by Leia Stone
“Allie?” Tore questioned. He followed my sightline, and stepped protectively in front of me. “Who’s watching you?”
“It’s the woman from the shop in Skykomish.” One hand reached instinctively for the gem that hung at my neck, while the other pushed my protector gently out of the way. In the time it had taken Tore to obscure my view, the woman had taken off. “Dang it, where did she go?”
“What shop? What are you talking about?” Tore continued to scan the area, frustration seeping through his tone as he demanded, “Allie, talk to me.”
“Just follow me.” I took off at a sprint, all thoughts of dragon saddles and peanut butter treats forgotten. My singular focus was tracking down the woman who’d set me on this path way back when she’d sold me my necklace in the antique shop. It was no coincidence that she’d shown up just when Tore had brought me to the Hage. But why had she come for me? Was she here to warn me about another awful plan of Nott’s? Or to tell me where the pieces of my weapon were hidden? Good Lord, did she know that?
“Allie!” Tore’s heavy footsteps pounded behind me. My own feet moved of their own accord, carrying me past the pub, away from the park, and to the edge of the hidden town. Four-foot high hedges wound a complicated maze leading to a cluster of cottages, and I could just make out a silver-haired bun ducking around the corner of one of the buildings. Seriously? I have to get through a maze?
Without stopping to think, I lowered my head and barreled through the entry. The path was narrow, and shrouded in late-afternoon shadow. But the hedges were low enough that I could see the way to the cottages, and when the path forked I hung right. I veered left at the next intersection, then made a sharp right before being yanked backward. At first I thought Tore had caught up to me and was about to lay into me for being reckless, but the loud rip and pressure at my arm let me know that I’d torn my jacket. I must have snagged it on an errant branch. My fingers fumbled as I struggled to free myself from the hedge’s grip. By the time I was able to launch forward off the balls of my feet, thick arms wrapped themselves around my shoulders. Tore had caught up to me. And he was not happy.
“Don’t. Take. Off. On. Me. Like. That,” his low voice growled in my ear. “I could have lost you.”
I knew he was only trying to protect me. But that woman moved seriously fast for an old lady, and I needed to find her. Tore would just have to understand.
I ducked out of his grip and took off again. “Then keep up,” I called over my shoulder.
I scanned the top of the greenery, monitoring the gaps in the hedges as I charged forward. It only took a minute to complete the winding maze, but by the time I reached the back of the cottages, the old woman was nowhere to be seen. She could have gone into the lush gardens that backed against the tiny homes, or she could have disappeared into the forest to the left of the hedge-maze. For all I knew, she’d called one of those flying-horse-taxis, and taken off for Asgard or Alfheim or even Skykomish. The sky was literally the limit in this crazy town. And I had no way of tracking her down.
My butt hit the ground with a soft thud, and by the time Tore’s footsteps pounded to my side, I’d dropped my head to my knees. I pressed the heels of my hands against my temples in a vain attempt to squeeze the frustration from my brain. If only it worked like that.
“Allie.” Tore lowered himself to the ground to sit beside me. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“That woman, the one I felt watching us.” Disappointment rushed from my body on a forceful exhale. I removed my hands from my head, clasping them around my legs and turning so my cheek rested on my knee. “She sold me my necklace back in Skykomish. I thought maybe she came here because she had a message for me, maybe a lead on the next piece, or . . .” Or what? If she’d wanted to tell me something, she very well could have. There was no way she’d missed the desperate demigod chasing after her. Or the irritated protector chasing after me. Maybe that was it—she could have taken off because I wasn’t alone. Would I have to ditch Tore if I wanted her to talk?
“Hey.” Tore’s large hand reached out to rest on the small of my back. “I know you want answers, but you can’t just take off on me. Yes, the Hage is protected, but there’s a pretty hefty price on your head. We need to be careful.”
“Ugh.” I grunted. “This is so frustrating. I know she had something to tell me. Otherwise, why would she show up just when—oh!” The tingling at my shoulder elicited a sharply drawn breath.
“What is it?” Tore was on his feet, his dagger drawn before I could exhale.
