Gods

by Ednah Walters

  I nodded. My throat closed when she didn’t let go. Instead, she placed an arm around my shoulder and urged me forward.

  “Baldur and Eirik have both become attached to the girl, so let’s wait until I find the true Einmyria. For now, we keep this between us. You finish his quarters, and I’ll get to work. Ah, Echo, let’s go home.” She cupped my face. “Come home soon. Bring your father. Baldur enjoys beating him at their little board game.”

  I went in search of Dad after they left. If he was disappointed the goddess hadn’t sought him out, he didn’t show it, but he smiled at the invitation to visit the realm.

  Back in my room, I finished my hot chocolate while tackling my homework. I was surprised at how much I accomplished. I texted Hayden and she called me back right away. We talked for a long time, but I kept hoping Eirik would appear so I didn’t use my friend to cover my loneliness. Before Eirik, I never felt lonely.

  He didn’t appear. I was disappointed and hurt, and angry with him even though I knew what he was going through.

  ~*~

  EIRIK

  My sheets and pillows had rips when I woke up, a clear proof I had shifted during the night. That had never happened before. I glared at the ceiling and tried to plot my day, but my focus kept shifting to Celestia. I looked at my watch. Thirty-four hours, ten minutes, give or take five seconds that had passed since I last saw her, and I missed her. I was used to listening to her heartbeat and being surrounded by her scent when we slept, but this was worse. I needed to talk to her, hold her, and make my world right again. She would understand how sick this mess with Einmyria was.

  I took Garm out for a morning run and was happy to see Grimnirs arriving and leaving the realm again. Mom must have lifted the lockdown, which meant someone had caught the soul who’d attacked my sister.

  Instead of showering, I raced to my parents’ quarters first. Father was at the dining table. The table was set for three, but Litr wasn’t around. I hadn’t seen Mother since yesterday when she’d watched me leave the hall for Corpse Strand. Knowing her, she was probably closeted in her room, fretting about Einmyria.

  “You found the soul?” I asked.

  “No, Son.” Father stood. He wore his ceremonial white and green outfit.

  “Then why stop the search? What if she attacks Einmyria again or escapes like Maliina’s soul did by possessing a Grimnir?”

  “A soul did not attack your sister, Eirik,” Mother said, entering the room. She was also dressed in her ceremonial outfit—emerald green gown, a black cloak with the same green lining, and a black choker with jewels. She went to stand by my father. “But the news that she’d been attacked spread quickly, so we had to come up with a story fast.”

  “Your sister’s reputation depended on it,” Father said.

  I tried to wrap my head around what they were saying.

  “What has her reputation got to do with anything? She was attacked.”

  “No, dýrr. She wasn’t attacked. Take a seat.” Mom took the chair closest to mine and reached for my hand. “She hurt herself, Eirik. It’s a problem that children with emotional trauma do. They feel a pain they can’t see and redirect it, hoping to get relief. But we will help her get better because that’s what families do.” She patted my hand and smiled.

  If she knew what my grandmother did, she would not be smiling. I hated keeping secrets from her, but Father had been right. Even Svana had nailed it. Sometimes you kept secrets from those you love to protect them. Mother didn’t need to know Einmyria hated her. Man, this was effed up.

  “Yes, we will,” I said. Now I needed to talk to Celestia even more. She always had answers for things. “Okay, I need food. Then I’m off the realm.”

  “Good. The Norns are here, and I don’t want you anywhere near them.”

  I’d given them two days and the Norns came through—the good Norns. That was going to take a while to sink in. As long as they were here to apologize, I was good. Still, I couldn’t help messing with Mother.

  “Why not, Mom? I want to see them grovel.”

  “I don’t want you here in case this is about the mayhem you’ve been causing on Earth. No, go visit Celestia and spend the day with her. That’s an order.”

  Like I needed one. Litr rolled in a trolley with steaming breakfast and served us. My parents took their time eating. I finished eating before they were done.

