Helga’s eyes skirted over the brothers as the Unnamed One kept on with her slashes. “You and your women must return with us to our home on Galdhøpiggen Mountain. There we will lure her. There she will meet her death.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” Naðr said.
“Then the MacLomains and their connections to women from the future will be at great risk and a remarkable timeline might very well be rewritten.”
All fell silent.
A chill raced up Veronica’s spine as her eyes went to Adlin. Somber, he wore a heavy frown as he stared at the table. Then she met Megan’s eyes. Though her expression was pained, she nodded.
“Let’s say they lose against Yrsa. What if there was another way?” Veronica said.
The Unnamed One’s head moved slightly in Veronica’s direction.
“What are you suggesting?” Helga said.
Call her a coward, but she couldn’t look at Raknar as she spoke. “All along it’s been about the king and his brothers maintaining this pact to help keep Torra MacLomain safe. What if my sisters and I could shoulder some of the responsibility?”
Naðr frowned heavily at Megan then Veronica, and she felt the weight of his stare like cement blocks on her shoulders. So she kept her eyes on Helga as she touched the satchel containing the cylinder. “What if Megan and I utilize the power of free-will the gods gave us with these…” She fingered the cylinder again, not daring to look at either Raknar or Naor when she made her final plea. “And choose to remain in the twenty-first century. What if we made a promise never to return allowing you to find three more women to fulfill the pact? Would that reset and re-strengthen this ancient magic you’re talking about?”
Naðr and Raknar muttered several curses. Or so she assumed because they came across as Norse not English. A little blip in the magic from the stones that kept swearing from their ears.
“Absolutely not,” Naðr growled. “I won’t lose them.”
“I’d rather rot in Loki’s hel than lose Veronica and her sisters,” Raknar agreed.
As Kol had yet to meet Amber, he surprised her when he said, “I refuse to lose Megan or Veronica…or their sister.”
Though all three continued to grumble, everyone else remained silent as Helga and Veronica kept staring at one another. At last the seer spoke. “You and your sister offer a great sacrifice to keep a clan you’ve never met safe.”
“Yes,” Veronica acknowledged. “Yet we’re not just doing it for the MacLomains but for the Sigdir brothers. If they can sacrifice to keep their descendants safe, then we can do the same to keep them safe.”
When the brothers started to protest, Helga shook her head sharply and they stopped. Everyone waited as the Unnamed One’s fingers hovered over the table. Veronica stopped breathing as she kept her eyes locked with Helga’s. Wind battered the thatching overhead. Fire crackled.
What seemed far too many moments later, the Unnamed One made one gentle slash.
“Yes,” Helga said softly. “We accept your offer.”
Before Naðr could argue, she continued. “You are laying claim to a serious commitment. If Yrsa is not defeated then the connections already forged between you, your sister and the Sigdir brothers will cease to exist. You will not remember them and they will not remember you. Bifröst, the Rainbow Bridge, will cease to connect any of you through time or memory.”
Helga and the Unnamed One placed their hands side by side, palm down on the table and slid them toward Veronica and Megan. “Each of you put a hand on the table as we have and slide them until our fingertips connect. This will seal your pact with us.”
“No,” the brothers roared at the same time but when Helga flung up a hand all suddenly seemed unable to move let alone speak.
Veronica’s gaze went from Naðr to Kol before ending up on Raknar. She had never seen such pain in his eyes and suspected he saw the same in hers. She squeezed his hand and whispered, “I’m so sorry, but I have to do this. For you. And them.”
She closed her eyes to the torture in his gaze and opened them to Helga as she placed her hand on the table and slid it until it connected with theirs.
Meanwhile, Megan was cupping Naðr’s cheek and whispering something in his ear. By the looks of it, he was furious at her words, at the whole damn thing. Megan brushed her lips over his, eyes wet as she slid her hand until it touched theirs.
Their hands glowed for a second and a strange chill ran over her.
