by Katrina Cope
"I have an invitation from Loki." I know it’s a desperate move, but it's worth a try.
The two guards double over at the waist. A burst of deep, roaring laughter bellows as they hold their stomachs.
"That's hilarious," Gorm says through fits of laughter. It takes all of Birger’s strength to regain his composure, and he stands straight. His mouth remains tilted up at the corners, and he struggles to retain the giggles. "Any royal person other than Loki? You will need an invitation from anybody but Loki."
I frown. "Why? I received an invitation from Loki. He's one of the gods and members of the palace."
Gorm stands straight, just managing to hold back his laughter, yet a chuckle escapes through his words. “Loki is a mischief-maker, and anybody invited by Loki is also regarded in such manner."
I cross my arms over my chest. "Well, I'm not up to mischief. Loki requested to see me, so I was trying to fulfill that request.”
Birger speaks. "Go home, Valkyrie. If you really want to enter the castle, then work on your career and make that your dream. You are a servant to the gods and other Valkyries, so work hard and learn how to scrub to perfection, and you may be assigned to the castle in the future. That is the only way you’ll be able to enter."
I face him directly. My ears are ringing with his insult, and my eyes narrow. "Yes, I am a Valkyrie of the wingless kind. But I’m worth more than what you give me credit for.”
"Ah. So you’re that Valkyrie," Gorm says. "Then you're definitely not allowed to enter the castle.” He shrugs. “Odin's orders."
Birger nods. "Yup. That's right. Odin's orders."
“In fact, Odin said to arrest you if you come anywhere near the castle," Gorm says.
My jaw drops. "What?"
He doesn't answer me. Instead, Birger grabs me from behind and secures my wrists. Then Gorm grabs me by the shoulders, and they both direct me inside and down the hallway.
- Chapter Nine -
* * *
My plodding, reluctant steps echo against the walls of the palace. I slam each foot down while applying a slight backward pressure, making it harder for the guards to drag me down the corridor. At the same time, I know I don’t have any other choice but to go with them.
Suddenly, I wish that I had told Elan or one of my friends where I was going. Elan would again accuse me of always getting myself into trouble, and I’m starting to think that she's right. No matter what I do, I always land under the disagreeable eye of the gods or the senior Valkyries.
Roughly, I’m dragged down the hall until, finally, we reach Odin's large throne room. The two guards bang through the door, opening it without knocking. Odin stands behind his throne, and he glowers over his shoulder at the disturbance.
"What is the meaning of this?" His voice rumbles deeply as he spins around the back of his throne, and his one eye focuses on me. The wrinkles around his eye tightens as he observes the way that the guards are handling me. "Oh. This is a sufficient reason. Bring her in."
Birger and Gorm struggle to drag me deeper inside the room. Each of my steps is placed in a breaking position, revealing my apprehension about going any farther inside the room. They give me a final shove forward, and Odin slowly paces around his throne to the front. His gaze doesn’t waver from me as he sits in a slow, decisive manner. He rubs his hand through his graying beard then rests his fingers on the armrest of the throne. His face portrays many expressions as the great god stares at me.
Removing his vision from me, he looks at the two guards. “Guards, you must return to your posts. Be cheerful. You have done well. There are enough guards in here to secure this Valkyrie.”
The guards nod, release me from their grasp, and abruptly leave. His statement makes me want to pull out my magic and harm a thing or two, but I refrain from doing this. I don’t know if Odin is capable of such magic, and I don't want to seem like I think I'm superior because I have magic.
Standing alone in front of the throne, I shake out my arms, releasing the pressure applied to them from the guards' hold. "Why am I here, great Odin?"
Odin raises his chin and stares down at me. "You must show me respect, young Valkyrie."
I expel a loud sigh. "Yes, yes. I must show you respect.” I hear the defiance in my voice, and I rein it in. I have to watch my mouth more carefully when it comes to my seniors. I bow my head slightly. “And I do. Although it would be a much easier feat if you would treat us fairly, great Odin." I cringe inwardly. I can still hear the spitefulness tainting my voice, even if it is mild.
"There you go again. You are showing me disrespect and speaking out of line." Odin clicks his fingers. “I will not put up with such insolence. I will not tolerate such disrespect."
My shoulders sag. "Great Odin, I have heard that you show respect to people who stand up for Asgard and fight for its safety."
"Yes, I do. Naturally." He shuffles his backside onto his throne.
"Then why don't you respect me and show me a little bit of respect?" I labor hard to keep my tone courteous.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the throne's armrests. "Why would you deserve respect?"
"Because I have fought for Asgard. Have you not heard? Have you not seen with your all-seeing eye, as you sit there on your throne and gaze across the land?"
Odin frowns and flicks his hands dismissively at me until eventually, his frown lightens. "Oh, you mean all those discussions of you running around and disobeying your mistress and the rules of Asgard?"
"Is that all that she’s said I've done?" I stare at him in disbelief. "Is that how you view it, even though I have done great things to protect Asgard?"
"Protect it? That is a far cry from what I understand you’ve been doing."
