by Renee Jordan
“Who can be in two places at once,” I added.
Loki blinked. “Really?”
“You didn't know? While you were leading the Thief through the woods, he was also fighting Magnus. He had masqueraded as one of Magnus's bikers for at least a day.”
Loki leaned back. “What troubling news. I had no idea. The Thief is cunning. Almost as cunning as I am. It was quite apparent when I led him off. He only toyed in chasing me. By the time I realized it, you had already been rescued by your wolf.”
“He needed me to pick up the Sun's Tear,” Raven sighed. “And, like the idiot that I am, I obliged. It was burning hot. I could barely touch it.”
“He used us.” Loki's face twisted hard. “He tricked me. That is disheartening.”
“Maybe,” Magnus said, his eyes hard. “So, you've come to tell us our fate is hopeless. That is the help you've come to provide?”
“What if you had back-up?” Big Hoss said. “Me, Thunder, Vince, and Skid can go.”
“I can go, too,” Dwayne or Lead or whatever I should call him added.
“No,” Magnus said. “Normal weapons are useless against them. Bullets just bounced off of them. They would rip you to shreds. I'm not letting any more Wolves die.”
“It's not your decision to make, Magnus,” Big Hoss growled. “We all get a vote. I say we're fucking helping.”
“Yep,” Vince declared.
Thunder and Skid nodded.
“Yes,” Dwayne groaned. “We're going to kill those fuckers.”
“You're not going,” Big Hoss and Magnus said at the same time.
“You're shot, Lead,” Vince said. “You're not gonna be any good in a fight.”
“But...” Dwayne, or maybe I should call him Lead now, leaned back. “This is fucked up.”
“Yep,” Magnus nodded. “And I don't care if you all voted. You are not going.”
“A vote has been taken at the table,” Big Hoss growled, staring Magnus straight in the eye. “The pack has made its decision. Do we need to strip the presidency from you, Magnus?”
“You will die.” Magnus leaned back in his chair. “Fuck, we've lost enough of us. Raven and I will handle it.” Magnus turned to look at Loki. “Unless you're volunteering to go and fight.”
“Alas, I am more of a lover than a fighter. You would find me quite useless in battle.”
“Right,” sneered Magnus.
“But, I can render assistance in arming your men,” Loki grinned. “A few simple runes drawn on your weapons, a bit of magic, and you will find that the Blood Eagles will not be as resistant to your weapons as they were last night.”
“Do it,” Big Hoss growled.
Magnus went silent for a moment. “You are not bullshitting us or playing some prank on us?”
“Would I ever lie to you?” Loki's smile was so innocent.
“Yes.”
“Loki, stop playing your games,” I told him. I reached out and patted his hand. “You don't need to keep up the act with us. Okay? I know you're a decent guy. I know you want to help us. I know you're not trying to trick us.”
Loki's smile fell. He stared at me. “Damn, if only I had met you before you met Magnus.”
I pulled my hand away. “None of us can change that.”
“My magic will work. I am skilled at creating weapons. I have armed other gods in the past.”
“Then we need to plan,” Magnus said. “The Blood Eagles' bar is not that big. There are only two ways in.”
“Ah, I have pictures,” Loki said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small iPad. He swiped the screen and tapped a few times, then set it down on the kitchen table. There was a picture of the bar, two Blood Eagles lounging at the entrance. The open sign was off. “These are thirty minutes old. I did a little reconnaissance before coming here.”
“You have an iPad?” Big Hoss asked. “I thought you were a god.”
“Exactly,” Loki nodded. “That's why I have an iPad. I need to be as pretentious as possible. I also have an iPhone, an Apple watch, and a Mac Air. You should see my house. I filled it with every pretentious, hipster thing I could.
“It's so kitsch.”
A smile crossed my lips. “Okay, let's plan, guys.”
Chapter Eighteen
Magnus
I pulled Raven to me and hugged her. She rested her head on my bare chest. I closed my eyes and smelled the mix of fresh shampoo and her sweet scent. I kissed her forehead. The plans were finished.
It was time to fight.
