Renegade Valkyrie (Valhalla's Curse Book 1)

by Stacy Claflin

“Sorry.” I’m not really, though. He needs the calories to regain his strength.

  I refill the spoon and bring it back to him. He shakes his head and clamps his mouth shut.

  “Oh, don’t be like that.”

  Titan shakes his head with more vigor.

  Relief washes through me. He’s gaining strength. “You need this. Open up, or do I need to put on my captain’s hat?”

  His eyes narrow.

  “This is actually kind of fun.” I make engine noises and make sweeping circles with the spoon.

  Titan rolls his eyes, then closes them.

  “Here it comes.” I bring the cold dessert to his mouth.

  He doesn’t respond.

  “Open up.” I wait a moment then press it against his mouth a bit harder, smearing some ice cream on his chin. When he still doesn’t budge, I bring my finger to his lower lip and pull it down.

  Oh, hades. Every inch of my skin flames.

  His eyes fly open, and our gazes lock.

  I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I can’t do anything.

  My finger is still on his mouth.

  The room spins around me.

  I jump back and drop the spoon on the floor. “No more ice cream. Maybe what you need is rest. Or magic. Yeah, magic. Eveline did this to you. I know people. Lots of them.”

  He just stares. What else can he do?

  I bolt up to my room. My heart thunders and my pulse drums in my ears.

  What just happened down there? Did he feel it too, or does he think I’m crazy? I hope I didn’t just ruin our friendship. We have such a good thing going here.

  While I’m searching for a magical cure for him, I need to find something to erase his memory. Make him forget everything about tonight.

  I fling myself onto my bed and cover my face.

  After a few seconds, I regain control over myself. Titan’s still downstairs unable to get up. My embarrassment is nothing. Healing him, even if he hates me after this, is the priority.

  I sit up and reach into my pocket for my phone. My gaze lands on the picture of my family. Brick, in particular. His smile sends an arrow into my heart.

  “What? You’ve been gone for three years! And you’re never coming back. Nobody’s ever returning to life from there. It’s been permanently sealed.”

  Guilt stings me. I’d never talk to him like that if he were here. Of course if he was, this whole thing with Titan wouldn’t be an issue. I’d still be consumed by Brick. Not alone and heartbroken.

  No, not heartbroken.

  I’ve been avoiding the truth for a while now, but now I can’t. I’ve moved on. That’s what my attraction to Titan is all about. It’s forcing me to face what I haven’t wanted to.

  I’m just mixing up my friendly feelings toward my flaming hot roommate for actual attraction.

  Relief washes through me. I’m not betraying Brick. Just moving on with life. That’s normal, right? I’ve never actually been in love before him, so this is all new to me—heartache and carrying on. I’m not surviving anymore. I’m actually living. And misreading my own emotions.

  We Valkyries aren’t great at the whole feeling thing. Not when our entire purpose is death. We’re sent here to take certain lives and return to Valhalla for our next kill mission.

  Crash!

  I jump to my feet. What am I doing, pondering all this while Titan is suffering downstairs?

  Some Valkyrie I am. Some friend.

  Ugh.

  I race to the top of the stairs and go through my contact list. “Hold on, Titan! I’m getting some help!”

  Finally, I get to Tap’s number. It took so long because we haven’t talked in forever. I try not to think about that as I call him.

  “Who’s this?” Tap’s voice booms in my ear.

  My heart warms at hearing the often-grumpy old troll’s voice. “Tap, ol’ buddy.”

  “Soleil!”

  “The one and only. Hey, I—”

  “Are you okay? Everyone asks me about you.”

  The warmth drains from my heart. “I know. It’s for their safety I’m staying away. You can tell them I’m safe.”

  “Will do. They’ll be so relieved.” I can hear the relief in his voice, as well. “Do you need something? You sound a little off.”

  “Never can hide anything from you, can I?”

  “No, and don’t ever try to. What do you need?”

