by J. J. Keller
“Not at this time, but you can’t be declared missing before twenty-four hours have passed and…”
She slid her hand from his, scooted farther against the headboard and clutched the sheet and blanket. “And?”
Way to go, Aidan. “They’re expanding the search to Europe because of your accent.”
Her eyes widened, the turquoise sparkling with renewed hope. “I’ve an accent?”
Yes, she did. A sexy, deep-throated tone. He swallowed. “European.”
“What kind of European accent?”
He lifted his shoulders and exhaled. “Bill will explore and continue with local inquires.”
Her fingers relaxed. He flipped a piece of her hair from her forehead and smoothed it into place.
“Tomorrow, if your memory hasn’t returned and no one, ah…You can stay at my house until we discover your identity. Okay with you?”
A shimmer of tears glazed her eyes. She wiped a single drop that spilled over. “Thank you. I don’t need to stay here tonight. I’m fine. Except for a couple of bruises, I’m right as rain.”
From the earlier events, she didn’t appear to be the emotional type or ever at a loss for words, so the tears twisted his gut. “Sorry. Can’t. Because of the head injury, you need to be observed. Now, Jane Doe doesn’t fit you very well. Let’s think of a temporary suitable name.”
A hoarse laugh, as if in relief, came from her parted lips.
The wordless silence continued and became rather excruciating. “What do you think of Stella?”
Her pretty pink lips puckered, followed by a small headshake. “Although, I think my name does begins with an S.”
“Okay. Your eyes remind me of the sky going from bright to crystalized raindrops in a matter of minutes. How about Sky?”
An eyebrow arched, followed by another headshake.
“Skitter? Scone? Skylar?”
The wetness on her eyes ceased, and she smiled. “Yes.”
He wished to hell he’d never been told about her accent. Every word out of her mouth sounded sexy. “Ah, Skitter it is. Very pretty.”
She giggled, then quickly covered her mouth with the sheet. The humorous glimmer in the blues changed to shock. Was she not accustomed to showing simple female responses? The mystery of his oversized wood nymph continued.
“Am I mistaken?”
“None of those feel right, but I like the sound of Skylar.” She tossed the covers aside, allowing him a view of her extremely long shapely legs. “Let’s go.”
“Ah…where?”
“To your house.” She drew the thin hospital gown closed and pivoted, scanning the room. “Where are my clothes?”
He blinked, trying to focus on her words instead of her well-formed body and enticing accent. “Cleaners.” He coughed. “I had them taken to be cleaned. They’ll be returned tomorrow. Clean.”
“Am I able to wear this ugly thing outside?” She dipped her hand inside the gown and grabbed at the wires attached to electrodes monitoring her heart.
He stilled her hands before she disconnected the heart-monitoring unit. “You need to be observed for twenty-four hours.”
“Oh.” Her eyes closed. “Right, you said that.”
He released her, hoping the shock volts would stop jetting through his fingers. She lowered to the mattress. The wrapping under the sheets squeaked as she moved from the edge. He’d admired her strength most, and seeing her so desolate made him mourn her loss of spirit. “It’s standard procedure for patients with a concussion. The brain’s tricky. You can slip into a coma overnight.”
She burrowed under the covers, placed a hand under her head, on top of the pillow, and stared at him. “My head aches. Do you think I could get something to eat?”
“Eat?”
“The only thing I remember from my past is that I love food.”
****
Odin’s Think Tank, Asgard
Windows took up the north, east, and west walls of the round room. Daylight filtered through, highlighting the crystal on Göndul’s staff and Harrison’s glimmering silver gun attached to his thigh. Kiara wished she could leave. The worry that Skogul had landed in the devil’s den bothered her more and more as each second passed, unlike the other two people in the room who didn’t seem at all concerned.
“Damn the seer for predicting a wolf is a great danger to Odin during Ragnarök.” Kiara ignored her life mate Harrison’s sharp look, but winked. “Great battle between good and evil.”