“You watch your ass,” she whispered. Her hand slid down and gave me a squeeze through my jeans. “I like it.”
I smiled. She lifted her head, and I claimed her lips. Her arms tightened around my neck. She sighed into the kiss. I didn't want to let her go. I wanted to keep her safe and sound. What we were doing this morning was dangerous.
But she wasn't a china doll. I didn't have to coddle her. She was strong. My Boudica. She broke the kiss and fixed me with a fierce, confident stare. Her black hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, taking away her normally innocent beauty.
Today she had the beauty of a badass Valkyrie. “Don't get hurt,” I told her. “I want to walk with you in the night again.”
“Always,” Raven sighed. She pulled away. “If we keep stalling, we'll never do this.”
“I know.”
“Any inspiring words?” she asked.
“'For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,'” I quoted.
“Brother?”
I smiled. “Figuratively.”
“Who said that? Lord Byron?”
“Shakespeare.”
“You are far too well read for a barbarian,” Raven smiled. She broke away and headed to Haleigh's car. Kris and Haleigh already sat in the front. Raven slid into the back, Big Hoss on the other side, his UMP submachine gun on his lap.
I hoped Loki's magic worked.
I glanced at the god as he leaned against a tree bordering the driveway of Kris's house. He had his sardonic smile creasing his too-handsome face. Kris started Haleigh's car and drove down the driveway to bring Raven and Big Hoss into position. The car disappeared down the curving driveway.
I turned and marched on Loki.
“Eager to throw another punch?” asked the god.
I seized the collar of his immaculate suit and slammed him into the tree. “If you played us false today, I do not care that you are a god. I will rip out your throat, Loki. I will not need to don the wolf's cloak to do it.”
“And we'll piss on your corpse,” Skid added, his UMP slung over his chest as he sat on his Harley. Vince had an eager grin.
“Why would you think I played you false?” Loki asked. “I do not want harm to fall on Raven.”
“And that's the only reason I haven't kicked the living shit out of you.” Again, I slammed him against the tree.
“Yes, good,” Loki groaned as I let him go. He adjusted his suit. “The weapons will work. Even on the Thief. Keep Raven safe. Blood shall be spilled today. It would grieve me to see her dead.”
“Unrequited love must be a bitch,” I growled, a grin on my face. “It must just eat at you.”
“It does. It's a small worm devouring the core of my body.” His face grew dark. “Treasure her, Einherjer. The love of a Valkyrie burns hot and sweet, but she must be carefully tended and protected. Even the strongest flame can be extinguished through neglect or malfeasance.”
My phone chirped. I pulled it out of my jean's pocket and flipped it open. The text read: “In position.”
“Let's go,” I growled and strolled to my bike. I straddled the leather seat. My bike snarled to life like an angry wolf-bitch howling for blood. I missed Raven riding bitch behind me. She belonged there. I felt almost naked.
I summoned Heimdall's ax into my left hand and twisted the accelerator. The Bear and Eagle coffee house wasn't far away from here. We would be there in minutes.
I howled. Skid, Vince, and Thunder
howled with me as we roared down the driveway, leaving Loki and Madge behind.
~ ~ ~
Raven
Kris pulled his car around the corner from the Bear and Eagle. From here, we could peak out and look at the alley that ran behind the bar. I glanced around the corner. The brown, fading siding of the bar, its windows dingy, lay a hundred feet away. Two of the Blood Eagles, wearing their leather cuts and blue jeans, lounged by the door, one smoking a cigarette.
They had no weapons.
“Still just two,” I whispered to Big Hoss.
He nodded, his weapon ready. The man was built like a small tank. I was taller than him, but he could pick me up and swing me like a twig. There was a gleam in his eyes, something fierce, loyal. I trusted this man to have my back.
Why? Because Magnus did, and that was enough endorsement for me.
I motioned to Haleigh. She sent the text to Magnus. My friend and her boyfriend would stay here with the car. My heart thudded. In a few minutes, Magnus and his bikers would be roaring down Highway 512 and assault the front of the bar where two other guards waited.
