Heroes (Eirik Book 2)

by Ednah Walters

  “Okay.” I watched him leave then sat and stared at my food.

  Eirik. How could he talk about what I needed as though he’d crawled inside my head and learned my deepest desires, then turn around and order me to find someone in this town to date? Jackass.

  He took the seat across from me. He was no longer smirking. I ignored him and forked the lettuce, but I couldn’t eat. I put the fork down.

  “Okay. You said you needed my help. Start talking.”

  “My grandmother bit you. I don’t know when she did it or where, but I found out last night and now you are bonded to her.”

  I leaned back and sighed. “Okay.”

  He frowned. “Why aren’t you surprised?”

  “Because I knew she’d bitten me.”

  “Where?”

  “My foot.”

  “Why didn’t you say something last night?” His voice rose, and a couple at a neighboring table looked at him. Completely oblivious to them, he picked up my hand and continued. “Finding out about the bite scared the crap out of me. I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you from her. I promise to find a way to break the bond. I meant to ask my mother about it this morning, but—”

  “No. I don’t want anyone to know. It’s humiliating as it is.” The Grimnirs gossiped. Right now, they believed I’d fought Eirik’s grandmother with her wand. That could turn into “poor Mortal Witch was bonded to the Ironwood Maiden” fast. I eased my hand from Eirik’s and went back to stabbing my salad, anger at his grandmother and fear of what she might do welling up inside me. It was four months ago all over again. No, I had gone through this crap before and refused to do it again.

  “It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done.”

  “Can I see the scar?” Eirik asked.

  “No.”

  Eirik went quiet, but his eyes didn’t waver from mine. At least he wasn’t staring at me with pity. If he had, I would have scratched out his eyes. He smiled, but I could tell he was blaming himself for the bite. He would feel worse when he learned about the bites from him.

  “This wasn’t your fault,” I said.

  “Then let me see it.”

  “No. It’s ugly.”

  “I don’t care.” His gaze didn’t waver. “Please. I feel bad as it is.”

  I sighed. “Fine.”

  He moved to my side of the booth and lifted my foot onto his lap. Concentrating, he removed my ballet flats and studied the half-moon scar. It was bumpy because the wound had been deep. Interestingly, his had been shallow and had even healed faster. He stroked the scar, and my toes curled.

  He found the scar from the dragon’s lower tooth and studied it. “Did they hurt?”

  “Not really.” They had, and they’d taken forever to heal.

  He gently massaged the scars. “You are such a liar. If I remember correctly, you whine when in pain and faint at the sight of your own blood.”

  “You can’t compare landing on your mace with a bite. I had three of the spikes lodged in my chin.”

  He made a face at my exaggeration. “My mace has a name now. Gunnlögi.” He grinned with pride. He really had a sexy smile, part cocky and part sweet. Made me want to forget we were discussing a serious matter and that he’d just acted like a complete jerk to Wes.

  “What does it mean?” I asked instead.

  “Battle blaze. I’ll show you some time.” His hand moved up and down my leg, and I realized it was still on his lap. He was an amazing foot masseur.

  “Can I have my leg back now?”

  “No. I’m making up for letting this happen to you in the first place. Eat. As soon as I learned about the bite, I came here to tell you, but you weren’t at your house.”

  “I slept at Hayden’s,” I said, stating the obvious since he’d just seen me that morning.

  “I know. But there was a party going on, so I couldn’t just appear out of thin air. I waited around for a while and no one left, so I went home.”

  “Tammy hosted a bunch of Witches because of what happened. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but five Witches were killed last night.”

  “Echo filled me in. He even sent some Grimnirs to add protection runes to your car and house in case the people after the Witches came after you.”

  “Aw. He’s sweet.”

  Eirik snorted. “Sweet? He’s an arrogant ass, but I forgave him all the crap he’d done in the past because of what he did. Anyone who looks out for you deserves a second chance.”

