Witches (Runes series Book 6)

by Ednah Walters

  Dang it, I had to tell Torin about Eirik and the dagger. Another thing we had to deal with. Maybe this evening after the game. If I told him now, he’d want to track Eirik down himself. Unfortunately, Eirik was an expert at disappearing until he was good and ready to be found. For once I wish he would make one of his dramatic entrances.

  Just before Torin created a portal, I felt the Norns’ presence and looked around. Were they happy now? I’d done exactly what I swore I wouldn’t do—follow their order.

  15. Stupid Posters

  My life should be simple. Filled with love and new discoveries, not worrying about Norns and their shenanigans, and evil souls coming after my best friend. I deserved to have Torin to myself just once without dealing with them. I deserved to be happy, even if it was just for one day.

  “You two need the forest to yourselves?” I teased Echo and Cora, trying to act like I didn’t care that the Norns were around.

  Cora pulled from Echo, her face turning red. Echo wore a smug smile. I walked past them and through the portal Torin had created. Torin followed then Cora and Echo.

  “Let’s hang out, guys,” I added. Cora had to know about the dark souls.

  “What she means is we need to talk, so grab a seat while I make lunch. You forgot to say please, Freckles.”

  Hearing the teasing in his voice only hiked my frustration. I closed the gap between us, savoring the moment, the love in his eyes.

  “Like this?” I asked, then reached up and claimed him with a kiss that dared anyone to deny me the moment, until I was drunk with the taste of him. When I stepped back, he stared at me with amazement and staggered.

  “Hel’s Mist, Freckles,” he muttered then turned and stumbled toward the kitchen.

  I grinned, saw the shocked look on Cora’s face, and shrugged. “I needed that.”

  “What was that all about?”

  “Using my powers unleashes this thing inside of me, and I just want to—” Why was I lying to her? This had nothing to do with my magic. This was me, claiming my man. There shouldn’t be an explanation. It was one of those things that happened because it was right. My face warmed, I shrugged. “Kissing him makes my world right again. Come on, let’s go eat.”

  Femi grinned when she heard me. I’d been so lost in my funk that I hadn’t noticed her. She winked at me and made a beeline for Cora and Echo. While she talked to them, I followed Torin to the kitchen.

  “Need help preparing lunch?”

  “No, sit.” Torin pointed at the stool. “You distract me.”

  “And that’s bad how?”

  “Because I have a game and my head needs to be with my team, not my girlfriend. Quit pouting.”

  “I don’t pout.” But I was, and hated myself for it. Self-pity was such a wasted emotion.

  Sighing, I sat and watched him get bread and cold cuts from the fridge. I loved that he was so comfortable in my house and knew where everything was. Eirik used to be just like him. He came and went as he pleased. Cleared my fridge without worrying that my parents would be pissed. I wanted that Eirik back, not the one that appeared in the middle of the night with a dire warning.

  I reached for one of the pies Cora had brought and grabbed a knife to cut a slice, but Torin snatched the pie out of the way. “No pie before my sandwiches.”

  I glared at him. He touched the top of my nose and left a dollop of mayo. I swatted at his hand and tried to lick it, but failed. He just laughed.

  “Stinker. I’ll get you for that.” I went to get a paper towel. When I turned around, Echo and Cora were in the kitchen, and something was up. What had I missed? Cora’s eyes volleyed between the two men. She looked ready to read them the riot act. Echo’s arms were folded, his expression unyielding.

  Torin shot him an exasperated look, then focused on Cora. “The Earl lost about six Immortals, and their souls disappeared before the fight ended. They might be gunning for us.”

  With a whole army of dark souls. Why was he making it sound like it was no big deal? “We just want to make sure we’re on the same page on what to do if they bother you,” I chimed in, my eyes meeting Cora’s.

  She frowned, but she didn’t seem scared or worried. She just nodded and turned to whisper something to Echo. Cora never ceased to amaze me. Ever since Maliina etched dark runes on her, she was like a different person. Confident. Serious. Nothing seemed to bother her. But then again, it takes a lot of guts to willingly allow souls to possess you just so you can listen to their last wishes. I was kind of proud of her. Instead of whining about what Maliina had done to her, Cora had embraced her runes and found a new purpose—helping souls find closure.

