Wrath of Aten

by S. A. Ashdown

  I swallowed, and pounced, knocking her tea off the breakfast tray. I suspended it in midair, averting disaster. Ava shoved me off with a laugh and plucked the mug from its odd angle, putting it on the side cabinet. ‘Join me in the shower in two minutes,’ she said, snatching the sheets from the bed as she dashed for the bathroom, more to tease me than anything else.

  I sighed and fell back on the pillows, for once deliriously happy. What a few months it had been, and now the future unrolled before me in a vista of endless bliss. The false memories I had almost frozen to death for in Utgard had become my reality. Well, except having living parents.

  ‘Theo,’ Ava called from the bathroom, ‘it’s rude to leave a lady waiting.’

  I scrambled out of bed as fast as I could.

  ‘I need to top up my hair dye,’ Ava said, chucking me the sodden, rainbow-streaked towel that a moment ago had been pure white. I held it up for inspection as she switched on my blow-dryer.

  ‘A work of art,’ I said, ‘I’ll call it “Radiant” and hang it in the library.’

  Ava grinned in the dressing-table mirror, her hair tumbling in dried segments onto the back of one of my shirts. We need to sort out the cottage and collect her things. Who knows when Lolita will return.

  Ava brushed her hair and suddenly stopped. ‘Oh, Jenny has just had the baby,’ she said, and then continued like nothing had happened.

  A warm, tingly feeling filled the pit of my stomach. I imagined a brood of my own, and for the first time I didn’t panic at the thought of passing on the Gatekeeper gene, because I didn’t think it could be passed on anymore. A family was another part of our life to look forward to but for now, I wanted Ava to myself. She turned around and smiled at me like she knew what I was thinking. I wouldn’t put it past her.

  We finished dressing and ventured into the corridor, meandering over the tartan runner and absorbing the medieval atmosphere of Hellingstead Hall, alone at last.

  Alone except for the presents.

  We leaned over the bannister of the staircase and stared at the heaps of wedding gifts filling the hallway, which had appeared between the time I had made breakfast and finished our shower.

  ‘What in the Nine Realms?’

  Ava flinched in surprise as a tiny portal slashed the air by the front door, a hand – wearing the ring I’d given Nikolaj – appearing through the cosmic letterbox, delivering another three parcels before vanishing.

  We crept downstairs, wary of more arrivals, gathering a few up and ferrying them to the kitchen. I laughed – the postman’s identity was confirmed. On the picnic bench, spread across a freshly laid tablecloth, a plethora of baked goods threatened to topple the three-tier wedding cake at the centre, complete with minute versions of me and Ava. The ribbon around each tier sported the colours of the Fae, the Sarrows, and the Royal House of Alfheim respectively.

  ‘Uncle Nikolaj,’ I said.

  ‘Are we having another party?’ Ava asked, inspecting the sugary feast and putting aside some of the presents.

  I laughed. ‘Why the heck not? We’ve earned it.’ I wandered over to the TV and switched it on for some background noise. ‘I’ll put the coffee on; this is going to be a long morning.’ Ava still hadn’t replied by the time I’d filled up the machine and fetched two mugs. I whistled idly as I used up the last of the milk, deciding on which flavour of my uncle’s famous flapjacks I’d demolish first.

  ‘Theo…’

  ‘Uh-huh?’ I said, carrying over the coffee.

  My jaw dropped. Ava tactfully removed the scalding beverages from my hands and set them down on the table while I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing. I forgot my deal with Ava and turned up the volume of the TV with magic.

  ‘…while the public have been baffled by the bizarre sights across the skies of Europe last night, phenomena riding on the back of highly unusual weather patterns in the last two weeks, climate specialists have cited a number of factors to placate fears riled up by religious leaders claiming the Day of Judgement is upon us.’

  The newsman turned towards his video link. ‘Sepho Styx, biologist and climate advisor for the private sector, thank you for joining us today. What do you make of the strange reports and the inexplicable power shortages?’

  Persephone, Queen of Underworld, pushed her thick-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose and straightened her pristine lab coat.