“Our pact is sealed,” Helga announced as she and her sister pulled their hands away.
That, it seemed, freed the brothers and all three rose abruptly. Equally furious, Raknar started pacing, shooting off several more disgusted words in Norse. Kol took a long swig from his skin and stood in front of the fire, brooding. Naðr flung away his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and glared at anyone willing to meet his confrontational eyes.
Megan braced her forehead in her hands and Veronica stared at the table.
Helga and the Unnamed One stood. “We leave for Galdhøpiggen soon. Be ready.”
When they left, Meyla and Valan followed.
Now Naðr and Adlin were staring one another down as the king’s eyes narrowed. “You will come with us.”
Adlin nodded. “Aye, lad. I will help get you there then I must go. This battle is not mine.” His eyes went to Veronica then Megan. “I am forever in your debt for what you did today.”
“Then fight with us,” Naðr ground out.
“Nay,” Adlin said softly. “Even if I wanted to, the seers wouldnae allow it. They will fight alongside you this time and are verra powerful.”
“But not as powerful as you,” Raknar said.
The MacLomain wizard arched a brow. “You dinnae know that.”
“But you do,” Naðr said. “Are they?”
“Together, aye,” Adlin replied. “Apart, nay.”
Raknar growled something indiscernible then yanked Veronica into his arms. She gasped against his chest he held her so tightly. “Why did you do this, woman?”
“Because she was put in a position that she felt she had no choice,” Naðr spat, his possessive hands falling on Megan’s shoulders. “Now because of your actions we might very well lose what we’ve come to love so much, brother.”
Megan slammed her hands on the table. “Enough!” She stood, turned and glared up at Naðr. “Tell me exactly what you would have done out there on the dock earlier had you been in Raknar’s position.” Her sister jabbed an angry finger into his chest. “What would you have done if that were me Yrsa was set to take or worse, kill. Better yet, what would you have done had that been our son with me?” Her eyes rounded as both her fury and voice rose. “No matter, that was my sister and your nephew out there. Why the hell didn’t you risk it all and shift into a dragon?”
For the first time since she’d met him the king was utterly speechless.
Megan wiped away an angry tear, flung up her hands in aggravation then strode from the room. Naðr swiped a hand over his face in frustration and went after her.
Again silence fell over the room.
Veronica bit her lower lip and fought tears as she pressed her cheek against Raknar’s chest and inhaled deeply.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “God, I hope I don’t lose you.”
Raknar held her head against his chest, breathing heavy. “You won’t. My brothers and I will succeed.” Though she knew he was still angry when he cupped her cheeks and met her eyes, his words were reverent. “You and your sister have great courage. I am so proud of you both. You have defended and honored us with this pact. We will not fail you.”
“No, we will not,” Kol vowed, coming alongside.
Raknar let her go when his younger brother pulled her into his arms. Kol hugged her just as tightly before he tilted her chin and met her eyes. “Thank you, sister. Naðr thanks you as well he just needs more time.”
Sadness continued to overwhelm her. “I just convinced his wife to give him up. Can’t really bl
ame him for not being thankful in the least.”
“Megan has her own mind.” Raknar pulled her back into his arms. “You could not force that woman to do anything against her will.”
“True,” she murmured. “But I don’t think Naðr sees it that way.”
“Naðr can see nothing but pain and fury right now,” Kol said. “But we'll help him push past the pain and embrace the fury. And we will defeat Yrsa.”
Yet Veronica couldn’t help wonder. Could Yrsa be defeated without the dragons…without Adlin MacLomain? Were the seers strong enough?
Her eyes shot to Kjar, who had been speaking with Adlin. It seemed he sensed she needed him because he ceased talking and his eyes met hers.
“Are you really a demi-god?”
He nodded. “Yes. Once removed.”
“What does that mean exactly?” She sat on the edge of the table. “I know you were partly responsible for the time-travel aspect of Megan returning here. But what other powers do you possess?”
