Valkyrie

by Kate O'Hearn

  The angel frowned and stepped closer. ‘You, a powerful Valkyrie, would risk your own life so this boy can attend a simple dance?’

  ‘You don’t understand how it is for the Geek Squad,’ Freya continued. ‘They have been picked on and beaten up just because they are different. They are the outcasts of the school. But they are all wonderful, caring people. This one dance may not mean much to everyone else, but it means everything to them. They are just learning to stand up for themselves and coming to this dance will prove it. If Archie and I don’t go, they won’t. How can we deny them their triumph over their fears?’

  The angel considered a moment. Then he looked at Maya. ‘One week will be but a short time in Asgard.’

  ‘But Loki is out for blood,’ Maya cried. ‘There is no telling what poisonous words he is feeding to Odin right now. It is too dangerous.’

  ‘I’m not leaving,’ Freya insisted stubbornly. ‘Please, Angel, give Archie one more week.’

  The angel looked over at Archie. Then he approached Freya, rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned closer to her. ‘If I do this, you must swear that the day after the dance, when I come back for Archie, you will not stop me.’

  ‘Don’t do it!’ Maya cried. ‘One week is still too long. Loki has betrayed you. Odin will send the Dark Searcher, I know he will. You must come with me now before it’s too late.’

  ‘I can’t,’ Freya insisted. ‘I’m sorry, but you still don’t understand. I must stay. Go back to Asgard. I will return right after the dance.’

  ‘But the Dark Searcher will find you.’

  The angel shook his head. ‘No he won’t. Not if she doesn’t wear her helmet again. That is how he will track you. When he arrives, we will do what we can to distract him.’

  Freya looked at the angel in shock. ‘You would do that for me?’

  ‘You are risking Odin’s wrath for this human boy. How could I not? Now, do we have an agreement?’

  Freya nodded. ‘I swear, after the dance, I will not stop you.’

  ‘It is agreed,’ said the angel.

  Freya stepped aside and let the Angel of Death pass. Her heart was pounding. She knew angels could be trusted. But seeing him so close to Archie set her nerves on edge.

  The Angel of Death stood beside the bed and waved his hand over Archie’s head. ‘It is not your time, child. Sleep now and heal. When you wake you will grow stronger. Go to the dance. Live your whole life within this next week.’

  When he finished, he looked at Freya. ‘It is done. He is yours – for now. Use this time wisely, Valkyrie.’

  The angel bowed and then vanished.

  Maya faced her sister. ‘What have you done?’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Moment by moment, Archie improved. Dr Taylor returned but remained under Maya’s spell.

  ‘Well?’ Freya asked.

  The doctor’s dark-hazel eyes were only on Maya as he grinned. ‘It’s all good news! I’m not sure how it’s happening, but he is recovering.’

  ‘There are other forces at work here,’ Maya said. She focused on Freya. ‘So, the angel has done what he promised. Archie will live one more week. You are risking everything for him. Is he really worth it?’

  Freya nodded. ‘He is. If you could only get to know him, you’d see that for yourself.’ She looked out of the window. ‘It’s still dark out. You’d better get going while you have the cover of night. You can’t wear your helmet again or the Dark Searcher may find you.’

  Maya shook her blonde head. ‘I’m not going anywhere. If you are staying, so am I, and if the Dark Searcher comes, we’ll face him together.’

  Freya was awash with gratitude to her sister. She hugged her fiercely. Together, she knew they could face whatever Odin threw at them.

  They stood at Archie’s bedside while the doctor carefully removed the breathing tube and started to disconnect him from the machines.

  Archie moaned softly.

  Orus flew down from her shoulder and landed on Archie’s chest. He marched up to his chin. ‘Come on, Archie,’ he cawed loudly. ‘Wake up!’

  Dr Taylor tried to shoo him away but Orus nipped him sharply.

  ‘I wouldn’t try to move him,’ Freya warned. ‘Orus is quite fond of Archie.’

  ‘That’s because Orus has no taste,’ Grul cawed from Maya’s shoulder and then started to laugh.

  Freya held up a warning finger to her sister’s raven. ‘Don’t you start, Grul. I’m in no mood to deal with you right now.’