“No, I’m okay.” I jumped up, placing my hand on Tore’s to gently lower his weapon. “But my armor is vibrating. There’s a piece of Gud Morder nearby.”
“In the Hage?” Tore’s eyes narrowed in concern. “No. It’s too easy. We have no enemies within this city; Nott will have no way of accessing the piece.”
“Perfect!” I dropped my focus to the back of my head. A faint glow pulled at me from the right, and I wound my fingers through Tore’s before tugging him forward with me. “It’s over here. Come on.”
“Allie,” Tore warned. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t like that one of the pieces is hidden in a city our enemies can’t access?” The vibration at my shoulder increased as I moved into the lush, English-style garden. “Seriously, there’s no pleasing you, is there?”
“Oh, you’ll please me just fine.” A shiver danced up my spine at Tore’s innuendo, but I continued walking toward the source of the energetic pull. “But the likelihood of a piece landing here is unfathomable. Nott’s been able to send scouts to every other site. It’s not possible that she’d have sent a piece somewhere she couldn’t access.”
“Maybe she didn’t send it.” The pull intensified, and I followed the invisible cord to a cluster of rose bushes. “Didn’t the Alfödr say the Norns had left us a map by scattering the pieces in places that were somehow connected to me? Well, maybe that woman, whoever she was, had a connection to me. She did sell me my neckla—oh my God! There it is!”
“No. Way.” Tore stopped suddenly beside me. Tucked into the ground behind a pale pink rose bush, rising from the earth like a spiraling blue beacon, was another piece of Gud Morder. Its twin blades wrapped in a double-helix, their razor-sharp edges emitting an other-worldly glow. I turned my head from side to side, scanning the garden for night elves or fire giants or just plain crazies who might swoop in and steal the piece before putting a hit on us. But the only creatures around were a handful of pollinating bees and a trio of dancing butterflies.
“Grab it,” Tore ordered.
I wasted no time complying. With a steadying breath, I knelt down and carefully wrapped my fingers around the entwined blades of my weapon. The second I touched the piece, its energy surged up my arm and into my necklace, pulsing through each of my centers before settling into my armor. The Asgardian piece vibrated with unparalleled intensity. It grew so hot that my shoulder throbbed, and I sucked a sharp breath through gritted teeth.
“It’s burning,” I winced.
“Pull, Allie,” Tore urged. He dropped down, wrapping his hands around mine and helping me remove the piece from the soil. The second it was freed, the heat ebbed, the glow dimmed, and the vibrations stopped.
Thank God.
“Follow me. We’re going back to the hus,” Tore commanded.
He didn’t have to ask me twice. I hurriedly stuffed the piece into my jacket pocket, and wasted no time taking Tore’s hand and winding back through the maze. We made our way through the Hage, past the pub-goers, the picnicking family, and the watchful dwarf, Tore checking over his shoulder the entire way. We stepped through the secret entrance, and walked briskly along the cobblestone streets of the little town, not bothering to stop for coffee beans or fresh bread. Dusk had settled on the outskirts of hidden Trondheim, and Tore didn’t unclench his shoulders until the little city was behind us. Even then, he shot furtive looks backward as we walked across the fields, and home to our safe house.
CHAPTER FIVE
DESPITE TORE’S MISGIVINGS, THE rest of our team was over the moon that we’d recovered another piece of Gud Morder without jumping realms, or catching frostbite, or nearly dying in the hell that was the eternal flame. After Tore secured the latest piece in the safe, he ordered the guys, Greta, and I into the living room. Ophelia had gone home for the day, but she’d left a heaping platter of lingonberry cookies. While Mack diverted Killer’s attention from the plate of butter-laced treats, the rest of us tucked into the awesomeness that was Ophelia’s baking.
“Oh, my God, Mack,” I mumbled through a mouthful of cookie. “These are insane. I think she cooks better than you.”
“Careful, Allie. Those are fighting words.” Johann took a massive swig of milk, and nearly spit it out laughing when Mack frowned at me.
“Are they really better than mine?” Mack spoke as if the thought of anyone besting him in the kitchen was a mortal offense.
“Seriously, they’re so chewy,” Greta chimed in. “And . . . are these white chocolate chips?”
