Karle’s eyes widened. “Midgard? And she visits here?”
“Sometimes.”
“I wonder what it looks like. Papa said some of the orphans are really unclaimed children of the gods. The gods take many consorts, you know. Then the Norns take their children and give them to Immortals in Midgard to adopt. Papa said Midgard is full of unwanted children of the gods and most of them don’t even know it.” He lowered his voice. “Is the girl one of the orphans like my father said or an unclaimed child?”
Celestia a demi-god? That would be something, but I doubted it. “No, she’s not. Where did my grandmother find her orphans?”
“All over Jötunheim. People would find abandoned pups and take them to her. Some were fending for themselves after their parents died in battle. She also traveled from clan to clan. My aunts said she was trying to replace her children.”
“How far back has this been going on?”
“Since your mother and uncles were taken centuries ago.”
Crazy Granny must have been devastated when they took my mother and uncles, but that was no excuse for what she’d done and I refused to feel sorry for her. She must have thousands of Jötnar bonded to her. Loyal to her. What if her reach extended beyond Jötunheim?
“Did that stop after she joined my mother?”
“No. We still get abandoned pups and other shifters appearing in my village. The women try to be just like Angrboda.”
At least they didn’t go around biting kids. “So, you would know if a child was brought to your people around this time of the year seventeen years ago?”
He frowned. “I was only two at the time, but I could ask my father or my aunts. They’d know things like that. Women talk. One of my aunts adopted a pup. Geri. Funny kid. He used to like skin over fur. The Norns took him when he was five. That was two years ago. Another one was with us for a year. She was only two when the Norns came for her.”
If Crazy Granny was building an army of loyal warriors, the Norns were determined to stop it. Still, I wasn’t sure which enemy was worse, my grandmother or the Norns.
“Karle, I want you to do me a favor. Find out if a baby girl was abandoned in Ironwood Forest seventeen years ago.” Einmyria would be turning seventeen in a week.
“Find out right now?” Karle sounded disappointed.
“Yes. Right now.” Having him around a little longer might not be a bad thing. He was full of information. “Also see if your father can spare you for a few days. I’d like you to stay here and help me with something. I could use a flying partner around these mountains.” The mixture of surprise and excitement on his face was painful to watch. After a few days, I was sure he’d want to go home. I was determined to find my grandmother and that meant daily searches. There had to be a way to undo a blood bond.
“I’ll ask him. We traveled with my uncles, who are fishermen, not warriors, so they’ll need me for the journey back.” His voice lowered again. “The word is out that Angrboda is back, and the other clansmen are on edge. I don’t want them doing something stupid behind my back and blaming Dökkálfars.”
I followed his gaze to two guys rigging saber-toothed tigers to a sled. I’d fought both of them. They bowed, but their smiles wavered when they saw Karle.
Their black and yellow cloaks said they were from the Cat Clan. All the shifter clans wore dual colors. Elemental Jötun clans preferred a single color—red for fire, blue for water, white for ice, and gray for air.
“Did you fight them?” Karle angled his head to indicate the two guys watching us on the sly.
“Yes. They seemed to know what they were doing.” They were good fighters, but had resorted to cheap tricks toward the end.
“Did you bind them to you with a blood bond?”
“No.” And after what I’d learned last night, I was happy I hadn’t.
“Damn! You should have. Vrag and Nafni belong to the Cat Clan, the worst of all the southern clans. They sneak into our forest and steal our game, fish at our lakes in the dead of the night, and never admit guilt. Last time the pack trapped Vrag, I almost bit him.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He made a face. “I don’t want that meinfretr bound to me in any way.”
“Meinfretr?”
“Stinkfart,” he explained.
Karle was okay. Sure, he talked too much, but he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. I’d tried talking to some of the other guys last night and they’d clammed up. The fact that he was full of information was an added bonus.
“Talk to your father and see what he says about extending your visit. I’ll be gone most of today, but I should be back by nightfall.” After I convinced Celestia to help me locate my grandmother.
The thought of using her turned my insides. I could be putting her life in danger again. Crazy Granny was unpredictable. Maybe I didn’t need her help. Maybe Karle could. I was grasping at straws, but I had to know.
“Do you have a blood bond with my grandmother, Karle?”
He chuckled. “No, just my dad and aunts. I’ll go talk to them.”
Growling in frustration, I took off and flew over the wall. Garm saw me coming and went crazy, howling and jumping. It was the same every morning. Modgie released him, and the massive dog raced toward the field, the ground shaking and snow flying in his wake. He sprayed me with snow when he stopped by my side.
“Ready, boy?”
He barked and jumped. I took off toward Corpse Strand while Garm raced below, easily keeping up with me. The ground behind the walls was flat for a long stretch, until we reached the section where the wall connected with the face of the mountain. I veered right and went through an opening, entering the banks of Gjöll River.
The air was clearer today, and Garm could see me and keep up from below. Whenever a dense mist messed with vision, we’d stay closer to the hall. The river continued to Corpse Strand, but that was one island I avoided at all costs. I’d flown closer to it once and vowed to never try it again. The bloodcurdling screams from tortured souls had stayed with me for days. Modgie’s father had just delivered more souls and the doors had been opened. He swore sounds never escaped Corpse Strand.
