She had shifted.
She had embraced her dragon.
“Run, Shannon,” Matthew roared. “Get out of here.”
“Yes, dragon,” Hallstein purred into her mind. “Run so that I can finally kill Matthew and return him to my mother. So that she might have her pet once more.”
Shannon had no idea what he meant by that and didn’t care. She stood over Matthew and narrowed her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“No,” Matthew roared, but she barely caught it as Hallstein came at her so fast she had no time to dodge. His mouth was large enough that it spanned half her neck as he yanked her away and slammed her down hard on her side.
Shannon flinched against the pain as he kept her pinned down. Though she struggled at first, movement soon became impossible as his large body came over hers. That’s when she realized she had lost the battle before it even began. She had been impetuous. A fool. With her mind set on saving her mate, she had swiftly been lured into the very trap she was trying to protect him from.
And now he was more vulnerable than ever.
“You did not give me much trouble in our last life,” Hallstein seethed into her mind as his teeth sank deeper and blood started to pour. “And you will not in this one, either.”
Shannon weakened very quickly after that.
She tried to focus on Emily who was sobbing somewhere far off. What had she been thinking? She had a daughter to protect. A daughter who needed her. Yet here she was…going away.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she managed. “I love you so much.”
Shannon knew Sven was keeping Emily safe as Kodran, Kadlin, and Matthew fought the enemy. Colors swirled around her and wind rushed by her face as Kodran and Kadlin shifted, trying their best to fight the mighty dragon that still held her down. Wings flapped, talons raked, but when Hallstein, at last, tore his teeth away, it was too late.
She tried to focus on what was happening, but everything started to fade away.
That’s when she knew for sure.
She was dying.
At first, she panicked. She didn’t want to lose Emily or Matthew. She was afraid she might never see them again. Spirits had told her about this. What death felt like as pain began to fade and everything grew numb. The transition the spirit felt as it began to separate from the body. How they first feared for the loss of their own life, but once they knew there was no stopping it, their only thoughts were of those they left behind.
So this was normal.
That’s what she focused on as her eyes slid shut and everything darkened.
This happened to everyone.
So there was no reason to be afraid.
And she wasn’t. Not really.
Just sad.
“Wake up,” someone whispered. “Open your eyes, little light.”
Dad? She tried to speak, to say something, anything, but her vocal chords wouldn’t work. She was so consumed with emotion that she barely noticed something lapping her cheek. Only when she felt the same thing on the other cheek, did she crack open an eye. She immediately squeezed it shut again, pained by the brightness.
“Just give it a moment,” a small voice said. “Then you will be able to see much better.”
Relief stirred. She recognized that voice.
“Håkon?” she whispered.
“Yes,” he responded. “And you are Shannon.”
She shielded her eyes and tried to look at him. Everything was so bright and vivid. Almost like she was sitting on a white Caribbean beach at high noon. But as he assured, her eyes soon adjusted and Håkon appeared in front of her.
“Hello.” He cocked his head. “Can you see me alright now?”
“I can.” A miniature version of his father, he was incredibly cute. Her eyes widened as she took in their surroundings. She had never seen anything so beautiful and full of color. “Where am I?”
Håkon frowned. “You do not know?”
“No.” Though she had a feeling she did.
When she braced her hand on the ground to sit up, she felt cool, hard scales.
“Oh my goodness!” Her eyes widened again when she realized what she had been leaning against.
A dragon.
Startled and discombobulated, she managed to make it to her feet only to stumble. But all the while she stared at the long, black beautiful beast lying on its side unmoving.
“That is you,” Håkon murmured. “That is your dragon.”
“But it isn’t injured.” Shannon tried not to panic as her eyes flickered from the dragon to him. “Shouldn’t it be wounded? I was wounded...I think.” She looked at her hands, her body. All seemed intact. “That’s not me. It can’t be.”
“I don’t know why it’s not wounded, but it’s you for sure.” Håkon crouched, rested his elbows on his knees and cocked his head at her again. “The bear and white wolf made sure you arrived safely in Helheim then woke you up. Now they’re gone.”
So that’s who was licking her face.
She sighed. She was in Helheim? Again? Or still? She had no idea because she crossed in and out of this place so much. But there was no ignoring the chill that raced through her as she once more scanned her surroundings. This was not any land of the dead she was familiar with.
It was too beautiful.
Too brilliant.
And warmer than she expected.
“Ah, see, maybe there’s hope after all.” Håkon gestured at her dragon. “Look.”
When she did, it was fading away. She frowned. “That’s hopeful?”
“I think so.” He nodded. “I think if it stayed there you might never connect with it again.”
What an odd thing to say but who was she to complain? Any shred of hope was a good thing. And she got the feeling that like Emily, Håkon had a special ability to understand things others could not.
“Something happened besides you shifting for the first time then dying, didn’t it?” Håkon eyed her as though he was on the verge of understanding. “Where is Emily? I can hear her but cannot see her.”
“You can hear her?” Shannon crouched beside him and tried to remain calm, but it was damned hard. She was terrified of what might have happened to her daughter. “What is she saying? Is she all right?”