“Yes,” Bodie moaned. “Man, I missed these cookies.”
“Me, too.” Tore sighed. “Even if she can’t remember me, I’m grateful I have her back in my life.”
Oh, Tore. My heart tugged at his words. My gaze sought out Greta, and a silent understanding passed between us. We’d get to work on Ophelia first thing in the morning—the moment she arrived at the house. We would fix this. We would heal her. And we would give Tore a tiny piece of the family he’d had once upon a time.
But that was tomorrow’s task. Tonight, I needed to find a way to keep Tore’s spirits up. We were about to head into Svartalfheim and Helheim, which, by all accounts, weren’t exactly dream locations. I needed him in top mental shape before I set him loose on dark elves and . . . well, on whatever monsters lived in Helheim. Yikes.
“Okay.” I clapped my hands together. “We found another piece, and we’re settled into our new safe house. We can invite some friends for dinner, right?”
“Uh . . .” Johann raised an eyebrow. “Not sure if anyone explained the concept of ‘safe house’ to you, Allie, but the ‘safe’ part means we don’t have people over. Because we can’t tell them where it is.”
“Suit yourself.” I shrugged. “I just thought it might be nice if we had a few of Vidar’s warriors over for the evening. I never got to thank them for saving my butt in Muspelheim. But if you don’t think Astrid can be trusted . . .”
Spots of pink cropped up along Johann’s cheeks. “I never said that,” he mumbled.
“And if the warriors are coming, we should probably invite Mel and . . . what was her healing tutor’s name?” I feigned confusion. “Lorna?”
“Lela?” Mack’s head snapped up, and Killer took the opportunity to dart past him toward the plate of cookies.
“No, Killer.” Tore pushed the plate out of the dog’s reach. “Those have chocolate.”
Killer whined, but settled begrudgingly in front of the fireplace to resume chewing his chocolate-free stick.
“Well, if nobody wants to have anyone over, I guess we should just all go to bed.” I stretched my arms over my head and faked a yawn. My armor shifted with the movement—I’d been so eager to dive into Ophelia’s cookies, I hadn’t taken it off yet. Soon.
Johann looked as if I’d just taken away his puppy. “Technically, warriors with a certain clearance level are permitted knowledge of the coordinates of the safe houses,” he offered.
“And technically, Lela was already at our other safe house . . .” Mack trailed off.
Knew it. “Well, if you’re sure.” I grinned. “Bodie, want to make some calls?”
“On it.” Bodie withdrew his arm from Greta’s shoulders. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone, but Tore was quick to stop him. “You heard the Alfödr—no comms. Why don’t you Bifrost into Asgard and get them.”
Bodie nodded. “Be back in ten?”
“Only if you’re slow.” Johann snorted. Then he hastened to add, “I’ll go with you.” And the two of them were on the porch before I could say ‘holy Asgardian hormones.’
Tore chuckled as the door clicked closed behind them. “Well played, Pepper.”
His smile was enough of a win for me. I nestled back against his side with a contented wink. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Tore rubbed his thumb along my shoulder. “Good thinking. The team needs a break.”
The team. Tore. Me. In the past few days, we’d been through an earthquake and an inter-continental move. I’d also met my boyfriend’s supposedly dead mom for the first time, and learned my new home had a secret village within a secret village. I needed a break every bit as much as my protectors did.
And since I had no idea what the morning would hold, I intended to enjoy every minute of our night off.
***
True to his word, Bodie returned shortly with Lela, Mel, Astrid, and a female warrior named Malena. Despite having minimal prep time, they all looked as if they’d just stepped away from a photo shoot. Lela and Mel were bohemian chic in tunics, leggings, and ballet slippers, while Astrid and Malena were either ready to kick butt or go clubbing in sleeveless shirts, skinny jeans, and knee-high boots. They deposited their weapons by the front door as they entered, and Johann practically salivated as he followed Astrid into the house.
“Hey, ladies.” I waved from the formal table between the kitchen and living room, where Tore and Greta were locked in a heated game of dice called Asgardian War. I was arranging snacks far enough from their reach to avoid destruction by flying elbows.
“War!” Tore roared, and Greta gave a loud harrumph.