  Torin and I exchanged glances.

  “Did you already talk to her about the Draugar attacks?” he asked.

  “No, but he,”—I indicated Echo with a nod—“might have.”

  We all sat down at the table, and I tried to appear happy during lunch. I even fooled Cora because she didn’t once look at me questioningly. Torin wasn’t fooled though. He pulled me down onto his lap, and stroked the palm of my hands until I relaxed against him.

  “I think you should go on helping souls freeze until we round up all the souls of the Earl’s Immortals,” Torin suggested. Echo seemed to like the idea, but not Cora.

  “What if I knew the people before they died?” she asked. “I’ve helped quite a few from the local hospitals and nursing homes, and I’m not going to stop just because of a few angry souls.”

  The guys protested, but I knew Cora. You didn’t tell her what to do once she made up her mind about something. She and I were alike in that aspect.

  “Don’t gang up on her,” I jumped in, which earned me a censuring look from Torin. It didn’t bother me. There was nowhere written I had to take his side on every issue. “I agree with her. She can’t stop helping others out of fear.” Both men groaned. “We have to come up with another way to protect her.”

  “Thanks for the support,” Cora said, and we high-fived.

  Torin glared at Echo. “You need to reason with your woman.”

  Echo laughed. “How about you focus on yours? I don’t see her agreeing with you. One kiss and you turn into a doormat.”

  Torin glanced at me. “Really?”

  “We don’t kiss,” I said, leaning into him. “We affirm. With a touch, a look, or a smile.” I kissed him again. But he took over and ran with it, making me forget we had an audience. Or maybe it was payback for the kiss I’d given him earlier, because when he lifted his head I didn’t want him to stop.

  “Where were we?” Torin asked, having recovered. I was still trying to come back to earth. “Oh yeah. You said you had everything covered when Cora’s not at school,” he said, looking at Echo.

  “Yep. They won’t bother her, or if they do, I’ll know.”

  “What if you’re at the bottom floor in Hel?” Torin shot back.

  “I’ll know, Valkyrie,” Echo vowed.

  I was sure an argument between the two was inevitable, and then I’d have to kick them out of my house. My dad might have accepted my new life, but I didn’t want him subjected to a supernatural testosterone showdown. Since I was already on Torin’s lap, I did what I could to calm down the situation. I linked our hands and stroked the back of his neck, until he calmed down.

  “Alright, the others will cover the school,” Torin said. “If you see any soul you don’t recognize, find Raine, Blaine, or Ingrid. Yeah, I’m bringing them into the loop,” he added when Echo scowled. “Andris and I are gone most of the day. We only have one class this semester, and even that’s for show. Do you carry your artavus to school, Cora?”

  “Yes. I’ve used it to threaten a few difficult souls.”

  “Make good on your threat next time,” Torin said. “Immortals’ souls are not like Mortals’. They’re sneaky and will not leave your body until they’re good and ready. By then it’ll be too late.”

  “Not if I have anything to do with it.” Echo’s voice was chilling.

 
“Your scythe won’t work on them the way it does on regular souls, Echo,” Torin shot back. “Once they’re inside her, there’s not much you can do unless you slice her open.”

  “Is that supposed to be funny?” Echo shot back.

  Things were getting heated again. This time, I took his hand and slipped it under my shirt. And just like that, he was distracted. “No, it’s not,” he said, speaking calmly. “She’s one of us and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, but I want you to be realistic.”

  While Echo cursed, I elbowed Torin. “You didn’t have to be so graphic.”

  “We’re dealing with dark souls, Raine. Graphic is all I have.”

  “If a possession happens, I can take care of it,” I said. “My staff is a lot more powerful than a scythe or an artavus. You’ve seen what it can do.” Torin didn’t look too happy with my suggestion, but I got Echo and Cora’s attention. Echo smirked for reasons I couldn’t explain and shot Torin a mocking look. He had a twisted sense of humor so I rarely tried to understand him.

  “Staff?” Cora asked.

  “The dagger the Norns gave me is not what it seems.”

  “Really? What is it? Can we see it?” Cora asked.

