Renegade Valkyrie (Valhalla's Curse Book 1)

by Stacy Claflin

  Why did I do this to myself? I should’ve known that having only one friend would get me into trouble eventually.

  No time for regrets. Only time for action.

  After making my way through a maze of dark alleys, I finally come to the neighborhood where the spice shop is. I’d heard rumors of it before, and Titan had mentioned it, so the owner might be willing to help if he liked my friend.

  On the other hand, if the shop owner has something against mesmers—like everyone tends to—things could get tricky at best. Dangerous at worst.

  I go to cross an empty street, but before I step onto the road, someone blocks my path.

  A bulky bald guy with gold teeth and eyes as black as the night sky grins at me. “You lost, little girl?”

  I stare him down, studying his essence without letting my gaze move too far from his enchanting dark eyes. If he thinks he can take advantage of me, he has a massive surprise coming.

  His essence is obviously supernatural, but what he is isn’t clear. Maybe djinn or some other kind of genie-like creature. It’s hard to tell—I don’t often run into them as they tend to hide out in caves.

  “Move aside, djinn.”

  His eyes widen then narrow, and he crosses his arms over his massive chest. “What are you?”

  “Just a little girl.”

  “How’d you know?” His nostrils flare, but his eyes hold curiosity.

  “Your essence gave you away.”

  “Did it?” He swings his hips. “My essence is bigger than most, you know.”

  “I’m sure it is. Let me by.”

  “Not until you tell me what essence is.”

  I glare at him. “I don’t have time for this.”

  He stares me down. “You don’t call me out for what I am, then walk away. Who are you?”

  I lower my voice. “I’m supernatural like you, okay? And I’m in the middle of something.”

  “By yourself? Now?”

  “Yes!” I can feel the pressure of my eyes turning black. At least if they do, he’ll cower in fear and let me pass.

  He takes a step back, his face losing some color. “What are you?”

  “An angel of death. That’s all you need to know.” The pressure on my eyes releases.

  He stares at me, his face returning to normal. “Do you want help?”

  “Just for you to move aside.”

  “I don’t have anything better to do. Where are you going?”

  I put a hand on my hip and study him. Other than being annoying, he doesn’t appear to have any ulterior motives. And I could definitely use an ally right about now. “Spice shop. Know of it?”

  “Yeah. Roster and I go way back.”

  “You’re friends with the owner?”

  He nods.

  “And you are?”

  “Fox.” He holds out a hand.

  Somehow the name seems fitting. I hesitate, then decide to introduce myself. “I’m Soleil.”

  “Good to meet you.” He shakes my hand, squeezing hard enough to break it, but doesn’t. “Spice shop is this way.”

  We walk in silence for a few blocks and I try to read as much from his essence as I can. Djinn are always hard to read, probably because they’re part of the trickster family. If they do ever grant wishes, it’s never what the wisher expects. You ask for ice cream, you’ll get it without a bowl and it’ll fall in your lap—that type of thing.

  He turns to me. “You know anything about that bomb?”

  I hold back a bitter laugh. “You mean at the club?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It wasn’t a bomb.”

  Fox nods, his eyes studying me like that was some kind of test. “Right. What was it?”

  I debate how much I should tell him. Though I just met him, he might be the only one who would actually help me. “A witch.”

  He cracks his knuckles. “I should’ve known.”

  “They’re not all bad, you know.”

  Fox studies me.

  “What?”

  “You really an angel?”

  “Valkyrie.” If we’re going to be spending time together, I may as well tell him that much.

  “What do you think of my essence?” His voice is husky and he puffs out his chest.

  I shrug. “It’s like any other.”

  “Nothing about me is like anyone else.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Why are you alone?” His tone is more serious now.

  My heart aches at the question, but I’m not spilling my problems to this guy. “Just part of the Valkyrie way.”

  Fox nods. “Yeah. I get that.”

  I tilt my head. “You get Valkyries?”

  “I get being on my own.”

  “Djinn don’t live together in caves?” I ask.

  “Not the ones I know. So, you fly around killing people?” He arches a brow.

  “It happens.” I yawn.

  “Is Valhalla real?”

  “You’d better believe it, buddy.”

  Fox rubs his bald head. “Who are you after right now?”

  “You wouldn’t know him.”

  “Maybe I do. You’d be surprised the company I keep.”

  “Really?” I adjust my hat. “You friends with any murderous dictators?”

  “Like actual dictators? Not just a jerk?”

  “A real dictator.”

  “Here in LA?”

  I shake my head. “No, on a whole other continent.”

  “What are you doing here, then?”

  “You could say I’m on a side mission.”

  “Huh. Interesting.” His brows come together as he studies me. “You’re not at all what I first thought.”

  “Get used to that. We getting close to the spice shop?”

  “It’s not too far.”

  “We’re halfway to Oregon at this point.”

  Fox chuckles. “Exaggerate much?”

  “Only when I’m in a hurry.”