“Kiara, it is unwise of a Valkyrie to speak to her superior about a member of the gods’ council in such a fashion. I fear your friend, Skogul, has negatively influenced you.” Göndul, leader of all the Valkyries, scooped her deep lavender dress train over her wrist and perched over the world-viewer. The viewer, much like the flat screen TV Harrison had in his Earth apartment, lay flat creating a tabletop. Göndul’s signature amethyst bracelet dangled and the eye-shaped stones click-clacked as she scryed.
“Did Heimdallr get the transport fixed? What if we don’t get an exact location of where Skogul landed?”
“Kiara, quiet,” Harrison said.
She turned away and focused on the training field below. Novice Valkyries slashed targets attached to poles. As leader of the young trainees, busy mangling their fake opponents, she should be in attendance. But, her thoughts remained on her friend, Skogul. No, she wasn’t merely a friend. Over the decades, their bond strengthened because of the alchemy of trust and love.
Should she persist in her request or go back to her squad and work out her frustration?
She faced her superior. “Göndul, allow me to go to my friend.”
“You could expose her cover.” Apparently having found what she was looking for on the world-viewer, Göndul tucked her staff in the holder on her silver rope belt and walked to the sixteen-foot window. She placed a finger on the pane, drawing an infinity symbol.
Kiara could touch elbows with her, making her a little more than nervous. “I wouldn’t.”
“It took several hours to clear Skogul’s mind of her past and strip her powers. Her true being isn’t visible to the wolf, Aidan. We don’t yet know what his purpose is.”
“At least permit me to become her Earth friend for the rest of her quest. Shield me of all of my powers, and I can join her. The wolf cannot identify me, because he’s never seen me.” Kiara’s heart pounded as she glanced at Harrison. Risky. She feared what could happen to her for the disobedience of even making the suggestion of becoming a human for a matter of weeks.
Odin, making an example of her when she’d disobeyed him, had stripped her of her powers and sent her to Earth. She’d fallen in love with Harrison and, point made, Odin returned her to Asgard. Granted she had to maintain the horse stalls for several months, but now she was a leader of her own Valkyrie squad. All that time, Skogul had remained at her side, supporting her.
“Powerless will not make a difference. We don’t know the shifter’s origin. On Skogul’s previous trip to Earth, Aidan Hall recognized her. A human would not have been able to see her. He is a wolf. This time, her lack of power shields her from him.” Göndul waved a hand toward Harrison. “What are your thoughts?”
He nodded. “From what we can gather the underworld lord, Hades, didn’t send him to walk among the humans. Aidan appears to be a friendly sort. A veterinarian who’s helping animals.”
Kiara shivered when Göndul pierced him with a disparaging stare. “Is that your professional opinion or a gossipy Vör response?”
Harrison frowned. Oh, no, he wouldn’t easily give in. Before Kiara could think of a statement to bring the attention back to her, he said, “It’s interesting how months ago he recognized Skogul as a Valkyrie at the horse rescue ranch without prior information, or did he have knowledge of her? As a wolf shifter, his cloak might be strong, and we could’ve thrown Skogul into a dangerous situation. We should expand the investigation.” He rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “I could send some of my men through the veil.”
<
br /> Crap, if Göndul referenced Goddess Vör to smack down Harrison, would the leader consider sending him to Earth? It was difficult for her to remain silent. Besides, what luck would she have in getting her idea pushed through? One more try—“She’s lost and alone.”
“Ancient Aggie predicts Odin will be destroyed by a wolf, a shifter, during Ragnarök.” Göndul smoothed a hand over her tightly bound white hair. “Skogul stumbled upon a wolf. Was it fate or a setup to get knowledge about Odin?”
“But—”
Göndul pushed her palm out.
Kiara blinked, but didn’t say another word.
“Skogul is a strong Valkyrie leader. She’ll remain where she is until she gathers enough information to determine if this Aidan Hall is one of our enemies. We need to learn how to protect our people from others like him.” Göndul lifted her staff and pointed it toward the door. Twice her silver vest covering the lavender gown rose and fell. The entrance remained shut.
Harrison rushed forward and pried open the door.
