“It can’t be much farther.” Carlson mopped his brow.
Nira paused beside a moss-draped oak. “I hope you know the way back.” Light ebbed as the trees closed around them.
“We’ll be fine. I’ve been breaking branches along the way so we won’t get lost. Keep going forward.”
Steering clear of some prickly-spined plants, she moved on, her trepidation growing.
This was a bad idea. We should have stayed by the roadside and waited for help.
Nearly colliding with a cobweb, she ducked past and sped ahead. She bumped into Carlson who’d come to an abrupt halt.
“There,” he said, pointing. Triumph brightened his face, reddened from exertion.
Nira spotted the cave and stepped back. “Oh no, I’m not going inside, and I don’t advise you to do so, either. It could be a bear making that noise.”
“Hello?” Carlson’s voice boomed in the clearing. “Can you hear me? We’re here to help.”
“I don’t think it’s a child.” Her blood curdled when a series of sniffling cries issued forth. Carlson could be right. It sounded like someone in pain.
Carlson picked up a large stick. “Wait here.” He approached the darkened gap. “Too bad we don’t have a flashlight.”
“I have an emergency light on my keyring.”
He took it from her and flicked on the blue LED light. His way lit, he disappeared inside the yawning gap. A moment later she heard him holler.
“It’s a dog. Someone left it tied up in here.”
She edged into the narrow space which widened a few feet further into a small cavern. Sure enough, a rangy mutt was secured to a rock by a gold-colored cord. Its coat matted with grime, the small creature wagged its tail at the sight of them, straining on the leash looped around its neck and body.
“Poor thing is too hoarse to bark.” Careful not to scare the animal, she advanced slowly.
He looked half-starved from his scrawny body and his dry tongue hanging out between panting breaths. Sad brown eyes regarded her as he gave a low, pleading whimper.
Detective Carlson didn’t budge, his features wary. “I don’t know. This whole setup doesn’t seem right. Maybe we should—”
“Untie him, of course.” Nira sprang forward.
“Wait!”
But it was too late. She’d unlooped the cord from the rock and undid the knot. Strange. The leash felt more like a ribbon than a rope. Why hadn’t the creature broken free before? Surely this silken bond wouldn’t be enough to hold him, even in his weakened state.
Unease rose the hackles on her nape. Had she judged wrong?
Released from its restraint, the dog leaped forward, its eyes glowing in the darkened interior. As she froze, its body fattened and elongated. Its ears stood up and its fur lengthened. Rows of incisors flashed in a feral grin, as it morphed into a much more dangerous animal.
A wolf.
“Get out,” Carlson yelled.
She didn’t need his words to spur her. She’d already taken flight.
Nira had just cleared the cave entrance when a snarl sounded from behind followed by a scream. Nira spun, and her stomach dropped. Oh God. The beast had pounced on Carlson.
Quick. Grab a rock.
She snatched a weighty specimen and hurled it at the wolf. The rock hit his nose. He howled, his eyes glowing with fury. Its powerful jaws snapped at Carlson’s throat. The pair rolled, one over the other, a tangle of arms and legs and sinewy limbs.
A spurt of blood flooded the dirt. Carlson’s body jerked once, twice, then grew still.
Nira’s bones turned to ice as she stared in fascinated horror. The wolf, who’d expanded to monstrous proportions, opened its huge jaws and engulfed its victim in one swallow.
Nira’s mental freeze snapped, and she shrieked.
The animal swiveled toward her, its yellowish eyes gleaming.
One flying leap, and it would be over.
Would the beast tear her limb from limb? Or would it swallow her whole, like Carlson?
She had a last, fleeting thought that someone would find their cars and report them missing.
She faced her death head on, wondering if Zohar would care.
Chapter Twenty
“What are you waiting for?” She met the wolf’s predatory gleam with a lift of her chin.
“I owe you my thanks.”
Nira stumbled backward. “You can talk?”
The beast cocked its head. “You released me from the magic chain no one could break.”