“She is,” he confirmed, still eying her. “And she wants you to know that she’s safe with Sven, Uncle Kodran and Aunt Kadlin. They will not let anything happen to her.”
What about Matthew? Was he okay? She needed to know. But it was best not to focus on that quite yet.
She had no clue what to make of the fact that Håkon could communicate with Emily. Were their souls reconnecting? Especially since they were twin dragons in another life.
“Can you tell her that I’m all right?” Shannon blinked back tears. “Can you tell her that…” She swallowed, not sure what to say. “That I’m safe with you. And that you’re not alone anymore.”
“I will,” he said. “And I am not alone. Uncle Kjar will be back soon.”
Shannon hoped so. She wanted answers. The first? Where the heck was the demi-god? Because as far as she could tell, Håkon was alone. And he shouldn’t be. Not with a monster out there the likes of Hallstein. And not considering Håkon’s current state. As he sat, she didn’t miss the sadness he tried to hide. Nor did she miss how red-rimmed his eyes were. He had been crying.
“What is it, Håkon?” She kept her voice soft and compassionate as she sat as well. “What happened?”
She could tell he was trying to be strong when he said, “Mother was here right before you. I was so happy to see her like that. Not foggy but whole.” He released a choppy sigh. “But she could not stay long. It was time to say goodbye so she could go be with Odin in Valhalla.”
So Håkon had seen his deceased mother over the years just like Emily had seen Anthony.
“Oh, Håkon, I’m sorry.” Though tempted to wrap her arms around him, she didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. “I know how it feels to say goodbye to your mo
ther. How hard it is.”
“It was,” he confessed as he hung his head. “Though I tried, I did not show a warrior’s courage.”
“What do you mean?”
Håkon slanted a look at her. “What if I tell you and you think less of me too?”
“Your mother did not think less of you.” She tilted her head. “And neither will I.”
“You do not know that.”
“Yes, I do.” She used a particular tone that always worked on Emily when she was feeling down. A nurturing octave. “Please tell me, Håkon. I promise I won’t think less of you. Not even a tiny little bit.”
Unsure, his eyes lingered on hers before he, at last, relented with a wobbly voice. “I cried...and then I couldn’t look at her when she left.” He sounded so sad it broke her heart. “I just hung my head like a defeated warrior.”
The poor thing. She had to fix this.
“As a mother, I can tell you with certainty she did not look at you poorly because of either of those things.” She couldn’t help but rest her hand on his back in comfort. Though she suspected Sigrunn had likely told him the same it couldn’t hurt for him to hear it again. To have confirmation. “She was very proud of you, Håkon. And pride like that would not vanish because you showed sadness when she left. Nor would it because you couldn’t look her in the eyes.”
His eyes grew a little glassy. “How do you know?”
“Because I have a special power that allowed me to visit with her often,” she said. “And all she ever did was talk about you. How courageous you had become. What a mighty warrior and fierce dragon you were.”
Hope sparked in his eyes. “Really?”
“Really,” she assured softly as she wiped a tear from his cheek. “She will always love you very much, Håkon.”
“As will I her.” He sat up a little straighter, a new level of confidence in his eyes. “Then someday we will reunite in Valhalla to feast and celebrate together.”
“Yes you will,” Shannon agreed and offered him a warm smile.
Håkon rubbed the last of his tears away before he continued eying her with curiosity. He didn’t say anything at first, just considered her, before he finally spoke. “I know you, yes?”
Shannon nodded. “We met briefly as I was journeying with your father and Emily. Don’t you remember?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “I had a feeling you were going to be my new mother.” He shook his head. “But that is not what I am referring to.” His eyes narrowed. “I am talking about before that.”
Hope shot through her. Was he starting to remember their previous life? Had Sigrunn moving on allowed him to see more clearly?
“I’m not sure about before,” she replied, playing it safe. She didn’t want to confuse him until they had a chance to get to know one another better. Yet it wasn’t easy. If she had her way, she’d pull him into her arms and never let go.
“Hmm.” Håkon’s regard remained curious as he looked at her. “You are father’s new mate, yes?”
“Yes,” she confirmed because she no longer had any doubts about that. Shannon softened her voice and kept her eyes on his. “But I don’t intend to ever replace your mother. I would, however, like a chance to get to know you better. Spend some time with you. Maybe become friends if that would be all right?”
Håkon continued eying her with that wise little look he had.
A look similar to one Emily often wore.
“That would be all right,” he finally conceded. She was surprised to see a flicker of sadness in his eyes. “Until you have to leave to go to Valhalla.” He sighed. “Because that’s where people go next after being here.”
She was about to respond when a strange feeling rolled through her.
Something was off.
She tried to pull Håkon closer to protect him but seconds later, he vanished, and everything changed. Though she was still in Helheim, her surroundings were different. People were walking single file up a narrow path in a deep gorge. Her eyes widened on Cybil. Bjorn walked in front of her and Matthew behind.
“Cybil?” she called out, but her sister didn’t respond. So she called again only to realize her sister couldn’t hear or see her.
Cybil was alive, and Shannon was dead.
But where was this?