  I shrugged. “Sure.” I saw the question in Torin’s eyes and added, “It’s upstairs.”

  I got up and headed upstairs. Onyx was on the window seat staring outside when I arrived. Cora was supposed to be behind me, but I heard her voice mingle with the guys’ downstairs. “Did you find Eirik?”

  No, but I’ll keep looking. He could be using dark magic to hide his whereabouts.

  “Dark magic? He wouldn’t use that. He could just not be in this realm. Have you thought of that, Miss Glass Half Empty?” I pulled out the bed, but the dagger wasn’t there. “Where is it?”

  Why?

  “I want to show it to my friend.”

  The blonde? I don’t like her.

  “So? You don’t have to like all my friends. Where did you hide the dagger?”

  Onyx sat up, her ears twitching. How can you be friends with her? She has dark runes. Dark runes are associated with dark energy. Then to make it worse, she is dating a Grimnir. Grimnir will fight against the gods, our enemies.

  I counted down from ten to one and prayed Cora didn’t catch me strangling my cat. “For starters, Fur-ball, I haven’t decided yet whose side I’m on, so I don’t care who fights who or where. Second, dark runes or not, she’s a good person. She didn’t ask for the stupid runes, but she’s doing what she can with them, so back off. Third, I choose my friends, not you.”

  Then I don’t want to meet her. I don’t want her to know anything about me. If she touches me, I will scratch her eyes out. She hopped onto the floor, but I picked her up and put her back on the window bench.

  “Where are you going? I need my dagger.”

  Top shelf in your closet. Can I leave now?

  “No. How did you get it up there?” I found the dagger and turned around when she didn’t respond. She was still on the window seat. “Are you sulking?”

  I don’t sulk. Can I go now?

  I sighed. “It’s up to you if you want to go or stay,” I said. “And if you’re nice, I’ll take you downstairs a—” I heard Cora coming. “And introduce you to Cora and Echo, and you’ll see that they’re really nice people.”

  No. Keep her away from me and don’t tell her anything about me or why I’m here.

  She sounded scared.

  Cora entered the room. “Who are you talking to?”

  I glanced over my shoulder and made a face. Standing, I tried to block her from seeing Onyx. The poor cat was petrified. “A cat.”

  “You have a cat? Since when?” Cora moved closer and peered at Onyx.

  Please, don’t let her touch me.

  “Since last night,” I fibbed. “She refused to leave my room, and now I’m stuck with her.”

  “Oh, she’s cute.” She reached out to pet Onyx and the cat hissed. Cora snatched her hand back. “Is she feral?”

  “No, just weird. She hates everyone, except me.” I hoped that would stop the questions. I even lifted my dagger, hoping her attention would shift away from my petrified cat, but Cora was fixated.

  “Even Torin?” Cora asked.

  “Yep. He calls her Evil Claws while Femi insists I name her Bastet or Isis.” I rolled my eyes and waved the dagger again. “Anyway, I got the dagger.”

  For a moment, I thought I had her attention, but Cora continued to study Onyx. “Is she your familiar?” she asked.

  “She’s an unwanted guest. I’d tell you how I got her, but that’s a story for another time. Let me show you how the dagger transforms.”

  Cora grinned as she watched the dagger shift and grow longer. “It’s just like Echo’s staff. You have to show him.”

  I found myself looking at Onyx. She didn’t look so scared now. Still… “Can we do it another time? Torin is leaving for California for a game and I promised I’d go with him.” I left the dagger on my bed and ushered her out of the room. “Oh, do me a favor and be careful. These dark souls are not kidding.”

  “I’m sure they’re not all bad,” she said.

  “Oh, yes, they are. If one approaches you, find me.”

  Cora rolled her eyes and said, “Fine.”

  ~*~

  We headed downstairs to rejoin the boys. Soon after, Cora and Echo headed out the front door.

  As soon as they drove away, Torin created a portal to his place. “I need to be at the stadium before the students start arriving. Where was the dagger?”

  “Onyx hid it.”

  He chuckled. “Why?”

  “Long story. I’ll tell you later. Now you need to go.” I pushed him through the portal and waved.

  “I’ll save two seats for you and Ingrid,” he said, already changing his shirt. “Remember, two o’clock.”