“I-I…yes, I did. I freed you.” Maybe she could bargain for her life.
“I will make your death painless in return.” He bared his fangs, dripping with blood from his dead prey.
“Wait.” She held up her hand, palm forward. “I know your name.” In fairy tales, saying a sorcerer’s name aloud often neutralized his power.
“You do not.” A low growl tore from the wolf’s throat. Drool slobbered from his mouth as he stood poised to strike.
So far everything she’d encountered related to Norse mythology. Her face lit as she remembered the appropriate tale.
“You’re a Fire Giant in disguise. You bit off the hand of the God, Tyr.”
The beast snarled. “Tyr tricked me. They all tricked me. You will pay, human. Just as I crushed Odin before, so shall I crush his descendants.”
According to legend, the Gods attempted to restrain the great wolf but nothing would hold him. Not wishing to kill the creature, they begged the Dwarfs, makers of magic, to create an indestructible chain.
The Dwarfs wove a magic ribbon, and the Gods challenged the wolf to a contest to see who could tear it. Averse to being called a coward, the wolf agreed to prove his prowess if one of the Gods stuck his hand in the wolf’s mouth during the ordeal. He wasn’t a fool and realized this might be a trap.
The God, Tyr, volunteered, remaining stoic while the Gods tied the monster with the indestructible ribbon. When the wolf realized he could not break free, he bit off the God’s hand in his wrath. Tyr became the God of Law because he respected the contract and sacrificed his hand rather than go back on his word.
“Look, the Gods spared your life. They’re the ones who imprisoned you. I had nothing to do with it, so why don’t you show me the same mercy? I’m worth more to you alive.”
“I do not deliver mercy to the daughter of my enemy. Prepare to die.” The ferocious beast leapt.
“Fenrir,” she yelled, “that is your name.”
“Arrgh!” It dropped to its haunches, fur glistening on its powerful body. “Never fear, human, we shall meet again. When I have joined with my brethren, nothing will stop me: not saying my name, not your puny magic, not any arguments you offer on behalf of mankind.”
Letting loose a chilling howl, Fenrir loped into the woods and vanished.
Nira fell to her knees, shaking violently.
Oh man, that was close, so close. And Carlson, dear heaven. He’d only wanted to help some lost child.
Tears trailed down her cheeks as she rocked, hugging herself, until her terror ebbed and her energy dissipated. Devoid of strength, she barely managed to push to her feet. A glimpse of Carlson’s blood on the ground made her stomach heave.
If she’d doubted her beliefs before, this encounter had brought clarity to her mind. Events truly were repeating themselves. What had Edith said? All that came before will come again.
She quaked at the notion that Ragnarok loomed in their future. In the legends, portents heralded the great cataclysm, many of which existed today: armed conflicts around the globe, corruption running rampant, hunger, and pollution.
In the first Ragnarok, the skies went black. The earth grew cold and withered. Perpetual winter descended upon the world. Fires, earthquakes, and tidal waves swept the land, and all life extinguished. Could this explain why the dinosaurs vanished?
Destruction would find them again unless…the six daughters of Odin joined with the six sons of Thor to utter the ancient words.
Her purpose firm, she accepted that her encounter with Zohar had been ordained from the start. Ditto regarding her passion for Norse mythology and her quest to discover the past.
She glanced at her watch. Edith said the symbol etched on its face was the key. She might be no closer to finding the Fountain of Wisdom to interpret it, but at least now she understood her role.
If this was her destiny, she’d embrace it. Better than a boring life full of bill payments, meal planning, and laundry, huh?
Running a finger under her collar, she realized the sun had begun to wan. Sweat and grime coated her skin, making her itch. She smacked her lips, so dry they hurt. But how could she think of her own discomfort when Carlson was dead?
Needing to do something to honor his memory, she mumbled a quick prayer for his departed soul. With no body to bury, she kicked dirt over the stain on the ground instead. A gleam caught her eye. Her keyring lay in the grass where Carlson must have dropped it. She scooped it up, shaking the dirt off her keys.