  ‘Are you seeing what I’m seeing?’ I whispered, as if I might be overheard by the newsreader. Ava nodded. So this is what Menelaus meant. He’s been busy. I guess half-dead dhampirs don’t sleep much.

  ‘The interplay between recent cosmic coincidences is being felt on Earth,’ Persephone said, practically fluttering her eyelashes. ‘An unexpected solar flare, accompanied by natural seismic activity and a meteor shower or two, along with the unfortunate effects of climate change, have all contributed to a frightening few weeks. The so-called “second-sun” was merely a mirage of sorts produced by atmospheric interactions.

  ‘However, all the evidence points to things calming down in the near future. The only Judgement Day coming our way is when future generations will ask us why we allowed our fragile climate to reach a tipping point that will displace millions of people and cause irrevocable damage to our ecosystem…’ Persephone continued to launch into a rant about the perils of carbon dioxide, plastic pollution, and the dying bee population that would’ve made Raphael proud.

  Ava wrapped my fingers around my coffee and a pecan slice and switched the news off. ‘Come on, husband, stop staring at beautiful women on the telly and help me open these presents. I have a feeling that a lot of new toasters and napkin holders are coming our way.’

  I followed her into the hallway, suddenly excited and afraid by what Elves and Fae would consider appropriate wedding gifts. ‘If by toaster and napkin holders you mean crystal balls and weapons, you may be right.’

  Ava placed her coffee on the stairs and picked up a heavy, flat box. I sat next to her and helped hold it as she read the cursive label. ‘This one’s from Ullr,’ she said. We tore the brown-paper packaging, printed with leaves, and tossed it aside, revealing a bronze, engraved case. ‘Two souls unite as one,’ Ava read aloud, ‘and shield one another from every storm.’

  We opened the latch together.

  ‘Odin, Thor, and Freyr.’

  ‘Blimey.’

  We lifted the shield from its case, amazed by its lightness. It shimmered in the morning light streaming through the hall windows, refracting across the surface of the silver shield, capturing Ava’s rainbow perfectly. Inlaid with gold, the Thor’s hammer Clemensen crest was balanced by the three eyes of the clairvoyant, on each side and above Mjölnir’s handle, the outer edges of the shield decorated with runes and fractal flowers – a nod to Nikolaj’s heritage.

  ‘I’m not sure what can top a new coat of arms,’ I said, unable to verbalise the tumble of emotions all clambering to get out.

  ‘I may have a little present for you too,’ Ava said, ‘or rather, an old one.’

  I frowned. ‘Huh?’ I called after her as she ran up the stairs, reappearing a minute later with something hidden behind her back.

  ‘Didn’t have time to wrap it. I found it while you were asleep.’

  She danced the teddy she had made with Lolita for my tenth birthday up my leg. Its crooked smile and green, Clemensen cloak had hardly faded. My lip wobbled.

  ‘Oh gods, I wouldn’t have given it to you if I thought it would make you cry.’

  ‘I’m just clearing my throat.’

  The doorbell rang, which meant Menelaus and his crew had left the gates of Hellingstead Hall open last night. Would Father mind, I wondered, now that I’d destroyed our greatest foe? ‘That’ll be our entourage,’ Ava said. ‘They probably caught a whiff of the baked goods.’

  I handed her the shield, tucked Ted in my pocket, and parted the sea of presents to reach the front door, looking through the peephole. ‘Yup, no rest for a goddess and a Gatekeeper.’ I looke
d at her, glorious in nothing but a man’s shirt and some knickers. ‘You might want to strategically place some falcon feathers,’ I said with a laugh, ‘or, you know, put some shorts on.’

  She stuck out her tongue and held the shield between her legs, but luckily by the time I’d opened the multiple bolts on the door, she had disappeared upstairs.

  ‘So,’ Lori said, breezing in ahead of the party, ‘where are you taking Ava on honeymoon?’

  ‘Uncle Nikolaj told me about a idyllic Tuscan vineyard,’ I said. ‘I think we’ll start there and see where the wind takes us.’

  ‘You’ll be back in time for graduation, right?’