"But I have helped protect Asgard from the dark elves and a giant. I have stood up against all the odds to protect Asgard. That is how I see it. Not how you’ve described it."
"You attacked Mistress Sigrun and her group of Valkyries, hindering them from learning how to fight against the dragons."
"Do you mean the one time that I stopped them from attacking a dragon and hurting it for no reason? Because I’m not going to hurt a dragon, and you shouldn’t want to hurt them either. They have also helped save Asgard. Because of my friendship with them, they have stood by our sides and helped us fight against the dark elves, just like my dragon, Elan, did when we fought against the frost giant. You should be treating the dragons with respect. They have an intelligence that is beyond your comprehension."
His brows push together. "Are you saying I'm dumb?" He slams his fist down on his armrest. "I am the god of wisdom. I am not unintelligent. How dare you accuse me of such."
I bow my head slightly. "Great Odin, I was not implying that you are unintelligent. As you said, you are the god of wisdom. I was merely saying that the dragons hold a great intelligence that you are not yet aware of, even in your great wisdom." The words drag out of my mouth. I must try to flatter Odin. I am only going to win this battle if he is on my side, and I need him on my side.
The god’s eye narrows as he stares at me. "Flattery will not get you anywhere, young Valkyrie."
I swallow the contents of my stomach and do my best to make my voice sound convincing. “I'm not flattering you, great Odin. I'm merely stating the truth."
His face seems to soften a little.
So I continue. "I was only working in the interest of Asgard even if you saw it as me being rebellious. I am trying to prove my worth and the worth of my comrades, the other wingless Valkyries. We are willing to fight for Asgard and do more than become servants."
He frowns. "But you also fought against the winged Valkyries, and I hear that you defied them on that mountaintop while using magic."
"I wasn’t given a choice but to participate in that fight. It was supposed to be three wingless Valkyries against three winged Valkyries, except the fight proved to be unfair because all the winged Valkyries from the academy were fighting against only three wingless Valkyries—mys
elf and my two wingless friends. When the fight turned unfair, my magic unleased itself out of pure defense. Plus, I wanted to earn the right to go to Midgard and save the souls of the great warriors for Valhalla, a quest that I have since learned is only granted by your greatness. I was hoping that since I've been so faithful to Asgard and have proved myself, that you would also grant me the ability to reap souls for Valhalla. I heard it is done by your touch."
Odin’s laughter is deafening as he displays a full mouth of straight teeth. He slams his fist lightly against the armrest twice.
Feeling hurt once more, I stare up at him. "Is that not true?"
Odin leans back, knocking his head against the throne, and stares up at the ceiling, still cackling. When he composes himself, he sits straight and glowers down at me. "Yes. It is true. But it is doubtful that this gift is going to be granted to you. It is a privilege only available to the winged Valkyries upon birth."
My head spins with disbelief. "But… but I have proven myself."
"That's what you say," Odin says with a booming voice. "But I see it as you breaking all the rules while on a vendetta to prove yourself and prove your worthlessness. It is not an act that I am going to honor."
A sleazy voice sounds from the front corner behind Odin. "I think that perhaps you should listen to the young, wingless Valkyrie." I stare in the direction of the voice, surprised to see the dark form of Loki stalking into the room. "Don't you think the young Valkyrie has worked hard to prove herself, blood brother?" Loki approaches the throne. His dark eyes never leave me.
"Don't be ridiculous, Loki," Odin snaps.
- Chapter Ten -
* * *
I stare at Loki with an open mouth. His dark eyes remain fixed on me until he reaches the throne.
“Don’t you think that this Valkyrie has proven herself, my dear brother Odin? She has risked much for Asgard.”
Odin swivels in his chair to look at Loki. “I don’t know what you are thinking. But whatever it is, it isn’t good. Put your evil plotting aside.”
“Please listen to Loki, Odin.” I try to gather some more flattery.
“There is a reason why I am called wise.” Odin raises his chin. “It’s because I won’t listen to the likes of idiots like you. Guards!” The guards stand at attention. “Take that young wingless back to her academy and make sure you call Mistress Sigrun to punish her… academy style.” He sneers down at me from over his large nose.
Knowing that no matter what I do, he isn’t going to give me the right to reap souls for Valhalla, I call over my shoulder as I’m dragged out. “Loki, I need to speak with you.” I hope that because Loki has stood up for me and asked for Odin to grant me this wish, he will speak to me. I am surprised that he came in and said his piece.
Loki says nothing, but his dark eyes don’t leave me as I’m dragged unceremoniously out of the throne room. At least I’m not being locked up in the dungeons. I guess that is because Odin is keeping his promise to the dragons despite what he wants to do. Although he still won’t treat the young dragons with the respect they deserve and use them as allies in fighting for Asgard and protecting against Ragnarök.
When Loki doesn’t answer, I call out again. “Loki, please! I need to speak with you.” The guards roughly drag me sideways, and I stumble over my feet. Somehow, I manage to stagger and stand upright, hoping that if I continue to peer over my shoulder, the god of mischief will speak with me.
