“I won’t.” Liam’s voice was steady and calm. “Release the humans.”
“As you wish.” The crowd parted and a man, two heads taller than the rest, lifted something over the edge of the little wall. My stomach churned.
The sky blinked in small silver strikes over the water. Justin dangled in the air, unresponsive. I pressed both hands to my mouth. The Viking grabbed his wrists in one hand, waiting for the order. I was Justin’s only hope. I swung trembling legs over the guardrail beside me, keeping my eyes on Justin. I couldn’t afford to look down. Twenty feet wouldn’t kill us. The pounding water would drown Justin. He was knocked out cold, or worse. He couldn’t survive. My last hope was that the Hales were right and if I failed, he’d still rise and lead them.
“Stop,” Liam called.
“Tell us what he and the girl mean to you. She’s not a nymph. We’ve checked her body for the mark.”
I leaned forward, gripping the icy metal rail in my palms. Forcing away thoughts of Vikings checking Allison’s body for my rune.
I focused on Justin. The minute he dropped, I’d go after him.
The ravens circled in the flashing sky.
“You’re weak before us because you don’t partake of the Viking life. You deserve no honor. Your brothers deserve no honor. Tonight, Stians change destiny.”
The crowd roared.
Justin fell.
“No!” I flung myself from the railing, pushing off with strong legs toward the dark waters below. White foam spit and swirled at the base of the dam. There was no splash, only the angry roaring of water and pounding thunder of the sky. Justin disappeared a moment before my hands broke the surface behind him. Angry water cut my skin like a thousand blades of ice.
My hands hit something solid and I fisted my fingers around the thing, kicking against the current before the waters tossed us into the dam and killed us both. My right arm was weak against the rushing water. The undercurrent pulled me down, forcing what I had hoped was Justin out of my grasp.
I turned in all directions, seeking the surface. Darkness enveloped me. Every direction looked the same. Striking out for the surface, I knocked into a wide mass and grabbed tight. Pounding water shoved the remaining air from my lungs and a rock or limb caught in the flow blasted me in the face. Kicking with fervor reserved for saving a life, my face found air. Talons ripped into my shoulders.
“Caw!”
Justin’s lifeless body bounced beside me in the foam. A raven towed me to shore, as I pulled Justin behind. The moment my knees hit grass, I went to work. Years of lifeguard training kicked in and I breathed for him, counted, pressed and breathed. Muscle memory kept me on course. Mindless CPR.
Water dribbled from his mouth, but he didn’t move.
“Justin!” I pounded weak fists against his unmoving chest and the ravens swooped between us, forcing me back. They formed a barrier with their great ebony wings and opened their beaks in protest.
“Caw!” They beat a menacing rhythm.
I stumbled in the wet grass, sobbing and wishing for something to throw at the infuriating mythical birds.
“Caw! Caw!”
Between their shiny wings, Justin’s hand lay still as stone. Between their ugly complaints, I heard heartbreaking silence. Unable to penetrate their inhuman protest, I climbed the muddied bank to the walkway I’d visited with friends, parents, and on field trips. I prayed the ravens protected Justin now, though it was unclear what two birds could do. If he wasn’t breathing… I stifled a sob. If he wasn’t breathing, then he’d rise again soon. He wouldn’t die the way I would. Justin was more than I would ever be. I nodded to comfort myself. The ravens were guarding him, but Allison was still lost. I pulled myself together, embracing the icy wind on my skin, allowing the cold to snap my mind into focus.
I inched through the swinging gate at the maintenance building and wrapped shaking fingers around the metal ladder once more. I couldn’t pull her from the water if they dropped her. I was spent. My muscles ached and shook, unwilling to carry me farther, but without an option. A bolt of lightning struck the trees beside the water, splitting the great timbers. My feet pushed me upward. Rung by rung, I moved toward my destiny. My final breath. Thunder shook the world, rattling the ladder. I held tight and hurried to the walkway above.
Electrocuted on a metal ladder wouldn’t be a valiant way to die, but I wondered. If warriors went to Valhalla, could I join them? Did nymphs have the same right as Vikings? Would I one day see the Hales, and later, Justin, if I made it to Valhalla and waited for them?
