If Alys hadn’t turned their arm into a tentacle at the last second, a fish would’ve enjoyed the drink. “Gonna need to work on your throw if you’re gonna be a hero.”
“Shut up.”
They smirked. Maybe things really were back to normal—or something better now that they were all open and themselves.
Emily sighed, swirling her own drink. “She likes you, you know?”
Alys blinked. “Oh?” Had Hannah said something about it? By Odin, they knew better than to think like this already.
“I’m not sure she’s quite confident in it yet, but yeah.”
“And you’re really okay with that?”
“Yeah, but if you hurt her or betray us again, I’m shoving this sword so far up your ass, it’ll come out your mouth.”
They almost coughed up their beer. “I thought you were just gonna kill me with it. Did not expect the end of that threat.”
“That’s step two.”
Alys nodded. “I won’t hurt her.”
“And?”
“And I won’t betray you. Either of you. I already said. You’re my best friend and she’s…she’s…”
“I know.”
Alys blew out a breath and stared at the reddened sea as the little ship drifted over it, barely seeming to touch the waves. It didn’t matter how terrifying turning on Hel still was or how dire the consequences could be. They’d keep their word. Emily had been their best friend for eight years. The only person to really understand them and who wasn’t even using them for some evil goal. And Hannah was…Hannah.
Chapter Twenty-nine
The little standing shower in their home was a sad change from the luxurious one at the hotel in Hawaii, but it was good enough. Hannah picked out a cute brown blouse with a black skirt, grabbed the car keys, and headed to work. She promised herself that she’d call Megan when she was done. Maybe now that she had everything, Megan would believe her too. There were only so many magical hammers in the world, right? That had to convince Megan that she wasn’t insane.
Arriving at work a little early, Hannah waved to the receptionist and hurried to her desk. She couldn’t clock in for a few more minutes, but she wanted to start the second she could; she’d have a good deal of work to make up.
Once she was able to sign in, she found all the accounts she had to settle. It looked like Isabel had taken over a couple but nowhere near all of them. She popped in her earbuds, threw on some good accounting music—Lily Allen—and went to town on the assignments. It felt nice to be back doing what she loved. At least this she could control. And she could fight numbers without any risk of killing anyone. That made her queasy. She blinked, rubbing her eyes.
A tap on the shoulder dragged her back to reality, and Isabel flashed a grin. “You finally stopped to breathe. You look tan. Good sick day?”
“I wasn’t…I mean—”
“It’s fine. I know you. There’s no way you would’ve missed work if you didn’t absolutely have to. I won’t push for details. I’d rather have plausible deniability.”
“Thanks for taking care of a few things.”
“Don’t mention it. I would have done more if I’d had time.”
Hannah glanced at the list of accounts. “Well, I’m almost caught up with where I should be.”
“You go, girl. Are you some kind of super accountant?”
“Of course.” Hannah winked. “I’m Thor, god of accounting.”
Isabel returned the gesture. “Well, maybe I won’t do it for you next time. It seems like sacrilege to steal from your holy bounty, O Mighty Thunderer.”
Hannah’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. She wouldn’t. Right? “Wait, no. Please.”
Giggling, Isabel said, “Relax. I’m only kidding. I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”
“Anytime. As long as you don’t mind an intern doing your work.”
“Your work is absolutely perfect. Anyone would be lucky to have you take over for them. I hope I didn’t mess things up for you.”
“I’m sure you didn’t.” She checked the clock in the corner of her screen. It was earlier than she’d thought. She was almost ahead in her work. “I skipped breakfast. Want to maybe go grab a coffee and a bagel? My treat. I owe you for last week.”
“Your check came in?”
Hannah checked her bank account on her phone. It had, in fact, come in. That was a relief. “Yep.”
“Coffee sounds great.” She yawned, stretching. “I could use it.”
Hannah treated her to an espresso and a scone and had a Danish and hot chocolate for herself. She liked coffee fine, but she didn’t need caffeine so much as she needed a break.
