by J. J. Keller
Basil tightened his lips. Harrison dreaded what was to come, about the woman and the betrayal in North Korea. “I know I sound…”
“Give me more details. What did you do before we left for the Korean mission?” Basil stole the question directly from Harrison’s mind.
“According to my cell phone calendar, I did a run with the new recruits and then paperwork. Had dinner with you and later…” Harrison searched his mind for any of the missing data, but couldn’t remember. His heart pounded like a canon. “I’m kind of fuzzy on the details.”
Basil winked. “Did you hook up with the blonde from Yarger’s party? Of course how could you forget her?”
“No. At least I don’t think so. I only remember that day of the mission. I got a strong feeling something wasn’t right. Then I was shot. I woke to find her sitting on my lap.” Harrison hated how his mind failed him. Until the injury he’d been the best strategist of their squad. If he’d been the one in charge of the mission instead of Major Wilson, maybe they wouldn’t have been stormed among the fruit trees.
“Your mind probably created her to help you deal with the stress?” His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed. “The possibility of dying.”
“I don’t think so. Although you have a valid point, why can I remember her scent? She didn’t wear a flowery fragrance, but more church-like, frankincense or something a priest would fling around in a ball. And her name is Kiara. Blonde hair the golden color of a summer’s sunset. Nice rack.” Harrison blinked. “Small waist, vice-like thighs, and long narrow hands. Her eyes were green, not like our berets, but like a lake with sun shining in the outer edges. Aside from the determination to...her face was shaped like a heart, complete with blushing cheeks. She was gorgeous.”
Basil’s enormous grin widened, exhibiting his crooked teeth. “Sounds exactly like the blow-up doll we put in Jay’s bed on his birthday.” The teeth disappeared as he squinted. “That was three months ago. Good timing for your dream angel, don’t you think?”
Doubtful. Harrison had touched Kiara’s soft glittering skin and felt her fast heartbeat as she squirmed on top of him. Heat radiated from between her thighs. Her facial expression went from fierce determination to lust and finally resignation. In those few moments, he experienced a life altering change, like those joyful Bible-clutchers; bright happiness flowed through him.
“Harry?” Basil’s smile changed to a frown as he waited. He would expect a sane answer and Harrison couldn’t provide one.
“Maybe.” Harrison put his heavy military coat on one arm at a time, just like before his injury. “Basil, don’t you find it strange our recon was counter attacked?”
“Happens. Remember Iraq? We landed in nowhere and were blind-sided by rebels. We had a new view of unconventional warfare.” Basil grinned. “Ah, that was fun.” His face darkened. “Except we didn’t lose anyone in that skirmish.”
An attempt at smiling caused Harrison’s head to throb, pounding into his eyes. “Used our wits, but I hated hiding on the sides of rank camels.”
“We rode into the sunset and it was beautiful.” Basil laughed.
“But this is the first time we lost members from our squad. Did they have a service for Patrick? ” Harrison rubbed his forehead. Catching the bandage, he tore it off.
Patrick Washburn was one of their own. Harrison had been told by the other squad members, who came to visit, how the youngster had fallen a couple of feet beyond him. He remembered seeing Patrick tossed onto a white horse. Kiara rode with him into the sky. God, he must have been hallucinating. He did deserve to be relieved from active duty.
With a loud exhale, Basil shut his eyes. “Yeah. Sorry man, you missed it during the great sleep.” He sat up and stared at Harrison, enough to make him question his sanity. Had he fully lost his ability to think?
“Did you hear talk of a set-up?”
“I didn’t overhear any conversations regarding prior intel about the mission, if that’s what you’re asking. Except for Wilson, who’s on leave, I talked to the guys. To make you happy, I’ll check around again.” His cajoling tone didn’t reassure Harrison.
“Be careful how you ask questions. Something’s not right.” Harrison pulled an ear lobe.
“I see.” Basil nodded.
“Did you hear anything unusual during the attack?” Harrison had to know what happened.
“I didn’t catch any of the Koreans talking of a prior warning. Of course, within minutes I concentrated on defense. The invaders were everywhere.” Basil squinted, as if trying to remember. “I don’t think anything was out of the normal.”