The land started to narrow, so I swooped low and landed. I kept a healthy distance from Garm and let him take care of his business. He left behind sizable mounds on the snow. We started back, walking along the banks while watching the snakes swim between razor-sharp rock formations springing from the bottom of the river. Rumors had it that any soul dumb enough to fall in the river received a swift second death, and there was no returning from that. I didn’t understand how a soul could die.
“Not too close, boy,” I warned the dog when he moved closer to the fast-moving river. “Those snakes will leap out of the water when you least expect it and pull you under.”
Garm wagged his tail in understanding. I kept my wings up and continued walking, following the large paw prints he had left on the snow.
“I need Celestia’s help to find Granny, which will lead me to my sister, but to do so could put Celestia in danger. Should I be frank with her or trick her into helping me?”
The hound stared at me with a sad expression.
“Yeah, I know. Either way, I’m screwed. What do you think she’ll do when she learns about Crazy Granny’s bite?” The hound made a mewling sound. “True. She won’t be happy. She might even refuse to see me after this, which would make protecting her impossible.”
Garm whined again, longer this time.
“You’re damn right, my friend. We can’t let that happen. I may have to do some begging to make her come around. Mind you, I haven’t told her about sneaking into her room at night and calming her down. You think that might help my case?”
Garm barked.
“Nah, I don’t think so either. She’ll put a whammy on me for that. Either way, this day is not going to end well for me.” We walked in silence, until I looked back and noticed the hound had stopped and was once again, peering at the snakes. “Your fascination
will be your downfall, buddy. Just like mine is leading me in the same direction. I have to find a way to keep Celestia safe and save my sister.”
Garm barked.
“Okay, let’s go.” I ran ahead, forcing him to stop his obsession with the snakes. Then I took off. The hound loved snow, but he liked flying even better.
Once we were back on our usual route, I swooped low and picked him up, wrapping my front legs around him. Like most dogs, he liked the wind in his face. His jowls flattened and bared his teeth.
We flew over the wall to the east part of the hall, where there were greenhouses. The Vanirs might have bragged last night about supplying most of the realms with fresh fruit and vegetables, but Maera liked her supplies closer. I’d never visited the houses, only seen them from above.
Along the path to the bridge, carriages and sleds carrying our guests lined up as though in a procession. Garm got distracted by their scents and barked. I almost dropped him because he kept turning to find the other animals. Instead of lowering him down, which might have been catastrophic for the people leaving, I did another loop.
Modgie, Karle, and two other people were by the gate when we came in. From the colors of their cloaks, they were members of the Wolf Clan. Instead of joining them, I shot up higher and did several loop-the-loops, staying in the air until the guests had disappeared into the ravine.
I lowered the hound to the ground and landed. He rolled on the snow, his tongue lolling. I was never sure whether his legs couldn’t support him after a flight or he was just happy to be back on the ground. He stopped goofing around and stood, the fur on his back rising. A growl escaped him, and I realized why. Karle was walking toward us.
“Sit, boy,” I ordered.
“That was amazing,” Karle said, steering away from the growling dog.
I bumped Garm with my wing. “Easy. He is a friend.” That earned me a broad grin from Karle. “He enjoys flying, but he needs to run more. He’s too fat.” The hound mewled, hurt by my words.
“Go to Modgie, Garm.” He looked at me as though I’d kicked him. “We’ll go up again this evening.” He trotted toward the Jötun.
“That cannot be the ferocious hound everyone talks about,” Karle said. Garm turned his head and bared his fangs. Karle moved closer to me.
“What did your father say?”
“I should be back in a couple days. The clan will need my help fixing your grandmother’s hall. Oh, and my aunt can’t remember seeing a little girl seventeen years ago, but she’ll ask around.”
Damn. I was hoping for something more concrete. Today I was going to Earth, but tomorrow Jötunheim. Mother was going to go ballistic.
I flew back inside the wall while Karle went to rejoin his family. Back in my room, I finished showering then studied my reflection. I needed a shave and a haircut. Shave was doable. The haircut could wait. I brushed my teeth and left for my parents’ quarters.
They were already seated. I gave mother a hug. She held herself stiff, but it wasn’t as bad as yesterday’s. I planted a kiss on her cheek and slid into a chair. Litr piled food on a plate—pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage links. My mouth watered. I was on my second plate when I noticed how unusually quiet my parents were.
“Bad morning?” I asked, my eyes volleying between them.
“It’s nice to have the hall to ourselves again,” Father said, glancing at her. She didn’t respond. Somehow I had the feeling there was more to their glum faces.
“Then I hope you won’t mind having Karle around. I invited him to stay for a while.”
Mother frowned. “Why?”
“So I have someone to fly with and you can stop worrying.” I gave her a broad grin. She didn’t react. Something was definitely off with them. I cut up the pancakes and dug in. “Which reminds me, come up with me sometime, Mother.”
“Why would I want to do that?” Despite the question, her eyes lit up.
“I don’t know. Just for the heck of it. Father, you too.”
