by S. Lawrence
"ASGER!" Aislin jumps to her feet and glares at him. "The first Guardian? The very first? Why wouldn't you tell us?"
"I didn't want you to worry. I only knew he was called to battle. I will protect you in any way I can. I will not ask your permission to do so," Kai growls. She is shocked to silence before she moves to him. She leans her forehead on his chest, and he slides his arms around her. "You were given this new power, but it is still my right to keep you safe. I will always stand between you and danger," he whispers softly into her hair.
Wind chimes tinkle as the wind begins to change outside. As thunder booms in the distance, Emma stand and walks to the window, her troubled gaze on the dark clouds rolling in the sky. She doesn't turn, but I study her reflection in the window as she speaks. "Do you know about these new powers? What they are? What we can do?" Her eyes lock with mine in the glass.
"I'm sure you've guessed Aislin's is all about emotions, hers and others." She waits and I study her. Her power reminds me of a strange mix of the Lady in White, goddess of death, Skadi, goddess of winter, and Cailleach, goddess of weather and bringer of death. My eyes widen, and I lean closer to her. She whirls, pinning me with a glare. I shake my head, sending my power out to the Tree. 'Brilliant.' Just that one word, and if a tree could laugh, she certainly is at me. I refocus on Emma and an extremely angry hellhound before answering. "Calm yourselves. I was congratulating Yggdrasill on her genius. She has given you..." Lightning strikes then, between the tree and the barn, horses neigh in fear. Aislin jumps to her feet and races down the stairs, Kai close behind her. "My dear, she made you the new Goddess of Winter. Well, close to a goddess. You control the weather, thus controlling the winter. It really is brilliant."
"Why?" More lightning crackles through the air.
"We are entering Fimbulvetr, the time before the final war, a great winter." I grin at her. She blinks slowly before turning to lock eyes with the man at her side. His eyes fade back to brown, and he stares at her with wonder and acceptance, even though he understands this will put her in grave danger in the time to come.
As the storm dissipates, I point my finger at the window and she turns mouth agape. "Me?" she asked timidly.
"Oh, yes, my dear. All you," I quip. Aislin and Kai's footsteps echo up the stairs, heralding their return. Turning, I hold out my hand to the midnight haired beauty, so different from her fiery friend, her emotions deep and still. She is slow to anger, but when she does, it is long lasting. Yes, her power comes from Druantia herself, whom we lost long ago, the Queen of Druids. So fitting of this one who has stolen their hearts. She can sense the emotions in others and she can also, like the tree she rules over, connect to the earth.
She places her hands in mine, while looking at Emma behind me. "My niece only amplified your natural talents. You have always been aware of others emotions, reading them, trying to help them. Now you can help or hurt. Be careful. This is power you will need to learn to control, and you haven't much time." I give her a sad smile, feeling her apprehension at the thought of hurting someone accidentally. "You will be our secret weapon. You will be able to look into the heart of people, judge them worthy or not. She also granted you Druantia's title of Queen of the Druids."
A smile creeps over her face, and Kai starts laughing at her glee. "I told y'all those boys were mine." She winks at me, and I instantly like her more. Yes, these women are a force to be reckoned. I experience both jealousy and sympathy for the men that fate chose for them.
I move to the couch and sit upon it, waving them to join me, and we begin to plan our trap for whomever is following Nestor, trying to catch him and us. It takes us to the early morning before we are ready. I leave and trust in them to take care of it. They will call if they take the traitor alive. For now, I must return to Valhalla and continue my deceit.
Chapter 23
RAVEN
I hate the idea that I need rescuing. That's not me. I'm not the damsel in distress. I'm the one that causes distress.
It's been hours since Fenrir's howl. I pound the barrier, hating my impotence. For a thousand years, I fought on the battlefield, brought those most worthy to my Goddess, and trained them for the upcoming battle. Yet here I am, stuck behind a wall of magic, betrayed by my own viper of a mother and the Allfather. It is only his magic that could lock me here.
