Lightning Seeker: Viking Soul Book 2 (Viking Soul Series)

by Rachel Medhurst

  “Let me go,” she pleaded.

  “Chloe!” My tone was demanding, something she could not ignore. “Sit down.”

  Her shoulders sunk as she turned to face me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. For so long she had held in all her emotions…and it looked like it was about to all come tumbling out.

  “Let’s go to my club. A change of scenery may help,” Jack said, putting an arm around Chloe.

  She nodded quickly, ready to escape the house. Reluctantly, I agreed, frowning when she put the journal on the kitchen counter and picked up her leather jacket.

  “I can’t take that with me,” she said, gesturing to the book. “It’s too dangerous.”

  It was getting more and more cryptic. A journal, one with a pattern in the leather that matched the engraved pattern in Rusty’s dog whistle. What did it mean? And, who the hell was making up bollocks about Odin? Today was going to be a day of answers, I could feel it in my bones. Even if I had to break some other people’s bones, I would find out just what it was all about.

  3

  Releasing the Need

  “IS YOUR CLUB OPEN during the day?” Chloe asked as we went into the private entrance.

  Jack nodded, a grin spreading on his face. “It’s open most of the time, lovely. People are drawn to the…beauty of the place.”

  He opened the inner door, leading us into the main room. The dim neon lights made it feel like we had just stepped into the night. A few people were dotted around the dance floor, completely lost in their own world of drugs and fantasy. Another group of people were crammed in a booth, laughing and drinking.

  Chloe paused, staring straight at one of the humans who laughed with her friends. “That’s…”

  I grabbed her hand as she went to step towards the famous person. It would do no good for us to mingle with the rich and famous. And, the woman would certainly not appreciate Chloe being a fangirl.

  “Leave her,” I ordered, leading her towards a different booth as Jack gestured to the barman to bring drinks.

  Chloe kept looking over her shoulder as she moved along with me. I managed to get her to a booth far away enough for her not to be able to see the others. Making sure I sat on the side that meant I could see everyone from all angles, I waited for Jack as he went over to speak to a pretty woman.

  “That’ll be his new American employee.” I stopped speaking when he brought her over.

  The woman looked at us both, her eyes widening when they landed on Chloe. “Hello, my name’s Serenity.”

  “Of course it is,” I muttered, grunting when Jack threw his elbow into my arm.

  “I know what you’re getting at, but I’m not offended.” I could see the appeal for Jack.

  Serenity wore tight, leather clothes and painted her face with dark makeup. Her tattoo’s covered her arms, right up onto the shoulder. If she wasn’t gay, she would be Jack’s ideal woman. Someone he would probably consider marrying.

  “I love this tattoo,” Chloe said, reaching out and tracing a butterfly.

  The contact made Serenity grin like a maniac. She gestured for Chloe to budge up so she could sit next to her and talk. What had happened to our own little chat? Somehow it was always stalled.

  Resisting the urge to growl my frustration, I decided to take Jack up on his offer to see to a need of my own.

  “Wait with them for a moment, will you?” I asked, ready to go on the hunt.

  My friend knew me well. If he didn’t let me do what I needed to do, I would be hounding them to tell me about the journal before going on a rampage to seek answers from Martin. He was stupid if he thought I wouldn’t do that anyway, but it was best to release some of the tension.

  “Go.” Jack lowered himself into the booth opposite the girls as they chatted.

  It was pretty obvious that he wouldn’t get a look in. The last thing I heard before the music blocked out their voices was him asking for a threesome and getting a less than positive reply.

  Prowling came a little too easy for me. The handful of people on the dance floor glanced at me as I wandered across the sticky floor. There was something about a challenge that drew me away from those people and towards the booth Chloe had been so interested in. The group of people were still drinking noisily, downing shots.

  “Who do we have here, then?” one man said as I approached.

  Leaning against the side of the booth, I smiled down at the famous woman. She was on one of those reality television shows. I never watched programmes, but I had seen her face somewhere. She was pretty, her small mouth painted a pale pink. The fake eyelashes fluttered up at me as my gaze bore into her.

