Joshua_Einherjar_A Dead Radiance Companion Novel

by T. G. Ayer

  Aimee sighed and turned on her heel, stalking over to her cot where her steaming plate of food sat waiting.

  She attacked the meal with the same vehemence that she’d bestowed upon Aidan and Joshua could only smile.

  For a girl who looked so fragile, she was as fierce as a tiger.

  Chapter 10

  Another day passed, and Joshua had risen and taken a walk around the hall. Or at least that’s what’d intended to do. Instead, he found himself walking for what seemed like far too long. He’d passed the dining area where rows of wooden tables and benches were laid out. The tables were usually half filled with warriors as they came and went, no set time for meals from what he’d seen so far.

  Joshua had since learned that the warriors trained out on the fields in sessions. And not only did they train, but they joined the valkyries on various missions to Midgard. Which was Earth in English.

  Yeah, that took some getting used to.

  Joshua stopped walking. The hall seemed to go on endlessly, and he let out a frustrated breath. He paused and turned around, and almost walked right into one of the huldra.

  “How may I help you, einherjar Joshua?” she asked, her smile wide and cheerful.

  Surprised at her respectful greeting, and at her cheer, Joshua paused for a moment. Then he cleared his throat and looked around him. “I was going for a walk, but there doesn’t seem to be an end to the corridor.”

  The huldra nodded and bobbed at the same time, her black eyes sparkling. “This is Valhalla. It is ancient and everlasting as it had to hold thousands of warriors. There is a magic in the hall that takes you where you want to go.”

  Joshua’s forehead wrinkled. “And it won’t take you anywhere that you are not meant to go. I see.”

  “No, you misunderstand. It will take you anywhere as long as you know where you want to go. No part of Valhalla is forbidden as this is a home for all warriors. It is perhaps too early for you to know this place well enough, but in time you will learn where to go, and the hall will take you there.”

  Joshua was impressed—and more than a little fascinated—and he thanked the huldra and headed back to his cot. Aimee had returned from her bath and was talking to another warrior, a dark-haired man in his mid-thirties who looked a little ill.

  Joshua sat on his cot and then settled back down, staring up at the eaves above, thinking about Brody and his progress.

  Neither Aimee nor Joshua had had any updates on the boy’s progress and they’d both begun to worry.

  What he wouldn’t have given for a book to read to get his mind off things.

  Just then a trio of huldra drew closer and began to set up a couple of tables beside the beds. Joshua barely paid attention as it was a regular thing, and he’d found that the tails were a little disconcerting, so he was better off looking away than ending up getting caught staring.

  Because who wouldn’t stare? Tails? Right?

  One of the huldra took a bowl and a mug toward Aidan, but Joshua continued to stare at the eaves. He didn’t pay any attention until the huldra spoke.

  “Hello, Aidan,” she said in Bryn’s voice.

  Joshua glanced over, and his eyes widened as he stared at the girl. Bryn leaned over Aidan, her red hair falling forward in a curtain to hide her face. She was dressed in the same long, voluminous dress that the serving women wore. And she had a tail.

  What the hell was going on?

  Even Aidan was confused. Joshua could tell that the guy believed he was imagining her—if the disbelief on his face was anything to go by. Then Aidan shook his head slightly and said, “Bryn?”

  Joshua watched from the corner of his eye as Aidan boosted slowly to sit up. The expression on his face struck Joshua deep in his heart, and he didn’t dare to check if Aimee had realized what was going on.

  “Is it really you?” Aidan asked, leaning toward Bryn.

  Bryn nodded, her hair shimmering in the firelight cast from the fireplace beyond her. “Keep your voice low. I’m not really allowed to see you until you are better.”

  “What happened to me?” Joshua frowned as he watched Aidan touch his forehead where the bullet-wound had been, his expression one of confusion. “My head . . . I know I hurt my head. It’s still sore to touch, right here. I thought I was dreaming.”

  What the…. Joshua wasn’t sure if he should be angry or amused.

  “You called Ms. Custer,” said Bryn, her tone urgent now, as if she wanted Aidan to remember something.