  The raven huffed, but grew silent.

  Finally Archie opened his eyes. They landed first on the doctor, then on Maya and lastly they found their way to Freya. ‘Gee,’ he rasped softly. ‘What happened?’

  ‘JP hit us with a truck. But you weren’t struck very hard. You’re going to be fine.’

  A frown knitted Archie’s brow. ‘I don’t remember. Are you OK? Did he hurt you?’

  Freya smiled gently on her friend. ‘I’m fine, Archie. But it hurt my wings again.’

  ‘Guess this means you’ll have to ride with me on Sylt.’

  ‘Ride Sylt?’ Maya asked. She looked at Freya. ‘Have you been letting him ride your Reaping Mare?’

  Freya nodded. ‘Every night. We take her out and go flying together, don’t we?’

  Archie nodded. ‘I love Sylt. She is so cool.’ Suddenly Archie’s expression tensed. ‘Gee, where’s your coat? You’re exposed.’ He looked nervously at the doctor.

  ‘It’s all right,’ Freya said. ‘Mia has enchanted him. He won’t remember any of this when we go.’

  Maya looked out the window again. The first streaks of dawn had appeared on the horizon. ‘Speaking of going, we’d better get moving while it’s still dark. Sylt is on the roof waiting for us. She can carry you home.’

  She turned to Dr Taylor. ‘Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for Archie. I would ask one more thing of you.’

  ‘Anything.’ The doctor blushed.

  Maya walked closer to him and smiled radiantly. ‘We are going to take Archie with us. Can you arrange it so there are no questions asked?’

  ‘Of course,’ the doctor said. ‘This is my department. I’ll take care of everything. You just take good care of young Archie here. And maybe . . .’

  ‘Yes?’ Maya asked gently.

  A bright-red blush came to the doctor’s cheeks. ‘Maybe I can see you again?’

  ‘Perhaps, Peter,’ Maya promised. ‘Perhaps.’

  Getting Archie out of the hospital was more difficult than they first expected. Despite the early hour, there were still a good number of nurses on duty. With both Valkyries having no cover for their wings, they had to resort to using their helmets to get Archie to the roof.

  ‘I hope Odin doesn’t notice,’ Maya said softly as they walked through the hospital corridor towards the stairs to the roof. Freya was holding on to Archie’s arm to keep him invisible with her helmet’s powers. ‘It’s this, or we expose ourselves. We don’t have much choice.’

  ‘Yes, we do,’ Maya said. ‘We could all go back to Asgard right now.’

  ‘That’s not an option,’ Freya said as they stepped out on to the roof. When Sylt saw them, she nickered with happiness, and nudged Archie affectionately with her nose.

  Archie paused and looked at Maya. ‘Has something happened? Why are you here?’

  Freya quickly shook her head as her eyes pleaded with Maya not to say a word about the trouble they were in.

  ‘Nothing,’ Maya finally said. ‘I just came here to go to the dance with you and my sister.’

  ‘You want to go to the dance?’ Archie asked.

  Maya nodded and gave Freya a pointed, dark look. ‘Why not? It’s probably going to be my last.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The sun was already up when they landed back at the house. By the time they’d settled Sylt in the garage and finished feeding the mare, Archie was already back to his old self.

  Seeing his smile as he moved around their sma
ll kitchen, making a large batch of pancakes, caused a great pang of sadness for Freya. Archie was running out of time, but he didn’t know it.

  ‘What day is it?’ he asked as they sat down to eat. ‘I seemed to have lost track of time.’

  ‘It’s Sunday,’ Freya said. ‘You were in the hospital just over a week.’

  ‘Really? I don’t remember a thing. Sunday, eh? We’ve only got a few more days to the dance. I can’t wait!’

  Freya looked over to her sister, but said nothing.

  Later that day, Freya and Archie convinced Maya to join them going to Tamika’s house. Archie wanted to show them he was all right, and Freya wanted to introduce her sister. She also wanted to quietly thank Tamika and Alma for cleaning and repairing her velvet coat. With the bloodstains gone, she didn’t have to worry about Archie seeing and asking awkward questions.