  “Join us,” she said, laughing when one of her female friends nudged her.

  Raising my eyebrows at the man next to her, I smirked when he reluctantly got up from his seat to let me slid in. Brushing my thigh against hers, I leant closer to whisper in her ear.

  “I’m Trygger, what’s your name?”

  Her eyes sparkled as she looked at me, her cheeks glowing slightly when she noticed my gaze drop to the plunge-line of her dress. Her cleavage was natural looking, which was unusual…and impressive.

  “I’m…”

  “No, don’t tell me,” I interrupted her.

  She frowned, her eyes widening when I reached for her hand and visibly checked for a wedding ring.

  “She’s single.” Another friend sat giggling at us.

  The woman’s breathing deepened when I grinned. The soft rise and fall of her chest made me want to reach out and run a finger down the plump curve of her breast. I had never bedded a celebrity before. Not in all my thousand years. I had always been put off the idea of getting caught in the spotlight.

  Today was different. Something in me felt a little reckless. A little less worried about getting caught. Sometimes I needed to do something for me. Okay, that was quite an understatement, maybe it was because Chloe was so interested in the woman, it made it more exciting for some reason.

  “Shall we…?” She gestured to the exit of the booth.

  Immediately picking up on her invitation, I poked the man who had sat back down next to me, asking him to move. He did, scowling to himself as we climbed out of the booth and left the catcalls behind. Taking her hand, I led her towards the corridor that went to Jack’s office. He wouldn’t mind me using it for some privacy.

  “That tattoo, it reminds me of a similar shape I’ve seen,” the woman said as we went through the door and towards the office.

  Squeezing her fingers slightly, I looked down at her, staring into her eyes. She blinked, unable to keep the intense stare. Her green eyes were flecked with tiny bits of gold. Who she was didn’t matter to me. Should I care more about that?

  I was about to question myself when she ran a hand up my chest and around the back of my neck. Tugging on my hair, she pulled my head down. Her lips met mine in a mess of heat and desire. It pulsed from her into me. It seemed that she had a need too.

  “I never do this, but there’s something about you…I need…”

  Smiling, I backed her into the office. She came willingly, a wicked grin stretching her cute painted lips. Was my darkness a drug to women? Was that the only reason I had managed to have my way with so many?

  Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I cursed Chloe in my mind. My apprentice had obviously poked my conscience awake. I would prove her wrong. Everyone had something to offer. And, this woman wanted to give me herself. And, I would give her the time of her life.

  “Ah, a sex swing. I’ve always wanted to try one of those.”

  Jack’s face came into my head, but I quickly shoved it away. He wouldn’t mind if I borrowed the thing. He had bragged about it. Time to put it to the test.

  “Well, now’s your chance…if you’re up for it?” I dug my fingers into the back of her hair, bending to kiss her again.

  She nodded when I released her mouth, taking my hand and dragging me to the contraption that swung from the ceiling. Grabbing my jeans, she undid t
he button and tried to shove them off me. Taking her hands, I pulled her away, reaching for her clothes first.

  Shaking her head, she shook me off, going to grab me again. I stepped back, out of reach. My breath was heavy as I watched her. Her face straightened, the spark in her eyes dulling.

  “I like being in control,” I said.

  Clearing her throat, she licked her lips. “I also like to be in control.”

  My heartbeat sped up. I had never met a woman who didn’t just let me take her at my own pace. Which was pretty fast, hard and disconnected. The skin on my arms heated as she ran her gaze down my whole body, lingering on my crotch. Could I give up control for just a moment?

  “Get in the swing,” she ordered, pointing at the leather.

  Nope, a thousand years was too long for a pattern to be broken that quickly. It would take a lot more than a celebrity to bring me to my knees in surrender. “Not today, lovely. If you want to do this, you’ll give in to me.”