Then Big Hoss and I would hit them from behind.
“Better suit up,” Big Hoss whispered.
I summoned my armor. It was second nature. The silvery metal rippled around me. The damage it had sustained from fighting Griff had vanished and even my helmet, lost in my escape, appeared on my head. The armor seemed to repair itself when I dismissed it back to...wherever. My soul?
My sword appeared next, burning, eager for the fight.
Big Hoss whistled. “I see why you captured his heart. You look like that chick from the Conan movie.”
“Conan movie?” I frowned. “What? That terrible CGI fest that came out a few years ago?” I had a boyfriend take me, and even the hot lead, the same guy who played Khal Drogo, did not make up for how terrible it was.
“Naw, the classic with Arnold,” Big Hoss nodded. “Valeria. That was her name. She got killed and came back in silver armor. Looked like a bad ass.”
I gripped my sword. My heart thudding. Waiting sucked. “You seem to take to the Norse stuff pretty well.”
Big Hoss shrugged. “Shit happens. You can either accept it or whine about it. I'm sure Magnus would pull out a quote from some dead dude, but I ain't that smart.”
I smiled. “Don't sell yourself short. I think that's one of the smartest things I've ever heard.”
Big Hoss opened his mouth, then paused. “Magnus and the boys are coming.”
The roar of motorcycles grew louder.
~ ~ ~
Magnus
The wind howled past as I rode my Harley. My blond hair fluttered behind me. We rounded the corner. The straightaway into Covington before us. The Bear and Eagle bar lay dead ahead, butting up against the forests right on the edge of town.
I twisted the accelerator. My bike howled as she raced forward.
The three of us barreled down the highway, sliding into oncoming traffic as we whipped around a beta male driving a baby-blue Prius. The driver jumped as we screamed by. I dived back onto the right-hand lane as an approaching semi-truck's horn blared.
My blood roared. The two guards out front of the bar let out screeches as they changed into crimson were-eagles, their cuts still adorning their feathery bodies. Skid came along side me, his UMP held up in one hand.
He went full auto.
The air exploded. Fire spat from his gun. Bullets splintered the bar's peeling siding and broke glass. One of the were-eagles staggered as the other launched himself into the air, wings flapping and taloned feet extended before him.
Thunder skid his bike as he fired a burst into the sky at the rising were-eagle while Vince screeched to a halt and lifted his submachine gun. The air exploded with shots. I braked. My bike tires screeched as I whipped into the parking lot and stopped my bike. The were-eagle dived at me, talons extended.
I swung my ax. Sheets of dancing, undulating light trailed the weapon. The aurora flashed around the metal. The ax slammed into the side of the bird, biting in deep. The Blood Eagle screeched in pain as my blow slammed him into the ground.
Skid screeched to a stop beside me. He fired a burst at the were-eagle standing by the door. Bullets struck the creature in the chest, throwing it back into the wall. Blood oozed, almost vanishing against his feathers.
Loki's magic worked.
“Let's pluck the pigeons,” I growled as I climbed off my bike and donned the wolf's cloak.
The primal rage of the wolf seized me. The world tinged with red as black fur covered my body. I gripped the ax in a furry claw and howled my challenge.
The door to the bar burst open and more of the Blood Eagles poured out, their eyes wild as they changed. Energy crackled about their feathers. The nearest Blood Eagle threw up his wings and cawed. The energy surged up to its beak.
Skid and Thunder unloaded their weapons at the flock of were-eagles. A pair fell, screeching in pain. I lunged forward, charging at the lead were-eagle. The energy crackled along its beak. The creature flapped his wings.
A bolt of lightning shot from his mouth.
I howled in surprise as it struck me in the chest.
Chapter Nineteen
Raven
Gunfire erupted. I took a deep breath. “Ready?”
“Let's kick their asses, Valkyrie,” growled Big Hoss. “Fucking pigeons need to learn not to fuck with wolves.”
“Good luck, Raven,” Haleigh called.
I burst out around the corner, my armor clinking, and raced towards the two guards. They were distracted, glancing through the open back door. Screeches and more gunshots crashed together. A wolf howled, and an aurora swept over the top of the bar.