  I jerked my head to the door where Grace was clogging up the entrance. Menelaus waved behind her, and I was pleased that he’d at last changed out of his chainmail, his high-collar shirt concealing the scar around his neck. ‘We’ll do our best. Guess you heard we got married.’

  She gripped her hips. ‘Damn right. And I’m furious that you eloped with my best friend.’

  ‘It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.’ Grace frowned but forgot her anger when she noticed the presents. And thinking on the spur, I added, ‘The gifts are for everyone. Jörð knows you earned them. Anything you like, take with you. Just check with the Lady of the Manor first.’

  On cue, Ava arrived at the top of the sweeping staircase, a divine vision in a burnt orange halter-neck dress.

  And a falcon-feather cloak.

  59

  Yule

  Five Months Later

  ‘It’s crying! What do I do with it?’

  Ava plucked Jenny’s mewling baby from my arms and burped him over her shoulder. ‘Men,’ she huffed.

  ‘I was joking,’ I said, ‘I know how to cuddle a baby. And change a nappy.’

  ‘Which you did by magic.’

  I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, and chucked another log on the fireplace. Ava walked little Dorian – I was more than happy to discover they’d named the fat-cheeked bubba after me – around the library, stopping to talk to our guests and convince Dorian to wave at Freyr, who was busy pretending to be the Christmas angel at the top of the enormous tree Nikolaj had sent from Alfheim. Take that, Trafalgar Square. Alfheim beats Norway any day.

  ‘Freyr,’ I called, ‘you do know it’s Yule and not Christmas, right?’

  ‘And that is why a Norse god has deigned to complete your decorative scheme,’ he quipped.

  Lorenzo snickered.

  I jumped. ‘Don’t creep up on me like that.’

  ‘Admit it, you’ve gotten complacent.’

  ‘Or you’ve been doing too much hunting practise with the Sarrows.’

  Lorenzo smiled at Freyr. ‘Nah, I don’t eat and I’m not into blood sports. Tracking and escort duties only.’ He made the sign of the cross on his chest, then added two dots at the bottom to make it into a Thor’s hammer. Swearing the truth in two religions reflected the meld of Lorenzo’s old and new life.

  ‘Ah, you’re bored out your fangs then, and desperately need some alone time with your best buddy?’

  The warmth in his grey eyes, as he gazed up at Freyr, said it all. ‘Gah, if only I was prettier,’ I said. ‘I might keep your attention.’

  He thumped me on the arm.

  Our moment was ruined by Menelaus, who shoved a piece of paper between us. ‘What do you think? I’ve been agonising over what the new symbol for the Solem Umbra should be. Do you think it sends the right message, that we exist for the benefit of all Pneuma?’

  I held the paper closer to the fire to get a better look as the library was illuminated only by my mother’s tiffany lamps and festive candles. I frowned.

  ‘You hate it! Ugh. Damn it. Well—’

  ‘No, I love it,’ I said, patting him on the shoulder. ‘Very clever.’ I studied the image: two hands, the lower wrists and arms creating a tree trunk, the entwined fingers becoming a canopy. ‘It’s Yggdrasil, right? The Pneuma and the Solem Umbra grow stronger together.’

  ‘Exactly!’ He actually jumped up and down on the spot. ‘And the shaded half of the tree, that was Rosalia’s idea, to represent the origins of the Solem Umbra.’

  ‘The Sun’s Shadow, yeah. Talking of which, are Belle and Isis coming tonight?’

  ‘They only just returned from mopping up the mess in Cairo,’ Menelaus said, ‘but they mentioned they’ll try and make Dorian’s blessing in the temple tonight. How often does a kid get two gods, a dhampir, a Gatekeeper, and Dark Elf for godparents?’ He accepted said bundle of joy from Ava, who wanted to look at the emblem.

  ‘Godparents,’ I said, ‘heathen-style.’ I watched him kiss Dorian on the nose and swing him in the air. Someone’s getting broody. Lori and Carlotta appeared from the book stacks, still unable to get over the sheer scale of magical knowledge contained in the Clemensen library. I signalled for them to come over. ‘Hey, Menelaus, do you think the Solem Umbra is ready for its first big challenge?’

