Inside, the bar smelled like stale cigarettes and even staler beer. It hadn’t been remodeled since the early eighties and hadn’t been mopped in substantially longer.
I did a careful survey of the room, searching for Graham but also keeping alert for any signs of Astrid and her sidekick. My heart lurched when my eyes finally landed on a pale golden head, instantly recognizable even in that sea of blonds.
Graham.
He was in a booth at the very back of the bar, laughing with some other boys. Tuck was nowhere to be seen, but that was to be expected—there were lots of girls in the bar that night. No doubt he was off carousing with one of those gorgeous Norwegian girls who rolled out of bed camera ready.
Weird European pop music burned my ears. It felt like the entire room was moving to its odd, disjointed rhythm. As I took a hurried step forward, toward Graham, a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me back so hard my teeth rattled. Someone—a big someone—moved in front of me, blocking my view of Graham completely.
For one dread-filled moment, I thought it was Astrid and that I was too late. But it was a boy’s voice that spoke. “You’re either very brave or very stupid to come here.”
I looked up into the face of the boy who’d accused me of having something to do with Kjell’s disappearance earlier that day. My courage faltered—but only for an instant.
“There’s a third option,” I retorted. “Maybe I’m smart enough not to be afraid of little boys running around playing commando.”
The boy lowered his face a few inches to my level; his voice oozed contempt. “Actually, smart ass, that would make you stupid. You should be afraid of me. I know what you are.” Fear clung to him, sticking to his skin, twisting through his hair.
“And I know what you are,” I said. “A coward. Now get out of my way.”
His fingers dug into my arm. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I think we should step outside.”
My stomach seized up. I wasn’t prepared for this particular turn of events. “It’s a bit chilly out there for my tastes,” I said. I tried to summon that strange voice that had worked so well on the bouncer, but it came out more like a squeak.
The boy pushed my shoulder, knocking me toward the door. I took a step back to steady myself as Margit and another boy stepped into place behind him. My route to Graham was narrowing by the second. And even though that vicious voice in my head told me exactly which bones to break to get them out of my way, I knew hurting them would just make me every bit the monster they expected me to be.
Then Tuck stepped right into the middle of that mess, shielding me completely. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He shoved the ringleader in the chest. While Tuck definitely had a temper, it always came out sideways, through jokes. It took me a second to recognize the look on his face as absolute fury. “I don’t know what happens in this hick town, but where I come from, we don’t push girls around.” He knocked the boy back one more time, driving his point home.
“She’s not a girl,” Margit said, glaring at me with so much hatred that it almost hurt. “Filthy Valkyrie.” Her tone turned the word into the worst kind of slander. “Don’t look all innocent. I saw what you did to that bouncer.”
The words ached. She was right and I knew it. But it didn’t necessarily follow that I was evil.
“Tuck,” I said, “I can handle this myself. It’s okay.” Even though I wasn’t entirely sure I could, anything was better than having Tuck get into a fight.
“Right,” he said. “I’ll just step aside and let you face three psycho Vikings alone.”
“They won’t hurt me,” I said, and this time the edge of power crept back into my voice. “We’re taking Graham and leaving, and they won’t do anything to stop us.”
The ringleader looked at me, and the anger drained from his face. His pupils had that filmy, distant quality I was beginning to know far too well. He took a step back, and his friends and Margit followed suit.
By that time, with all the jostling and shoving, Graham had seen us. His forehead creased. Then his eyes narrowed. He was sharp enough to read the situation—Tuck’s arms were extended, blocking anyone from coming near me. He was guarding me like a pit bull.
Graham’s hands were resting on the table, but now they curled into fists the size of bricks as he pushed his way out of the booth. The guy sitting at the end couldn’t get up fast enough, and Graham sent him tumbling to the floor. Once he was on his feet, Graham’s entire posture shifted, stiffening until it was like every molecule in his body was aligned to one singular purpose—unleashing hell on those Norwegian boys. I needed to contain the situation—and fast. There wasn’t time to get into a fight—I had to get Graham and Tuck back to Grandmother’s house. I had to make sure both of them were safe.