Kjar shrugged and popped a nut in his mouth. “A little bit of this. A little bit of that. Heimdall is my grandfather so mostly things that have to do with time itself.”
“So how can you help the brothers fight?”
A frown settled on his face as he shook his head. “I have not been invited to go with them so I cannot help at all.”
“I don’t get it.” She frowned as well. “Why not?”
“This is a fight to be had by the brothers,” Adlin said.
“Right.” Veronica’s eyes narrowed on him as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Why is it that you’re allowed to go with them, but you can’t help once you’re there? I find that curious.”
“Aye, Veronica. ‘Tis a sharp, curious mind you possess, lass. One that has served you well and will continue to do so.” The corner of Adlin’s lips hitched up. “Whether here or in the twenty-first century.”
Something about the way he said it, about the way he looked at her, made Veronica feel like he knew a whole lot more than he was saying. So she called him on it. “What do you know that we don’t?”
The corner of Adlin’s lips only hitched up further, but there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. “Lass, you couldnae even begin to comprehend all that I know and I wouldnae wish it on you if you could.”
Caught in the melancholy she sensed within him, Veronica sighed. She was about to speak again but Raknar took her hand and interrupted. “We must prepare to leave.”
“Nay.” Adlin stood. “Everything you need will be waiting. There is no more time.”
Veronica was about to respond but couldn’t.
Everyone and everything spun around her too quickly.
Then, vast and unending, darkness descended.
Chapter Sixteen
“What the fu—” Veronica cried out but her words were smothered against Raknar’s chest.
“Shh,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “It’s all right. Adlin shifted us. Just focus on breathing until you’ve calmed.”
Shifted them? But she couldn’t wonder at that now as her body went from feeling weightless to incredibly heavy. Pain pounded through her head then faded fast. Shaking, unsteady, she wrapped her arms around Raknar and prayed she wasn’t dying here and now.
“It will soon pass,” he murmured.
God, she hoped so because this wasn’t fun in the least.
He was right though. It did pass.
Bit by bit, her body started to feel normal and breathing became easier. Yet her heart still hammered as she pulled back slightly, blinked and looked around.
“Here, lass.” Adlin swung a fur cloak over her shoulders. “My apologies for bringing you here so quickly. Better that you had little time to mull over what was coming.”
Veronica pulled the cloak around her and stepped back from Raknar as she met Adlin’s eyes then started to take in her surroundings. “Where exactly are we?”
But she already knew as she started to spin and truly took in everything. Wind gusted and the sun was no longer climbing up the sky but now sat low on an unbelievable horizon. Wide, sweeping, she clearly stood on a mountain overlooking many more. They crested and jutted against the sky as clouds swept and scooped not only between them but beneath where she stood.
“It's gorgeous,” she whispered, taking in the stunning grandeur.
“We have arrived near the peak of Galdhøpiggen Mountain.” Raknar wrapped his arm around her waist. “Home of the seers.”
Not only her gaze but her very soul was so caught up in the sweeping, powerful landscape that it was hard to tear her eyes away.
“Come.” Raknar took her hand and she walked with him away from the edge of the cliff.
“Megan,” she said as her sister rushed over quickly and embraced her. “Are you okay? Is Naðr?”
“Yeah, we’re good enough.” Megan squeezed her tightly then pulled back. “I’m still pissed at him and he’s still pissed at everyone in general but we’ll work it out.” She looked around. “Because at this point we have no choice.”
Veronica looked around. Maybe twenty-five feet separated the entrance to a cave from the sheer cliff she had been standing so close to.
Kol flexed his shoulders. “I can’t stand traveling this way.”
How exactly had they arrived here in the blink of an eye? Through Adlin of course but still…how? Veronica went to ask him but stopped short, searching. “Where’d Adlin go?”
“Away,” Naðr grumbled as he came alongside. “Back to Scotland.”
“What?” Veronica’s heart sunk. So he really wasn’t going to help. “Just like that?”