“Oh, God,” she whispered as a large black dragon hovered overhead and glared down at them.
Hallstein.
“Cybil! Matthew! Anyone,” she screamed, trying to get their attention but naturally, nobody heard her. And no one saw the enemy braced between the gorge walls above, his wide wings blocking out the trees and sky. It didn’t take her long to figure out why she could see him but they couldn’t.
Hallstein wasn’t in the land of the living but the dead.
A blink later, he spit two darts.
One hit Bjorn.
The other hit Matthew.
That’s when she knew for sure what she was witnessing.
The past.
Better yet, the day Bjorn and Matthew’s dragons were repressed.
“Oh shit, Bjorn?” Cybil cried. He didn’t respond but slumped as his skin sheened over then went back to normal again and again. He was trying to shift but couldn’t. “Bjorn!”
“Run, Cybil,” Matthew gasped from behind.
“No,” Shannon whispered as she watched Hallstein cross over from the land of the dead to the living, hook his talon in the back of Matthew’s shirt and drag him toward the edge. Like Bjorn, his skin was sheening on and off as he tried to shift.
Horrified, Cybil’s eyes traveled up until they met the piercing gaze of the enemy. Now that he’d crossed over, she could see him. They all could.
A single blood red eye narrowed. “Well, hello.” He might be speaking within the mind to Cybil, but Shannon could hear him as he lowered his head, came face to face with her sister and bared one long, deadly incisor. “I have been eager to meet you.”
Shannon felt Cybil’s terror and gave her a lot of credit for the courage she rallied. Because her sister recognized what Hallstein was.
Pure evil.
He brought his nose alongside Cybil and inhaled deeply as he continued speaking within her mind. “You smell of untapped desire, demi-god. New beginnings. And you think you have found yourself,” he whispered. “But you have not.” She heard the smile in his voice. “Take what you think you need from the Dragon Seer then I will come for you and show you how much better it can be.” Her jaw quivered when a talon brushed her cheek. “Because I do not mind that you are part Celt.”
Cybil might be horrified, but she kept her eye on the ball. And that meant bargaining for Matthew’s life. “Let him go. Take me instead.”
Shannon’s heart leapt in her chest as Hallstein dragged Matthew to the very edge and continued speaking to Cybil. “And so brave…”
She was about to respond when a roar ripped across the sky, and something slammed into Hallstein. Cybil cried out as the claw was ripped away but still dragged Matthew with it.
“Matthew!” Shannon cried as well and raced forward as Heidrek flew past Cybil and dove over the edge after him. Heidrek caught Matthew’s wrist and a tree root and stopped them from plummeting to their death.
“I heard about this,” came a familiar voice from beside her as Kjar fell to his stomach and pulled Matthew and Heidrek up. “But it’s strange to witness it like this.”
Her eyes shot to the man standing beside her.
“Matthew?” She shook her head and looked between him and the lifeless body Heidrek knelt over. Matthew was in two places at once. “What? How?” Then it dawned on her. “The dart...this is where you came when it took you away from everyone.”
Chapter Fourteen
AT FIRST, ALL Matthew could do was stare at himself. Or his other self. It was an odd sensation being separated from his body. He spoke aloud, but nobody seemed to hear him. Then half a breath later, he heard someone say his name. His heart leapt. Shannon? Suddenly she was standing right beside him.
“Matthew,” she mumbled. “I can’t breathe very well.”
“I’m sorry.” He pulled back, brushed his lips across hers then looked her over to make sure she was all right. “I thought I lost you.” He shook his head, upset. “I thought you were gone.”
“I am,” she murmured. “Kind of.” Pain flashed in her eyes. “We’re in Helheim, Matthew. Not just crossed over but officially. At least I am.”
Her eyes widened as a golden dragon half the size of Hallstein began battling him overhead. Matthew couldn’t help a small grin of approval as he looked up. She might be small, but Svala was ferocious.
“No, Svala!” Heidrek roared.
His eyes went to his brother. Though he had been told about Heidrek’s behavior after Matthew was struck down, it was different seeing it firsthand. How upset he was. Heidrek had thought nothing of his own life when he dove after Matthew. Now the pain and fury his brother had felt was obvious.
Another black dragon came out of nowhere, slammed Hallstein in his side, and sent him spiraling into the rock wall overhead. Heidrek shoved Cybil against the mountain and covered her head as rocks rained down.
Though it didn’t seem to affect them any, Matthew kept Shannon close and protected her the best he could as Kjar slammed his hand against the rock and began murmuring.
“Kjar,” she whispered, eying his monster of an uncle. “What is he doing, Matthew?”
“Using his godliness to drive off the enemy.”
His ears popped as the air shifted and warped then he lost sight of Uncle Kjar altogether. Meanwhile, the enemy vanished. A second later, the air shimmered, and Svala and Tait dropped down beside them. A tear rolled down Svala’s cheek as she looked at Matthew lying on the ground then fell to her knees beside Bjorn, cupped his cheeks, and whimpered, “Brother?”
Then everyone started to fade away. Even his other self.
Fury of a Viking (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors' Kin Book 4) Page 23