  When they arrived, the greetings were loud and welcoming. Everyone was shocked and delighted to see just how recovered Archie actually was.

  Alma grinned at Freya. ‘Angel, did you have something to do with his sudden recovery?’

  She shrugged. ‘What could I do? I’m just a Valkyrie.’ Freya then introduced her sister, using the name Mia.

  Alma smiled radiantly at Maya. ‘Aren’t you pretty! Two Valkyries in my home – who’d have ever imagined it?’

  Maya returned the smile. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you.’

  Tamika was bursting with excitement and could hardly contain herself. ‘We’ve got so much to tell you! We’re moving!’

  ‘What?’ Freya said.

  Tamika nodded excitedly. ‘Curtis and Carol are buying a big house near here and we’re all moving in together. I won’t have to change schools!’

  Freya frowned in confusion. ‘But what about this house? You said you didn’t want to leave it. We were fighting the developers to keep them away.’

  Alma explained. ‘Carol has got the police on to them. They have finally opened up an investigation into their actions. They won’t get away with what they’ve done. But this place? It’s just an old, rundown house. We were fighting to protect our home. We still have that. And thanks to you, our family has grown.’

  ‘I – I don’t understand,’ Freya said.

  ‘Come into the kitchen and help me finish making dinner.’

  Away from Tamika, Freya watched the old woman struggle to sit down. Instantly at her side, Freya helped her into a chair. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘The doctor says I am weakening. Who knows how much time I have left?’ Alma explained. Freya felt the oddest sensation clutching her heart. It was something she’d only experienced once before – when she’d heard the angel saying Archie’s time had come. She realized that she was feeling grief. Though she had only known Alma for a few weeks, the thought of losing her was painful.

  ‘Isn’t there anything they can do?’

  The old woman shook her head tiredly. ‘They’ve done all they can. It’s my time, child. It’s natural and I won’t fight it. You once told me there wasn’t an Angel of Death standing at my side. You may not see him now, but he’s there all right.’

  Freya heard Tamika’s laughter from the front room. ‘Does she know?’

  Alma shook her head. ‘Not yet. She’s so excited for the dance, I couldn’t tell her.’

  Freya dropped her head and walked over to the sink. She peered out the kitchen window at the burned-out wreck of the house next door. ‘I’ve failed,’ she said softly. ‘I promised your son I would take care of his family and I have failed.’

  ‘What?’ Alma cried. ‘Child, I bless the day you came to us. You have done everything you promised Tyrone and so much more.’

  ‘But I didn’t save this house – you are leaving it. The girls will be left alone without you.’

  The old woman struggled to rise and approached Freya. She put her hand lightly on her arm. ‘You listen to me. I was going to die whether you came here or not. But now, thanks to you, I can rest knowing my girls are safe. Curtis, Carol and I have been talking and we’ve made all the arrangements. They will be adopting the girls when I am gone. With the money you gave them from your jewels, Tamika and Uniik will have everything they need to live good lives.’

  ‘But—’ Freya said.

  ‘No buts. You’ve fulfilled your promise to my son. Maybe not the way you intended, but you have. I know you are a Valkyrie and I know what you must do in your life. But here and now, you have saved all of us. Tamika has friends she never had before. She and her sister will grow up with parents who adore them. What more could you possibly give them?’

  ‘You,’ Freya said softly, as she peered into the old woman’s fading eyes. ‘I should be able to give them you.’

  Alma smiled gently. ‘I don’t think even you could do that. It is my time. I am ready.’ She reached for her cooking pot. ‘Now, why don’t you spend some time with Tamika and Archie, and leave me to finish dinner?’

  ‘But I want to help,’ Freya argued.

  ‘You can help by staying out of my way.’ As she shooed Freya out of the kitchen the old woman laughed. ‘And tell your sister I want to take her measurements later. By the looks of things, I have another dress to make for the dance.’

  Dinner was loud and filled with laughter as they all sat together enjoying their meal. At first awkward, Maya soon relaxed and sat beside her sister, telling stories of their life together in Asgard and sharing with them the details of Freya’s First Day Ceremony.

  ‘I wish I could have been there,’ Archie said wistfully. ‘I would have loved to see it. Asgard sounds amazing.’

