder, “Patience is not your virtue. I cannot just call upon these visions, they must come to me.”

  I sighed. I was afraid of that. “Then I can’t help you, Verdandi. I’ve got problems of my own. Current problems. Odin is back and wants the sword by the full moon. Fenrir is also after it and … well, you know the case I’m working on with the humans. These are all real problems that need solving. Your problem is nonexistent.”

  “I see.” She turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. “You have the sword, so why not kill Odin?”

  “You know if I kill Odin, I will bring upon Ragnarök. I will not be responsible for it.”

  “Then we find a way to imprison him,” Verdandi suggested, and it wasn’t a bad idea. “A sub-world within Limbo. It can be created. I would just need some time.”

  “Well, time is what we don’t have. We have less than two weeks.”

  “Stall.” She shrugged.

  My nostrils flared. “This is why I hated you when you were alive, and I hate you even more now. Stall is your grand plan? Odin isn’t going to fall for that bullshit.”

  Verdandi might have had control over Lana’s body, but it was as if I could see her true self through her eyes. They were unmistakably old and bitter.

  “You have until the full moon to figure out how to imprison Odin, or this has all been for nothing. Got it?” I pointed a finger at the old hag.

  “I make no promises.” She tilted her chin in defiance.

  I turned to leave. “Then we’re all fucked.”

  10

  My mind wasn’t at a hundred percent, and while I wanted to curl up in bed with a trash can—I couldn’t. While I waited for Charlie to get home from work, I chugged water and drank a whole bottle of some nasty pink medicine to settle my queasy stomach. The withdrawals were getting worse, but I had to figure out a way to overcome them.

  I realized after our talk earlier in the day that Charlie was probably feeling a bit useless at the moment. I’d made so many promises and nothing was coming of them. Sure, we’d gotten some leads on the Castellano case, but they were slow. She wanted some action, so I’d get her some.

 
I’d just come out of an ice-cold shower and was feeling a bit better when she walked through the door.

  “What are you doing?” She set her purse on the kitchen counter.

  “Waiting for you.” I stood. “We’re going out.”

  She kicked off her shoes and groaned. “Aw, Raven, not tonight. I’m tired.”

  “So you don’t want to go after Castellano?” I raised a brow and sighed dramatically. “Okay, I guess I’ll just wait until Will follows up with his lead.”

  “What? No!” She quickly put her shoes back on. “I’m ready!”

  Our first trip to the Underground had been overshadowed by the attack of the ogres and finding out Ross Milton was the creator of Venom. Now, we were on a recon mission: find out who was selling Venom.

  “We really should inform the Supernatural Investigative Unit that a human is using supernaturals. This is their territory,” Charlie said as we walked through the grimy alleyways of the Underground.

  “You can contact the SIU. I’ve got my hands full with one set of police. I can’t with another,” I said, and I wasn’t lying. It was bad enough I was involved with the PPD. I was out of there the minute this Castellano case was solved.

  “I’ll contact them once we have more concrete evidence,” she murmured as we swerved through the crowd. The Underground was packed tonight.

  I had just grabbed a random person out of the crowd when I came face to face with a shaggy, orange-haired young man who couldn’t have been more than nineteen years old.

  “Hey,” I said, taken aback. “You’re the kitsune. What’s your name again?”

  “Ken,” he said as he pushed me away. “And you’re Raven. The chick that was supposed to get Venom off the streets.”

  “Easy there, kid, I’m still working on that. Why do you think Castellano is on the run?”

  “He might be on the run, but he’s still producing!” he yelled and turned around to look at the people around him. “All I’m saying is, you did nothing.”

  Charlie cleared her throat, reminding me she was there. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “Charlie, this is Ken, the kid I was supposed to kill to free you from your kidnappers.” I glared at the kitsune.