  “Oh yes. Something happened at her place after you disappeared. I wanted to apologize to her, to make sure she knew it wasn’t my doing. She was so angry, like she thought I’d had something to do with your disappearance.”

  Joshua wondered if he should intervene. It was obvious that Aidan was fatigued, but that didn’t stop him from smudging the truth—for god knows what reason.

  “What happened?” Bryn asked, her voice reminding Joshua that somehow—some crazy somehow—she was really there in Valhalla, standing not five feet from him.

  “I’m not too clear on that,” replied Aidan, his expression mournful. Was he still acting or was this going to be the bar truth? Joshua listened as the guy continued, “I went to Craven. I remember hiding out in the bushes outside Ms. Custer’s house. Waiting for the right moment to go inside. I recall the blow to my head, then nothing.”

  Aidan pressed his temples, again.

  Major acting skills dude. Joshua shook his head. He hoped Aidan was lying to Bryn in order to protect her. Otherwise, he’d…he’d what? Joshua was powerless to do anything to help Bryn now, especially not since he was in Asgard, following a path that didn’t cross with hers.

  Aidan spoke again. “Wish I could remember what happened after that. Next thing I knew I was waking up here. Even this place seems like a dream, not to mention the fantastic stories they’ve been telling us. As if we would believe their crap. Probably a government experiment and they’ve turned us into zombies or something.”

  “You should believe it. It’s all true.”

  Aidan shook his head and stared at Bryn, but she kept talking.

  “You were killed,” Bryn said. “Whoever knocked you out outside Ms. Custer’s house dumped you at the reserve. That’s where we found you.”

  “We? You mean you found me?” Joshua’s heart tightened. If Bryn had been the one to find Aidan, had it put her in greater danger. But then, what was she doing here in Valhalla? That meant she was dead too, didn’t it?

  Aidan was staring at Bryn now, probably also wondering like Joshua, that what she was saying meant she was also dead.

  “Yes. I was just doing my job, so don’t get all excited about it.” Bryn sounded firmer now, and she set the bowl in Aidan’s hand and straightened. “I have to go. I need to speak to the others, and I don’t have much time.”

  Bryn looked over her shoulder in the direction of one of the serving women, a dark-haired slim figure who was still busy passing out food.

  Bryn glanced back at Aidan, her features harder now, as if she was blocking herself off from him. She took another mug from the table and came toward Joshua’s cot. He was surprised when she knelt beside him; her eyes filled with emotion as she stared at his face.

  He hesitated for a moment, not sure how to respond. And then he realized his mistake. Hurt and shame filled her face, and he knew she’d understood that he’d heard her conversation with Aidan. Joshua could see it clearly on her face; she had feelings for Aidan. And Joshua wasn’t sure yet how to handle that. And still, there were so many unanswered questions.

  But none of that mattered in this moment.

  Joshua smiled at Bryn, unable to keep his emotions closed off. He’d missed her, and he’s been so afraid for her. He shifted to sit upright and took the food from her. “Hello, Bryn. Are you okay?” he asked softly, studying her face.

  “Yes. I’m fine,” she said. Though she had tried to hide her feelings, Joshua had seen something in her eyes. Something that told him she was happy to see him
, but that she was troubled.

  And all he wanted to do was to help her.

  “And you? Are you getting better? Stronger?” she asked. Joshua nodded, aware that she’d redirected the conversation to him. “How do you feel about all of this?”

  He winked at her, the way he used to, and grinned. “Better than being dead.”

  Bryn smiled at that, and something dark flickered across her expression. Then she shifted on her feet and scanned the cots around them. Her eyes settled on Aimee, and she left Joshua to eat, taking Aimee’s food to her.

  Aimee took the bowl and mug and smiled at Bryn, and Joshua wondered what was going through her mind. “You here too?” Aimee asked.

  “Shocker isn’t it?” replied Bryn, her tone a little too light. “And I’m supposed to be the troublemaker.”

  “Well, you don’t live your life by the rules of people who think they know better. That’s definitely a good thing. This whole Valhalla thing . . . it’s strange. I never knew you could have female Warriors. The stories were always about men.”

  Joshua could see that Aimee was treading water with her conversation, staying on safe ground for the moment.