  The hesitation was apparent. I had thought she just wanted a quick bit of fun. I didn’t actually have time to play dominatrix with her. She would have to find some other man for that. One who would happily give up control.

  “Okay,” she breathed.

  Reaching for her top, she started to undress. I watched her, my greedy eyes drinking in her perfect figure. My mind went blank as I focused on the end goal. Release. It was always about letting go for a few seconds. And, then bringing myself back to control.

  Walking forward when she was completely naked, I backed her to the swing. She sat willingly, her big eyed gaze sending heat down my spine as it connected to mine. Lifting her by the waist, I settled her comfortably, her legs spread enticingly.

  “I’ve never seen you in here before,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

  Was the beauty less confident than she made out? Going to my knees, I ignored her question and set to work tasting her. The pleasure built in her quickly. If one thing in a thousand years had taught me something, most women liked a man who knew how to use his tongue.

  “Wow, how did you do that?” She panted as I got to my feet and pulled my trousers down.

  Stepping out of one leg, I moved forward, raising my eyebrows in question. There was no talking, no dragging it out. I had warmed her up, it was time to finish the job. Her throat bobbed where she swallowed.

  Leaning down, I licked her skin, grimacing when perfume layered my taste buds. Sticking my tongue into her mouth to get rid of the horrible fake fragrance, I checked if she was ready for me. When I pulled away, I looked into her eyes, waiting for her consent.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered, trying to reach for me.

  The swing made it hard for her to touch me. I liked that. Standing straight, I pulled the swing up so our pelvises were in line. Squeezing the flesh on her stomach, I moved into her, ready to take what I needed.

  She instantly tried to wrap her legs around my hips, but she was hindered. I liked the sex swing, it gave me absolute control. I smiled when she threw her head back and groaned. She had been completely ready for me.

  She gritted her teeth, her fingers touching her breasts in lieu of not being able to grab me. I watched as my body tingled, ready to really lose it. Luckily, I didn’t need to wait for her. She was right there, waiting to explode with me. Which she did. “I like it quick sometimes,” she muttered, her breath rushing in and out of her as I stepped away.

  Adjusting myself before I pulled up my jeans, I slowly evened my breath, bringing it back to normal. The pleasure that had rocked through me vibrated through my body. Taking a deep breath when I was ready, I helped her off the swing. She laced her hands around the back of my neck and brought my head down for a sweet kiss.

  I allowed her to hug me close, unsure why I hadn’t pushed her away instantly, as was my usual response. Her nose buried into my chest, her hands stroking my back. Taking her arms, I pulled her off me, kissing the tip of her nose as a distraction.

  Moving to Jack’s desk, I dug into his drawer for a bottle of whiskey. When I found one, I smiled, waving it at her. She grinned back as she got dressed, her clothes covering the luscious curves of her body. I was going to allow myself one drink and five minutes of revelling in the feeling of release before I got back to work.

  The door opened, revealing Chloe. She froze when she saw the woman she had admired pulling her dress over her head. Her gaze shot to me, her eyes widening.

  “Well, I’m sorry for interrupting your…clandestine tryst.” She crossed her arms over her chest, frowning at the celebrity as she tugged her dress into place.

  “I know you’re old, but those words are no longer used. Get with the times.” I unscrewed the bottle, only mildly pissed that I wouldn’t get to enjoy my drink and the woman’s beauty in peace.

  “She’s not old.”

  Chloe came into the room, screwing her nose up as she did. The smell of sex and sweat was probably already soaked into the pores of the room. Jack was a man of insatiable lust. Someone who explored the world of sex with wild abandon. I had never been tempted to copy, always too consumed with my mission.

  Taking a long swig of the whiskey, I offered the bottle to my celebrity fuck. She came over, took the bottle and did the same. Handing it back to me, she tapped her long fake nail on the end of my nose and then started towards the door. The woman was a charmer. I liked her.

  Chloe stepped aside as the woman smiled at her kindly, slipping past without saying anything. Sitting at Jack’s desk, I drank another mouthful of whiskey and ignored Chloe as she came to sit opposite me.