  “She’s letting them wait, which is what they deserve,” Father explained, and the two of them exchanged smiles. They were both enjoying this too much. They were still taking their time when I left the table.

  “Do not engage the Norns, Eirik. I’ll deal with them when we are done here. I have a few things I need to renegotiate with them.”

  Instead of leaving, I went to Einmyria’s bedroom. Litr was leaving the room with a tray of uneaten food. He shook his head.

  I took the tray from him and waited until he was gone then approached Anne Marie’s door. “Hey, little sister. It’s Eirik. I’m going to leave your breakfast out here. If you are hungry, come and get it.” No response. Not that I expected any. I turned to walk away, paused, and added, “Oh, the Norns are here. They came looking for me at Celestia’s school a few days ago and wanted me to go with them for a little chat. I told them I wasn’t going anywhere, until they apologized to you, Mom, and Dad for the pain they’ve put you through. Because of them, you missed growing up here and being loved, and Mom and Dad missed out on watching over you and guiding you. Because of them, they believed you were dead and mourned you for seventeen years.”

  Warming up, I leaned against the wall. “You may wonder how I know since I wasn’t here either, but I saw it. A week before I found you and brought you home, I came home to black laces covering every painting, statue, and murals in the hall. The guards wore black armbands and everyone talked in whispers. I had no idea what was going on, until I learned that our parents did this every year before your birthday. They mourned your death every year since you were taken, Einmyria, and so did the entire hall. Our parents never stopped loving you or missing you, or feeling the pain of losing you.” She didn’t need to know how Mom locked herself in her bedroom and destroyed it before putting everything back together again. Or that Dad got drunk. “I have to go now, but I’ll stop by later tonight. Stay safe.”

  I almost bumped into my parents when I stepped out of the hallway. How much had they heard? From Mom’s shiny eyes, I’d say everything. I pretended not to notice.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be making a few Norns grovel and kiss your crystal?” I walked past them and turned to add, “If you don’t want to, I can do it. Just give me the scepter, so I can point it at them and order them to lie on the ground and beg.”

  They were still laughing when I left them.

  Back in my room, I showered and changed. I was searching for an empty memory card when Trudy arrived dressed in one of her new outfits. She looked nice though it showed way too much skin.

  “Put on a jacket or something on top of that.”

  “I have my cloak.” She patted her new leather purse. “So where are we going?”

  The last thing I wanted to discuss in the hall with Norns was Raine’s wedding.

  “It’s a surprise. Come on.” I glanced at my watch. We still had time. I grabbed my cameras, and we headed for the rotunda.

  Since I didn’t want us going through the throne room, I opened a portal to the side entrance the Grimnirs used to bring their souls inside. A doorway separated it from the throne room, and voices carried. I would have continued to the door if I hadn’t recognized the soft, calm voice. It was the same Norn from Celestia’s school.

  “Just a sec, Trudy.” I peered into the room and let my dragon senses take over.

  The Norns hadn’t just sent three of their renegades to apologize. I counted a dozen. Some were ancient and the others had a few gray hair and wrinkles. They all wore flowing white robes and cloaks. I noticed a few contrite faces. Must be the rogues. I hoped Mother made them suffer.r />
  “Our sisters thought they were doing the right thing,” the Norn said, speaking slowly and carefully. “They were wrong. The Wise Ones did not sanction their mission and their worries were for nothing. Your son is still the future leader of the gods and living with you these past months hasn’t changed that. Your daughter will still rule this realm.”

  “My daughter?” Mother asked, her voice showing no emotion.

  “Yes, your daughter’s destiny hasn’t changed. She will take over from you after Ragnarok. You and your husband will be by your son’s side.”

  I had planned to make sure my family survived, but this was better. There was silence as though Mother was rearranging her thoughts.

  “What is going to happen to the Norns who nearly destroyed my family?”

  “They are here to apologize and from today, they will be confined to our hall for the next century.”

  “Five,” Mother shot back.

