“I am the team.”
“Boy, that ego of yours is going to get crushed if you lose.”
He chuckled, the sexy sound rippling through me. “Not going to happen. Why do you need to protect Eirik?”
The clock on the dashboard said my time was up. “Let’s talk about that later. I have to go, and the bus is waiting.”
“They can’t leave without me.” He threw his empty carton back in the plastic bag.
“But Mr. Q. will start teaching without me.” I opened the door and shifted to leave the car, but Torin grabbed my wrist. Blue flames leaped in his eyes, and I swallowed, my heartbeat shooting up.
“Don’t do this, Torin,” I whispered. Unless you mean it.
He didn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he ran his thumb across my knuckles, moved to my palm, and stroked it. Shivers ran up my arm, but I didn’t protest again. Couldn’t protest was more like it. I’d missed his touch. I savored it.
“What is it about you that makes me…?”
“What?”
He sighed. “Feel so much. Want. Need. I know I should leave you alone, but…”
My chest tightened, trapping air in my lungs. “But?”
Instead of answering, he released my hand and flashed a smile that was both mocking and challenging. “Go, Freckles.”
I stared at him, wanting to demand answers. Close the narrow space separating us and kiss some sense into him. He was driving me crazy. “I’ll, uh, see you later?”
“Yeah, I want to hear about Eirik. If it involves Norns, it can’t be good.”
I nodded and took off, and didn’t look back until I crossed the street. He still stood by my car, his eyes on me. He didn’t look happy. Yeah, he was definitely very confused about his feelings for me, and I couldn’t be happier.
***
“Ms. Cooper,” Mr. Q., my AP English teacher, called out and waved a piece of paper as I hurried past his desk.
“Thanks.” I read the note. Coach Fletcher wanted to see me in his geography classroom at the end of the day. I frowned. What did he want? I hoped it wasn’t about the swim team. I didn’t really feel like rejoining. Between schoolwork and training with Lavania, I doubted I’d have time. Or maybe he wanted to talk about what had happened during the meet.
Thinking about the meeting bugged me for the rest of the afternoon. I left my last class and made my way to my locker. Excitement hung in the air, students racing along the hallway and talking on top of their lungs. Most planned to carpool to Portland for the football game. I’d only ever seen this kind of excitement during home games.
“Go Trojans!” two guys yelled, jumping and bumping chests.
I sidestepped them, almost being hit by another student walking backwards while talking to his friends about the game. I wasn’t sure whether Torin, the new quarterback, was the cause or the fact that we were playing one of our archrivals.
Cora grabbed me from behind. “I wish you were coming with us, Raine.”
“Me, too.” Once again, I faked sadness. “Promise to text me every ten minutes. I want to know how the new QB performs.”
“So does every girl in the school,” Cora said. Two girls walking past high-fived her.
I laughed. “You guys are so bad.”
“You have no idea. Over here, Eirik. I got your text.” She waved, but instead of waiting for him to come to us, she ran and hugged him. His right arm looped around her waist. “You’re the best.”
I was surprised she didn’t kiss him in her exuberance. Eirik rolled his eyes when I gave him thumbs-up. I hoisted my backpack onto my shoulder, grabbed my oboe, and gave both of them a hug. “Have fun, guys. Text me.”
Some students had already painted their faces with the Trojan colors—gold, black, and crimson. A few diehards had painted their chests and ran down the hall shirtless. For the first time since I’d come back, no one seemed to notice me. I loved it.
I turned the corner and saw Andris lounging by the entrance to the counselors’ offices. His eyes followed me even though he was talking to a guy I recognized from a school play.
“Going to the counselor’s again?” Andris asked as I got closer.
Surprised by his lack of animosity, I nodded. “Yeah. How do you know?”
“You’re a creature of habit, Raine Cooper. Like clockwork, you stop by her office every day after school and leave ten minutes later. What do you two discuss?”