My father shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, Son, but I’ll pass. Height is not my thing.”
I went back to my food, but watched Mother. She hadn’t said no, so that was something. We finished the rest of the meal in silence. I pushed back the chair, stood, walked around, and pressed a kiss on Mother’s cheek.
“We should go soon. The hall looks beautiful from up there on a clear day.”
Once again, she didn’t say yes or no. Just patted my cheek. “Be careful out there.”
“Always.” I left and could hear them conversing in low voices as I walked away. Creed and his partner were in the rotunda, laughing about something. They stopped when I appeared.
“Rhys was looking for you,” Creed said. “He seemed agitated.”
Rhys showing an emotion?
“Bring him to my quarters.” I was searching for my things—credit card, cash, and my old driver’s license—when Rhys arrived. He was alone.
“Where’s Nara?”
“Out with Syn.”
“A date or reaping?”
Rhys gave me a tight smile. He and Nara were cousins, and Syn had a reputation with the ladies. “They’re searching for the identity of the people killing Witches. I thought you’d want to know.”
I stopped before entering my closet, something cold settling in my gut. “What?”
“Last night, five Witches were killed at exactly the same time all around the world. Each was in the middle of a séance when it happened. Someone or a group of people is going after Witches. Nara and Syn are looking into it. We don’t want another period of Witch hunts.”
My first thought was Celestia. Scales erupted on my arms. Rhys stared at them and swallowed. Of course she was okay. I’d seen her this morning. I relaxed, and the scales disappeared.
“When did you find out? And why am I hearing about this now?”
“I learned about it this morning from Syn. He and Echo found out last night,” Rhys added.
“Is Echo in the hall?”
“Eating breakfast the last time I saw him.”
“I want to talk to him. In the meantime, keep an eye on Celestia for me. I’m leaving after I talk to Echo, so I’ll find out more about what’s going on when I see her. Oh, and thanks for the heads-up.”
“So, you don’t need us with you?”
“No, stay with her. Keeping her safe is more important, and I trust you more than most.”
Rhys left, and I went back to my closet. Where was the stupid credit card? I checked the pockets of all my jackets and trench coats, and then I remembered I’d worn the duster this morning. I went to the other side of the bed where I’d dropped it, then got my mace and bonded with it.
Even though my dragon senses could alert me whenever Celestia was distressed, I couldn’t rely on my senses to protect her all the time. I hadn’t protected her from my grandmother and her damned bites. That woman had serious insecurity issues, or she was building an army of die-hards. Chief Skavnir had behaved like a fanatic. If she’d turned my Celestia into a crazed fan, there were no lengths I wouldn’t go to break it.
I left my quarters.
Echo was pacing in the rotunda and stopped when he saw me. He and I hadn’t spoken much even though our paths crossed often in the hall and at the gym. We never discussed Cora, but whatever happened between us was now in the past. He and I would never be drinking buddies, but I knew I could count on him because of his loyalty to my mother.
“What happened last night?” I asked.
He filled me in as we walked toward the front hall. “I followed her home from the club and made sure she was safe. I sent a few of our people to add protective runes around her house just in case whoever is doing this goes after her.”
I stopped. “When?”
“A few minutes ago. I’ll stop by to make sure they did it right. I told them to add runes on her car, house, her Immortal friend’s place, her uncle’s home and business, and her school.”
Wow, that went beyond his duti
es. The guy wasn’t a total douchebag after all.
“Thank you, although I already took care of most of it this morning. I didn’t think of the uncle’s car dealership or the school because of spring break. Maybe we’ll have that friendly drink after all.”
Echo’s eyebrows shot up, but he understood. “Maybe.”
“Could you do me a favor?” I asked.
“Depends.”
“Next time my mother sends you to get Celestia, swing by my place and let me know first?”
Echo hesitated then shrugged. “Sure. However, I’d still obey her.”
I grinned. “Except, you’d have to go through me.”
“Dragon you or you with the deadly mace?”
“I’ll let you decide.”
“Good. At least you make things interesting around here.” He disappeared through a portal.
CHAPTER 8. A BORING MORTAL
EIRIK
I made sure there were no browsers when I appeared in the magical books section of Tammy’s Cauldron. At first glance, it looked like a bookstore, until you read the titles—Alchemy, Ceremonial Magic, Herbalism, Druidry, Voodoo, Celtic, Wiccan, Seidr, Divination…
Thankfully, there was a partition separating the aisle from the one with cauldrons and leather-bound grimoires, where a mother and her daughter were busy discussing what to buy. The books had metal locks and symbols from different cultures.
I walked past a table with a tablecloth that had Celtic knots and statues of angels, dragons, fairies, and gargoyles. Another table had a large, translucent crystal inside a cauldron and open geodes with purple and green crystals on the floor around it. It looked like an altar.
I headed for the cash register, where Celestia always worked. Two women were studying the statues of bronze gods from various mythologies to my right. To the left were more shelves with chalices. One particular chalice caught my eyes. My mother might appreciate it. It had a relief of a dragon on its surface.
Heroes (Eirik Book 2) Page 12
