Battle Cry (Loki's Wolves Book 2)

by Melissa Snark

  Jake strode into the room. Alone. The set of his shoulders angled at a slight slump, and his face was a grim front. Sawyer took one look at his father's expression and felt his stomach drop.

  "I lost Lenna," Jake announced in a neutral voice.

  Victoria looked away. "I'm sorry."

  "Me too." Unexpected weakness collapsed Sawyer's knees out from under him. He slid down the wall and landed in a heap.

  "Have you been bitten?" Jake asked with sudden concern.

  "I can't tell." Sawyer shrugged. Lancing pain radiated throughout his neck and back. Moving more gingerly, he eased off his leather duster.

  His father stepped behind him to inspect the injury. His voice was sharp with concern. "That's a bite."

  "Well, fuck." Alarmed, Sawyer reached back again, twisting in a futile effort to get a look at his back. His self-discipline asserted itself, squashing his rising panic. A bite wound meant an excruciating death followed by reanimation as a vampire. He might be okay if they purified the bite with holy water before the poison spread. If they didn't, then he'd suffer the same horrible fate as Daniel.

  He'd turn.

  Sawyer grabbed his father's arm, gripping with white knuckled desperation. "Dad, promise me you'll kill me before you let me turn."

  Exhaling, Jake grasped his son's forearm in return. "It's going to be okay, Sawyer. Victoria will purify the bite, and you'll be fine."

  Father and son confronted the she-wolf with tense expectation. Victoria stood near the doorway, staring down at her feet. Strands of blonde hair fell into her face, and her complexion was several shades paler than usual.

  "Victoria?" Jake edged closer to her, arm extended and hand open in a beseeching gesture. He cautiously kept his distance. "What's wrong?"

  Leaden fear coalesced in Sawyer's gut. Her continued silence fed the specter of overshadowing dread. The poison in his shoulder burned, radiating outward like needles beneath his skin. Every beat of his heart drove the blood flowing through his veins, spreading the toxin throughout his body like a cancer.

  Face ashen, Victoria looked up. Her lips trembled, and her voice emerged weak. "Freya hasn't spoken to me since I healed you, Jake. Purifying a vampire's bite isn't simply healing the injury. That I could do on my own. I have to channel divine power. I have to deliver my goddess' blessing."

  "Then I'm fucked." Resounding disbelief overrode Sawyer's anxiety. He'd done terrible things, committed crimes too heinous to be forgiven. For a while, the grief, hate, and guilt had been too much of a burden. He'd thought he wanted to die, but he really wanted to live.

  Karma was a bitch. He deserved to die. Maybe the Fates were speaking.

  The Hunter King's eyes crystalized to glittering obsidian set in a stone mask. The cruelty of the frozen north frosted his voice. "Tell Freya this is for my son. She'll understand there are consequences to angering me."

  Victoria's head jerked back. Gasping, the she-wolf bristled with defiance. Bones cracked and crunched as her hands shifted to claws. She snarled, revealing canines. "I won't threaten my goddess!"

  "Then take what you need from me." Jake offered his hand. "Become my priestess, and you'll become more powerful than you ever imagined possible."

  Victoria recoiled, horror etched in the lines of her face. Her terror slammed Sawyer through the pack bond, but he also spied her underlying desire. Shaking her head, she retreated from Jake until her back hit the wall. "No, I can't. I'm sworn to Freya's service."

  The huntsman advanced, driving her into the corner. "You're also sworn to my service. It makes no sense to remain loyal to a goddess who has forsaken you."

  Sawyer lunged. Catching hold of his father's shoulder, he jerked him around. "All right, Dad, that's enough! Can't you see she's terrified?"

  Those ferocious eyes bore holes into Sawyer. Then love restored Jake's humanity. He blinked, and his visage returned to normal. "I've already lost one son, Sawyer. I'm not going to lose another."

  "Give me five minutes alone with her. Please." Sawyer stepped between his father and Victoria, hoping to give her an opportunity to recover. The throbbing, burning ache in his shoulder made it impossible to concentrate. Heat left him flushed and itchy. His breath rushed in fast pants.

  Worry pinched the corners of his father's eyes. Grim-faced, he gave a curt nod. "Five minutes. I'll be in the main kitchen."

  "Thank you." Sawyer propped his hand against the wall for support.