Father was right. Odin has been working behind the scenes since the beginning, shifting pieces around the board and using the humans to bring about their own demise. I hit the barrier again and stumble back as my mother appears on the other side.
"You chose the wrong side," she practically growls at me, baring her teeth. I don't respond. "You're my greatest disappointment, weak like your father. You never understood we were created to rule. Odin created us, and we are meant to enslave those weaker than us."
"That might be yours and Odin's plan, but the rest of us will stop you."
Her laugh rings out, hollow and brittle. "Stupid girl. Do you think we are alone in our plan? So many others have joined our cause over the years. Quietly we amassed our army. And who fights at your side, a few Guardians?"
I merely raise my eyebrow, refusing to give her any information. Waiting. She finally feels free to show me just how smart and conniving she truly is, and I'll let her. I hope she is like every bad villain in every movie and spills her guts, telling the details of their plan.
"You chose Freya." I can almost hear hurt in her voice but that it is just a ploy.
"I was sent to her, as you are well aware, since it was you who sent me. You who couldn't stand the sight of me. A constant reminder of how you betrayed Odin with Loki," I state matter-of-factly, goading her, pushing her, reminding her of her deeds. "And I always did everything that Odin asked of me. How did I choose the wrong side? If anything, I made no choice at all."
"That is a choice." Her lip curls. "Don't think I am not aware of how often that dog visits you."
"Fenrir? He is my brother," I answer with confusion.
"He is his father's son. We all heard that howl. Who is it Fenrir hunts?"
"How should I know? I was with you." I glare at her.
"He was at your home before you came to Valhalla," she smirks knowingly.
"We always see each other when I'm home. He always visits me. Neither of us has a family, other than each other. I won't apologize for loving my brother." I cross my arms, daring her to condemn me. "So, what's your plan? Kill me? Torture me?"
She shakes her head, a twisted grin breaking across her face. "Oh no, nothing that simple. You, my dear, are bait. They will come for you, and when they do, we will ruin Her plans. That is, if they are not killed by Nidhogg." I clench my jaw to keep from crying out.
Calmly, I respond, "She wouldn't send them through his realm."
"Oh, she didn't." Her laughter echoes through the cave even after she disappears. Lightning strikes all around me as my rage boils over. Flash after flash, bolt after bolt hits the ground.
I'm panting when I first feel a tiny tendril of Her power slide into me. A feeling of calm washes through me. 'Calm, my daughter. I sent them aid. Asger and Ylva are with them now. His power is great, but he doesn't have friends like mine.' Can a tree smile? I believe she can. I can hear it in her voice. 'Play your part. They never understood your true strength. Neither do you, but you will.' Then she was gone. I'm left with my own thoughts.
I don't dwell on my mother's disdain, as I long ago got over my childish need for her love and approval. Instead, I picture the men who invaded my thoughts, day and night, since I first laid eyes on them. They are two of the most awe-inspiring warriors ever known to me. So damaged and yet so magnificent. They call to me, their passion, their darkness, and their needs. Needs I can't even imagine. I smile, remembering Cora's question and her statement. What if I didn't choose? What would that be like? I've never found a man that could hold my interest.
I slide down the wall of the cave and lean my head back. My powers undulate when the idea of being bait flashes in
my mind. I reign it in, knowing the lightning show will alert others of my anger. Freya and my father will be on alert. Fenrir is at least free to hunt Aphrodite.
"Asger and Ylva," I murmur out loud, amazed that they were called to help Sean and Michael. I have only ever seen them once. Asger is the dragon. The ancient one that joined with him had been the largest of his kind, an alpha. Ylva's power is more immense than any of us know. She’s never fully unleashed it. Yggdrasill kept them under the radar for a very long time. For her to bring them out of the shadows, it means this is the beginning.