And it was only a matter of time until Astrid found us. I could almost taste her presence drawing near. The same electric current that seemed to flow between us was licking at the edges of my consciousness. I didn’t have a moment to spare.
Graham set aside his usually flawless manners as he shoved his way through the crowd. His eyes locked on me. I knew I’d been forgiven, no matter how much my words had hurt him, because there was a connection between the two of us, an affection born of a common childhood, the roots of our lives inextricably tangled. No matter how much either of us grew or changed, he’d always be my painfully perfect big brother.
When Graham was halfway across the room, he slowed. Confusion rippled across his features. His eyebrows drew together, and his lips pressed into a thin, firm line. Slowly, deliberately, he turned. His face was reverent, as if the entire universe centered on whatever he’d just seen.
My blood ran cold when I followed his gaze. The crowd parted just enough to give me an unobstructed view of exactly who was perched on the stools lining the bar. Waiting for him.
Astrid looked even more beautiful than before, which shouldn’t have been possible. She and three other stunning girls were sitting in a row, shielded by a group of catatonic admirers. It was like a candy shop window—a display of glossy, blissful temptation.
There was no mistaking the malicious gleam in Astrid’s eyes as she flashed me an ultra-white, ultra-wide grin.
This was personal.
“No!” I shouted, lunging forward as Graham took two long strides toward Astrid.
Tuck grabbed me around the waist and spun me to face him. “What’s going on, Ells?” he demanded. “What just happened? What was with those guys?”
“Never mind,” I hissed, wiggling my way free. In the mirror behind the bar, I saw Astrid lean forward, curling her manicured fingers around the back of Graham’s neck. She tousled his hair playfully, as if he were her favorite new pet. Graham’s eyes changed instantly, turning from baby blue to pearly white. It was as if she’d drained his very soul, sucked it out through her fingertips.
Graham’s jaw fell slack, his easygoing smile fading into a grim scowl.
“Damn it, Tuck!” I screamed, still fighting against his restraining hands. “We’ve got to save Graham.”
That got his attention. Tucker’s arm went limp, and I surged toward the bar. I don’t know where the strength came from, but I hit the nearest Valkyrie with the full force of a high-speed train. She was thrown off balance, but only for an instant. In the end, I was the one who tumbled to the ground. It was like hurtling into a brick wall.
Astrid reached down and pulled me up by the shoulder. Then she wrenched my arm hard, pinning it behind my back.
“I told you next time I wouldn’t play nice.” Her voice was an animal snarl. She shoved me hard, and my forehead smacked against the edge of the bar as I crumpled onto the floor. Hot blood dribbled down my cheek, but I managed to pull myself back to my feet. I wiped my face with my sleeve and squared my shoulders, turning to face her. It was exactly what Grandmother had warned me not to do, but did she really expect me to turn and run, leaving Graham and Tuck behind?
Astrid had Tuck’s chin firmly in one hand. His e
yes were distant, vacant. Long red fingernails pressed against his jaw, leaving crescent marks of blood in their wake.
“Too young,” she said flatly. “A shame. This one’s clever. And there’s something unusual about him.” She narrowed her eyes, scanning him more carefully. “Something unsettling.” But it couldn’t have been that interesting, because she turned away, leaving Tuck frozen in place like a statue. “Take the blond one,” she ordered. “We were lucky to find him before Hilda could interfere.”
“No,” I said. The entire bar was watching, but as I glanced around, I saw milky pupils and pale zombie faces. I was the only one who understood what was happening. I was completely and utterly alone.
I felt for the short dagger tucked into the back of my jeans. “You can’t hurt my brother,” I said. “You’ll have to kill me first.”
“Hurt?” Astrid arched one sculpted eyebrow. “I’d never hurt him. I have high hopes for this young hero.” She examined Graham with the cold, efficient eyes of a Formula One mechanic. “It’s been centuries since I’ve found quarry with this much promise.”