“None of your business.” I disappeared inside the counselors’ offices.
“Are you going to Portland to watch the game?” Mrs. Underwood asked me as soon as I sat.
“No. I still have a lot of homework to finish.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t take a break, Lorraine. Put everything that’s happened behind you and move on. Get involved in afterschool activities again.”
I nodded. “Coach Fletcher wants to see me upstairs after this.”
“Good. Go back to swimming and doing things with your friends.” The counselor stood. “You don’t have to come see me anymore unless you want to.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Underwood. I know I acted like I didn’t want to see you on Monday, but our talks have helped me cope.” I made a face. “I, uh, even looked forward to them.”
She smiled. “That’s why I’m here, dear. Just remember, my door is always open.” She closed her hand on the knob and paused before opening the door. “I’m sorry we haven’t caught the students vandalizing your locker. Officer Randolph has tried everything, including hiding in a closet and watching the hallway, yet someone somehow made it to your locker and vandalized it without him seeing anything. It’s a puzzler. Mr. Elliot has been informed, and he plans to talk to the students on Monday about it.”
My stomach had started churning at “someone somehow.” Someone who could move fast or become invisible was deliberately reminding the students of what happened during that meet. Could Norns be doing this to nudge me to their side? I always knew when they were around, and I hadn’t felt them since Monday. That left our resident Valkyries.
Andris disliked me and was crazy enough to do it just for laughs, or because Maliina had joined evil Norns and he blamed me. Ingrid always acted like a total pushover, but she was Maliina’s sister. Could she be angry enough to want to hurt or humiliate me? Lavania was my trainer, so I couldn’t see what she’d gain from my misery. On the other hand, she and Torin were close. I hadn’t seen hints of anything more between them, but you just never know. Then there was Torin. He would never hurt me, but he didn’t want me to become an Immortal. Even when I first met him, he’d refused to use healing runes on me after that first time. But wanting me to stay human and seeing me suffer were two different things.
Andris was still chatting with the same guy when I reappeared. I frowned when the guy reached up and touched Andris’ hair. He’d chopped his silver hair and spiked it at the top. Their body language was almost lovers-like. Could Cora be right? Was Andris dating guys now? Knowing him, he was probably toying with the poor guy.
“Wait up, Raine.”
I ignored him and kept going toward the north wing.
“Quit ignoring me, Mortal.”
I glanced back. The guy he’d been talking to stared at us with open curiosity. “What mischief are you up to now, Andris?”
“Me? I’m an open book. You, on the other hand, are a complex girl. Why did you lie to me?”
“Lied about what?”
“Your love triangle situation.”
I sighed. “What do you want, Andris?”
“What do you think? Big brother asked me to babysit you while he’s gone playing ball, which means I have to follow you around when I could be doing fun stuff with Roger.” He glanced back to his boy toy and indicated “call me” with his fingers. “Isn’t he beautiful?”
“Since when are you into guys?”
“Since always. Whatever catches my fancy is my latest craze, and he caught mine. He’s sweet, adorable, and very loving, and I need some TLC. So where are w
e going?”
“Nowhere. I don’t need a sitter.”
“Tough. Why did you lie to me? Why didn’t you tell me you tried to help Torin remember the past?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It seemed pointless.”
“So you led me to believe you’d ditched him, let me get away with calling you names and treating you like crap rather than tell me the truth?”
I studied his face. “You are feeling guilty.”
He grimaced. “Nah.”
“Oh yes you are, and you don’t like it.” I laughed then felt bad. “Don’t worry about it. They were just words, Andris. Half the time you say things just to get a reaction.”
He grinned. “I knew you got me.”
Did I? He could be the one messing with my locker. I stopped outside Coach Fletcher’s classroom. The door was partially opened.
“I have to go,” I whispered.
“I’m coming in with you. Don’t shake your head,” he added. “My orders are to stay glued to your side.”