  ‘It is,’ Maya said. ‘But this world has its own kind of magic. I think my sister is only just starting to see that for herself.’

  Freya nodded and then looked at Alma. ‘When I came here, I really didn’t like humans.’

  ‘And now?’

  Freya grinned. ‘I really like them.’

  Archie tore up a small piece of bread and threw it at her.

  ‘I like most humans,’ Freya corrected, as she stuck her tongue out at him.

  Later that night, they freed Sylt from the garage.

  ‘Tell me again why we’re doing this?’ Maya asked as she pulled off her coat and freed her wings.

  ‘Because Sylt needs her exercise,’ Freya said drawing the Reaping Mare into the backyard and helping Archie up on to her back.

  ‘And Freya likes to play superhero,’ Archie teased.

  ‘I do not,’ Freya protested. ‘I just like to help people.’

  Archie winked at Maya. ‘See what I mean? A superhero complex.’

  Taking to the sky, Freya led them into Chicago, to the part of the city that she had taken upon herself to patrol. They landed on an apartment roof and gazed down into the quiet street below.

  Like he did whenever they were on patrol, Orus moved to Archie’s shoulder to wait with Sylt while Freya helped people below. Maya ordered Grul to join Orus.

  After a few minutes, Orus said hopefully, ‘It looks like nothing is happening tonight. Why don’t we all go home, make some popcorn and watch a movie.’

  ‘Be patient,’ Freya said. ‘This is much better than a movie.’

  ‘Says who?’ Orus cawed.

  Suddenly a scream filled the air.

  ‘Here we go,’ Archie said. He turned to Freya. ‘Go get ’em!’

  Freya grinned at her sister. ‘Come, it feels wonderful to help people – you’ll see.’ She looked over to Archie. ‘Follow us, but stay up on the rooftops.’

  ‘Yes, sir!’ Archie said, saluting formally as he drew back on Sylt’s reins.

  Freya and Maya leaped off the roof and soared over several buildings. Down below, they saw what looked like a gang of men circling a woman. She was screaming as they advanced upon her.

  ‘Follow me,’ Freya called back to her sister.

  Freya and Maya touched down on the street beside them causing the men to turn round.

  Freya drew her sword and charged forward with Maya following
closely behind. But almost immediately, Freya knew something was very wrong. There was no fear coming from the woman and no threat towards her from the men. Instead she felt something else. It was excitement mixed with triumph.

  ‘Gee,’ Maya warned, using Archie’s name for her. ‘I think we should go now.’

  The words were barely out of Maya’s mouth when soldiers burst out of doorways behind them and the gang of men surrounding the woman drew weapons.

  The woman pulled out her own weapon. ‘Hold it!’ she ordered fiercely. ‘Shut your wings, drop your sword and don’t move a muscle! You’re completely surrounded!’

  ‘You don’t want to do this,’ Freya warned, sensing danger all around her.

  The woman’s eyes moved from Freya to Maya and back to Freya again. ‘This is my lucky night. I set a trap to capture one winged avenger, and here it is, I catch two.’ She pulled out her mobile phone and pressed a button. ‘This is Command One, send in the trucks. These birds are caged!’

  Freya and Maya stood back-to-back as the soldiers aimed their weapons at them on both sides. The soldiers meant business. They could feel that they were prepared to shoot.

  ‘What are you?’ the woman demanded, stepping closer. ‘Where are you from?’

  ‘Who are you?’ Freya asked.

  ‘I ask the questions here, not you,’ the woman shot. ‘Now answer me. What are you? Why are you here?’

  Maya muttered softly, ‘Get ready to give them your loudest howl and then fly. If they want to know what we are, we’ll show them.’

  ‘Leave them alone!’

  Freya looked up and saw Archie on Sylt. He was shouting as loud as he could while the Reaping Mare shrieked in rage. The two ravens descended from the sky and attacked the men nearest to Freya and Maya.

  Sylt tucked in her wings and dove at the large group of men. Just before she struck the ground, the large mare opened her huge wings and bowled most of the soldiers over as she glided smoothly past.

  ‘Now!’ Maya shouted.