One of the nameless Valkyries nodded at me as if this news should make everything all right. “He’ll make you proud,” she told me.
“You’re not taking him anywhere,” I told them, impressed that I could growl just like Astrid had.
“You forget your rank, Elsa. You have no right to question me.”
Astrid was right. The truth behind her words was etched deep in my soul, right next to the knowledge that I should obey Grandmother. I had to actively fight the urge to slip into my proper place at Astrid’s side.
Astrid pointed at Tuck. “We’ll take this one too, just to keep Hilda and the girl in line.”
“That’s against the rules,” her companion said, genuine shock flashing across her wide brown eyes.
“We abandoned the rules weeks ago,” Astrid snapped.
“Why?” I shouted. “Why are you doing this?”
“Take him,” Astrid repeated, glaring down the objection brewing in her friend’s eyes.
A Valkyrie with raven-black hair grabbed Tuck roughly and pushed him toward the back door of the bar.
“No!” I shouted, struggling to push past her to reach Tuck. “Tuck! Don’t listen to them!”
He turned toward me, his eyes darkening as they shed their milky white armor. Familiar gray stared back at me.
His eyebrows furrowed. He was trying to get a hold on what was happening. But I didn’t have time to explain. The Valkyrie’s hand was still curled around his biceps, dragging him away.
“Get away from her!” I screamed as I threw the dagger at the Valkyrie. I hadn’t known I had that kind of violence in me until my fingers relaxed, letting the blade fly.
One manicured hand snatched the blade from the air without flinching. As flawless as the move had been, it forced her to release Tuck’s arm for just an instant. But that was all we needed.
“Tuck—run!” I shouted.
Tuck was disoriented, but he obeyed. He shoved the Valkyrie hard, taking her by surprise. Then he pressed through the crowd, reaching his long arms out to shield me, just as Astrid raised one arm and struck me. It wasn’t the type of slap you’d expect from a bone-thin, model-perfect girl. It was a brutal blow that sent me flying into the bar again. A stool collapsed under my weight. When I hit the ground, I actually spat blood, like an action movie star.
Astrid grabbed Graham and pulled him to the door. I watched, sprawled across the floor like a squashed spider, as Graham followed her, glassy-eyed and all too willing.
“Graham!” I croaked. My entire body was broken. My head was bleeding and my eyes couldn’t quite focus on anything. I felt drunk, delirious, and utterly helpless.
Graham turned, but his face was stone and the eyes that met mine were milky white. He looked away without giving me a second thought.
I closed my eyes, defeated and in too much pain to move.
“Oh my God,” Tuck said, suddenly at my side, “Are you okay? Can you hear me?”
“I’m fine,” I whispered. “I’ve got to stop them. They’ve got Graham.” I pulled myself up onto my elbows, gasping at the pain that stabbed through my ribs.
“No, don’t move.” He pushed me back down. “I’ll go after them. Just sit tight. I’ll get you a doctor as soon as I can.”
“NO!” I roared, grabbing his arm and pulling him so hard, he almost fell on me. “You can’t go after them. They’ll take you too.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said, flashing a smile that was dulled by fear and not at all reassuring. “But Graham won’t be if he leaves with some girl who just hit you. Someone roofied him or something, I swear.”
“Look around you.” I winced as I somehow managed to pull myself to my knees despite Tuck’s best efforts to keep me down. “Can’t you see what’s happening? They’ve all been hypnotized or something. You were too. I’m the only one who isn’t affected.”
Sure enough, as Tuck glanced around, his jaw muscle started twitching. Everyone in the bar was in varying stages of waking from a trance. Some were staring absently through partially clouded eyes, while others were shaking their heads and murmuring softly to themselves.
I rose and limped toward the back door. With each step, I pushed the pain further and further out of my mind, spurred on by the need, the absolute drive to save Graham. I flung the door open in time to see a black Range Rover peel past the bar. The enormous SUV was equipped for some serious off-roading, with roll bars on every exposed surface, spotlights, and massive tires that looked like they could climb right up the side of a cliff.