I narrowed my eyes. “The orders have been rescinded. By me, so wait here.”
“Why? Who’s in there?” His eyes grew suspicious, and he wiggled his brow. “A new boyfriend?”
“You have a one-track mind. I’m meeting my swim coach, and there’s no other exit except this one, so wait here. I’ll be out in a minute.” Turning, I walked to the door and peeked inside the room. “Doc?”
Coach Fletcher gave me a broad grin, jumped down from where he’d been seated on his desk, and walked toward me. Behind him were three students. “Come inside, Raine. Sit. You know Jake, Sondra, and Caleb.” The students waved and gave me forced smiles. “They’re the new captains of the swim team.”
Jake and Sondra were seniors while Caleb was a junior. Jessie and the other captains hadn’t made it. I sat next to Sondra, put my backpack by my feet, and placed the oboe case on my lap. I had no idea what was going on. Doc sat on his desk, his legs crossed at the ankles. Watching him cross and uncross his arms only made me more uneasy.
“Raine, the team needs you,” he started. “As the fourth captain, you should be at the front—”
“Whoa, Doc. I don’t think I’m ready to come back to swimming.”
“Allow me to finish, Slinky. Of course, you must pass your physical again before you can rejoin the team.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” The way he used my swimming nickname kind of bugged me. He was buttering me up. “Right now, the whole school thinks I’m a witch.” A rumor probably started by members of the swim team. “I highly doubt anyone on the team wants me back.”
“We do,” Sondra said and glanced at the others, who nodded. “We talked to everyone on the team, and we agreed unanimously that you can come back.”
“Some people are curious about how you knew, but that’s all,” Caleb added.
“No one really thinks you’re a witch either,” Jake added. “I mean, witches don’t exist.”
If that were true, they would have given me some support over the last five days. The swimmers had acted like the rest of the students. Maybe I was taking out my frustration and worries about the identity of the person vandalizing my locker on my coach and the captains, but I hadn’t seen the solidarity I often associated with the swim team. Their words also sounded so rehearsed.
“There are a few things I’d like to say,” Coach Fletcher said. “I want to thank you for what you did during the meet. You saved many lives that night. If we’d listened… if I had listened to you, more lives would have been saved. That’s my burden to carry.” He paused and sighed before continuing. “Like Caleb and Luke, your teammates are curious about how you knew, but no one thinks you’re a witch. However, we all agree on one thing. You were a hero that night.” He glanced at the captains, who nodded. “I also just heard about the vandalism to your car and locker. The principal and I had a meeting this afternoon, and he’s assured me the culprits will be caught.”
Not if he or she was a Valkyrie. I hadn’t really thought about rejoining the team. Between taking lessons from Lavania and my regular schoolwork, I didn’t have time for anything else.
“How soon can you come back?” Doc asked as though my return was a given.
“We need you,” Jake said.
“You, Cora, Sally Peters, and I will be the relay dream team,” Sondra added.
Cora had been a backup despite making the state time the last two years. She would be thrilled, but I refused to go back just for her.
“Can I give you my decision later? I have to talk to my parents first.” Doc nodded. I got up and gave them a brief wave. I had no intention of going back to the team.
Outside, I found Andris waiting, his expression annoyed.
“Un-freakin’-believable.” He pushed against the opposite wall and walked toward me. He took my backpack before I realized his intention. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going back. Not after the way they’ve treated you.”
“Shh. They’ll hear you.”
“Where have they been since you came back? What did they do to stop people from treating you like a worm? You should have told them to stick their offer up their—”
I covered his mouth and practically pushed him away.
He removed my hand from his mouth. “That’s the problem with you, Raine. You’re too nice. When dealing with Mortals, you have to be tough. You’ll learn once you’ve transformed.” He turned his head and yelled, “She’s not coming back. Do you hear me, you self-serving pricks?”
“Shut up, Andris.”
He grinned. “Are you seriously considering rejoining the team?”