Göndul glowered. “Meeting over.” She strode through the open entry.
“Apparently the strength of a secrecy spell, ensuring the door remains fast, worked against our infamous leader.” Kiara laughed when Harrison pressed his full force against the door.
Chapter Three
The doors whooshed open. They walked from the brightly lit hospital and into the dark unknown. She stopped and planted her feet to the ground. Snug against Aidan and close to the safety she sought.
“Skylar?”
Skylar, the name she’d chosen with Aidan’s help. Although the forename didn’t resonate inside her, she liked the way her moniker sounded when spoken from his perfect lips.
He wrapped his strong arm around her waist. She inhaled, an attempt to get her emotions under control. He stared at her, concern etched across his face. She gave him a long look, under her lashes. Maybe she should be good and tell him her dizziness had passed, and she could walk on her own.
Nah, she enjoyed his attention. Where was his car?
He stopped by a large vehicle with silver letters, spelling something in English. The black metal shone in the midday sun. She loved the sleek look of the conveyance. Click, click. Then, he pulled her door open.
Skylar glanced inside the cabin. Built into a panel, a tiny refrigerator showcased tiny tubes of liquid. Against one of the sides was a metal table and various bags, with writing, decorated the other.
“Go on, sit down, and I’ll strap you in.”
She settled on the slick creaky seat and waited to see what he planned. He snapped a strap across her chest. “You own a fleet of vehicles?”
“Just the car and this medical van.” He shut her door, rushed around the front of the vehicle, and climbed behind the wheel. Moments later they rolled along the street.
“Where are we going?”
“To get you some clothes. I picked up a few things you might need from the drug store, shampoo, et cetera, but I didn’t know your size. The mall is down the block.” He pointed to somewhere out the window.
Three men stood beside a yellow phallic-looking tube planted in the ground. A gusher of water splashed onto the street. “What are they doing?”
“Cleaning the fire hydrant. It releases pressure, built up, ready to explode. So, a cleansing is scheduled to relieve and freshen.”
“I see. No woman lives with you or visits?” She hoped he’d answer no. There was a strange connection between them. Besides the hero-damsel-fate association there was something far deeper, a strong link. Her heart picked up speed.
“No, I’m single.” He turned the wheel, and the van moved into a yellow square on a black surface. Under his skilled hands, he shifted a lever until P was lit. “We’re here, but I’m sure you must be tired and would like to rest. This was a bad idea.”
“No, I’m fine. Maybe someone will recognize me.”
He nodded. “Okay, we’ll get a few things, and then I’ll take you home.”
Home. The building in front of them had multiple levels and various entrances. Of the long line of glass doors, he held one open. She hesitated. Bright lights and milling people. A shiver of illogical fear rushed through her, causing her fingers to tingle. Whatever her life had consisted of before, no doubt she’d never been inside a mall. People of all sizes and ages carrying crinkly bags scurried. She tugged his hand, stopping him from entering a store with headless white people sporting shiny clothes, and stood still. Unlike her instant memory of how to fight to defend, she didn’t know how to deal with purchasing garments. A loose thread from her starched gray shirt blew against her hand.
“Don’t worry. In and out.” He tugged a little harder. Aidan didn’t appear like the impatient type. Maybe he didn’t want to go in either.
People in the corridors stared, making her heart rate increase and her palms sweat. Why did she really need to get clothes now? She glanced at her tattered jeans and torn gray blouse. Strings of silver sparkle frayed and sprung from the weave. She exhaled, trying to calm her nerves. She’d look at the positive side. Maybe something inside this crazy place would jolt her memory.
They meandered through a group of elderly mall walkers and passed through double glass doors leading into the nearest store. He strode immediately to a rack of garments with a sign. “Prepare for winter with flannel.”
Skylar touched the checkered fabric. “It’s too warm to wear this.” And too ugly.
“Not at night. You need to stay covered.” He yanked a long-sleeved blouse and rough woolen trousers from the rack.
A quiver shook her chin. She glanced away. Why did he want her hidden under bulky clothes? Did he think her a troll?