  "You don't have much time. You're already feverish." Delivering his final warning, Jake backed up three paces and then left the armory.

  Absolute silence reigned except for the labored huff of Sawyer's breathing and the thundering of his heart in his ears. He formulated words, but they got muddled in the hazy nightmare of heat and hurt. Pain defined his entire world.

  He looked at Victoria, and she stared back at him with wide eyes. He'd seen photos of glaciers in the sunlight that radiated the exact same shade of blue—bright, cool, and clean.

  She licked her lips and then squared her shoulders. Her voice hardened with determination. "Take off your shirt. I'm going to purify your shoulder with a blessing."

  Sweat poured from his every pore. Which god did she intend to pray to? He wanted to ask, but the question was too dangerous. If she intended to forsake her goddess for his sake, he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

  In agony, he pulled his shirt over his head, provoking a fresh wave of pain from his shoulder. Once he had it off, he discovered a man standing in front of him where no one had been seconds before.

  Startled, Sawyer craned his head back to stare into the ghoulish face. His shocked mind registered a ten-foot-tall skeletal figure with exceedingly long, thin limbs. Chalky white lines formed the design of a skeleton on golden brown skin.

  The Spaniard. Vildivia.

  "You." Sawyer's breath hissed with shocked realization. "You killed my brother."

  "Yes, yes, I murdered the Hunter King's eldest son." The vampire flashed a demonic grin and extended a gnarled hand. His fingers were tipped in pointed nails. "Shall I prepare to die, Idiot Montoya?"

  Vildivia's lips parted to reveal serrated dentition. A thick black tentacle covered in wicked barbs coiled within his mouth. Serpent-like, his tongue unfurled and lashed like a striking snake. A sharp crack split the air.

  Turning his head to the side, Sawyer threw up his arm to shield his face. The adrenaline surge slammed his body and kicked his reflexes into overdrive. His heart raced. The dagger tattoo on his bicep sparked and flared lightning bright. He lunged to the side in a desperate dodge to avoid the whipping tongue.

  Too fucking late.

  Mid-leap, Victoria snatched the vampire's tongue out of the air. Clinging to the length, she slammed to the ground and landed in a crouch. Thorny spines bit into her hands. Blood spurted on the floor. The blonde werewolf bristled and growled, eyes glowing golden bright.

  Complete surprise rendered Sawyer motionless.

  For a second, no one moved, and no one said a word.

  Vildivia wore an expression of utter shock. He gurgled, "Ub-bub-bub."

  "Not again, you son of a bitch." Lips stretched taut over bared teeth, Victoria yanked Vildivia's tongue and jerked him right off his feet.

  The Spaniard crashed to his knees.

  Rumbling in her throat, Victoria coiled the Spaniard's tongue about her forearm and reeled him in. "This time, you're mine."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Fólkvangr, Freya's hall in Sessrúmnir

  Loki crossed his arms. "From now on, all wolf shifters whose souls are claimed by Valkyries are to come to your domain. No more are to be taken to Valhalla."

  Freya paled. "No. I cannot. Odin will notice."

  "Odin sits on his throne taking advice from the severed head of a dwarf!" He rushed her and shoved his handsome face, contorted with rage and determination, into hers. His breath huffed hot on her cheek. His lips pulled taut over canine teeth, and the beast roiled beneath his skin. His hands grasped her arms, and his
fingers dug into her flesh. "You can, and you will, or our deal is off. You can burn with the rest of the conceited, useless Aesir."

  Freya gazed into his eyes and shuddered to see the horrifying depths of his madness. The Loki she had once known was gone, and the monster who wore his skin terrified her. She nodded. "I will instruct the Valkyries to bring them here."

  Loki released her and backed away, suddenly all laughter and smiles. "Good. Don't worry. By the time Odin notices, it won't matter anymore."

  Midgard

  Vildivia's fist nailed Victoria square in the face. His bony knuckles flattened her nose with a sickening squish. Bones broke, and blood squirted from her nostrils. A burst of pain shattered her thoughts. Her body went slack. Falling backward, she lost her grip on the undead's tongue.

  Victoria slammed into the wall. She slid to the ground and landed on her back in a boneless heap. The ceiling spun while a haze of red fogged her mind. A glistening skull floated above her, then descended swiftly, growing larger. Those wicked elongated fangs threatened to pierce her eyes.