“Maybe.” We exited the school building. The parking lot was deserted, except for my car and Torin’s Harley. “Are you taking the bike?”
“Yeah. Do you want to come for a ride?”
My feet faltered at his words. Torin used to ask me the same question but in a husky voice and with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, making the request sound naughty. “No, I have to stop by the store before heading home.”
“Oh come on,” he protested. “You’re supposed to go home, where it’s safe and warm, and not so wet. I hate this weather. Why couldn’t we make our base in Florida or Malibu, where it’s warm and fun, and co-eds frolic half-naked at the beach?”
I laughed. “I told you I don’t need a sitter.” I unlocked my car, put my oboe case on the seat, and turned to take my heavy backpack, but he’d already thrown it in the backseat.
“Sorry. You’re stuck with me.” He glanced up at the gray sky and grimaced. It was drizzling. “Damn Oregon weather.”
Somehow, I doubted Andris was the person vandalizing my locker. He was blunt about most things. He’d probably brag about it and tell me in excruciating detail why he was doing it. “Follow me. And FYI, Oregon weather is perfect.”
9. ARTAVO
Andris followed me downtown, parked beside my parents’ car, and was right behind me when I entered the Mirage. “Browse, but don’t break anything.”
He gave me the finger using both hands. Rolling my eyes, I turned and froze. Dad watched us from the customer desk, his expression unreadable. Had he seen Andris’ rude gesture? Jared usually manned the store, and from the looks of things, he wasn’t around. There were no customers inside the store either.
“Hi, Dad,” I said. “Did you get my text?”
“Yes.” He moved closer. “Hi there, young man.”
Andris turned from examining the frame of a mirror and offered Dad his hand. “Mr. Cooper, nice to finally meet you.”
Dad frowned, glancing at me before shaking Andris’ hand. “Finally?”
“I’m one of your new neighbors. Your wife…” Andris glanced at me and grinned, “Raine’s mother invited us over to dinner tomorrow night.”
A spasm shot across Dad’s face. “Oh, yes. She told me.”
Did he know our neighbors were Valkyries? Mom had said she’d talk to him last night about my training, so he must know. “Where’s Mom?”
“She went grocery shopping for tomorrow,” he answered, but his eyes were still on Andris, who was busy running his finger along the runes on the frames.
“Jared?” I asked.
“He’s getting us coffee. I thought it might be nice not to walk in the rain.”
I sighed. “I know about Nikos and how his customers feel about me, Dad. It’s okay. We don’t ever have to go there.”
Anger flashed in his hazel eyes. “Wait for me in the office.”
“Who’s Nikos?” Andris asked, his eyes volleying between me and my father.
“A café down the street,” I said, starting for the office. “You should try it. They sell tasty pastries.”
“Why do his customers have a problem with Raine, Mr. Cooper?” I heard Andris ask.
“That’s a private matter, young man,” Dad said in a firm voice.
I grinned. My father calling Andris “young man” was funny. Despite looking like a teenager, he was probably ten times my father’s age.
“Sir, anything that affects one of us affects all of us.”
“My daughter is not one of you,” Dad snapped, confirming that he knew Andris was a Valkyrie.
I stopped walking and turned. Dad pinned Andris with a glare. Andris stared right back. This wasn’t good. “Dad?”
“What’s your name?” Dad asked.
“Andris.”
“Where are you from, Andris?”
Andris made a face. “We don’t really have a home, sir. We divide our time between Asgard and a temporary home of our choosing here on Earth. From the looks of things, Kayville is going to be home for a couple of years. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but I didn’t get to decide this time.”
Dad’s lips tightened. “I meant your country of original… what century…”
“Constantinople before the Ottoman captured the city,” he said, which made him at least five hundred years old.
Interest flared in Dad’s eyes. He loved history, but all he said was, “It’s nice to meet you, young man. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my daughter. Alone.” He turned toward me.
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