“Are you sure I’m not in trouble for yesterday?” Hannah asked as they sat outside. It had been weighing on her mind since she’d called out. Hawaii had been nice, and in some ways, much needed, but she wouldn’t risk losing her internship. And she wanted to keep Isabel as a friend.
“Miranda came back. I guess you missed her.”
“Oh no. That’s my actual boss, right? She must be so upset with me.”
Isabel laughed. “Come on, love. Don’t be absurd. She spent the whole day getting reacquainted and taking pumping breaks. I don’t think she even noticed.” She leaned back, dark brown eyes staring over the rim of her cup. “You don’t need to worry. Your receptionist friend relayed your message and sounded as adorably pathetic as I’m sure you did, and Miranda couldn’t have cared less. I talked about you a little and showed her some of your work, and she’s really impressed.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. The other intern is already gone. You really think calling out sick is gonna cost you anything?”
“Maybe.” She pouted.
Isabel kicked her under the table, causing her to spill some of her hot chocolate.
“Hey!”
“That’s what you get for having that attitude. Now, come on. Let’s introduce you to your real boss before you have a panic attack.”
“But—”
“Shove the Danish in your mouth and drink the cocoa at your desk. I’m not letting you sulk another minute.” She waved for Hannah to follow and marched off.
Hannah rushed after her, trying to finish her Danish as she ran. Through her godly might, she managed to succeed, and saw her boss for the first time with pastry crumbs all down her blouse. “Hi.” She waved, a nervous smile plastered on her face as she stared at the tall, severe, black-haired woman who was walking back into the office at the same time as they were, carrying a small leather bag.
“I take it this is Ms. Olsen?” the boss asked, turning to Isabel.
“Yep.”
She looked her up and down. “I’m Mrs. Ravencroft, but you can call me Miranda. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She extended a hand, and Hannah took it eagerly.
“I’ve heard great things.”
“Compared to Brian? Even a sponge would be a good boss.”
Hannah held her tongue.
“I saw your work. You’re learning the trade very quickly, and I don’t have any feedback for you other than good job, and I’m glad we could finally meet. Just don’t go calling out sick too often.”
Her cheeks burned, and Hannah gave a deep nod. “Of course. I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine. You’re still an intern, so try not to overuse it, but if you’re sick, you’re sick. I don’t want you spreading it around the office. You sure you’re feeling better?”
“Of course, ma’am. I’m fine.”
“Like I said, call me Miranda.”
“Right, Miranda.”
With a playful chuckle, Miranda saluted her. “At ease, soldier. You don’t need to be so formal. The fact that you even want to be here is more than enough for me to want to keep you around. Add to that that you’re actually competent, unlike a few of the people whose names I won’t mention. So relax, enjoy your coffee, and stop stressing so much. It’ll make your work suffer.”
“Yes, ma’…
randa.”
“Good catch.” Patting her shoulder affectionately, Miranda walked across the room to her office, leaving Hannah to sigh in relief at not completely bungling that introduction.
Isabel studied her. “Feel better?”
“A little.”
“Good. Let’s go finish up, and then I brought lunch again, in case your check hadn’t gone through.”
“Great.” They sat at their desks, and Hannah tried to finish her hot chocolate and focus on her breathing. She’d been so terrified, but everything was fine. She could do her work and hang out with her friend. Alys was right. She had been worrying over nothing.
✥ ✥ ✥
As she left the office, Hannah was a little disappointed when she didn’t find her sons waiting for her. She needed to get them cell phones or something. Would those work in Idavollr? Probably not. There had to be some way to reliably communicate. Magic pigeons?
She waved good-bye to Isabel and climbed into the old Nissan, heading home. She was tired of waiting. She wanted to run off and prove herself right now. It had been weeks since she’d found out who she really was, and still, she hadn’t been accepted. If the last time she’d come out had gone this poorly, she might have gone right back in the closet. Other gods were still having trouble believing it, let alone her friends, and she couldn’t take it. She’d go there and show them everything. She just needed to have Emily with her.