  The stink of carrion clung to him. She gagged, and her stomach heaved.

  A growl erupted from deep in her throat. Raising her hands, she raked his chest with her claws, inflicting vicious slashes. She struggled to be free of the monster's grasp.

  His strength crushed her.

  Pain blossomed throughout her abdomen, inspiring terror within her. She feared desperately for her unborn child.

  Angry tears pricked her eyes. Freya, help me. Please. Praying, she reached to her goddess for strength.

  Another punch pummeled her head, another explosion of pain that destroyed coherent thought. She heard a man's shout, the pounding of feet.

  The vampire growled, and Sawyer's shout ended abruptly. A heavy thud signaled the hunter had been knocked out of the fight. The loss sliced clean through her, and she feared the worst.

  No time for fear or mourning.

  Vildivia's hissing voice filled her ear. "Such a delectable morsel you are, little wolf. I'm going to savor every ounce of your blood."

  Icy hands grasped and immobilized her even as the dead body pressed her to the ground. Vildivia forced her head to the side, nails gouging deep incisions into her skin. Victoria gasped for air. She shoved and clawed but failed to dislodge him. Then he pinned her arms at her sides. She was helpless. Terrified to the depths of her soul, she howled and thrashed.

  The vampire's fangs pierced her skin at the juncture of her shoulder and neck, tearing open a deep wound. Dead lips pressed tight against her skin to catch the spurting blood. He drank with noisy gulps. Feeding on more than just the vitae in her veins, he stole her power.

  Her enhanced regeneration replaced some of the blood as it was taken, but not fast enough. As she spiraled toward death, her vision shifted to the spiritual plane. Her life force was a radiant, golden light draining into an empty void. Vildivia's soul was a dark flame which flickered deep within his chest and consumed her essence.

  A second soul fire blazed close to Vildivia's desiccated heart.

  Terrible agony tore through her abdomen. A cry erupted from her throat, and another cramp seized her, worse than the one before. Fear for her baby's life sent her into a blind panic.

  Vildivia clamped down on her body, tightening his grip and sucking harder. He drank faster, attempting to empty her entire body faster than she healed.

  The voice of self-recrimination hissed through her mind. She was a hothead. She took reckless chances. Sylvie had warned her. "Don't start any fights while you're pregnant, Victoria. It's too dangerous."

  If she lost Arik's child, she'd never forgive herself.

  "Freya." Blood bubbled on her lips. Her voice croaked as she called for her goddess.

  Golden light flowed into Victoria, and divine energy coursed through her body. Freya's sweet voice filled her mind: Heal yourself, Victoria. You have my blessing.

  Tears overflowed her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. She seized hold of the gift and reached into her own body, past layers of skin and muscles, ligaments and tendons. Deeper than bone. She touched marrow and infused the blessed energy to stir the production of blood beyond even the vampire's destructive capacity. Brilliant white light spilled from her eyes and her mouth.

  Her blood burned.

  Howling, Vildivia wrenched his mouth from her throat. The pain-maddened vampire tore at his face and throat with bony fingers, seeking to be rid of the blessed blood. As he writhed, the skin on his face bubbled and melted as if acid ate away at his insides. Fizzing and popping, his face melted from the bone. Chunks of flesh fell from his cheeks and revealed aged yellow teeth and mandibles. A foot-long lump of black barbed tongue dropped to the floor where it flopped about.

  While the laceration on her throat healed, Victoria rolled to her side and crawled away from the vampire. Panting, she prayed aloud. "Thank you, Goddess. Thank you. Why? Why now? I thought you were angry with me."

  I was angry when you turned to another god, but not enough to allow you to die. When you embraced him, I was shocked and hurt.

  Terrible remorse filled her heart. I'm so sorry, My Lady. Please forgive me.

  For a split second, the goddess hesitated. I heard what he said to you. He terrifies me, but he is right. He is my king, and as a Valkyrie, you are sworn to his service.

  Freya's final words hung in the air. As am I…

  The vampire's decayed face reared into the air. Rising onto all fours, he crawled closer to her. The tattered root of his barbed tongue snaked out of his gaping mouth. The organ's passage through the dissolved cheek produced a wet, squishing sound.