  I explain Titan’s situation without going into details that would give away my location. I also don’t mention that he’s a mesmer.

  Glass crashes in the background. “I have to deal with those mesmers, Soleil. Can you give Gessilyn a call? I’d think she could be more help to you than I could.”

  “You can’t think of anyone else? You know, someone who isn’t so close to the pack?”

  “Gessilyn’s the high witch. Can’t get any better than her, especially when dealing with an ancient witch’s spell.”

  He’s right, and I knew that before calling because I want to avoid getting too close to my family. “Can’t you think of someone who’s a close second?”

  More glass shatters. “I’ll think about it. Like I said, gotta deal with these mesmers before they cause any real damage.”

  “Thanks, Tap. Let me know if you do think of anyone.”

  “Stop by sometime, okay?”

  “Sure.” Sadness washes over me because by sometime, I mean probably in the next century—assuming my superiors don’t get to me before I take out that dictator.

  The call ends, and my head swims. I’d really been hoping Tap would say he had a potion for that. The ancient troll is a wealth of information.

  But all he gives me is his advice—to call the high witch.

  Eleven

  I race downstairs to check on Titan before calling Gessilyn. His eyes are closed and he’s sprawled across the couch, half leaning on the armrest.

  Did he move himself or fall? I cringe at the thought, then move him to a more comfortable position. His eyes don’t even flutter.

  I check his breathing. He’s still alive.

  “Hang in there.” I go back to my phone and find Gessilyn, then call her.

  “Who’s this? How’d you get this number?”

  “It’s me, Soleil. I had to change my number.”

  “Soleil.” Her tone softens considerably. “Where are you?”

  “I can’t say.” Though I might have to if she agrees to help. “I’m sorry to call needing something, but Tap said you were the one for the job.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “For now, but I have a friend who isn’t.”

  “Tell me all about it.”

  I go over the story again, watching Titan the whole time. He doesn’t move at all.

  “Is he supernatural or human?” Gessilyn asks.

  “Mesmer.”

  “You’re hanging out with mesmers now?”

  “A mesmer. Just one. He’s a really good guy.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it. And you’re sure Eveline’s Azure’s sister?”

  “That’s what she says, and she does look like her. Both annoying and petty with the same coloring and build. You should see what she did to my friend and that dance club.”

  “I wasn’t aware Azure had any other siblings.”

  “From what I gather, these two had a falling out. Do you think you can help?”

  She takes a deep breath. “It’d help to know where you’re located. If I have a rune in the area, that would make a big difference.”

  “You won’t say anything to the pack? It’s for their own protection.”

  “Of course not.”

  I have no reason to doubt her. If the pack is my family, then she and her coven are cousins. “I’m in Los Angeles.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I have several runes down there.” Gessilyn lists off a couple neighborhoods, and one isn’t far away. We work out the details. “Hold tight, Soleil. I’m going to gather some ingredients, then I’ll travel to the rune and
head over. Keep your phone on you in case I need to call.”

  “I will. Thank you so much, Gessilyn. I know you have to be busy.”

  “That I am, but nothing as serious as what you’re dealing with. It’ll be good to catch up.”

  “It will. Thanks again.”

  “Don’t mention it. See you in a few.”

  The call ends, then I walk around the room. If only I could do more for Titan. I kneel and try to give him some essence, but I can’t get the flow to leave. I’m either too tired or he’s too weak to accept it. Or worse, the spell is preventing him from taking it.

  I cover him with a blanket, then pace the living room. Clutter is everywhere. We’re slobs. How does this not irritate me? I pick up things and move them or throw them out. How are we blind to it? And why do I care, now of all times? Am I just looking for something else to think about?

  It’s too quiet. I turn on the TV, not that it helps. It just annoys me like the clutter. I turn up the volume and glance over at Titan. He still doesn’t move.

  Louder. Still no response.

  I slink into the overstuffed recliner and don’t bother repositioning myself when a spring digs into my side.