“I’ll be right with you.” A little redheaded imp smiled at Aidan. “Changing room is over there.” She pointed to a door with a number on the outside.
A strange angry urgency went through Skylar. Why? She shrugged off the unwarranted reaction, until she caught the predatory flash in the salesgirl’s eyes. The way the woman stared at Aidan and licked over her glossy pink lower lip, she looked ready to feed.
Skylar’s muscles tightened, ready to guard Aidan against a possible attack. She glanced at him. He seemed unaware of the saleswoman’s shotgun stare and continued to pull ugly, plain, enormous pieces of clothing from the metal bars.
“I’m not wearing those, so you might as well put them back.” She added a swing to her hips as she strode to a selection of glittering tops and dresses. She took a sequined spaghetti-strapped blouse from the rack.
“No. Really, no,” he grumbled. At his menacing utterance, she smothered a chuckle. Maybe he did desire her. The idea he’d felt something for her created warmth she hadn’t experienced…maybe.
Bottom line, she wanted him. The gleam in his eyes, ah, how lovable and exciting the spark.
She continued the exaggerated hip movement as she pulled a few garments from the Ooh La La section. On her way to the changing room she grabbed gray jeans and a silky, shiny, charcoal blouse. The combination of the outfit completed her sense of awareness.
“If you need a different size, just holler,” the salesgirl said.
Stripped, she slid into the jeans. The material of the slacks folded over at her hips. She let them fall, stepped away, and hung them over the door. “I need a smaller size, but these are perfect in length.”
No response. She dangled them, allowing the metal clasps to clang. Still, nothing.
She opened the door and walked into the center of the store. The annoying woman with the pearl teeth had caged Aidan between two rows of sweaters.
“Excuse me,” Skylar shouted.
“Oh…” The woman’s blue eyes blazed wide. “…my!” She gave a little yelp and scanned the store avoiding Skylar.
Aidan, sparked to life, ran to her shoving her inside the small room as if great danger existed. Due to the tight quarters, her nearly naked body fit snug against his front. The slightest movement, and they would be, oh so, aligned.
&n
bsp; How could she make that happen?
She blinked, then lowered her gaze, trying to determine what made him act like…She had no words. “I need a smaller size.” She took the jeans from behind his back. “I like the material.”
“Hey, as much as I like nudity, especially on you, in our little town we don’t go naked in public.” He took the jeans from her and handed her a gray shirt.
“What?”
He glanced around the small space, anywhere but at her. “You should always wear clothing around people. Where is your other undergarment?”
A flash of awareness rattled her. She’d had this conversation before, but not with him. If only she could remember when and where. Face cast toward the floor she whispered, “I don’t know.”
He blew out a breath, as if he’d been running and couldn’t catch another. “I’m guessing you’re a thirty-four C?”
She didn’t have a clue as to what he meant, so she frowned but nodded all the same.
He pointed toward her inner thighs. “And size small?”
Guessing his meaning, she tugged at the cloth covering her tingly spot and glanced at the tag. “S is fine.” Why did he gasp for breath? He wouldn’t faint inside the small quarters would he? “Please, you need to calm down.”
“Good. I’m going to get you more clothes. Try them for size. Once we get a couple of outfits we’ll leave.” He unlatched the door and mumbled, “The sooner the better.”
She wanted to go. Now. Shopping was too complicated and made her feel things. “What if they don’t fit? Where can I find you and the squeaky-voiced girl?”
The corners of his lips shot upward, the tiniest bit. Her heart fluttered. He was so adorable.
“Fit shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be right outside the door.” He released another long breath and fled.
Huh. She rather enjoyed making new memories. Smiling, she got acquainted with her body, spun around to look at it from all directions in the mirror.
****
Crickets chirped and an owl hooted somewhere in the woods nearby. Aidan loved being outdoors and especially in Pure, Indiana. He cringed at the thought of being discovered, being returned to his previous hellish life. He glanced inside the living room, and to complicate matters he had feelings for a woman, who might be the enemy.