“As he said, this isn’t his battle,” Naðr said. Then he surprised her when he took her shoulders and met her eyes. “I am furious but not at you, Veronica. Though I'll die before I allow it to come to pass, thank you for what you...” He cleared his throat. “And Megan did for me and my brothers. Nobody has ever done anything like that for us and we will forever honor you both for it.”
Veronica’s heart broke at the look in his eyes, at the look in all of their eyes. These weren’t men who handled others protecting them well. They were the protectors and Naðr was the number one protector of his kind.
“No need to honor us,” she said softly. “But if you’re determined to, then kick Yrsa’s skanky ass, okay?”
“Skanky,” Kol mouthed, clearly pondering the word.
“Means nasty,” Megan said.
“Nasty?”
Veronica gave a little grin. “Downright slimy evil?”
Kol nodded, approving. He arched his brows at his brothers. “I think then that we can kick Yrsa’s skanky ass, yes?”
“You and I at least,” Naðr uttered as he stepped away from Veronica, less-than-impressed eyes on Raknar. “As to him, not so sur—”
“Not so sure what, husband?” Megan said, hands on her hips, brows lowered.
A sound close to a growl rumbled in the king’s chest as his eyes went from Raknar to Megan. He was about to say something else, but the seers appeared at the mouth of the cave. Helga, of course, spoke. “Welcome. Come with us.”
A strange sensation washed over her. Something calm and soothing as Helga waved them forward. Raknar’s hand slid into hers and they followed.
Veronica’s eyes widened as they entered a huge cave with many exits stemming off of it in a honeycomb pattern. A bright fire burned in the middle, highlighting thousands of what looked to be talismans hanging from the ceiling. Long strings hung at varying lengths with bones, rocks, feathers, and a variety of other things tied to them.
Wind whistled, creating an eerie sound made of both the little bells interwoven in the strings and air rushing through the various tunnels and deeper recesses of the cave. Small wooden chairs were set around the fire.
“Please. Sit,” Helga urged.
The Unnamed One sat on the ground by Helga’s feet and started rolling what sounded to be a handful of pebbles in her fist.
They sat across the fire fro
m the seers as platters of food and drinks were laid by their side.
Nobody moved, only watched the women warily.
Helga nodded at them. “Please eat, drink. No harm will come to you this night.”
“How do we know we can trust the food and drinks,” Naðr said. “You made a pact with me and my brothers then made a secondary pact with our women to protect yourselves.”
“Think it through, my king,” Helga murmured, eyes soft. “What good would it do me and my sister to kill any of you when you have the possibility of bringing us such greatness in Odin’s eyes?”
Naðr glared at her long and hard before his eyes went to a slave. “Let me sample what you mean to give my family.”
“No,” Raknar and Kol exclaimed but Helga had already nodded her approval and a girl knelt before Naðr with a sampling of everything.
Raknar and Kol clearly tried to stand, but they were obviously tied back by the same magic the seers had used before.
“Sweetie, don’t,” Megan pleaded, voice thick as not only fear but tears brimmed in her eyes.
“I agree,” Veronica said. “Don’t be an idiot. Seriously. Please don’t. Let me.” She shook her head. “Heck, everyone knows the leader is the last one who’s supposed to sample the poisoned stuff.”
Naðr ignored them and started munching a bite of everything then washed it down with a sampling of the drinks provided. All the while, Helga watched him and the Unnamed One kept her head bent. When finished, he sat back, crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
Veronica felt sick to her stomach. Naðr had just consumed everything that might likely have poisoned his family without a care in the world. Or so it seemed. Though he kept a stoic face, her chest tightened at the silent tear that trickled down Megan’s face as she held his hand. Her sister didn’t go into hysterics but stared at the fire as though it offered an escape from her torment.
Raknar squeezed Veronica’s hand and she squeezed right back. If Naðr died, she knew his brothers would find a way to kill the seers before they took their next breath.
Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2) Page 21