Goddess: A Runes Book

by Ednah Walters

  “The girls did their mind control on the students and your attendance lady, who paged you, Cora. You were convinced we were Norns and refused to come with us. Trudy wanted to zap you. She gets very impatient. I told you everything I knew about you from Eirik, but you kept saying the Norns would know all that. I think Hayden was contemplating getting inside your head and forcing you to come with us when I dropped the magic word. Raine. I told you Raine was getting married and she needed you.”

  “I was there?” I asked, my voice squeaking.

  “She was there?” Raine asked at the same time.

  “Yes. You were there.” Celestia glanced at Raine. “And she cried the entire time.”

  This was confusing. “Why can’t I remember anything except the flashes of memories I’ve been getting? Who messed with my memories?”

  “Hayden and Trudy suppressed them, but they can be retrieved,” Celestia explained. “You watched her walk down the steps to the foyer and took pictures with Raine and her parents. I met Dev that day, too. Raine’s father wasn’t going to make it down the aisle on his own, so you released Dev from your phone and asked him to help Mr. Cooper. He possessed him and anchored his soul all the way to the altar.”

  I didn’t realize I was crying until Raine hugged me. She was crying, too. Memories of moments we’d been there for each other flashed through my head, starting with the awkward hug Raine had given me in the girls’ bathroom when we’d first met.

  “Thank you,” Raine whispered. “For being the best friend in the world. I wanted you by my side, but I was so scared for you. I kept thinking the Norns might go after you if you supported my deception, and I wouldn’t be around to stop them from hurting you. But you were there, and without you, Dad would not have fulfilled his promise.”

  “I can now stop threatening not to invite you to my wedding.” We laughed. “And we have a new sister to thank for making everything possible.” She knew exactly who I meant. We went to Celestia and gave her a hug.

  “Thank you, Sis,” I whispered.

  “Welcome to the family. I’m claiming you, too,” Raine said.

  The guys watched us with such smugness I had to ask, “When did Echo learn about it?” He and Eirik exchanged glances. “What?”

  “Do you want to tell her?” Eirik asked.

  Echo shook his head. “No, you do it.”

  “The day of the wedding, he heard you weren’t there and was ready to fight me for excluding you, so I told him the truth,” Eirik explained. “I made him swear not to tell you until it was safe.”

  Echo and I swore never to keep secrets from each other, but this time, I forgave him. As though he knew I needed a hug, he left his position by my dresser and walked to where I stood. For a moment, our little disagreement was forgotten.

  “Why didn’t I see Cora?” Raine asked. “Did you mess with my memories, too?”

  Celestia chuckled. “No. Cora used my invisibility cloak the entire time she was there. It was a gift from the goddess for putting up with her difficult son.”

  “You love me, woman,” Eirik told her.

  I got comfortable in Echo’s arms, my annoyance with him pushed aside. “When do I get back my memories, Celestia? I want to know everything.”

  “We need Hayden and Trudy to retrieve them. They work better together. You walked with Raine and her father all the way to the altar and stayed there while the vows were exchanged. You witnessed everything.”

  I was tearing up again and laughing.

  “We have a couple of pictures with you, too,” Eirik added.

  “Really? How?”

  “You lowered the hood of the cloak at hyper speed, and Celestia took pictures.”

  She chuckled. “I was so scared Raine had seen you when you did that. But Mr. Cooper knew because in one of the pictures, I caught him looking directly at you. We’ll show you the pictures when you come to Helheim.”

  Was I ready to meet my biological parents? What if they were disappointed in me? Maybe I should ease in slowly. Go on Friday after school, spend a few hours with them, then come back to my safety zone—the farm. Next time, stay overnight. If we didn’t click, I’d only visit when something big was happening.

  “Will Hayden be there?” I asked.

  “I’ll make sure she’s there,” Celestia promised.

