by Brenda Drake
It tried again.
The hammer wouldn’t move and the troll let out a scream. It used two hands. The hammer stayed stuck to the ground. It stomped around and punched glass panels on the building and anything else in its path. Lucky for Blake, trolls weren’t the smartest creatures.
When the troll’s back was turned, Blake sprinted for the hammer, grabbed it, and ran to the power source. The troll barreled after him. The other troll joined in, both trolls’ feet sounding like thunder with each stomp.
Blake turned around and waited. The building behind him had so much charge running through it, Blake felt as though his bones were burning as he pulled the power into the hammer. The charge released, hitting both trolls hard and blowing them up. Body parts and bits of charred flesh rained down to the ground.
“Now, that was disgusting,” he said and covered his nose as he passed them. He sprinted down the street. Nothing was familiar to him in this area of town. Blake slowed down after running for three blocks.
He spun around. Not recognizing a single name on the street signs. Blake looked for someone he could ask for directions, but the street was vacant.
The beach. He would have to get there to find his way to Stevie’s house. His eyes closed as he sniffed the air and listened for the sound of waves. Blake used all of his senses to get him back to the bay.
He stayed in the shadows as he passed the police officers still installed on the parking lot. Their numbers had grown and their uniforms were different in colors and designs. Blake found the road May had taken and he sprinted up it, under the railroad tracks, and into a residential area. He heard the cry of a Draugen and hid behind bushes until it passed. The sound of slurping mud and whipping of seaweed faded as the ghostly being disappeared into the dark.
The thought of Stevie and May encountering the creature caused Blake to push harder, to run faster. He wouldn’t have left Stevie, but the troll would have crushed the Suburban with them inside it.
The streets became familiar to Blake. He was near her house. All he wanted was to be with her. There wasn’t much time left for them to be together. Once the horn was in the box, he would have to leave. One more kiss, he would’ve wanted more, but there wasn’t time. He wanted to explore her entirely.
But there wasn’t time.
There would never be enough time.
Just a few hours or several moments remained to be with her.
Insignificant compared to the time the nine worlds had existed, but more powerful than a million of them added up.
Mortals valued love more than gods and goddesses. Blake was jealous of that. He was a young god, so he hadn’t gotten bored of life as his father and mother and the elders like them. It was new to Blake and he never wanted it to feel old.
Stevie.
What he wouldn’t give to stay with her. To enjoy the things of this world with her. To be young and have the world in front of him. Not the weight of nine worlds on his shoulders. Being the next heir means power, but without compassion, it could be abused. His father had said that was why he’d chosen Blake instead of his brothers.
And he could not give that up. Not even for Stevie.
Stevie had given Blake empathy for mortals. Just as Thor had been the protector of humans, so would Einar. They were different from the gods. Because mortals could die in an instant, they valued life more. And loved more.
Blake found himself on Stevie’s street. The Suburban was in the driveway, the doors left ajar. Saga was the first he spotted. She had her tail straight out and it alerted Blake to the danger before he saw it.
Loki had Stevie by the hair and backed up against his chest. In the other hand, he held a scarlet serpent. Blake stopped. The poison of the scarlet could kill a mortal instantly with one bite. He hid behind the neighbor’s bushes and peered over the top of them.
Kyle had his stave in one hand and the other up as if surrendering to Loki. Blake wished he could hear what was being said between the two. Even from that distance, his superior hearing wasn’t enough. He could charge in with Jölnir blazing, but he’d risk the serpent biting Stevie. He needed a plan but he hadn’t any idea what to do.
“He’s such a nuisance,” Járnsaxa said, leaning over his back.
Blake turned. “Did you release him?”
“No. Of course not.” She adjusted her breastplates. “Asgardian warriors aren’t as good as they used to be in Thor’s day. I should have made certain they locked him up properly. He tricked them and escaped. Now, Loki wants me dead for my part in it. He and I go back to the creation of Midgard. You’d think he could take a joke.”