  A growl rumbling deep in her chest, Victoria braced for a fight. "Here we go again."

  Like an avenging angel, Jake appeared behind the injured vampire, his face a mask of murderous anger. The Hunter King's aura was a storm of red striations and jagged streaks of darkness. Wavy lines of energy crawled across his bare skin, coalescing into runes that blackened his complexion. A monstrous amount of magic emanated from him. With a vicious stomp, Jake drove his boot into the vampire's side. Bones crunched as ribs broke. He delivered another hard kick that sent Vildivia flying across the room and crashing into the wall.

  "About fucking time," Victoria snapped. Her wolf lusted for violence and sent energy coursing through her body. Through an act of will, she suppressed the desire to shift, to rush the vampire from the rear and crush his head between her jaws.

  Jake grunted a reply. His exact words were unclear, but she caught the gist. "You're welcome."

  "Sawyer? Are you all right?" Jake moved to where his son lay in a crumpled heap on the floor.

  A cough wracked Sawyer, but he struggled to sit upright. He leaned heavily against the wall for support. His legs shook. Sweat coated his entire body and glistened on his chest. His aura blazed, a bright beacon full of pain, and his agony traversed the pack bond. "Yeah, I'm fine."

  Victoria was astonished by the hunter. He looked terrible, battered and feverish, but alive. Vast relief suffused her. Throat tight, she smiled, and her heart soared. Alive. She hadn't realized how much she cared until she'd feared him dead.

  Movement in her periphery vision grabbed her attention. Terrifyingly fast, Vildivia sprang to his feet, viper-like teeth bared to strike. He charged straight at the veteran hunter.

  Jake faced Sawyer with his back to the vampire.

  Her mind too chaotic to form words, she shouted at the top of her lungs, a sound that morphed to a growl at the end. She leapt toward the vampire. She couldn't possibly reach him in time, but she had to try.

  Without turning, Jake reversed the dagger's blade and impaled Vildivia through the abdomen. He held the weapon level and steady so the Spaniard's momentum drove him further onto the blade. With a neat side step, Jake evaded his enemy's grabbing hands. Powerful arms flexing, he wrenched the weapon and cleaved through the vampire's ribcage.

  "Let's cut off the possibility of any more surprises," Jake said, his voice cold. He
hefted his dagger, and the weapon transformed into an axe that glowed crimson.

  Victoria's jaw dropped in astonishment.

  He pinned Vildivia's shoulder beneath his boot. Like a woodsman, he swung the axe overhead. The deadly descent ended with the blade cleaving clean through the vampire's upper arm. The severed limb turned to ash. While the vampire howled, Jake moved onto Vildivia's other arm and then his legs.

  In surprise and then growing glee, she watched as the hunter trimmed the vampire's trunk of limbs with the quick efficiency of an arborist. Every time red-hot iron sliced through dead flesh, toxic fumes flooded the air and filled the room with the stench of seared carrion.

  Victoria gagged, fighting to not vomit. "If you chop off his head, it's over."

  Axe haft resting against his shoulder, Jake glanced at her. "I'm aware of that. Are you okay?"

  Pinching her nose, she covered her mouth and swallowed convulsively. "I'm fine. Let's get this over with."

  Flopping about on the ground, the vampire retained his head and his trunk. His ruined face lacked lips and cheeks. Scraps of meat clung to his jawbones, and his tongue was a stump. Yet those exposed teeth and mandibles twisted into a horrific parody of a smile, terrible to behold.

  "Without lips or a tongue, he can't speak."

  "He doesn't need to speak." Staggering, Victoria lunged for the vampire. She grabbed his bald head with her clawed hand. His flesh was icy and hard like a frozen steak beneath her palm. The needle fine points of her nails penetrated his scalp and drew pearls of black, coagulated blood. Hissing, Vildivia jerked at her touch, but Jake's molten dagger prevented him from escaping. Those cold, dead eyes glared at her with pure hatred.

  Bow-string tension sung through the hunter's rigid body. Facial muscles rigid, he spoke from the side of his mouth. "Victoria, what the hell are you doing? We need him until we recover Daniel's soul."

  "We already have Daniel's soul." Focusing all of her strength, she squeezed until her claws punctured his skull a quarter inch deep. When the vampire growled and struggled, she held on even tighter. "Watch."