  “We are not as many as we used to be and we need all our sisters working,” the Norn said. “Two is the best I can give you.”

  “I demand five,” Mother said. Like the Norn, she didn’t raise her voice. She spoke in a firm, respectful tone, but I heard the steel behind the calmness. She wasn’t backing down. “I haven’t seen my daughter since she was three days old and my son wasn’t even a year old when they took him. I didn’t get a chance to be a mother, to watch them take their first steps, say their first words, guide them. I would have gone with a century for every year we missed out, for every year of our suffering. So when I say those responsible deserve to stay within your walls and not run around making unilateral decisions that destroy lives and families for five centuries, that’s the least you can give me.”

  Damn. Mom was a hard ass.

  “Thank you for your generosity,” she said, which meant they’d accepted her terms. Who knew there were few Norns? Maybe that was why they wanted Raine.

  “Before my sisters apologize, we would like to meet and talk to your son and daughter as well. They owe them an apology, too.”

  “No. You can’t talk to them. They’ve suffered enough.” Mom turned her head slightly and our eyes met. I gave her thumbs up and big grin. “In fact, no Norn should ever approach either of them without your directive.”

  “That is acceptable. Will you accept our apologies on their behalf?”

  “Yes.”

  My mother was milking the moment. Grinning, Trudy and I left the hall. I waited until we were nearing the cave before telling her where we were going.

  “Raine and Torin are getting married. We are going to her wedding.”

  CHAPTER 16. DARK SOUL TO THE RESCUE

  CELESTIA

  “Party at my house Friday night. Be there.” Corbin Laundry pressed a piece of paper in my hand and took off with his friends. I never thought I’d hate being popular until now. “That’s the fourth one this week. We can’t go to all of them.”

  “We could party hop,” Hayden said.

  “Party hopping is lame,” a familiar grating voice said from behind me. “Let them bring the party to you.”

  We groaned and turned to face Giselle and her friends.

  “If Mom wasn’t in the hospital, I would throw one and make them all come to mine,” Giselle added. “My mother wants to see you. You can see her during lunch. I’ll drive.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what? I’m going so you might as well come with me.”

  “I meant why does your mother want to see me?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. She asked for you. Meet me in the parking lot.” She swept past and her entourage followed. The three new girls were missing and no one seemed to remember them. Must be how Norns operated.

  I made a face and glanced at Hayden. “You’re coming, right?”

  “Why does she have to dictate when you go see her mother? Who does she think she is? The only reason they want you there is so you could notify Eirik she was attacked by an Immortal.”

  “Who was attacked?” Eirik asked.

  I whipped around, but he was ready for me. I leaped into his arms, laughing. I squeezed him hard. Two days without him had felt like an eternity.

  “I missed you too, Dimples,” he whispered into my ear. I leaned back and smacked him on the chest.

  “Don’t ever do that again. I could accept one day, but when Daiku and Ranger were no show this morning, I was worried, then scared, then worried some more, and finally pissed. Really pissed.”

  “Still pissed?”

  “No.” He gave me a smug smile. “Yes.”

  “How about I help you decide?” The kiss was scorching, and my anger ceased to matter. I buried my face in his neck and wished school was over. I had one more class, then lunch.

  “Are you passing by or staying?”

  “I thought you didn’t want me to hang around.”

  “I’ve changed my mind.” I wiggled, silently asking him to put me down. He lowered me to the ground. Students were already hurrying to the next class.

  “I need your help. You too, Hayden,” he added when she started to move away. “I promised Torin I’d help him with something if you ladies are on board. I would have told you about it yesterday, but no one was allowed to leave Helheim, until this morning.”

  “We’ll help,” I said. Hayden nodded too.

  He explained the situation and told us what he wanted us to do. “You try and make it there by”—he checked his watch—“noon. It’s eleven-fifteen now. Of course, it will be six in the evening over there, but Torin wanted the ceremony in his castle.”

  “Over where?”