My wolf was fighting.
The excitement built inside of me as I ran faster. It burst out in a primal shout. The two Blood Eagle guards spun, their faces wide. One transformed, sprouting crimson feathers and ripping his jeans. He flapped his wings, energy crackling about his feathers.
Big Hoss fired his gun beside me. The were-eagle staggered back and cawed in pain, the energy dissipating from his reeling body. I reached the were-eagle and cut him down with a single swipe of my sword.
Feathers burned as they drifted through the air.
“Bitch,” cawed the second guard. He had transformed. The air was alive around him with crackling energy. The hairs on my arms stood up as electricity raced across his body towards his beak. He was building up for an attack.
I had no intention of finding out what would happen.
I rammed my sword through his gut and then kicked him off my blade.
“Let's go,” I shouted to Big Hoss and charged into the back of the bar.
~ ~ ~
Magnus
I snarled as my body convulsed on the ground, electricity coursing through me. My fur smoked. I howled in rage and ignored the convulsions. I threw myself to my feet and launched at the were-eagle that fired the lighting bolt that struck me. The creature cawed in shock as I crashed into his body.
My teeth found his scrawny throat. Blood gushed as I tore.
I landed on his corpse and threw myself into the midst of all the screeching were-eagles. Bullets tore into them as I swung my ax and my clawed hand. I howled as blood sprayed through the air and were-eagles fell before my ax.
Lightning slammed into my back. I staggered, my muscles convulsing. My rage would not let me fall.
Two were-eagles slammed into my back, their talons biting into my flesh and bearing me down to the ground. I rolled, their sharp claws slicing my hide open. I slammed my ax into one's guts and kicked at the other, snapping his knee.
I was the wolf. The Einherjer. I howled in disdain as I rose.
These pigeons could not hurt me.
I swung my ax, cutting through the thin neck of another as I fought to the bar. Gunshots erupted from the back. My Valkyrie fought. I had to reach her. I had to defend her. I cut through the were-eagles, ignoring their pecking beaks, bolts of lightn
ing, and tearing talons.
I was beyond pain.
I charged at the door. The Thief stepped out.
I howled as I lunged at him. He would not stand in my way.
~ ~ ~
Raven
Griff stood in the center of the bar holding a spear made of burning light, white-yellow electricity crackling over its glowing surface. Warmth rippled over my skin—the Sun's Tear had been transformed and enhanced.
“Valkyrie,” he grinned as he clutched the spear. His other hand touched the edges of a bloody wound where his right eye should be—my sword's work.
Big Hoss came in behind me. He fired at Griff. The bullets struck a wavering shield of heat. Cherry-red flashes flared every time one of the bullets would have hit Griff. Molten lead dripped to the ground, smoking on the wooden floor.
“Fuck,” Big Hoss shouted as Griff leveled his spear.
A bolt of white-hot lightning shot at Big Hoss. The burly biker dived behind a table. The bolt struck wood. The table cracked and splintered, falling into burning pieces on the floor and Big Hoss.
“You owe me an eye, Valkyrie,” Griff roared as he charged at me, the spear leveled before him.
The point of the spear crackled. I swung my sword, sweeping in before me in a curtain of fire. Metal rang on metal. Sparks of electricity and fire exploded. My sword crashed into his spear and knocked it to the side. I spun around Griff and he barreled past me.
His spear embedded in the wall. Wood smoked. A surge of electricity ran through the bar. Lights hanging from the ceiling exploded, showering the ground in broken shards. Burnt plastic and ozone tanged the air.
I whipped around and lunged my sword at Griff's back.
“Bitch,” he growled as he yanked his spear from the wall. He spun about with near impossible speed, bringing the point to bear at me.
He lunged a stop-thrust at my chest.
I skidded to a halt and backpedaled. My feet moved the way Magnus taught me, keeping the point of the crackling, burning spear from finding my stomach. I swung my sword and deflected the spear to the right. I lunged in at the biker.
Griff recovered.