I want to get out of here to join the fight, to take it to my mother. Unlike those that came to this planet, we were created here. We have no magic other than our battle magic. I can't wait to show her exactly the warrior I grew into, the one they carved me into. Ours is a true tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.
Chapter 24
CORA
I stay on my knees, trying to understand everything I was shown and the things that my power allowed me to glimpse. I let only the love show on my face as I look at the men at my sides, masking the heartache. I want to scream my denial, to rage like a hurricane, but I understand that will do no good. I believe in the butterfly effect, a tiny ripple can cause devastating consequences. I want to hold them to me they have somehow come to mean so much in such a short time. These good men, whom I’ve been chosen to lead to the Norns and their destruction.
I finally look up, and Sean's eyes are studying me, filled with shadows and understanding. I know he plans to sacrifice himself, but what he doesn't understand is that Michael plans the same. Neither will get their wish. I push up and throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him, clenching my jaw and squeezing my eyes shut on the tears that threaten to fall.
Slowly his arms circle around me, almost crushing me with his strength. His voice is thick as he whispers, his lips moving against my hair, "Doona worry lass, we've got you. Nothing will hurt you, I will always stand between you and danger. After I'm gone, Michael will take my place." Aw… Fuck. I hate her for telling me to keep this secret. I fucking hate this power. Hated my own powers at certain times, with their vague images and pictures of things I couldn't change, but this is different. Now they show me everything and now I'm not allowed to make any changes. No warnings, no saving them. His huge hand pounds at my back in his awkward attempt to console me, and I begin to sob. Cries tear from my body, and Michael's gentle arms come around me.
He pulls me to him, and Sean sighs, letting go. That little sound is filled with relief and sadness. Michael is murmuring nonsense, and I grip his shirt, trying to pull him even closer. His arms slide down and he picks me up, cradling me to his chest as he walks to a boulder and sits down. I can't speak; the shame is choking me.
Memories of fleeing my home, of the looks of disgust in my family's eyes. I had tried. I really had but I couldn't make my power work. I couldn't make the images any clearer. All I could tell them was a storm was coming. They hated me after Katrina took everything. Our home, our things, and most devastatingly, grand-mere. She had always been my port, the person who understood what life was like for me. Her mother had been gifted with the sight. She grew up seeing how she had struggled to make sense of her visions. She had protected me when people would badger me for information, when they would scream at me if I told something they didn't like.
Her broken body haunts my dreams, even as her comforting voice soothes me with poems and songs. How often I had sat at her table listening to her sing as she cooked. Her soft hands caressed down my cheek as she walked around the kitchen. The scent of roses wafted through her open windows from the bushes that climbed the walls of her little shack. It's all gone now; the rising water washed everything away. All I got of hers is the pendant I wear around my neck. When I warned her of the storm, she gave it to me, she said it would keep me safe. God how I wish she had kept the thing around her own neck. I know now it is a blending of all the symbols for divine oracles, our heritage. The Tree had shown me my ancestors, descended from every weaver of every clan. I am the culmination of thousands of years of them weaving destinies together. If I'm so important, they should have protected me, protected her.
And now here I am with all this power and I'm forbidden to tell them, to change their fates. I know what I'm leading them to… Destruction. Michael's hands move to my face, and he forces me to look at him. "Och, what were ye shown, Cora?" My jaw clenches tight as I shake my head, blinking rapidly. Do I lie?
Grand-mere's voice floats through my head, 'Sweet-pea, a person's future is a delicate thing, more fragile than butterfly wings. Each time you touch it, you cause damage. Now matter how careful you are with your words, they could end up tearing them to pieces. You words knock the patterns of dust from them, those patterns being damaged won't keep them from flying, but they are kept from living their fullest life.' I sigh. I understand so much better now. I can save them but at what cost? How will they look at me when they figure out I knew? I like having this family; I can't lose another one.
"I'm just missing my Grand-mere. She was the one who helped me understand my visions and taught me everything that is important."