  “England. I showed Trudy the school, the upstairs bathroom no one uses, so it’s perfect as an entry point, and the castle where the wedding is taking place. She’s waiting for you guys at Celestia’s, but I’m counting on you.” His eyes said this was important to him. “Both of you, to get her there.”

  “Let’s go,” Hayden said, already shoving books back in her locker. “I’ve always wanted to skip class and sneak out of school for shits and giggles, but this is better.” She didn’t even bother to lower her voice. I’d thought of sneaking out of the school a few times after a trance and witnessing a crime, but this was more exciting.

  “If there’s time, I’ll stop by the hospital to see Mrs. Mouton afterwards.” There were a few students by the lockers, so I lowered my voice. “What excuse are we giving the school for skipping class?”

  “I’ll take care of your teachers,” Eirik said. “You can see Mrs. Mouton afterwards if you want to. I’ll make sure of it.”

  We gave him our room numbers, and he left. I’d never knowingly broken school rules before, so this was both exciting and scary. Hayden didn’t seem bothered. We went to the nearest restroom and used a portal to get to my place.

  Trudy jumped when we arrived. She looked amazing in one of her new outfits. She’d only bought flats because she wasn’t used to heels. She’d been watching something on TV and eating a burger and fries. The table was crowded with more brown bags from our favorite fast food restaurant and cups of drinks.

  “Eirik bought us lunch.” She handed out bags, and I reached inside for fries. Her excitement was contagious. “Guys, I saw Torin’s Castle, and it’s amazing. I want a castle like that, but in Vanaheim. Are you guys going to change? I hope so because I saw some of the guests and they were dressed in amazing outfits with flowers on their heads or cute little hats. Eirik said they were Witches from around the world. One man had a huge hat with feathers and bones on it. Totally weird.”

  “Trudy, stop talking,” Hayden said. “You are worse than Celestia. Change,” she added, looking at me. “See you guys in a few.” She grabbed a drink and opened a portal home.

  I headed to my bedroom, Trudy following me, still talking about the Witches she’d seen and where they’d come from. Eirik had been busy. Only he could mobilize Witches like that. That they responded after the fiasco in Kayville meant they didn’t blame us for what happened. I felt bett
er about that. I glanced at my watch. We had forty-five minutes, plenty of time before the ceremony. I was more nervous about going to Kayville High and meeting Cora than anything else.

  “What are you going to wear?” Trudy asked, entering my closet.

  “Out. I can’t concentrate with you talking nonstop.” I pushed her out of my room and closed the door.

  “Fine, but you better look as fabulous as me or you are going right back in there,” she yelled from the other side of the door.

  I rolled my eyes and changed quickly. I barely sat to work on my makeup when Hayden returned. She looked amazing in a black shirt, striped top, and a coral blazer. Her pumps were nude and her makeup was flawless.

  “I’ll do yours.” She went into super speed and took care of mine, then stepped back and smiled. “I’m good. Yours is perfect,” she added, glancing at Trudy, who’d come back to my room.

  “I know.” She flicked her hair. “Eirik told me about coming to Midgard with him last night after talking to Mama, so I got up early and took care of everything. But he didn’t tell me about the wedding until we were here. Why are you taking your invisibility cloak?”

  “We are going to need it.” I rolled up my cloak and shoved it in my bag. “Okay, Trudy. Next step is Kayville High. We should have a camouflage spell ready.”

  “I got one,” Hayden said, studying her reflection.

  Trudy opened a portal into a bathroom, where two girls were busy reapplying their makeup in front of the mirror and talking about what they’d done the night before. I glanced at Hayden and Trudy and tried to be patient. We had no time to listen to these girls dissect their dates. At the same time, it was nice to listen to what normal girls talked about. No coven anecdotes or a spell gone wrong.

  The girls stopped talking, turned, almost bumping into each other as they left the room. I grinned. “Which one of you got inside their heads?”

  “I did,” Hayden and Trudy said at the same time. They both had the ability to manipulate minds. They giggled.