“You awake?” she asked as she walked down the stairs.
“Yeah,” a voice said from the living room. “I should get going.”
Right. She had work. Damn it. Hannah refused to encourage her skipping work any more than she already had. “Do you have tomorrow off?”
“Yeah.”
“How about after I get off work, we head to Idavollr and show them everything? I’m so tired of waiting. Please?” She bit her lip, staring at a very exhausted Emily. She’d slept in the boat. Hannah had no idea why she was still this worn out.
Emily stared back, eyes closing as she yawned. “Fine. Maybe they’ll actually have some idea of what I can do.”
“Make the perfect beer. Duh.”
“I guess it’s better than nothing.” She snatched the keys from Hannah’s hand and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “I love you. I guess tomorrow, we officially become gods.”
“I think we already are.”
“Queens of Idavollr?”
“I’m not taking the throne.”
Emily sighed, glaring. “Then clearly, nothing happens, and there’s no reason to worry so much about it. I’ll see you soon. Have a good night.”
Once she was gone, Hannah decided to follow through on her earlier promise to herself. She called Megan.
“Hannah,” Megan began.
“Hold on. Please.”
“What?”
“I know you don’t believe me. I—”
“That’s not it.” She could hear traffic going by. Megan must’ve been waiting for a bus, or maybe she was walking home. Hannah wished she had her own car. She’d offer to pick Megan up, and they could talk everything through. “I do believe you, but I don’t know how to handle this insanity.”
“Oh.” Hannah deflated in her chair. She had been so certain that once she had everything, she’d be able to convince Megan, as well as the other gods. Of course it wasn’t that simple. Megan had already seen the Rainbow Bridge. Her issue couldn’t have been disbelief.
“What did you want?”
“I’m going to Idavollr tomorrow, and I thought maybe later this week, we could all hang out and celebrate that I’m officially Thor.”
“So, what, it’s your godhood quinceañera?”
“Basically. Though I don’t think I’ll have as pretty a dress as you did.”
“Mine would fit if you want to borrow it.”
“Yes!” Hannah sat up, grinning like an idiot. She was glad Megan wasn’t there to make fun of her. “Please?”
“Fine. I’ll bring it.”
“So you’re coming?”
“How can I miss my best friend’s quince? Of course I’m coming.”
Hannah blinked away tears but couldn’t fight back her smile. “Thank you.”
Chuckling came from the other end of the phone, then the telltale squeak of a Trimet bus. “I’ve gotta go, but I promise I’ll be there. I’ll bring the dress and maybe some champagne.”
“I can’t wait.” Everything was finally perfect. She could have all of her friends, and she had Emily and… Well, it was perfect.
Megan hung up without another word, but Hannah could hardly blame her if she was rushing to the bus. Didn’t want to hold up the line. She was amazed by how easy that had been. She’d been ready to cry and plead. Megan was important to her, and she’d been terrified that she’d lost her after the other night. “Thank Odin,” she muttered with a giggle. She still hadn’t done much research on the subject, but she was pretty sure that was the right god. It looked like she was going to have a pretty exciting week.
Chapter Thirty
Emily and Hannah sped across the Rainbow Bridge in the old car while the bright light shone from the road. Hannah had said repeatedly that they had to make sure they were back in time for work, and who knew what all the gods would ask of them, so Emily was hurrying.
When they pulled up before the castle, Modi, Magni, and an older woman ran out. She was shorter than them, with long gray hair halfway down her back. “You’re here,” Magni called. “Does that mean you found it?”
As Hannah emerged from the car, Modi swooped her up into a massive bear hug. “Oh, it’s so good to see you. I wasn’t sure what would happen.”
“Why did you fear?” Magni asked, giving his brother a hearty pat on the back as he snatched Hannah, pulling her into another embrace. “You knew full well that our Hannah was unbeatable. Even if Jormungandr himself was still alive, she’d thrash the bastard.”