“I don’t need your help,” Blake said and turned back. “Why are they standing there?”
“They are at a crossroad. Lajos has his stave pointed at him.” She straightened. “Everyone knows my son is quick. He’d have Loki dead the second after he let that serpent bite the mortal girl.”
“Her name is Stevie,” he said.
“Whatever,” she said, smoothing her hair down. “I will do you a favor, and you shall do me one. I have been bitten by the scarlets many times, and have built an immunity to their venom. A scarlet only has one bite in them. It will die afterward, and I will be in a sort of coma for a while. No telling how long it will be. I want you to watch over Lajos for me. He’s a little careless at times.”
“I will, but why would—”
She held up her hand to stop him. “Save it. I know others like your empathy and kindness. I find it weak. I’m not doing this for you or for your little girlfriend. This is for my son.” Her hips snapped as she strolled over to Stevie’s house. Blake readied his hammer.
Her approach startled Loki and the scarlet came dangerously close to Stevie’s face. Standing by while she was in danger unhinged Blake. He had to help, but he would wait for Járnsaxa to make her move. There were heated words between Loki and Járnsaxa and, again, the scarlet got too close to Stevie for Blake’s comfort.
He darted over to them.
Járnsaxa glared at Blake. “What are you doing?” she said with her teeth clenched together.
Stevie turned her tear drenched face to him. “Blake! I was so worried.”
Saga kept her position, not daring to take her eyes off Loki. Blake’s bond with her let him know she would attack the moment an opportunity presented itself.
May was on the other side of Stevie. He hadn’t seen her from his place behind the bush. Her face was twisted with concern.
“You were worried about him?” Kyle directed at Stevie while keeping his eyes on Loki. “You’re the one with the deadly serpent at your throat. My little brother can handle a few trolls, I told you he could.”
“Back away,” Loki said, inching the serpent closer to the vein on Stevie’s neck. “Or I shall kill the girl. All I want is the horn. I will not destroy the worlds. One doesn’t harm what one rules. The gods have had their chance and they failed to unite the worlds. It is time for the other dwellers of Yggdrasil to have their king.”
“You might not end them,” Kyle said, “but you will enslave their people.”
“You will be in need of a queen, will you not?” Járnsaxa seductively took measured steps toward him until she was an arm’s length from Loki. “I will not disappoint you.”
“You cannot be trusted.” The tone of Loki’s voice said something different. It held a bit of humor. Or possibly, delight.
Kyle’s glare turned from Loki to his mother. “You’re really something, Mother. You know that? Do you care about anyone but yourself? Like your son!”
“I care more than you know,” she said.
A thunderous sound followed by wails and grunts alerted Blake to the creatures getting nearer.
With a sleight of hand, so fast Blake almost missed it, Járnsaxa pulled Loki’s hand away from Stevie. The scarlet serpent bit Járnsaxa hand and she stumbled back. The serpent’s body went slack in Loki’s hand.
Kyle dropped his stave and caught Járnsaxa as she fell back, easing her to the
ground. “Mother! Why?”
Járnsaxa eyes went to Kyle. “Do not worry, my son. I shall not die. I will leave you only for a time. Make certain I am in my favorite robes.” She closed her eyes.
Blake jumped Loki, pulling him away from Stevie. “Run,” he told her.
Saga sank her teeth into Loki’s leg.
“Get this beast off me!” Loki yelled.
Stevie darted to May and flew into the older woman’s arms.
Blake raised his hammer, collecting lightning from a dark cloud overhead. Before Blake released the charge, Loki backhanded him, sending him flying across the yard. He landed against a tree, cracking its trunk and knocking Jölnir from his hand. The handle left a scar as it cut through the grass.
Loki stormed across the yard, snatched Blake up by the throat, and lifted him off his feet. His grip tightened, practically crushing Blake’s larynx. The older god was stronger than Blake, his hold unbreakable. Blake tugged at Loki’s arms but couldn’t budge them. He’d seen Loki rip guards’ heads off before and panic hit his chest.