  Heat crept up my face. I had no idea when I’d picked up the fork and gone back to eating. Damn dragon bond was making me obey him. I eased my leg from his lap and pushed the food aside. I sipped the drink Wes had ordered for me and tried to pretend my heart wasn’t pounding a little faster because Eirik had replaced Wes.

  “So when you were outside my house this morning, you didn’t know about the Witches?”

  “No. I was worried about the blood bond and whether or not you were safe from my grandmother.” He eyed my salad. “Are you going to eat the rest of that?”

  “No.” I pushed it toward him.

  Instead of eating it, he went to the counter and ordered more food. Then he came back to the table and demolished my salad.

  “What is a blood bond? And how did you find out about the bite?”

  “Last night, I had a long talk with an old Jötun who claimed he’d sensed the bond when he saw you in the banquet hall.”

  “Did he have graying hair and a full beard, carry a silver cane, and wear a red and gold cloak?”

  Eirik grinned. “That’s him. Chief Skavnir. My grandmother bit him when he was a little boy, and he can recognize anyone bitten by her. In fact, he said anyone bitten by my grandmother would have this weird connection. You can feel each other. Did you feel anything last night?”

  I’d felt plenty, which was scary if it had something to do with my bite. Did that mean I was bonded to his grandmother and not him?

  “I’m not sure if what I felt was the connection, but he had a distinct energy, as did several guests. Also, when I arrived, I felt the same energy near the cave. Only it was much stronger. I mean really, really strong. It had a weird effect on me, like it was calling to me. You should ask Echo. He stopped me from going to the source. I couldn’t resist it.”

  Eirik cursed. “That must have been my grandmother. Chief Skavnir said that after she bit him and the other orphans, she could find them anywhere and they could find her. When she said she could call my sister, I had no idea what she meant. She must use the energy link to lure those bonded to her.”

  “Pull,” I corrected him. “It’s something evil Witches do. Most of us can find a thread of energy and follow it to its source, but it takes an evil Witch to trap and manipulate someone’s life force. She must be directing hers to those she’s bitten, then grabbing their energy and pulling them to her. That’s how I felt last night. A sudden surge of a seductive energy I had to connect with, then a tug. I thought it was normal. That it was Helheim’s magic, so I linked with it. The next second, I was stumbling through the darkness, walking away from Echo, following it.”

  His crazy, senile, dragon-shifting grandmother had bitten me first. Not only was the bond between us strong, I couldn’t fight its effect on me. A waiter brought a tray with four burritos, nachos, and an extra-large drink. For the next thirty minutes, I watched Eirik demolish everything. People stared. If I didn’t know about his dragon appetite, I’d say he was stress eating. In between bites, he explained about his grandmother and the orphans, and how the Norns had taken them.

  “Rhys and Nara have searched for Einmyria since she was taken and failed to find her. I don’t plan on doing the same. My sister is definitely here on Earth, but the only way to confirm it is through my grandmother.”

  “So how can I help?”

  He sipped his drink and hesitated, but my mind was already sorting through the information he’d given me. His grandmother bit his sister and me, so the two of us shared a blood bond. I should be able to feel h
er.

  “No, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want you involved,” Eirik said. “This is my problem.”

  I gawked at him. “When you were in the bathroom, you couldn’t wait to ask for my help. What happened between then and now?”

  “You just told me how strong Granny’s pull is and how you couldn’t resist her. I’m not putting you in a dangerous situation like that.”

  I studied him, wondering if he was serious or messing around. He met my gaze without cracking a smile. His sister’s life was at stake, and he was willing to ignore that to protect me. He was choosing to save me when I wasn’t in any real danger.

  “How dangerous can it be, Eirik? We just need to visit whatever clubs or schools the Immortals attend here, and I’d find her because of our shared bond.”

  “What about false leads because of hundreds of other orphans my grandmother bit. Not to mention, they could be anywhere in the world. It would take us months to cover all the continents. I want to find her by her birthday.”