  When will my phone ring? Will Gessilyn call me when she gets in town? Or did she say she’d only call if she got lost?

  I hate this. Being helpless is the worst thing to be. I was helpless when Brick and many others died. Now Titan looks lifeless, and there isn’t anything I can do about it.

  Except wait. And be helpless.

  Part of me itches to retrieve my sword. The one thing that will kill Eveline without a doubt. That weapon is so powerful it’ll alert all of Valhalla to my whereabouts. I’m only supposed to use it on the person I’ve been sent to kill.

  I’ve already broken that rule once this mission. What’s one more time?

  Other than assured death for me. Or centuries of torture if they decide to spare me.

  I shudder at the thought.

  Knock, knock!

  Gessilyn?

  I jump from the recliner and look out the peephole.

  The beautiful blonde witch stands outside with her equally gorgeous husband, Killian. He rakes his dark hair and glances around. Her focus is on the door.

  I fling it open and find myself in both of their arms before I can welcome them in.

  “I knew you were safe.” Gessilyn squeezes me tighter. “I just knew it.”

  I return the embrace, then step back and wave them in. “Did you ever doubt?”

  She frowns. “After you used the sword…”

  “Oh, I’ve been toying with Valhalla’s leaders for ages. I know what I’m doing.” I flip my hair back and shrug before closing the door. “It’s no big deal.”

  We all know it’s a huge deal.

  “Where’s your friend?” Killian asks.

  “This way.” We step over some empty boxes and make our way around the couch.

  Gessilyn and Killian look Titan over, exchange a glance, then walk over to him. She spreads out her palms and holds them over Titan’s head and chest. Killian does the same over his feet.

  I hold my breath, bracing myself for the worst.

  After what feels like an eternity, they step back.

  I release my breath. “How bad is it?”

  Killian turns to me. “Not so much bad as strong.”

  “What does that mean?” I exclaim. “Is that good news? It has to be, right?”

  Gessilyn puts a hand on my arm. “This is a complicated spell. It could take me days to unravel it before I can put together something to counteract it.”

  My heart drops to the floor. “Can you? Will you?”

  She and Killian exchange another look.

  “What?” I demand.

  Gessilyn squeezes my arm. “Of course we’ll help you. We’ll need to bring him to our home. It’ll be for the best—that’s where all my potions are. Also, my parents and siblings can help.”

  I sit next to Titan and take his hand in mine. “You can’t help him here?”

  They both shake their heads. Killian throws me an apologetic glance. “We’ll need certain ingredients to be able to read the spell in its entirety, then we’ll need a whole different set of ingredients to counteract it. Chances are, we’ll need some of Gess’s top secret books that she keeps locked away. We’ll be able to work faster with him there.”

  I chew on my lower lip. It’s going to kill me to let them take him. I’ll be alone. He’ll be so close to my family. They’ll all be away from me.

  “Soleil?” Gessilyn’s voice breaks through my worried thoughts.

  “Take him.” I drop Titan’s hand.

  Killian meets my gaze. “We’ll take good care of him. You have my word.”

  I nod. “I know. I appreciate it.”

  Gessilyn sits next to me. “You care deeply for him, don’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We’ll do everything we can. I promise. Do you mind if I put a rune on one of your mirrors? That way we can travel directly here.”

  I hesitate. “As much as I’d like that, I don’t think that’s safe. If my superiors find you, they might be able to force you into using it.”

  She frowns. “I didn’t think of that. It could really come down to that?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Then I’ll find a nearby mirror. Does that work? Or would you still rather we use the one we came by?”

  I consider the consequences. “As long as it isn’t here, everything should be okay.” I hope.

  Gessilyn nods. “That’s what we’ll do, then.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.”

  She gives me a quick hug. “We’d better get going. Call us anytime, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Killian steps around us, scoops up Titan, and grunts. “He’s heavier than he looks.”