Odin’s expression does not waver, and Loki doesn’t call me back, leaving me confused as I leave the throne room. I’m bombarded with disappointment. I was in the same room as Loki in his god form, and he still did not talk to me even though he stood up for me for a very brief moment. I don’t understand. My mind spins. On top of all this information, he has now marked my friends.
Diligently, the guards march me past Birger and Gorm—the two guards stand at attention at the front door of the palace—and toward the academy as instructed by Odin. The thunderstorm that started prior to my visit to the palace continues as they march me through the land of Asgard and between the towering mountains. My slightly damp clothes become soaked, and the puddles splash up my legs, aided by the guards’ footsteps as they march in unison.
The guard on the left shoves me harshly, and I turn to glare at him. There is no reason for this treatment. Suddenly, something blue dashes toward us. For a moment, my heart flutters with excitement. Maybe Naga is coming to intervene. But as I turn, all hope crashes at my feet. The figure is blue, yet it is the wrong shape. Charging from behind, on surprisingly quiet feet, is a frost giant. As I take him in, I am a little surprised. The frost giant that I fought with Elan’s help was much larger. Looking at its smooth skin and smaller size, I think that perhaps this one is just a teenager. In any case, he’s still huge in comparison to the three of us.
The guard on the left must have seen the shocked look on my face because he turns his head to peer over his shoulder before I have a chance to warn them. Instantly, he releases me, grabbing for his sword hanging by his side. The frost giant has a nasty scowl plastered on his face. His body is tense, and he seems ready to attack. I reach over my shoulder and grasp for my bow and arrow. My cheeks lose all feeling. I don’t have my weapons with me. I suddenly feel naked. Since when don’t I have my weapons on my back? I must have left them at Gilroma’s. I go for my back pocket, reaching for my sling, only to grasp air. I must have been so preoccupied over my friends having magic that I committed the biggest sin of all—I forgot my weapons. The giant bounds forward in large, rapid steps, and both guards brace their swords with white knuckles, ready to defend. My mind spins, searching for another option to protect myself. Then it hits me, and I want to slam my palm against my forehead. My magic. How could I forget my magic?
Instantly, I gather the threads of magic coursing through my body. Except the giant is already upon us. One guard draws his sword back. He’s ready to strike, but before he can drag it across his body, the giant slams his fist into the guard from the opposite direction. A massive grunt exits the guard as he projects through the air. He slams into the side of the mountain before sliding down its side and landing with a thud.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the giant swings his other fist and flings the guard on my right into a large boulder not far away. A sickening crack reaches my ears, and my stomach churns with sickness, distracting me from gathering my magic. Before I know it, the giant is standing above me, and I stare up at him. My magic flees to the most unreachable part of my body.
Two large hands grasp me, pinning my arms by my sides, and he lifts me into the air. I wriggle and kick and bite the massive finger lying just under my mouth, but nothing makes the giant release his grip. My life is flashing before my eyes. This must be my end, and I haven’t even managed to prove the wingless Valkyries’ worth—or my own, for that matter—and I’m about to be crushed to death.
The giant spins to face the opposite direction and runs through the rain at a surprising speed for miles until eventually he reaches the Yggdrasil. Using one hand, he climbs down the branches of the world tree while still grasping me firmly in the other.
* * *
The End
Special Bonus – Deleted Scene
Go to https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2weanv19h7 to read a deleted scene from ‘Warned’ Valkyrie Academy Dragon Alliance.
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* * *
Abducted: Book 8 is released in December, 2019.
Acknowledgments
I am touched by the enormous amount of support I have received from my immediate family. My husband has been a helpful first reader and a
t times been a wonderful motivator, with hints of ideas to help me through the blanks. The support from my three sons has also been overwhelming. They have put up with my head being in the clouds, thinking about the next plot twist or story for several years. Along with many hours spent working on my books and keeping in touch with my readers.
A big thank you to my extended family who support me being a book enthusiast.
A huge thank you to my editor, Neila F., her editing and writing tips, and my Proofreader, Libybet R. G., for picking up the things we missed.
Thank you to all of my readers who have loved my work, and continue to read my stories.
* * *
Book 8 of Valkyrie Academy Dragon Alliance Series ‘Abducted’ released December, 2019.
Books by Katrina Cope
Pre-Teen Books
The Sanctum Series
JAYDEN’S CYBERMOUNTAIN
SCARLET’S ESCAPE
TAYLOR’S PLIGHT
ERIC & THE BLACK AXES
ADRIANNA’S SURGE
~~~~~
Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Afterlife Series
FLEDGLING
THE TAKING
ANGELIC RETRIBUTION
DIVIDED PATHS
Afterlife Novelette
THE GATEKEEPER
~~~~~
Young Adult Urban Paranormal Fantasy
Supernatural Evolvement Series
(Associated with the Afterlife Series)
WITCH’S LEGACY (Prequel)
AALIYAH
~~~~~
Young Adult Nordic Myth Fantasy
Valkyrie Academy Dragon Alliance
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