  “Then how did you expect me to help?”

  He learned back and shook his head. “It was a stupid idea to begin with. Forget it.”

  “You know I’m going to bug you until you tell me, so you might as well come out and say it.” He reached for his drink, but I snatched it out of the way. “You can get it back after you explain.”

  He sighed. “Why can’t you ever listen to me and not argue?”

  “Because you’re always wrong. Spill it.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and growled. “In the last several months, I’ve smelled my grandmother’s scent, but every time I followed it, it disappeared before I can pinpoint her location. My plan was to use you. Bring you back with me to Hel, use the bond between the two of you to find her. If the bond is as strong as Chief Skavnir claimed, you could lock on her and help me find her faster.” He leaned back and made a face. “That’s it.”

  My stomach had dropped the moment he’d mentioned going back to Hel. Now it churned. Searching for his grandmother in Helheim would be like walking into a burning building without protection.

  “But the plan can’t work because my grandmother is unpredictable and a little unhinged,” Eirik said. “Now that I know how powerful she is and how she can use the bond to lure you away from me, I don’t really want you anywhere near her.”

  “What if I said I still want to help?”

  “My answer would still be no.”

  My mind raced, but I couldn’t see a way out. I didn’t want to go looking for that crazy old dragon. We had enough problems here on Earth with Witches being hurt without inviting more. Yet, how could I walk away when Eirik needed my help?

  “Listen, uh, I better head home,” I said. “I hope there’s a better solution out there, because you need to find your sister before your grandmother does. You know I’d help if I could.”

  He nodded and the smile he gave me was strained, but he didn’t detain me when I got up. I wished he would. Maybe beg me to stay and help him. Give me a reason to brave all the dangers for him. When I reached outside, I gave him one last wave and crossed the street.

  I entered TC and found a few customers browsing. Hayden must have invited Zack because the two of them were behind the counter talking in low tones. They were the perfect couple—both beautiful, no worries in the world except school and when they’d see each other again. I wanted that kind of relationship. Exciting with no worries about dragons, blood bonds, and family obligations a mile long.

  “You okay?” Hayden had followed me into the séance room.

  “Yeah. Just grabbing my things and heading home.”

  She watched me collect my sling bag and overnight things without saying a word. She was chewing on her lower lip as though undecided about something. Her expression said she was worried.

  “Did you want me to stay longer?” I asked. “I’m only going home because I promised Dad to spend part of spring break at home. Starting Wednesday, I’ll willingly be a permanent addition to your family.”

  She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve always been a permanent addition, like Little Orphan Annie.”

  I winced. Orphan, like the ones Eirik’s grandmother had bitten and the Norns had sneaked out of the other realms. How many Immortals loyal to her were here on Earth? No wonder she’d said she was ready to march into Asgard and take on the gods. She had an army. The only one she’d needed by her side was Eirik and he’d eluded her, so she’d bitten me. Was it to control Eirik through me?

  “Seriously, you are beginning to worry me,” Hayden said, peering into my face. “Did you hear what I said?”

  “What? Sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”

  “Like what?”

  “Witches are being hunted, Hayden. That’s enough to make me lose sleep. When is Tammy coming home?”

  She shrugged. “I told you, her note said she’d be back in a couple of days. She does this all the time. She’s probably shopping in Miami or New York.”

  And so she’d sneaked out at five in the morning? I hadn’t told Hayden about the man with her mother or the way they’d disappeared. Since she didn’t know about portals, I didn’t want to scare her. She was already looking at me funny. I tried to act normal.

  “Does this mean we get to throw a party tomorrow night, or my cousin is camping here for the next forty-eight hours?”

  Her cheeks grew pink. “No to the party and none of your business to the second question.” She started out of the room. “By the way, a guy came here looking for you. Dirty blond, trench coat, hotter than summers in the bayou.” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Have you been holding out on me?”