As he labored to breathe, his eyes met Stevie’s tear-filled ones. Her gaze tore from him and went to Kyle. “Help him,” she shouted.
On the ground, Kyle held his mother. He hadn’t heard Stevie.
Lights flickered across Blake’s vision. It was almost over. His life would end soon. He kept his eyes on Stevie. If he must die, he wanted her beautiful face to be the last image he would see. All thoughts began to fade from him, and his vision fogged at the edges.
Stevie swiped her hands across her eyes, dashed across the yard, and grasped Jölnir’s handle.
No, Stevie. You can’t lift it. He wanted to yell to her. Tell her to run. Why doesn’t she run?
She lifted the hammer and swung it at Loki’s head. The sickening thump sounded like a meat tenderizer slamming against a thick steak. Blood sprayed her face. Loki’s hold ripped away from Blake’s neck as he fell back and landed hard on the ground.
Kyle shot to his feet, snatched up his stave, and before stabbing Loki with it, he froze. Loki was out cold.
Blake slumped to his knees on the grass, gasping for air. Stevie dropped down beside him and wrapped her arm around his back.
A great hurricane swirled around them, picking up leaves, sticks, and other debris.
“Blake,” she yelled over the howling wind, her voice quaking with emotion. “He could have killed you.”
He placed his open palm on her cheek. “You lifted my hammer.”
Stevie nodded. “I know. It was a rush.”
“Only the pure of heart—” He coughed, then smiled at her. “You saved me.”
She placed her hand over his, smiling. “Just repaying the favor.”
Loki moved on the ground, groaning. Kyle raised his stave and readied it to stab him.
The hurricane separated and a rainbow door flickered to life. There was a sudden silence, and the Norns glided out of the shimmering entry to their world.
“Lajos, son of Thor and Járnsaxa, you shall not kill Loki,” they said together.
Men and women with pointy ears and peaceful looks on their faces came out of the door.
Elves of Devine. Not many had ever seen one before. Certainly, not Blake. They were an elusive race. Responsible for assuring good prevailed over evil throughout all nine worlds. They resided in a magical fortress on Niflheim, the world of fog and mist. Their dungeons held prisoners with the darkest hearts, lulled into a forever sleep for their crimes and guarded by the dragon, Nidhug.
One of the Norns came up to Loki and tossed a dust substance in his face at the same time the elves surrounded him, carrying him through the doorway. Loki was unmoving, his eyes closed and his body stiffened.
“What are you doing with him?” Blake believed it was time to punish Loki for the sins of his past. “He needs to stand trial in Asgard.”
“He has already been tried by the Elves of Devine,” the Norns said in unison. “He illegally released creatures of Yggdrasil into this world. After he has served his sentence in their kingdom, he shall be sent to Asgard for trial.” The Norns bowed their heads and slowly moved to the portal. “Finish your quest, Einar. Do not worry. We have sent the creatures back to where they belong and have restored the balance in this world. You have done well, son of Thor and Sif. And remember; you cannot hold one dove while reaching for another, for it will fly away.” Their bodies shimmered until they vanished.
The hurricane subsided, leaves and debris falling around Blake and the others.
Blake took long strides to Stevie and pulled her into his arms. He could have lost her. The serpent was so close to her throat. One bite and she’d have been killed. His hands traveled up her back and he buried them into her hair, cradling her head. He lowered his head to meet her lips with his. The kiss held so much want and pain. He needed her and at the same time had to let her go.
Her hands rested on his cheeks and their kiss deepened. He wanted to get lost in her. Forget he was from another world. A world where she could never go. A world he no longer wanted to return to without her.
Kyle cleared his throat causing them to pull away from each other. “This is sweet and all, but I think we should finish the thing. I don’t know about you, but after all that has happened today, I don’t want Ragnarok to happen.”
“But those witches said they sent the creatures away,” Stevie said.