  Raine yawned, and Torin suggested they head home. She didn’t argue. They were on England time, so I knew she was exhausted. She made me promise to let her know once I figured out the identity of the hooded kleptomaniac and when I planned to visit Helheim. I nodded and made promises I had no intention of keeping. She’d been there for me on numerous occasions. I wasn’t dragging her to Helheim until I knew the situation there.

  The portal closed behind them, and I turned to find Celestia and Eirik standing. Echo was stretched out on my bed with his hands behind his head as though he wasn’t leaving. I just shook my head.

  “You’re leaving, too?” I asked Eirik and Celestia.

  “Yes, I’m feeling a little tired, but before we go, we have some news.” Celestia glanced at Eirik. “Can I tell her?”

  “I’m starting to think it’s not such a good idea,” he grumbled. “You look tired.”

  She punched him. “I’m not. Besides, you suggested it, you big oaf. He deserves a second chance, you said. Without him, Mr. Cooper would not have given Raine away and Cora would not have known about Maliina and the attack by the dark souls. You didn’t just say it once. You said it three—”

  “Okay, fine,” Eirik mumbled and covered her mouth. “She talks too much.”

  Celestia pushed his hand away and smacked him on the chest. “Watch it, jackass.”

  He winked at her. “I love you, Dimples.”

  She made a face.

  “Are you talking about Dev?” I asked, interrupting their little spat.

  “Yes,” Eirik said. “But Celestia must stop after forty-eight hours. Goddess Eir’s orders. Nod if you agree.”

  Celestia glowered.

  “Baldurson,” Echo called out. “I’d like some time alone with my girl, so let the Little Druidess explain and leave.”

  Eirik studied Echo. “You looking for a fight?”

  “No. I want to be alone with Cora.”

  “I hope she makes you grovel.” Eirik released Celestia. “I hate anything that puts your life in danger, Dimples.”

  “I know, but I promise I’ll be careful and do exactly as Goddess Eir showed me.” She waited until he nodded before focusing on me. “I can manipulate my life force and anchor a soul to a body. I did it for Hayden’s mother, and I can do it for Dev. We just need his soul and his body in one place, and time so I can give him some of my life force.”

  My jaw dropped. “You can?”

  Celestia nodded. “Yes.”

  “Ohmigod, Echo mentioned it and said he’s never met anyone who could do it.” Our eyes met. “You knew all along she could.”

  He sat up. “Eirik beat me to it. I was going to ask them, but it’s such a sacrifice I wasn’t sure she’d do it.”

  “She must take her time so she doesn’t hurt herself,” Eirik cut in. “She gave Tammy too much and ended up in a coma for weeks.”

  Shock and awe washed over me as I stared at Celestia. “Yet you are willing to do this for Dev, a stranger?”

  “I see it as doing it for you and Raine. Don’t be fooled by Eirik’s scowling either. He also thinks Dev has done so much for you guys and deserves this.”

  I could feel the waterworks threatening again. This was even better than the first news. I’d understood Raine’s reason for shielding me against the Norns. It had come from the heart. But Dev was special.

  “This could really happen,” I whispered, glancing at Echo. He’d left the bed and was by my side.

  “Yes. You saw Hayden’s mother,” he said. “She looks healthy and normal. Celestia can give Dev the same chance.” He glanced at her with gratitude. “Whatever reason you give doesn’t explain your selflessness and g
enerosity. O m 'anam, tha mi' toirt taing dhut,” he added in Gaelic. I understood that. He’d started teaching me the language. “My brothers and I will owe you a debt that can never be repaid.”

  “Dev will be linked to me when I’m done,” Celestia said. “I hope he won’t mind.”

  I laughed. “He won’t care as long as he’s whole again.”

  “I’ll have Rhys bring his body to our place in Miami,” Echo said.

  I hugged Celestia, squeezing her tightly until she laughed and wiggled. I waited for the portal to close before turning to Echo. Even though I was mad at him for his stupid suggestion to hide our relationship, I loved him.

  “Let’s find Dev and give him the news,” I said.