One last errand remained. Summoning her courage, she darted inside the cave to snatch the golden ribbon. The magic cord might come in handy some day. Stuffing it into her pocket along with the keyring, she emerged from the gap between the rocks. Except for the matted grass, the clearing appeared tranquil.
Looks can be deceiving.
True. She shouldn’t forget what she’d learned.
Wary of letting her guard down, she ruffled her hair to get rid of cobwebs. She must look a mess, but who cared? Glad to be alive, she inhaled a deep breath of earth-scented air.
Time to summon assistance. She fingered the diamond ring. Would Zohar come if she activated its alarm, or would he send one of his men? Fear fluttered in her chest. She’d introduced him to her culture, and now the warrior from outer space had no further use for her. She’d been abandoned again.
Nonetheless, she pushed on the faceted stone and sent the emergency signal to summon him. Despite her doubts, they had more important concerns, like saving the world from myths come alive. She and Zohar were bound together to save humanity, if only she could convince the Drift Lord captain to believe her.
****
“Zohar here,” he answered his page.
“Rageesh, where have you been?” Paz’s voice came through loud and clear over their comm channel.
“I escaped the Trollek village through the portal in the mirror. I am on the same island, but this time I summoned my shuttle. Our frequency works from the beach.”
He surveyed the sandy stretch, strewn with sun-bleached shells and seaweed. Salt air teased his nostrils, while a light breeze ruffled his hair.
No sign of any pfrells, thank the Creator.
“I received an emergency signal from Nira. How do you want me to respond, sire?”
Fear for her safety surged until he remembered his recent findings about her deception. His jaw clenched. “How is Dal?”
“His condition has worsened. He’s been moved to what they call an Intensive Care Unit. Yaron stays with him.”
“And Kaj?”
“He’s patrolling the ley lines as you ordered. Borius is still searching online for signs of Trollek activity around the globe. He’s found a number of possible hot spots and wants to know if he should check them out in person.”
Zohar cursed inwardly. “That would spread us too thin. If we get the jammer out of action, our sensors would locate the gateways. That remains our priority.”
“True, but the jamming device could be located at one of these sites.”
“All right. Send Borius out with Kaj. They can follow up on the leads together. I will track Nira’s signal.”
He swallowed hard. Gazing into Nira’s alluring eyes and smelling her enticing scent was just what he’d been trying to avoid.
“Did you discover anything new in the village?”
“Yes, but we will discuss it later.” He signed off, reluctant to confront Nira but realizing the necessity. Unlike his father, he would not condemn a person without a trial. She deserved the chance to explain.
He landed his cloaked shuttle north of Orlando at the given coordinates. She sat on a hill near where her car was stalled, or rather blocked by a large tree branch. Had she been hit by that car stuck behind hers? An accident might cause her to huddle into such a small figure, knees bent, hands covering her face. She looked so tiny and helpless that he raced forward.
“Zohar! Where did you come from?” She leapt to her feet when she saw him.
His heart lurched at the hope and joy that sprang into her eyes. “Paz relayed your signal to me. I took my shuttle here. What is wrong?” He wanted to maintain his distance from her but her delicate features and forlorn figure battered his resolve.
“I can’t move that branch.”
He stared at her. “For this you summoned me?”
She drew herself upright, nose in the air. “I also want to share what I’ve learned. That is, if you’re still interested.”
Her eyes flashed and her full lips pursed. He thought she’d never looked sexier. His caution blown, he yearned to sweep her into his arms and turn her eyes dark with passion.
“Where is the driver of that other vehicle? Has he gone for aid?” He curled his fingers. It took all his restraint not to touch her and feel the silky smoothness of her skin.
“He’s gone, all right, but not for help.” Her lower lip quivered. Clearly something had agitated her.
“Stand back.” He drew his T-6 and set it to vaporize. Soon the log no longer blocked the road. Zohar kicked the residue, and the powdery ash scattered on the breeze.