  “Yeah,” Bryn replied, “and some stories only ever said that our purpose was to bring the big strong Warriors their Mead. Ha! There’s more to our job than the world would dare to imagine.” She let out a soft laugh.

  Her words sank into Joshua’s mind, and he registered the meaning a half second before Aimee asked, “You’re a Valkyrie?”

  Bryn nodded. “Yeah, and I was as surprised as you are. I wish I could stay and talk, but I don’t have much time.”

  Joshua watched Aimee as she gave Bryn a smile that was decidedly less cheery. What was she thinking?

  Then Bryn stared around the infirmary again and asked, “Where’s Brody?”

  “He’s been taken to another room. Apparently, he needs a different kind of care. I thought that was strange too, but . . .” Joshua saw Aimee’s gaze flit to his as she lied to Bryn.

  But Bryn nodded, and spoke softly to Aimee. Joshua could hear her explaining to Aimee how Brody’s incarnation worked differently and why. But Joshua was confused as to why Aimee had allowed Bryn to believe she didn’t know anything about Brody. She even kept the act up, nodding and looking confused.

  Too many people were lying to Bryn today, and Joshua wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

  Then, after glancing over her shoulder for the second time, Bryn whispered to Aimee again.

  Aimee replied loud enough for Joshua to hear her. “Yeah, he woke up a few times, seemed confused. He asked for Ms. Custer and for you. I’m sorry, Bryn. I told him who was here, but I had no idea you were here too.”

  “Did they say where they were taking him?”

  Aimee shook her head, the muscles in her jaw tight now. Tears shimmered in her eyes and Joshua could tell how hard it was for her to talk about Brody.

  Bryn got to her feet and turned to leave, her gaze settling on Aidan. Pain flared in her eyes, and she swayed as though she was about to faint.

  “Bryn,” Joshua called out, about to get to his feet and go to her. “Are you okay?”

  But she merely nodded, all the while staring at Aidan.

  “Bryn, can we talk?” asked Aidan as he glanced over at her.

  Bryn didn’t answer, and instead shook her head and turned to Aimee. Joshua didn’t miss the flash of anger in her eyes, and his heart ached for her.

  “It’s time I left.” Bryn gave a brave smile that didn’t meet her eyes as she looked at Aimee and then at Joshua, hesitating as if she wanted to say something. Joshua had a suspicion that she’d have hugged them given the chance—she’d always been a hugger, even though people had thought she was cold and unfeeling.

  “I have no idea when I’ll be able to come and see you again. Sigrun took a huge chance bringing me here, and I don’t want to risk getting her in trouble. And with the procession tomorrow and the Choosing the next day, another visit won’t be possible until at least two days from now.”

  “What procession?” asked Joshua, curious now. He hadn’t heard of any procession.

  “Freya will arrive tomorrow morning, and there will be a procession through Asgard. She’ll be choosing her share of the Warriors for her own regiments.”

  “Will she take us too?” asked Aimee, frowning.

  “No. I don’t think so. You’ve only just arrived. With no training and so little strength, you’re not likely to be true Warrior material. No offense.” Joshua and Aimee both grinned at that. “I really have to go now. I will try to come again later in the week.”

  Joshua wanted to follow Bryn, still needing to talk to her about what had happened, about the night of the accident. But Aidan beat him to it, boosting to his feet a little too fast. He groaned and stilled for a moment then straightened, his expression determined as he followed after Bryn who was hurrying away in the direction of the kitchen.

  She’d just disappeared behind a gigantic pillar that hid the entrance to the kitchen when Aidan caught up to her and Joshua lost sight of the both of them.

  “You should go after them,” said Aimee from beside him. He turned his head to find her standing beside him, staring off after Bryn even though neither of them could see the pair any longer.

  “A lot changes when a person dies Aimee. You know that as much as I do.” Joshua sighed and turned his back to Bryn and Aidan. “I died, and then Aidan came into her life.”

  Aimee squinted as she studied Joshua’s face. He suspected she knew how he felt about Bryn but she didn’t say anything. Joshua took the opportunity and asked, “Why did you lie?”