  Chapter 7. My Parents And The Past

  “No, we need to talk. Just the two of us.” He reached for me, but I engaged speed runes and evaded his hands. By the time he caught on, I was on the other side of the bed.

  “We are going to find Dev,” I insisted.

  “It doesn’t matter whether we tell him today or tomorrow. Celestia is not performing the ceremony tonight.” He walked to the bed and extended a hand toward me. “Come with me. We’ll get some food and talk about the future.”

  “Which future is that? The one where we pretend we don’t know each other? For how long? What if the goddess says I’m too high up the social ladder for her favorite reaper? What then, Grimnir?”

  He groaned. “Hel’s Mist, you are stubborn.”

  “That’s funny coming from you. You know exactly how I feel, so no matter what you say, I won’t change my mind. You are either all in or not. As for dinner, I’m eating with my parents here on the farm and you are not invited.”

  He laughed, and for a beat I just stared at him, my insides melting. He was such a beautiful man. The next second, he’d engaged his speed runes. I did too, but I was too late. My heartbeat spiked as he looped one arm around my waist and gripped the back of my head with the other. His eyes dropped to my lips.

  “I told you there were things I’m still better at than you,” he whispered.

  “Like what?” I challenged, and flames leaped into his eyes, making them glow.

  “Like this.” I expected a possessive kiss, but he pulled a full seduction, taking his time and savoring my response. I was still mad at him, but he knew what I loved. When he lifted me and lowered me onto the bed, I was surprised. I’d been sure he’d head for the portal.

  He settled beside me, still giving me slow, sweet kisses, his hand running down the side of my body until it closed on my knee. He lifted my leg aside and settled in the space. I loved the weight and the feel of him. He lifted his head and studied me.

  “You ran away from me,” he said.

  “So? You were being a douche. In fact, every time you open your mouth, you piss me off. Can we just kiss and not talk?” I leaned up and captured his lips. He laughed but stopped when I nipped his lower lip.

  Our fight was forgotten as I slipped a hand under his shirt and caressed his skin. I sighed with pleasure at the rippling muscles, the solid feel of his pecs. I moved my fingers to his chest, loving the way his body responded to my touch.

  He rolled over and pulled me on top, breaking off the kiss in the process. I liked to be on top. He nibbled his way along my jaw to my neck. When he reached my shoulder, he took a nip and stopped.

  I glanced at him. “You okay?”

  “Yes, but we have an audience and I’m not in the mood to be nice to them, so I’ll let you deal with them.”

  I glanced over my shoulder at the soul peering at us through the window. She must have died in her twenties and at some club because she was wearing a tube top that left her mid-section bare and dark hair framed a heavily madeup face. Souls knew better than to come this close to my house.

  I scooted off the bed and walked to the window. “No. You can’t come inside.”

  She nodded and beckoned me. I glanced at Echo. “She wants something.”

  “Tell her to get lost. I need you more.”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.” I stepped back and reached for my shoe.

  Echo sighed.

  “You don’t have to come. I just want to know what she wants.”

  He snickered and watched me with a long-suffering expression. “If only I could believe that. One will become two, then three.”

  Despite his annoyance, I knew he respected what I did too much to dismiss it. Before, he would have pulled out his scythe and used the glow from the runes to dissipate the souls.

  “Is that why you send Syn to my school during my lunch sessions? I’ve noticed he tends to be overly protective. Usually, he starts to scowl by my fifth soul. A few times, I’ve caught him glaring at them.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about. Where exactly did he and Andris disappear to last week? He was very vague about it.”

  “A pack of bullies from a private school needed to be taught a lesson.” I grabbed a journal and a pen, then started for the door. He followed. “Jenny needed closure.”

  Echo snagged my wrist and pulled me to his side. “You’re asking my people to become vigilantes?”

  “Nope. They decided on their own. I even warned them to be careful. Besides, Andris is not a Grimnir.”

  “Thank the gods. But you have Grimnirs and Valakyries working together now. That’s never happened since the beginning of this world.”