The red taillights disappeared around a curve in the road out of town, vanishing into the trees.
Graham was gone.
8
Tuck and I stood alone in the deserted alley behind the bar, utterly stunned. I stared at the distant trees that had swallowed Graham and the Range Rover whole, knowing I should move, should force myself back into gear. But there was no point. By the time I found a car to follow them, they’d be on the highway—halfway to anywhere.
I slid to my knees on the sidewalk. Failure paralyzed every muscle.
“Ellie?” Tuck sank down to my level. He put his hands on my cheeks. His fingers tangled in my hair as he tried to make me meet his eyes. “Snap out of it. Look at me. Where are they taking him?” He was practically shouting, like he already knew it was my fault. My cruel words had all but thrown Graham into their arms.
“I’m so sorry. So sorry,” I said, fighting a losing battle against the terrible, hateful lump in my throat. The fear and anger on his face were too foreign. They almost made him a stranger.
But then his eyes softened, and he was Tuck again. “Hey, hey, stop,” he said, his voice back under control. “Crying won’t help. It just makes you impossible to understand.” The smile he flashed just then was a few kilowatts shy of the usual, but even at its best, it wouldn’t have been enough to erase how resoundingly I’d failed Graham. And Grandmother.
The tears came pouring out—along with everything that had happened to me since I’d arrived in Skavøpoll. I told him about my first encounter with Astrid at the bar, Kjell disappearing, Grandmother’s strange behavior, and my certain knowledge that they were all connected. That Astrid had hunted Graham down.
Tuck took it far better than I’d expected. He didn’t question my sanity—not once—which surprised me given how wild it all sounded. Even after what he’d just witnessed firsthand, I half expected him to break out a straitjacket.
Instead he got quiet, so quiet that his silence unhinged me. I’d expected questions, interruptions, exclamations of shock. Yet there was only one question he had for me, after I’d dumped about a dozen crazy theories out onto the sidewalk between us, followed by Graham’s necklace, which I pulled from my pocket.
“You should keep this,” I said, surprisingly eager to release it into Tucker’s care. Not only did it burn my skin, something about the symbols on the front made the hair on my
neck stand on end. “I think it’ll keep you safe. Although maybe not. It didn’t exactly work for Kjell.”
He gave me a funny half grin before slipping it into his pocket. I was instantly more at ease with it out of sight.
“Is that everything?” he asked. “Is there anything you’re not telling me? We can’t have any more secrets if we’re going to fix this.”
My heart started racing in my chest. There was. Even if he’d taken the rest in stride, I wasn’t ready to share the whole truth. The things I was learning about myself and my grandmother. What disturbed me most of all was how my grandmother and I could be so much like Astrid. I had to believe in my heart that we were different—despite the violent voice in my head and the weird way I felt in Astrid’s presence. How could I tell Tucker Halloway all of that?
“No,” I lied.
He studied my face carefully, in a way that almost made me wonder if he somehow knew. Maybe he could see the change in me and guessed what I was trying to hide. Lately, Tuck had been inconveniently observant. But then he touched the dried blood on my temple.
“I should have dragged him back to your grandmother’s house,” he said. “By the time I caught him, he was halfway into town. So I just followed.”
“Well, he wouldn’t have gone into town in the first place if I hadn’t provoked him,” I said. There was no way I’d let Tuck take even an ounce of the blame. It was all mine.
“It wasn’t your fault either,” he said. “You really think your grandmother’s rules would have stopped him? Sometimes you seem to forget Graham isn’t actually perfect. After all, he’s friends with me. You’ve gotta assume we’ve got something in common.” Tuck’s fingers curled around mine. “But right now, we need to go to Hilda’s house,” he said. “And we need to call a doctor.”
“No … I actually think I’m okay.” While we’d been sitting there, my strength had returned. Either I was going into shock or Astrid hadn’t hurt me as badly as I’d thought.
Tuck looked at me for what felt like forever. I waited for him to object. To call an ambulance. Instead he asked, “Can you walk?”
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