Basil would have picked up on any obscure dialect, far above what the rest of the squad would have because of his advanced linguistics. However, he couldn’t have been everywhere. “How did a British-slash-North Carolina lad get so acquainted with Korean dialects anyway?”
“I spent time at the border, learning from the locals.” He winked as if to say women taught him everything worth knowing. “Look man, you’re just stressed because of our loss.” He nodded toward the wound. “And from being shot.”
“You know I was number one at Operation Raider Spirit so stress, especially in battle, doesn’t faze me.” Harrison cricked his neck from side to side. “Watch your back on the next mission. I hate to use the word traitor, but something doesn’t feel right.”
Basil jumped from the bed, grabbed a bag and gently pushed Harrison’s right shoulder. “Your noggin got a crease, buddy, and nothing’s going to feel right for a while. We’re an elite force, Harry, all of us work close together and we must trust each other.” He put his cap back on. “Always faithful, always forward.”
“Swift, silent, deadly,” Harrison replied, finishing the motto.
“Captain. Your car is here,” an alto voice called from behind them.
Basil tapped Harrison’s shoulder, like men do when they want to console, with a firm press and gentle shove. “Time to go.”
The hand press was reassuring and supportive, but Harrison questioned the outcome of battle. Had one or more of his brothers-at-arms betrayed the squad? “Promise me you’ll be vigilant?”
A wicked smile formed. “I think that was the name of the blonde at Yarger’s party. Vigilant.”
Chapter 5
“Kiara,” Odin said. Although his tone was soft, anger vibrated off the pillars supporting the roof of the dome in the auditorium. “You’ll explain this…” He held her under drawers to his nose then furled the silk camouflage fabric into his fist. “Thing.”
His eyes held a mix of pleasure and anger. A Valkyrie was renowned for strength, fortitude and fearlessness. To show fear would go against all of those values. Putting on a brave face came easy. Now, if she could only stop her knees from trembling? Good thing the long cloak fell to her ankles. With a hard swallow, she steadied her voice. “My lord, I believe if we create apparel that will blend into the surroundings, we are less likely to join the ranks of the Grim Reaper’s army in the underworld like some of our sisters.”
A collective intake of breaths made Kiara shudder. Her knees turned to jelly so she pressed a palm against the nearest pillar, making the stance appear relaxed as if she wasn’t threatened by the interrogation. The rough surface grated her fingertips, giving her a touch of reality. He was a God. He could turn her to dust exactly where she stood. No, her will was strong and she’d stand by her principles.
“Explain.” Odin didn’t bellow. A less experienced Valkyrie would breathe a sigh of relief, but not her. His soft-low tone instead of his usual boom indicated something big.
She glanced around the room. Many of her friends had worried frowns. Possible recruits had joyful expressions, no doubt hoping she’d be exiled and they’d be the lucky one to take her place. Einherjars by the thousands continued to eat and drink, uncaring about the scenario on the main stage.
Kiara flung her shoulders back, kinked her neck and strode deep into a grouping of fir trees to her right. Sliding behind the thic
k branches she asked, “Do you clearly see me?”
Using the top of the solid green cloak, she covered her face, hoping she could convince them, sway him. A change had to occur so she wouldn’t lose more of her squad members to an evil enemy. Above all else, she wanted to remain a Valkyrie. Her stomach twisted at the thought of the possible exile. She wished Skogul hadn’t put the idea into her mind. Harrison. Kiara would never see him again.
She shed the lamb’s wool and slid a few feet to be in front of the waterfall. A step back, hopefully she’d blend into the silver glimmering flow. “Do you see me now?”
Odin’s short blond beard touched his chest as his mouth dropped open. Kiara was certain it wasn’t everyday a fairly new First Squad Valkyrie shield-bearer exposed her nearly naked body inside a room filled with thousands of Einherjars and their overlord.
Quick, say something. “I’m not afraid, nor have I ever feared going into battle. I’m prepared to defend your honor and protect my lord with my last breath. However, you have clever enemies. The lesser gods are not opposed to playing possum or becoming chameleons in an attempt to take your force. I believe, and I’m sure you do too, the time is right to fight fire with fire. I propose adapting the current century’s battle strategies and use the resources available. No more Valkyrie women should succumb to that horrible fate.”