Johann continued his worshipful trot after Astrid. He didn’t take his eyes off her butt until I stepped closer to him and whispered, “Tongue back in your mouth, Hannie. You’re drooling.”
Johann shot me a glare packed with enough heat to fuel all of Muspelheim, but I just snickered as I returned to the kitchen to check on Mack’s progress.
“Chili coming along okay?” I asked. He’d started dinner when Tore and I were in the Hage, and I knew the surplus of guests had thrown off his recipe.
“Luckily, I made a vegetarian batch tonight—adding extra beans won’t increase the cook time by much. Want a taste?” He stopped stirring the pot long enough to hold up a wooden spoon laden with chili.
“Um, yes please.” I blew on the spoon so I only burned my tongue a little when I took a mouthful. An explosion of spices danced across my tongue, making me moan. “Mmm, Mack, that is so good.”
“Excellent.” Mack returned to stirring, and I gave him a sisterly pat on the shoulder before heading to the living room to greet our guests.
In the time it took me to check on Mack, Tore and Greta had resumed their game of War at the table, Johann and Bodie had hung the girls’ coats in the entryway closet, and Mel and Malena had taken seats on the L-shaped sectional.
“Hi guys. Glad you’re here,” I said warmly.
“Hei hei, Allie. Thank you for having us.” Lela met me as I neared the couch. She gave me a light hug before continuing toward the kitchen, where rainbows of happiness beamed brightly from my light elf protector. Go get her, god-brother.
“Ladies.” I grinned at Mel and Malena, who waved happily back.
“Hei,” they returned.
“Super glad to be here,” Mel enthused. “Mack’s cooking, right?”
“Yes.” I laughed. “And for once, it’s not chicken. Thank God.”
“Sweet.” Mel bent down to give Killer a full belly rub, and I followed Astrid over to check on the War players.
“Hey Astrid,” I greeted.
“Hei.” She nodded solemnly. “I’m glad you asked me to stop by. I’ve been wanting to talk to Tore, but if he’s busy . . .”
“Hey, Protector.” I nudged Tore’s thick shoulder. He didn’t look up from the dice.
“Mmm?”
“War!” Greta cried, slap
ping her hand on the table.
Tore muttered something incoherent, and most likely inappropriate for company. He begrudgingly congratulated Greta on her win before shifting his gaze up. “Yes? Oh, hei Astrid.”
Astrid leaned down, her crimson hair tumbling over her shoulder as she spoke into Tore’s ear. “I want you to know, I had no idea about your mother. I’m disgusted that Revenge stooped that low, and I’ve submitted my resignation. The Alfödr will reassign me within the week.”
Tore’s entire body tensed. He pushed his chair back from the table with robot-like precision before turning his shoulders to face our warrior friend. “Astrid. You didn’t have to do that.”
The scar over her eye puckered with her frown. “I know I didn’t have to. But I couldn’t fight on behalf of that god, knowing what he did.”
Tore gave her a tight smile. “You’re a good friend.”
My chest warmed at her act of solidarity, but Astrid just shrugged, as if quitting her job was no big deal. “Anyone would do the same. Most of his team requested a reassignment when we learned what he’d done. I’m not sure who the Alfödr will get to support Revenge now, but he’ll have some time to figure it out.” A mischievous glint sparked in Astrid’s eyes. “From what I hear, Vidar’s not coping well with his consequence. Word in Asgard is that he’s been demanding deliveries to the prison camp in Helheim to decrease his, er, discomfort.”
My armor tingled at the mention of the frozen dark realm. Oh, no.
“That’s Revenge.” The corner of Tore’s mouth quirked up. “Always was a bit of a princess. I had a feeling a stay in the camp might break him. Helheim’s no joke.”
The tingling increased, sending light nudges along my upper arm. No. Please, not yet.
“Can you imagine . . .” Astrid laughed, “. . . how awful his hair must look in Helheim?”
The nudges turned into pokes, then jabs, and I winced as my arm piece sent a jolt that resonated through my entire arm. Pain blanketed the left side of my body, and I couldn’t stop the cry that escaped my lips as a fresh surge pulsed through me. “Ow!”