  “What do you need so badly?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Something to do with the club?”

  “Maybe. I don’t suppose you know anything about any of the local covens?”

  “No, but if anyone does, then we’re headed to the right guy. Roster’s up in everyone’s business around here.”

  “You two good friends?”

  “No, but enough that he might tell you about the covens if I ask.” His forehead wrinkles.

  I groan. “What do you want?”

  Fox stops and holds my gaze. “I need a place to crash for a few nights.”

  I fold my arms and narrow my eyes, forcing them to turn black.

  His face pales.

  “If you help me, you can stay with me. But just realize you can’t get away with anything in the presence of a Valkyrie. Got it?”

  Fox nods.

  “Good. We’re fine, then.” I allow my eyes to return to their natural color.

  He takes a deep breath, the color returning to his face. “I wouldn’t dream of trying anything. I’ve never seen anything more terrifying than that. I can’t imagine what you could do with your touch.”

  “Oh, I don’t have to touch you to kill you.” I give him a sly smile.

  Thirteen

  Fox halts mid-stride and I barely stop before crashing into him. He turns to me and points across the street. “There it is.”

  On the other side of the road is a row of small shops, and the one in the middle has a simple sign:

  SPICE SHOP.

  It’s also the only one with lights on at this hour.

  “You ready?” Fox crosses his arms.

  The habit is already starting to get on my nerves, and I just met the guy.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  We cross the empty street and I study the storefront. The shades are drawn, but bright light shines from the top of the big picture window and door. An OPEN sign is the only indication that visitors are welcome.

  Fox opens the door, and the bright light bli
nds me for a moment before my eyes adjust. A mixture of sweet and bitter aromas hit nearly as hard as the light.

  “Come on,” Fox urges.

  We step inside and the door slams shut behind us.

  Soft peppy music plays from speakers overhead, and conversation drifts around from all sides. More than a dozen small round tables cover the floor, and people sit at each one.

  I turn to Fox. “This is a spice shop?”

  “It doubles as the local supernatural hangout.”

  “I’d have thought there’d be someplace more interesting than a spice shop.”

  “You’ve clearly never been here.”

  “We’ve already established that much.”

  He waves at me to be quiet, then walks over to the counter where a skinny red-faced imp is bustling about, whistling.

  Fox clears his throat.

  The little guy turns, and his face lights up. “Fox, my man. How goes it? You here for one of my special concoctions?”

  “Actually, I have a friend who’d like to ask you some questions.” Fox introduces me to Roster.

  The imp studies me, his eyes twitching. “Valkyrie.”

  “Imp.”

  “I prefer sprite.”

  “Same thing.” I shrug at Fox. Surely, the nervous little guy behind the counter isn’t the one he wants me to meet. Could there be two guys at the shop named Roster, as unlikely as that is?

  Fox leans against the counter. “Soleil needs the four-one-one on a coven.”

  The imp wipes his forehead and studies me. “You gonna kill me if I don’t comply?”

  I shake my head. “Just need some information.”

  Roster draws a deep breath and wipes his hands on a towel. “Now’s not really a great time.”

  Fox tilts his head. “You owe me, remember?”

  I stare at the djinn. He’s calling in an owed favor for me? Why would he do that? He doesn’t even know me.

  Roster groans. “Fine. But you’re gonna have to wait. Grab a seat. I’ll bring you some tea.”

  “She’s on a mission.” Fox turns to me. “You got time to wait?”

  “A little.”

  “Go.” The imp waves toward the tables. “We’ll talk when it thins out.”

  Fox glances at me.

  I shrug, then meander to a table near the back, taking the longest possible route so I can study the patrons. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many supernatural creatures since moving to California, and such a wide variety too. But then again, both Titan and I are trying to lay low.

  We sit, and I continue to study the others. There’s a table full of mermaids, but that isn’t surprising given how close we are to the ocean. There’s a pair of vampires holding hands in a corner. They must be of the royal class—so dignified and controlled as they sip the crimson drinks and stare into each other’s eyes. Beyond them are some dragon shifters, a group of trolls, some nagas, a lone faerie, and a few others.

  “What do you think?” Fox’s voice pulls me back to our table.

  “It reminds me of a bar back home.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m not going back.”

  Roster bustles over and puts a steaming cup of tea in front of each of us. “Do you want it sweetened with flakes?”

  “Unicorn horn?” I ask.

  “What else?”

  I push my cup toward him. He sprinkles some on with a little shaker. I stare with awe as he treats the delicacy like common sugar.

  Fox takes his cup and sips the drink before the imp can add any flakes. Then Roster hurries off without another word.

  “What’s his deal?” I watch as the flakes melt into the drink. It smells citrusy but also like black licorice and tree bark.

  “He’s a busy little guy.”

  “Why the chip on his shoulder?”

  Fox sets his cup down. “He sees everything. Doesn’t trust anyone at first, but once you get to know him, he’ll grow on you.”