My fingers rub over the pendant and his eyes follow the motion. His head tilts as he studies me and I smile a little. "I'm gonna let ye get away with that. But ye can trust us. I hope ye ken that by now." His eyebrow raises as he waits, just watching my face. He knows I'm lying but doesn't press for the truth. It's his turn to sigh before he shifts me to my feet, still holding onto me for a moment before letting go and rising. Sean is standing near, watching me closely and holding our bags. He holds Michael's out to him but retains mine. I smile at him before taking a deep breath.
My decision is made. Nothing left to do but take them to the Norns. "It's this way," I say with confidence as I point in front of me, past Michael's right shoulder. I see the question on Sean's face. "I saw it." I don't elaborate. I walk around them and start forward. I will lead them to their doom, hoping I misunderstood and praying that what I was shown isn't the end. It just can't be.
I trudge in silence, very aware of their stares burning into my back, hating myself for my silence. We keep moving well into the darkness of the night. I find myself pulling deeper within myself, not talking, withdrawing from them. I recognize that I have begun protecting my heart, shielding it from the hurt that is coming. I can't look at them. I'm glad for the darkness because it shields me from their eyes. They can't see the silent tears streaming down my face. Stupid fucking prophecy, stupid Goddamn visions. I want to rage at these beings that have meddled in our lives, that have no care for us, who want to use us for their stupid games.
I guess I was stupid when I was initially excited by this; they had shown us a sliver of their plan. Showed these men, these amazing men who have had enough shit in their lives and who don't deserve this, a teeny tiny outtake from the greater story. How dare they show me the truth and expect me to continue, and yet here I am, leading them to their fate.
I stop, my anger erupting. They stand behind me, waiting so patiently.
"Just say it, lass." Sean's rough deep voice that whispers over me. I turn haltingly, my vision blinded by the tears that have sprung into my eyes, my teeth bared in a grimace.
"I can't. I...I don't want to be the seer. I can't lose anyone else, I see it and won't be able to...," my voice is choked off by my sobs as I stare at them, my eyes wide with fear. I realize I'm shaking my head in denial but I can't seem to stop it. My hands reach for them, and they each grab one coming to kneel in front of me.
"Och, Cora, lass, doona fash yourself. We knew one of us would die here. There is nothing you can do and that's not ye fault. We would never blame ye. Ye are a pawn in this, jus’ as we are." Sean's words cause me to cry harder, and he pulls me into his arms. I swear I've done nothing but cry on these men. I try to stop, but his arms tighten and his hand rubs down my back. I wrap my arms around him, keeping Michael's hand in mine and I try to pour everything I'm feeling in
to Sean. To make him recognize the goodness of his soul, the beauty in the broken.
I draw a deep breath, damn the ripples. "It isn't just one of you." Michael stumbles back, his head shaking. Sean's shoulders slump in defeat before he stiffens. "I can't take you there. I can't take you to your deaths."
"Did you see it? Does it save her? Does it help the others?" Sean's voice is low as he asks. I shrug and shake my head, not knowing the right answer.
"I only saw up to the well with the Norns. Why would they send us here? Why show that to me?" I rant.
"Maybe it is false, we were told not to trust anyone. Maybe someone sent you the vision hoping it would drive you to tell us. We know that the fucking head tried to send us to our death. Or maybe you have no choice just as we don’t." Michael is grasping at straws, trying to make sense of everything.
I grab onto his explanation with both hands. "Yes! Mimir sent it. His last effort to stop us, since Nidhogg failed." My head is nodding, and I feel manic.
"We won't know for sure until we get there. Let's stop here for the night. Hopefully, we will arrive in the morning and get this done, one way or another." Sean voice is tight, his emotions locked down.
We stay close to each other; they lie on each side of me, and I reach out for them. I whisper a prayer to anyone who is listening that they save these men.
Chapter 25