  It was cute to see him so excited. Before heading upstairs, I grabbed a can of catnip. Onyx deserved a treat after that mess with Cora. Once she knew Cora and Echo, she’d change her mind.

  When I got to my bedroom, she wasn’t there and the dagger was gone again. Damn cat.

  I sprinkled some catnip near her favorite sleeping spot and changed my shirt, replaced my jeans with Capri pants, and applied makeup. I checked my watch. Cora should be arriving at the nursing home.

  I opened a portal and kept an eye on her. She was talking to the two Grimnirs. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but if they tried something, I was ready to help her. In fact, the male Grimnir could see me. I sighed with relief when Cora left them and disappeared inside Mrs. J’s room. I waved to the Grimnirs. The man bowed his head. The woman finally saw me. She wasn’t amused.

  I closed the portal and left for the mansion to find Ingrid.

  ~*~

  She was with Blaine in the kitchen, and was still in her bathrobe although she’d put on makeup. Blaine was dressed like a mechanic again. “You’re not dressed?”

  “Why?” She took a bite of her sandwich, gave me a look that said she had no intention of moving, and sank back into her seat. “I’m not going anywhere today.”

  My jaw dropped. “What? We talked yesterday about watching the soccer game at the StubHub today. And I texted you two hours ago.”

  She shook her head. “California? I just woke up, Raine. Haven’t checked my phone, still fighting a hangover. All I plan to do is crawl back in bed and watch a chick flick.”

  I plopped onto the nearest chair. “I’ll watch anything with you if you come with me. It’s been a crappy day, and I don’t want to sit alone with a bunch of parents screaming their kids’ names and waving stupid posters.” When she just shrugged, I glanced at Blaine. “Want to come? I’ll wait for you to wash up.”

  He shook his head, his expression unreadable. “Sorry. I have to work.”

  I groaned. “Doing what?”

  “Helping out a bunch of bikers.”

  “You’ll watch a movie with me?” Ingrid asked, standing up.

/>   “Yes! Any time. You name it, and I’ll be there.”

  “Okay.” She removed her robe to reveal shorts and a tank top. Then she picked up a sign she’d put upside down, lifted it. I saw what she’d written.

  ‘GO JACE!’

  “You stinker!” I punched her arm. I shot Blaine a look. “You knew?”

  “Nope.” But his smile said he was in on it.

  “Let’s go then.” I jumped up, but Ingrid caught my arm.

  “Wait. I made this one,”—she extended her hand and Blaine gave her a second sign—“for you.” She lifted it.

  ‘GO GALAXY!’

  She’d used bright yellow on a blue background. Both were the club’s colors. White, sparkly stars added pizzazz to the poster. “When did you have time to do this?”

  “Torin stopped by on his way, uh, ten minutes ago. I sent Blaine to get the supplies, so it took about two minutes to do both.” Hyper-speed had its perks.

  I’d never attended a soccer game. Driven past a few, yes, but never cheered for anyone. I guess I was going to carry a stupid poster after all. Ingrid insisted on redoing my makeup, and then we left.

  ~*~

  We got to the stadium before the game started. In fact, the players weren’t even warming up yet. There were a lot more people in the audience this time. Parents and siblings of the players were wearing team colors—navy-blue T-shirts and jerseys with gold/yellow writing and the Galaxy logo—and carried posters with the name of the team and their kids.

  Andris waved us over from the front seat. “Nice turnout,” I said.

  “Serious rivalry between Galaxy and the team from San Diego,” he explained and winked at Ingrid when he saw the posters. “Like old times, huh?”

  She just grinned, but I was intrigued. “So this is not the first time she’s made posters?”

  “No,” she said. “I’ve been cheering for whatever team they’re coaching or Torin’s playing with for as long as I can remember. It’s either pom-poms or posters. I can make them in my sleep.”

  And she wasn’t kidding about cheering. Ingrid morphed right before my eyes. Granted she’d been doing that the last week, but this Ingrid… She cat-whistled when the teams entered the field. It was a little embarrassing. Okay, it was really embarrassing. The way she was going on, one would think she had a kid on the team. I slouched low in my seat and tried to make myself invisible. Andris noticed and laughed.