“Do you think…you could get rid of Carlson’s car like you did the tree branch?” Nira asked in a small voice.
“Why?”
“I’ll explain later.”
That you will. “All right.”
After she moved her vehicle safely beyond the traffic lanes, she joined him by the roadside where he’d finished his task. He waited under the shade of a moss-draped oak tree.
“Thanks, I’ll be all right now.” She averted her gaze so he couldn’t read her expression. “Let’s meet back at the house.”
He tilted her chin so she had no choice except to look at him. “You may not leave yet. First tell me what happened.” Intent on getting her to divulge her secrets, he lost himself in her chocolate brown eyes.
“We shouldn’t hang out here. It isn’t safe.” She moistened her lips. “Carlson is dead, and I nearly got killed, too.”
“What do you mean? Who is Carlson? Talk to me, Nira.”
His glance rose past her stubborn nose to her brows, arched like two crescent moons. His loins tightened. Chariots of the gods, how he wanted her. Suspicious of her motives, wary of trusting her, he still wanted to drop her on a bed of grass and make wild love to her.
“I’ll tell you later. I’m just so glad you’re here.”
Her voice cracked, and that unraveled him. For whatever reason, she needed comfort, and he was only too glad to offer it to her. Just a quick kiss, he told himself, but when he dipped his head, the touch of their mouths set him afire.
Her hands pressed his chest, lightly as though she meant to push him away. But when he deepened the kiss, she sighed against him and her hands clutched his shirt. He darted his tongue out, ready to explore, his exaltation swelling when she joined him in a duet. Never had he met a woman who gave herself so generously without any practiced airs. Nira delved wholeheartedly into her passions with a sweet naïveté that beguiled him.
Supporting her nape, he changed the angle of his mouth, wanting to devour her. With his other hand, he held the small of her back, where she yielded to his pressure to draw nearer. Their bodies folded together. When her arms snaked around to hold him, he let out an animalistic moan.
“See what you do to me?” He ground his hips against her. It took all his strength of will not to toss her to the ground and rip her clothes off. “When we are apart, all I think about is our mingling. When we are together, I am
on fire. I cannot think straight.”
A warning bell clanged in his mind, restoring his reason. Had he forgotten what he’d learned in the village? She’d killed a man without leaving a mark on him. Worse, she had lied about it.
Lowering his arms, he stepped away. “We have things to discuss. Let us return home and talk there.”
“O-kay.” Her face flickered with disappointment then firmed into determination.
Glancing at his chronometer, he noted it was six-thirty, local time. Soon it would be dark. An insect buzzed his ear. He swatted it away, pausing when another sound wafted on the wind: a melody, in a high, clear voice.
The compelling notes rose and fell, attuned to the breeze whistling through the trees, the worms crawling through the soil, and the birds soaring overhead. Such music could steal one’s soul.
“Do you hear that?” He cocked his head.
“Hear what?”
“A woman’s voice. This way.” Grabbing Nira’s hand, he yanked her toward the woods bordering the roadway.
“Stop, Zohar.” Panic inflected her voice.
“We have to find this person who sings with such glory.”
“I’ve been through this already. Let go of me.” She dug in her heels, resisting, but he dragged her along. “You don’t understand. We heard noises earlier, too. Carlson wanted to investigate. He thought it might be a lost child.”
Her words gushed like a waterfall, consonants tumbling one after another. She wasn’t making sense.
“Who the devil is Carlson?”
“A police detective who followed me from Orlando. He questioned me after I saw the psychic in Cassadaga.”
Forging through a tangle of vegetation, he followed the sound. Water joined into the mix, a gurgling noise that grew louder with each step. Branches lashed his face, but he ignored them, pulling Nira in his wake despite her protests.
“Keep talking.” Zohar sniffed, wondering whether her caution had merit. He didn’t detect any cors particles, just an earthy scent with a pleasant, spicy note.
Warrior Prince Page 20