  Aimee started at the question, then feigned ignorance. “What lie?”

  “Aimee,” Joshua said, a warning in his tone.

  She sighed and sank onto the cot beside him. “You heard Fenrir. He told us to keep it to ourselves. How did I know it was something she wasn’t meant to know? And when she revealed that she knew already it was too late to backtrack.” She sighed then shook her head. “But that isn’t important in the greater scheme of things. What is important is Aidan and his motherfluffin’ lies.”

  Joshua nodded, hiding a smile. “Yeah. Why did he lie to her? Why make all that up?”

  “Gotta say, he was pretty convincing.”

  Aimee snorted. “Thing is, he said all of that before he knew how well you knew her. I suspect you are in for some trouble with Aidan. You know he lied to Bryn. And now he knows you know.”

  Joshua laughed and patted Aimee on the shoulder. “Laying the melodrama a little thick, there, aren’t you?”

  Aimee shook her head. “I don’t think so. Don’t like the guy, don’t trust him either.”

  “I thought all girls like the bad boy biker type?”

  Aimee made a face. “Not the biker type I don’t like. It’s the fact that he’s a liar. I cannot tolerate people who lie and manipulate others.”

  Joshua gave Aimee’s shoulder a squeeze. “You’re a good egg, you know that?”

  “What the heck does that mean? Good egg?” she wrinkled her nose.

  Joshua laughed, for the moment forgetting his fears for Bryn. And deep down he knew that he wouldn’t relax until he knew she was okay.

  But right now there was little he could do about protecting Bryn. Especially not in his weakened state. And especially considering she was a valkyrie. Joshua had a suspicion that a valkyrie was far more powerful than the Eddas had ever implied. Maybe Bryn didn’t need his help after all. Not that it mattered though. He’d be there for her if she needed him.

  Right now, he had to focus on getting better, getting stronger, so he could embrace what it really meant to be an einherjar.

  And, he reminded himself that they had a procession to think about.

  Tomorrow morning Joshua was going to see a real live goddess.

  Chapter 11

  The next morning Joshua and the rest of the recovering warriors were awakened and taken to a small hall within the building
. A blond warrior stood at the front of the room, waiting patiently as the group filed inside, many shuffling in slowly considering some had only just awakened the previous night.

  “Feels like a classroom,” muttered Aimee as she led the way down the aisle to the second row.

  Long trestle tables were arranged in two columns with a path between them leading to the front of the room where the warrior stood, hands behind him as he looked the new recruits over.

  Aidan took a seat beside Joshua and shifted toward him. “Any idea what this is about?” he asked softly. He’d recovered a little more over the last day and seemed stronger now.

  Joshua shook his head, his eyes focused on the warrior up front waiting to address them. “I know about as much as you do.” Joshua knew that his tone was a little hard, but he couldn’t help it.

  It wasn’t jealousy. That much he knew. It was more the feeling of anger that someone would betray a person he cared for. Joshua knew he’d feel the same way if Aidan had betrayed Aimee or any of his friends for that matter.

  Aidan didn’t respond. Instead, he settled back, and as Joshua looked to his left, he caught Aimee’s eye. She’d been staring Aidan down, and Joshua hid a smile. The girl was ferocious.

  He’d known she’d had a protective streak—she’d saved his sorry ass from more than one school-ground beating after all—but here in Valhalla, her fury seemed to be built on strength. Or was it the other way around?

  “I’m Guido. And I want to thank you for coming,” the warrior said, waving a few stragglers inside. He spoke fast, as though he was impatient, but from his expression, he just appeared to be urgent, and concerned. “Usually this is not part of the process for the Choosing but unfortunately we are going have to ask you all to bear with us. There has been a request from Freya’s team that you all are present at the Choosing—which also happened to be today and not tomorrow which is what we had expected. I know many of you are still weak so we will do everything to ensure you are not too physically taxed. Those of you who feel you can walk may join the procession to the Great Hall. The rest of you will be taken via wheeled carts. We will have people available at the Hall to help you remove the heavy armor as soon as the Choosing is concluded. I apologize in advance. And please, if you any question or concerns, feel free to come to me at any time.”