  “He’s pure muscle.” I manage to pull myself together and show them to the door, thanking them again.

  Once I lock the deadbolts, the silence of the house screams at me.

  The clutter irritates me even more than it did before. I step over some of it and sit on the couch. It’s still warm from Titan.

  I flip through the channels, but that only feeds my annoyance. Everything does. The TV, the clutter, everything. Just being here feels like an assault.

  I’ve let Titan down. Not by allowing Gessilyn and Killian to take him, but by allowing him near Eveline.

  My blood boils just thinking about her. How dare she hurt my friend? Not to mention all those people. She had to have killed some of them.

  I pull out my phone and search for news on the club. Everyone’s talking about it on social media. I can’t find any official reports, but people are claiming dozens of deaths. It’s being called an act of terrorism. That much is right—they’re just laying the blame on the wrong species.

  People also believe a bomb was involved. Give me a break. It’s so obvious it was magic. If people didn’t worship science, they’d see the magic for what it really is.

  After checking every post, image, and comment on the event, I’m relieved to find no mention or picture of Eveline, Titan, or me.

  I set the phone aside and fidget. I’m not going to be able to sit around and hide for days as the coven works on Titan.

  That only leaves me with one option.

  I need to hunt down Eveline and deal with her myself.

  Twelve

  I glance in the mirror one last time before heading out the door. The baseball cap and hoodie completely cover my long hair and the dark sunglasses hide my eyes, but if they change color they won’t be of much use. The bright green glow when I drink essence is nothing that human technology can hide.

  Boom!

  Laughter sounds from the street. Titan and I really need to find a neighborhood with more mature neighbors. But that’ll have to wait until he’s conscious.

  Sighing, I lock the door.

  Boom!

  More laughter, this time mixed wit
h the clinking of glass bottles.

  Maybe Titan wouldn’t mind if I moved us. Still, it’ll have to wait. I need to get rid of Eveline before he returns.

  I make my way back to the club, or what’s left of it. It looks like a pile of lumber. Lights shine and bounce off everything from the police, fire, and medic vehicles. People are huddled just behind yellow tape while the authorities sift through the debris.

  Eveline isn’t anywhere from what I can tell, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t watching from somewhere. She’s probably waiting for my return. Or maybe she ran off, licking her wounds.

  Chances are, wherever she is, she’s plotting my demise. That’s her focus in life—she wants me to suffer before I die.

  She’s going to be sorely disappointed.

  I weave my way through the crowd, keeping all my senses on high alert. If I get even the slightest feel of magic, I’m going to hunt her down. She’ll pay for what she did to Titan.

  People around me discuss the collapse of the club. Their theories aren’t any different from those online. If anyone suspects magic, they aren’t talking. But I don’t see any supernaturals, so nobody would be discussing magic, anyway.

  I wander around, keeping an eye out for Eveline. Eventually, the crowd thins and the authorities leave. Only a couple dozen onlookers remain, milling around the yellow tape.

  With so few people, I’m leaving myself exposed. It’d be too easy for someone to recognize me, even with my poor disguise. The sunglasses in the wee hours of the morning practically shout that I’m trying to hide my identity.

  I head down a dark alley, stepping around people passed out in the path and avoiding eye contact with the rest. Nobody’s discussing the club’s demise.

  What I need to do is the exact thing I’ve been avoiding for so long—meeting the local supernatural creatures. Not those mindless bloodthirsty vampires, but the ones like me who blend in with humanity and manage to live life with one foot in the human world and the other in the supernatural.

  Basically, I need to find a local Gessilyn or Tap. Someone who would know about a new witch in town, or better yet, who knows all about the nearby covens. That would tell me who’d be willing to take Eveline in.

  I’m at such a disadvantage. I’ve been so focused on hiding that I haven’t prepared myself for an event like this. Now I have to not only meet the local supernaturals, but I have to feel them out and build rapport while being in need of their assistance.