  “Eirik came…”

  “So that’s his name. Eirik. Sounds Scandinavian. Did he find you?”

  “Yes.” I couldn’t add anything to that. Please, don’t connect him to the drawing I did four months ago and don’t ask questions I can’t answer.

  “Is that why Wes hightailed it out of Costa Vida?”

  I sighed with relief. “No. His boss wanted him to go in early. What were you doing? Spying on me from across the street?”

  “Yeah, like I have nothing better to do. Wes sat in his car for a good ten minutes before he took off. Doesn’t sound like someone in a hurry to get to work, does it?” She glanced over her shoulder into the store and added in a lower voice, “If you’re seeing two guys at the same time, plan better next time.”

  I stared after her, feeling a little sick. Wes must have seen me with Eirik. Costa Vida had clear glass and chances were he’d seen Eirik massage my foot. Damn! I really needed to break things off with Wes before he got hurt.

  “See you guys later,” I called out.

  “We’re going to the movies this evening. Want to come?” Zack asked.

  “And play the third wheel? Don’t think so. Later.”

  I headed to the parking lot, started the car, punched the code to open the gate, and left the compound. Eirik was still seated inside Costa Vida, and our eyes met as I drove by. He looked like he carried the weight of his family’s misfortunes on his shoulders, and it wasn’t fair. His father expected way too much from him. I had to find a way to overcome my fear of his grandmother and help him.

  CHAPTER 9. HELP ME

  EIRIK

  Three days of intense, renewed searching for my grandmother had led nowhere. Karle was still a no-show, and I couldn’t sleep or eat. I had no idea what bugged me more, missing Celestia or not finding my sister. I’d missed Celestia before, but this time was different. It hurt. To make matters worse, I broke into scales at the oddest moments.

  “Don’t worry, guys,” I said, controlling the shift. “My dragon won’t come out to play again.”

  “That’s what you said last time,” a blond with a crew cut and leathery skin said.

  Ostberg might bitch, but learning to escape the dragon’s fire was good practice for them. These men and women would fight alongside Surtr, the fire Jötun prophesied to destroy the worl
d. They had no idea that fire giants didn’t discriminate. You stood in their path and they destroyed you. At least, that was what my father claimed.

  “Were there second deaths, Ostberg?” I demanded.

  “No, sir.”

  “Then stop bitching and let’s do this.”

  I faced Nass, a tall black dude with so much inking I couldn’t tell where his hair ended and the tattoos began. Winking, I wiggled my fingers and dared him to come get me.

  Snarling, he rushed me with a carved axe. Two more came from behind me. I swung the mace and caught Nass on the shoulder, the force sending him across the arena and into the trainees seated on the icy bleachers. I kept swinging and caught the second attacker on the side. He’d jumped, probably hoping to catch me from above with his jagged hammer.

  That was the beauty of Gunnlögi. It never slowed down once it hit something. It plowed through every obstacle and kept going.

  Seconds before the arrows landed on my back, dragon scales covered my skin. Battle was the only time I felt in sync with my dragon half, where partial shifts like this happened naturally without conscious effort. The iron tips bounced off my scales, sparks crackling in the air.

  Another jagged hammer landed on my shoulder, and the impact whipped me around. Using the motion, I caught the attacker with a roundhouse kick and finally let go of the mace. Fighters jumped out of its path. It would keep going at the same speed, neither gravity nor laws of science making it stop, until I engaged the right runes to direct it back to my hand. The best part was the spin somehow made it move in a circle, not a straight line.

  I ducked and caught the next attacker in the solar plexus with a right hook and followed through with a chop to his wrist. The crack of his bone filled the air. He howled in pain and rage, but didn’t slow down. Another rammed her elbow into the scales protecting my upper back. The force of the blow almost made my knees buckle as she howled in pain. I grabbed her by her pants, looped an arm around her neck, and used her as a shield. She caught the arrows meant for me and went down, dropping her axe. Before I could recover, two more converged on me.