Blake touched her cheek. “They’re gone. You’re safe. Come on. Kyle’s right, we shouldn’t take any chances.” He took her hand and led her to the front door.
“Tell me next time you’re going to say I’m right.” Kyle trailed them. “I want to record it.”
“I for one am going to pretend this is all a dream,” May said. “Maybe I’d believe it one day.”
Stevie flicked the switch to the kitchen light, but it didn’t work. She opened a drawer by the refrigerator, grabbed the flashlight, and turned it on.
Kyle handed Stevie the horn charm. “You’ll need this.”
She took it and nodded. “You’re a good guy, Lajos.”
He smiled at her mention of his Asgardian name. “You’re not too bad yourself.” She squeezed his hand before taking the horn from him and ascending the staircase.
Blake followed her upstairs to her room. She stopped at her desk and picked up the ancient box with the ravens on it. Her hair dropped like a curtain over her face as she stood in the moonlight coming in from the window. Never had she looked lovelier.
He crossed the carpet to her, brushed her hair back over her shoulder, and kissed her neck. She shuddered and glanced up at him. The sadness resting on her face reflected the feelings of his heart. Leaving her would crush him.
She opened the lid to the box, placed Heimdall’s Horn inside, and shut it. A bright light shone out of the cracks and sealed it. Stevie tried to open the box and it wouldn’t budge.
“Guess it’s done,” she said, passing him the box. “Now what?”
“I have to go soon.” He placed the box on the dresser, took her hand, and pulled her into his arms, resting his head on hers. “I wish we had more time,” he said against her hair.
“I do, too,” her voice cracked over her words.
He leaned back, lifted her chin in his hand, and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer to him. Her mouth parted and welcomed his tongue. Everything around them disappeared. In that moment, there were no other worlds but their own.
It tore him apart to pull away from her, but he had to. Prolonging his departure would only make it more painful.
“I will miss you, Stevie Moon.”
She rested her cheek against his chest. “I will miss you, Einar,” she said so quiet.
He kissed her head. “Knowing you has been a brief moment in time, but it has changed me forever. Your world has become my second home. I will protect it for as long as I breathe. Just as my father has, so will I. And I will be back often.”
“And I will be here,” she said.
Blake ran his hand across her hair. Her words excited and crushed him at the same time. Gods didn’t cry, but Stevie Moon had made him tear twice. He swallowed back his emotions and picked up the box. “It’s time.”
She slipped her hand in his and led him downstairs.
Saga met them as they took the last step down and pushed her body up against Blake’s leg. He rubbed the back of her ear. He’d decided to take Saga back with him. Their bond was too great to separate. “Yes, girl. I won’t leave you.”
When they entered the living room, Kyle glanced up from his seat on the couch. “Why the gloomy face.” He stood.
May looked tired in a high back chair.
“It’s time for us to return home,” Blake said. “But first a test.”
“A test?” Kyle repeated.
Blake smiled, removed his keys from his pocket, and summoned Jölnir. He then reached it out to Kyle. “Here.”
“I can’t lift that,” Kyle said. “I’ve tried many times. It won’t budge for me. And what’s all this about, anyway?”
“Take it,” Blake urged, pushing the hammer at him.
Kyle eyed it and then Blake. “Did you hit your head?”
“Come on, appease me.”
Stevie gave Blake a curious look. “What’s going on here?”
Blake kissed her hand and released it. “You will see.”
“You’re a real idiot sometimes.” Kyle took the hammer and held it. His eyes went wide. “Is this a fake?”
Blake laughed. “I assure you, it is not fake. You are worthy, Lajos. And we shall return to Asgard together to deliver the box to Thor.”
Kyle glanced between the box and Blake. “You would do this for me?”
“You are my brother. I will rule one day, and you shall be my lord chancellor.”
“That would be the highest officer in your court,” Kyle said.
“I am aware,” Blake said. “I would trust no other.”
“Then I am honored.” Kyle bowed his head before pulling Blake into a tight hug. “If you ever tell anyone I hugged you, I’ll deny it.”