  “About time. When all is said and done, you are all reapers, regardless of the final destination of the souls. If Raine were around, she and I would have handled the bullies. We’ve discussed pooling our resources. She helps the living while I help the dead, but our fields are starting to cross.” Dad looked up when we reached downstairs.

  “You’re not leaving, are you?” he asked.

  “No, a few lost souls need my help outside,” I said. It felt nice to say that instead of pretending the pen and paper in my hands were for homework.

  “Dinner will be ready in an hour, so don’t let them detain you for too long,” Mom called from the kitchen. “Echo, make sure she doesn’t overdo it.”

  Echo grinned. “Always, ma’am. If that’s an invitation to join you for dinner, I accept.”

  Mom grinned. “You are always welcome here.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Jemison. I have an open invitation,” Echo whispered, and I shot him a wide smile for the sake of my parents, who were watching us. I pushed open the door and dragged him outside, then pulled my hand free from his grip.

  “Don’t get too comfortable. When we start pretending for real, the farm will be off-limits to you.”

  “You know you can’t resist me,” he said. When he reached for my hand, I engaged my runes and took off. His laughter followed me.

  The woman was by the apple trees, but as I got closer, more souls appeared. I settled on a bench while Echo leaned against an apple tree. The trees were in full bloom, white and pink flowers on every branch. Spring was my favorite time of the year, but I stopped admiring the blossoms when the woman looked at me impatiently. Souls were always impatient. The second we bonded, her thoughts drifted to me.

  My name is Caridee Williams, and I’m here to pledge my support to you, young medium. We heard about the bounty hunters. We will not let them reap you.

  Bounty hunters?

  The ancient reapers, she said impatiently. The others said not to say anything, just stay around and be ready to fight and defend you, but I had to say something. Being naïve got me killed, so I don’t want you to die just because you are too trusting.

  I smiled. That’s so sweet of you, Caridee, but they were not here to reap me.

  Yes, they are. They pretend to be nice, but when you let your guard down, they pounce and you find yourself tethered to them. Then there’s the other one. The one no one can see, but we’ve felt its presence at your school and here at the farm. It was even inside your room. You see all these friends of mine? She waved at the souls surrounding us. Quite a few of them were dressed like her. T
hey’re not going to let anyone hurt you or take you away.

  I was touched. Thank you for watching over me, but I don’t want you guys to fight anyone on my behalf. The ancients had a message for me, but they’re gone now. As for the second presence you can’t see, she is a friend.

  What kind of friend hides?

  A snooping mother. A special one, but I’m happy you guys are watching over me. So what can I do for you?

  I want the same justice you got Jenny before I can leave with a reaper.

  I wrote down everything she wanted. When she eased out of me, she stopped to say something to the next several souls before taking off.

  You are not alone, Medium, the next one said.

  Thank you.

  For the next hour, I heard the same reassuring words before each and every soul shared their problem.

  “That was strange,” I said once we ended the session. Echo pushed away from the tree and came toward the bench, where I still sat. I explained what had happened, and he grinned.

  “That’s because they love you.” He took the book and flipped through it, groaning every few minutes.

  “What?”

  “They all want to see justice served before being reaped,” he grumbled.

  I grinned. “Sorry.”

  “No, you’re not. I’ll pass this around to the others. This one belongs in Asgard,” he added, pointing at a page. “And this one, too.”

  “Swing by the mansion and give them to Andris.”

  “Do I have to? Svana could reap them.”

  “Andris gets equal share. Besides, you two should bury the hatchet if you plan to continue working with me to help souls find closure.”

  Mom appeared on the patio. “Dinner is ready.”

  “About what we discussed earlier,” Echo started.

  “We didn’t discuss anything. You decided what we should do, and I’m supposed to go along with it. So unless you plan to discuss it with me and listen to my opinions and take them into consideration, I’m not interested.” When he didn’t speak, I got up and went into the house. He followed without saying a word.