  I watch as the imp bounces from table to table, barely keeping from spilling everything he carries. “I’ll have to take your word on that.”

  “Go ahead and drink your tea. It’s not poison.”

  “It better not be.” I sip the drink and find it to be just the right amount of sweet and tart. It relaxes me a little. “What’s in this?”

  “He’ll never tell.”

  That doesn’t surprise me. “So, why do you need a place to crash?”

  Fox groans. “Do we have to go there?”

  “Well, you do want to stay at my place.”

  “I’m helping you get the lowdown on the local covens. Isn’t that enough?”

  “We’ll see.” I could just drink a little of his essence and learn his secrets, but I much prefer to hear people tell their stories. It’s always interesting to see what they reveal through what they try to hide.

  He frowns. “It’s woman troubles. I don’t want to get into the details, but that’s the shortest version and also as much as I’ll say at this point.”

  “Understood.” I sip my tea and find the cup empty already.

  Roster fills our mugs three more times before the other patrons finally filter out. Then he fills us up one more time to keep us content as he cleans up.

  My eyelids are starting to close by the time the imp pulls a chair to our table and sits.

  We stare each other down, neither relenting.

  Fox clears his throat.

  We both turn to him.

  “Can we get this show on the road?” Fox twists his neck, making it crack.

  “What do you want?” Roster turns back to me and leans his elbows on the table.

  “I need to know about the covens in the area.”

  Roster turns to Fox. “You sure you want to cash in your favor for this chick?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay.” Roster taps the table and glances back at me. “Which coven do you want to know about?”

  “The one with Eveline.”

  Roster’s eyes widen as he falls from his chair and crashes to the ground.

  Fox looks at me like I’m some kind of monster before helping his little friend up. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” The imp dusts himself off before returning to his chair and glowering at me. “What do you want to know about Eveline?”

  I lean forward. “Anything you can tell me.”

  “Why?”

  “Does it matter? Fox is calling in his favor.”

  Roster’s face contorts like he’s in pain. “What do you know about her?”

  “That she’s powerful and evil.”

  Fox presses his palms on the table. “Wait. Is she the one who destroyed the club? Who exactly is she?”

  Roster glares at both of us. “Only the most powerful witch in the area. Maybe the entire continent.”

  I shake my head. “Nope. No way she’s stronger than the high witch.”

  Roster’s face drains of more color. “You know about the high witch too?”

  “Know about her?” I laugh. “She dropped everything to pay me a visit tonight.”

  The imp jumps from his chair. “You… you…”

  “What?”

  “Get out of my shop!”

  “What?” I look back and forth between him and Fox.

  “Go!” Roster jumps up and down, his face reddening even more than before. “Get out!”

  “Sure thing. We’ll talk later.” Fox glances at me and nods toward the door.

  “There will be no later! Out!” The imp is still jumping like he’s on a trampoline.

  Fox grabs my arm and pulls me toward the door.

  I try to make eye contact with Roster. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Just leave!”

  Fox and I race out the door. I look back to make sure the imp hasn’t exploded all over the dining area, then turn back to my new friend. “What was that all about? He doesn’t like witches?”

  The door slams shut.

  Fox shake
s his head. “I have no idea. Never seen him get that upset before.”

  “I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone get that worked up before.” I pull off my cap and rake my hands through my hair. “Looks like I’m back to square one as far as that witch goes.”

  He turns back to me. “Were you serious back there? You know the highest witch?”

  “I know a lot of people.”

  Fox arches a brow. “And the highest witch is one of them?”

  “That would be correct.”

  “Did you ask her about this local witch?”

  My shoulders fall. “I was distracted by other things.”

  “The club collapsing on all those people.”

  “Right.” Not to mention Titan. “So, I don’t suppose you know anyone who can help us out?”

  Fox shakes his head and glances up at the dark sky. “We can ask around tomorrow, but it’s getting late.”

  The door opens and the imp pokes his head out. “By out, I didn’t mean to stand there and darken my doorway!”

  I meet his gaze. “Won’t you give us another chance? I just want to know—”

  He slams the door.

  “Guess that’s a no.” I stand taller and take a deep breath.

  “Yeah, we’d better give him some space. Where’s your pad?”

  “That way.” I nod in the general direction of my home. It’s far enough away that the sun will likely be coming up by the time we get there.

  Fourteen

  I wave toward the house with boards nailed to other boards and more cracked windows than not. “That’s my palace.”

  Fox arches a brow. “That house is livable?”

  “It’s not much to look at on the outside, but it’s magnificent on the inside.”

  He snickers. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  I shrug. “It keeps the burglars away.”

  “I bet it does.”

  “Be nice.” I shove him, not that he budges. “The house has feelings.”

  “Have you considered giving it antidepressants?”

  I burst out laughing. It wasn’t that funny of a joke—the building is rather pathetic—but somehow it is after everything going so horribly wrong. And I can’t stop laughing, even though my stomach aches and makes laughing painful.