  “I can’t believe you just…”

  “Shagged the celebrity you were gawping over? Don’t worry, there’s no need to be jealous.” I frowned at myself, unsure where that sentiment had come from.

  Chloe barked a laugh. “Don’t panic, two-minute wonder, I’m not.”

  Her little jab made me bite the inside of my mouth to stop from smiling. She had no idea why I was so quick when I had sex with someone. And, it wasn’t something I was prepared to share with her.

  “We need to go and see Martin,” I said, giving up on my idea of a tiny moment of peace to enjoy post-coital bliss.

  Chloe glanced at the sex swing, her eyes widening as she shook her head and faced me again. “Yes, we do. Although, I’m not sure it’s a good idea that I go in.”

  Waiting for her to go on, I kept my fingers wrapped around the whiskey bottle. I hated people who baited me to try and get me to ask them why. If she had something to say, she would.

  Eventually, she rolled her eyes, knowing exactly why I hadn’t spoken. “Martin was the one who gave me the journal when I very first came into Loki’s modern family.”

  4

  Tale of Odin’s Tale

  MY FISTS HAD STAYED by my side from the moment I left the club. Chloe was lucky I didn’t hold her against the wall by the throat and demand that she tell me everything. I was done being nice to her. She had kept too much hidden for too long. And, there I was, turning soft to try to make her trust me enough to tell me herself. It hadn’t worked.

  “Why didn’t she tell you how Martin came to give her that journal? And, why didn’t she mention it before?”

  Jack walked beside me, his steps quick as my strides took us away from the river, towards the art gallery.

  “She said she didn’t know who he was. He approached her when she was out shopping one day. Giving her the journal, he said that he was a friend and wanted to help. Then he told her his name and disappeared.”

  Gritting my teeth, I resisted the urge to thrust my way through the crowd of people walking on the pavement. London city was a hive for tourists. Slow tourists. Daytime strolls were not my thing.

  Jack gripped my arm as I was about to knock someone flying. “Careful there, Thunder-”

  “Don’t call me that,” I snapped.

  Why Jack had decided to start calling me that again, I had no idea. But, the name was too known. A dark creature may be able to tell who
I was by smell or my face, but a lot of humans knew my name. The legend of Thunder Hunter anyway. Certainly those who hung around with the likes of Jack.

  “What’s got you so riled up? I thought you just released all that tension.”

  Ignoring him, I crossed the road without warning. A car beeped as I hopped onto the pavement in front of the art gallery. Jack joined me a moment later, his breath huffing.

  “You almost killed me.”

  “How?” I asked, waving away his pathetic blame.

  He grumbled, running a hand over his floppy hair to try and smooth it down. “I tried to follow you, but I wasn’t quick enough. Anyway, forget that. What’s the plan?”

  Reaching for the gun in the back of my jeans, I tucked it into my jacket pocket. Jack looked around us to check that no one had seen. The CCTV probably picked it up, but I wasn’t worried about that. I had a feeling Martin would be happy to see us. It was time for some answers.

  “I’m going to kill him before he can kill me.” Pushing through the door, I left Jack trailing after me.

  He called my name as I rushed through the gallery, towards the lift that went up to Martin’s office. There were a couple of people lingering around the paintings, murmuring between themselves.

  “Trygger, it’s good to see you.”

  Martin’s voice carried from my left. Turning, I spotted him sitting at a table in the café, his daughter sat opposite him, sipping from a mug. Waving me over, he pointed for us to join them. Jack bumped into my back as he caught up, only seeing the owner when he looked to where I stared.

  “Martin! Good to see you, mate,” he said, wrapping his fingers in my leather jacket and tugging me towards them.

  I went, ignoring those around us as I watched the father and daughter pair. They had worked together to get us to do their dirty work. Well, technically, they had helped by giving me the address of the Fallen One, but I wasn’t going to acknowledge that right now.

  “Hello, there.” The daughter winked at me as I sat next to her, facing her father.