Like a tidal wave, loud gasps travelled through the ranks. Even the warriors paused, putting their drinks down. A few sentinels stood, as if ready to attack and pin her to a pillar of shame. She could smell burning flesh already. Skogul drew her small belt knife from its sheath at her side and moved to the edge of the group closer to Kiara. Odin loosened the hair, tied at the nape of his neck, with his long thick fingers.
Not good. Kiara blew a pent-up breath and mentally prepared to be exiled from Valhalla. Where would she go? Her heart ached and pain tightened her chest, but she continued to exhale through her nose in order to keep the panic at bay. No one had ever been tossed from the golden land as far as she knew. Her big mouth, why couldn’t she have kept it shut?
Kiara’s discarded cloak fell onto her shoulders. Although her gaze had never left Odin’s, she knew Göndul, by the pungent orange aroma, had placed the covering on her back. With trembling fingers, Kiara latched the silk thong to the gold medallion clasp. She circled the round edge with her fingers, imprinting the scrolls, snakes and dragons.
His emotionless expression stirred cold snakes in her stomach, but a morsel of intrigue appeared when he shoved the blond strand behind a flawless ear. Odin never, absolutely never, showed trepidation. He was the most feared God of all. Einherjars practically gave their lives in battle in order to join his force. Yet, his eyes were lowered and his fingers fluttered like a raven’s wings. “Kiara.”
Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She couldn’t wet the path for words. At his sharp glare, she coughed to get some lubricating fluid elevated. “Yes, my lord.”
“You were my choice among hundreds of shield-bearers. Your abilities during training were more than impressive. Your diligence and courage on the battlefield, incomparable. I had set goals for you, as a captain of your own squad,” he paused and leveled his eyes with hers, “but now…”
The verbal punch to her stomach left her windless. There shouldn’t be a but. Set goals. She shook her head in denial. “One minor infraction. Perhaps, if you’d give a Valkyrie of the first squad another chance? I wanted to help. To make our defenses better.” Her stomach continued to clutch in agony and her knees wouldn’t lock in place but wobbled like a drunk walking the lane. “I want to make sure all of us join you and win the top honor at Ragnarok. No more sisters lost. We witnessed the abduction of my friend, Malare, who had been by my side since nappies. I encouraged her to kiss her first mate. We dreamed of becoming captains. We promised to guard each other’s backs. I loved Malare, like a sister. We shared stories of our battles over mead.” Her mind told her to quit rambling.
Words, merely words barely inhabiting the air, but he’d heard them. His eyes clouded. He turned to Göndul and nodded.
“I’ll find you.” Skogul’s soft whisper pushed into Kiara’s thoughts.
Kiara gave a slight nod in affirmation and kept her stare on Odin, trying to interpret his words to Göndul. Her nails bit into her cloak as Odin stood. She told herself if he walked toward her, he’d forgiven the transgression.
He didn’t. Instead he turned his back to her and raised his head toward the ceiling decorated in richly painted battle scenes. “Kiara, it saddens me.”
Thousands of people sharply drawing their breaths sounded like the whoosh of a tornado. Her lungs froze, preventing her from breathing. Honor, she’d maintain dignity while leaving. If nothing else, she’d saved the life of a human and her principles remained intact. Even if her heart was cracking into tiny shards of crystalized glass.
“Come closer.”
A flip of her cloak and she covertly wiped her face of tears. Back straight, she gained control. At the very least she hoped to give such impression. In addition to the assertive move, she took measured steps to be nose to nose with Odin. Never had she dared this closeness to someone of such power. What did she have to lose? By tilting her head back she gazed into his face. Disappointment and curiosity rippled across his turquoise eyes before he blinked and anger sparked.
She fell onto her knees, her shroud floating like a fallen flag behind her. As much as she regretted it, her chest heaved with unleashed howls of misery.
“I am a fair and just ruler, correct?” he bellowed.
Laud, from Kiara’s peripheral vision she caught sight of the crowd of nods.
“Kiara?”
Head lowered, chin touching her chest, she forced her voice to be strong. “Yes, my lord.”