  He tucked Dorian in the crook of his arm and narrowed his quick eyes. ‘Go on.’

  Ava and I exchanged a glance. This decision was a big one, and we’d made it together. Lori and the rest of the coven deserved this chance. After all, they had loved their Priestess, for better or for worse.

  I withdrew the magic mirror that contained Penny Nocenti’s ensnared soul and offered it up to the new Shield of Pneuma, Professor Menelaus Knight. ‘We’re going to release her, cousin,’ I said, ‘and you’re going to bring her back to the light.’

  THE END

  Epilogue

  SOLEM UMBRA MANIFESTO

  As decreed by the Shield of Pneuma, Menelaus Knight. Seconded by Theo Clemensen, Gatekeeper of the Lífkelda, and Ava Clemensen, Divine Prophet & Kindred of Freyr.

  A hand proffered before judgement issued,

  Freedom to worship before beliefs prescribed,

  An open door for Pneuma of every shade.

  Rehabilitation before cruelty,

  Reconciliation before division,

  Justice for the wronged.

  All those involved in Akhenaten’s schemes will be issued a one-way ticket to Hel. Praetoriani employees who were innocent of his corruption are free to reapply for their old positions after retraining.

  All prisoners of the Praefecti shall be released for retrial and powers returned where appropriate. Faction leaders can expect an invitation to join the Solum Umbra’s Round Table to represent their clans and aid in the formation of the new constitution.

  Welcome to the Age of Peace.

  Yours Faithfully,

  Menelaus Knight

  P.S. Odin has assured me Midgard will be allowed to participate in the upcoming election. This is a-once-in-an-eon opportunity to ensure the prosperity of the Nine Realms for generations to come. Please be hospitable to canvassing politicians from the other Eight Realms.

  P.P.S. If you have any information regarding Loki’s whereabouts, contact the new emergency helpline immediately. Do not attempt to approach or engage. Number overleaf.

  Afterword

  The Descendants of Thor Trilogy has absorbed four years of my life, but I have loved every minute of it. Each book has led me in directions I never expected. Theo is far too stubborn to listen to me.

  Thank you for following me throughout this journey! Knowing there are people out there who love the characters in these pages as much as I do is the most any author can ask for.

  Even so, I’m going to ask for something else – a review. Every single one matters (think of it like a tip)! Please leave your review here (you can either review the trilogy as a whole, or each individual book):

  UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Descendants-Thor-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B07JG515V4/

  US: https://www.amazon.com/Descendants-Thor-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B07JG515V4/

  Oh, and I have some good news. There WILL be a spin-off novella: Loki Be Damned. The Nine Realms is about to face its first election in eons, and the God of Chaos will make an epic play for the throne.

  Make sure you sign up h
ere to be alerted to new releases: http://eepurl.com/dgBRzL

  Glossary Of Terms

  For the Descendants of Thor Trilogy

  WARNING: Some glossary terms contain mild plot spoilers, so best look them up after the first time you cross them. They are listed in alphabetical order.

  People and Races

  Dark Elf / Dökkálfar – the original term for vampires, referring to the corrupted Elves that were long ago banished from Alfheim due to their bloodlust.

  Dhampir – offspring of a vampire and a witch.

  Fae – guardians of the natural world.

  Fairy – the cousins to the Fae, they act as protective energies for plants and animals in Midgard.

  Farmor – Norwegian for a paternal grandmother.

  Farfar – Norwegian for a paternal grandfather.

  Gatekeeper of the Lífkelda – the living embodiment of the magic that feeds the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil, and controls the flow of energy through the Nine Realms.

  Grigori – guardian energies that exist between each of the Nine Realms, often called upon by an individual or group to direct the flow of magic for (usually) beneficial purposes.

  Iepen – tree dwelling, primarily for fruitarian Elves.

  Lamia – usually a female witch, crossed with a vampire. Lamia are created when witches unite their magic and souls with the forces of darkness. They have a reputation of enacting revenge on men who have wronged women.

  Landvaettir – a land-sprite.

  Pneuma – people who have magical abilities or who can use magic in some way.