Hannah doubted that killing Alys’s kid would have gone too well.
“No hug for me?” Emily asked, coming around the car as she beeped it locked.
Modi obliged her. “You are well? Did you accompany her? I was terrified to lose you again, as well.”
“I’m fine.” She chuckled, hugging him back lightly, letting out a pained groan when he squeezed tighter.
“Who’s this?” Hannah asked, as she was finally put down.
“Is it true?” the woman asked, looking at her with an expression somewhere between terror and ecstasy. She seemed nervous. Her head hung low, but the hope in her eyes was unmistakable. “Are you really our father?”
Offering a faltering smile, Hannah gestured to the belt she was wearing over her pink dress. She didn’t need to throw on guy clothes or anything of the sort to prove herself. She was Thor, and they had to accept that she was. The head of Mjolnir stuck out over her right hip, while the gauntlets dangling from her hands caught the brilliant sun overhead. Apparently, not having air pollution really did make a difference. “I seem to be. Assuming that you are Thor’s daughter and that I’m not incredibly confused.”
She nodded. “I am. I’m Thrudr. It’s so weird to introduce myself to my own parents. Mother, I can certainly see.” She gestured at Emily. “She barely looks different from when I last saw her, but—”
“Not used to your dad being a girl?”
“I’m not used to him being so small.” She laughed and finally giving her a hug. “But I can see it in your eyes…and in your hammer. You really are him, aren’t you?”
Hannah hugged her back, hiding her doubts in Thrudr’s shoulder. “I think so.”
“Well, surely they can’t doubt you anymore,” Magni said, releasing Emily. “Let us talk with Forseti. I’m sure he’ll be irritable, but he can’t deny you now.”
“Why?” Hannah asked. “Couldn’t anyone wield these things?” Magni had been using the hammer when they’d met. They’d insisted this would prove it, and she’d gone along, but it didn’t make sense.
“No one else would look t
hat good in that dirty old belt,” Emily said, receiving an eyeroll from Hannah and another giggle from Thrudr.
“It’s good to see you, Mother,” Thrudr said.
“Please, call me Emily.”
“Emily, then.” She grinned. “Ullr will be so excited to see you. If he ever gets back from his hunting trip. It’s been two years now.”
“Should we be concerned?” Emily asked, sounding as if she genuinely was, despite having no idea who that was. Hannah liked to think that it was because she was finally accepting who they were.
“No, he’s been gone for decades at a time before. I don’t know how his wife puts up with him.”
“Father was gone far more often,” Modi pointed out.
Hannah muttered, “Thanks.”
“Let’s go.” Emily gestured with a jerk of her head toward the castle. “You know how Hannah is. If she ends up missing work just to prove she’s a god, she’s never going to forgive any of us.”
“Father finally learned responsibility?” Thrudr asked. “I suppose later is better than never.”
Hannah decided to lean into it. “It only took dying.”
A booming voice echoed over the courtyard. “I said you could stay one day.” Forseti stood on the parapet above them, looking down at the family reunion.
“She—” Modi started.
“I have proof,” Hannah called, letting her voice ring out louder than Forseti’s. It didn’t have the same basso vibrations, but it carried more than well enough. She held the hammer high above her head, staring in shock when it grew in size. She guessed it was excited, then immediately regretted that image. “I have Mjolnir.” She’d practiced the next two names in her head, she’d rehearsed this all day yesterday, and she could get it right. “Jarngreipr.” She let her gauntlets reflect the light. “And Megingjord.” She used her free hand to indicate the belt, hooking her thumb behind the buckle. “I am Thor, daughter of Odin, and I dare you to deny it a moment longer.”
That felt good. Fortunately, he was too far away to see her shaking in her Uggs. Alys had helped with the speech, though Hannah added the last bit herself. She never could turn down a challenge. Well, she never turned down races when she was on crew, and she’d never turned down a drinking contest in her life. That had to count for something. She just had to see if Forseti was the same way.
Thor: Daughter of Asgard Page 26