His heavy hands closed around her head. “You had honorable intentions, did you not?”
She jerked her head upward as much as his strong hold allowed. The frosty stare he cast her didn’t give a clue. His glance, though, seemed to focus somewhere into the distance.
Her tense neck muscles tightened, heart stopped. She lowered her eyes again. “Yes, my lord.”
Releasing her, he folded his hands on top of the royal scepter which had magically appeared in front of him. The rubies and diamonds glowed, sending incredible flickers of light into the room. She’d only seen the scepter one other time, when Thor had been visiting. Her heart pounded, hard enough to vibrate into her ears. Thor had disappeared into thin air on the very spot where she kneeled.
“Your mission, to secure troops in preparation for Ragnarok, should be first on your mind, correct?” His tone softened an octave, the eighth probably only noticed by Kiara and her wishful thinking.
That stupid organ behind her chest beat so fast her breasts raised and lowered. Horse dung. This wasn’t going well. “Yes, sir.”
“As it should be. Considering recent events I find it necessary to give you a chance to reevaluate where your loyalties lie and reconsider your obligations.”
Relief flowed through her, releasing her tense muscles. “Thank you, Your Excellency, I’m not worthy of your grace.”
He laid his hand on the side of her face and spoke low as if for her ears only. “Five days as a human should provide you a clear viewpoint. At the end of your banishment, you’ll have a choice to make. Don’t disappoint me.”
Odin lifted his rod. Kiara tried to anticipate what would happen next, but at the flash of light coming from his staff she closed her eyes—with no desire to see what was coming. Strange pricks like bits of straw poking every inch of her skin shot through her body. Unbalanced, she wobbled. Heavy breaths filled her lungs, hurting her throat from the intake. She reached out trying to grasp something to cling to, but not touching anything. Finally her feet hit a solid floor.
Slowly she pried her eyes open and braced her hand on the closest wallboard. Her body quickly adjusted to the rush of raw emotions, the strange scents and the frightening changes in her system. She smelled
everything around her, aromas she couldn’t identify. Her arms felt heavy, and her legs seemed to lack strength.
She stood in a warm hallway with three doors on the right and three to the left. Pivoting, she glanced toward music filtering from a staircase. Tuning into noises, she sorted the odd fast beat from other sounds—people, talking and laughter.
Odin had said something about being human, but the spin he sent her through had muffled his last words. Where had he sent her?
“Nice dress. Gaga fan?” Her words seemed to run together.
Kiara glanced toward the female voice. Short blonde hair, round face, sparkling blue eyes, a dark green dress which dragged along the floor. What was a gagafan? The way the tiny person was staring meant it must be important. Damn, Odin had humanized her. Without powers, her strength was reduced, and he impaired her ability to see into others’ minds. She’d have to answer the question in some way. “Are you?”
“God yes. She is a fashion icon.” She held out her glass. “Here, you look like you need this more than me.”
Kiara stared at the golden liquid as it sloshed from side to side. “Thank you.” She accepted the chalice. Pungent wine filtered into her nostrils, stronger than any mead she’d had before.
“Nice party, right? If only the guest of honor would honor us with his presence. I’ve heard he’s a hottie.” The girl rearranged her bosom, shifting them right, left and finally pushing them up.
Where the hell had she landed? What kind of lesson could Odin possibly want her to learn by sending her here? “The guest of honor? I haven’t met him.”
“I know, right? I’m going to track him down. The marriage mart is slim, and I’m determined to catch a groom.” She took hold of the untouched wine, slid to the right and continued along the hallway.
Good luck. If the girl child had to keep reminding herself which direction to turn, she wasn’t going to find the groom regardless how big the horse barn.
Kiara glanced around the corridor as the elf skipped down the stairs. There wasn’t visible evidence of additional life in the narrow confines. She had a choice, follow the girl or knock on the door in front of her. She exhaled, feeling hot breath leave her mouth. Her toes had stopped tingling, but her heart continued its erratic beat. One fist pressed to the cool wood. What if behind the door was the underworld? Fire-breathing dragons quickly entered her thoughts. Her hand fell to the doorknob. If she opened the door would she fall into Hades’ pit?