I crawled along the walkway, hidden in the shadow of a stout wall three blocks high. The barrier was probably meant as a guide to keep workers from falling over the edge. The drop from this point was eighty-five feet, according to the sign on the ground. I’d read the dam’s details a dozen times in my life. Below, raging waters churned and beat against the dam. Lightning struck and the world glowed, illuminating a line of Vikings I recognized from the deli tonight, plus Adam and his henchmen from earlier this week. The Stians were less than twenty feet away with Liam just outside their reach, staring defiantly back at them. If I waved, I might draw his attention, but he’d warned me distraction would mean death.
Through the crowd’s legs, Allison sat propped against the wall. I hurried closer, sticking close to the wall, praying she was alive and I might go unnoticed. Liam growled and I froze.
“Who’s this?” Calder moved toward me in slow calculated steps, as if I might explode.
“I don’t know.” Liam turned away, disgusted.
“And yet, she’s here.” The monster who’d dropped Justin erased the space between us and pulled me by my hair to my feet. “Why are you here?”
Tears welled in my eyes and lodged in my throat. “You took my friend.”
“Hmph.” He rubbed his chin. “Now we have two women to share.”
The men laughed.
Liam stared at the leader with indifference. “No more humans, Stian. I warned you.”
“You don’t warn me.”
The man tossed me into the air. I hit the ground with a sickening thud. Wind rushed from my lungs and I gasped for breath. My arms and legs stung where cement ripped through my clothes and flesh. Allison stared, unmoving.
“Allison.” I scrambled onto my knees and crawled to her side. I checked for new injuries. Her skin was as pale as the moon and blood coated her neck and shoulders from her fall at the deli. “Can you hear me?” I pressed my icy cheek to hers, listening for breath. “Your breathing’s too shallow. Stay awake. Can you speak?”
Lightning flashed on the heels of thunder and she winced. Good. She wasn’t completely knocked out. Mom would say a concussion. A purple welt lined her forehead where it had hit the counter. I touched my head on instinct. I’d had a similar mark not long ago. The back of Allison’s head rounded with a goose egg.
Men argued behind me. The Stian leader demanded a battle. Liam demanded they release the humans. No one paid attention to us. I pulled Allison against my chest. Looping my arms under hers, I scooted down the walkway above the dam, away from the danger and begged the gods to intervene. Send the other clans to help Liam.
A whisper came in the night, sweeping past my ears. “Calypso.”
The nymphs huddled at the end of the walkway, motioning me to keep moving in their direction. I worked harder, praying Allison had a chance. Praying Justin would rise again. Promising, if he did, I’d lead with him. I’d fulfill the prophecy and accept a broken heart for the sake of saving the others. I’d rule with Justin if it saved Liam’s life and returned the balance. I’d do anything. Give anything.
“Stop!” A clansman pointed in my direction and marched toward me.
“No!” Liam screamed. He moved faster than I could follow, appearing before the man. Liam hoisted the Viking over the dam’s edge and released him.
Screams rose from the Stians and they barreled down on Liam. Allison grew heavy in m
y arms. I pressed my eyelids together in prayer. A boulder rolled onto the walkway, knocking men into the small wall and crumbling the barrier into pieces where it hit. A hundred screams joined the thunder. Vikings climbed over the railing and onto the walkway’s edge, scaling ropes nearly transparent in the shadows. They crept free from cement crevices and between girders, all swinging heavy weaponry and tearing into the Stians. They’d been hiding beneath us, waiting for the right moment to attack. My heart soared with hope and thanks.
“Hurry.” A blond nymph appeared at my side, lifting Allison’s feet. “I’m Isla. Let’s go.”
We struggled with Allison’s weight, dodging shards of metal and chunks of battle debris on the walkway as we moved in hurricane-force winds. Thunder and lightning transformed the sky. Trees snapped with electricity. The heavens opened and a storm poured out in a deluge of hail and rain, pummeling the earth.
I gasped in horror as the Mahonings captured a Stian and lifted him to the edge of the wall. How many would go over the dam tonight? How many would live? Would they come out of the water and find Justin alive? A Viking ran for the Mahonings, swinging his great light sword. The allied clans fell at a frightening rate. The Stians were far more powerful than the Hales’ army. The Hales needed a leader.
Oliver ran to my side, tall and strong. He lifted Allison into his arms. “Thank you. You’re brave, Callie Ingram. I am indebted.”
“Look out!” A scream ripped through Isla and she fell at my feet, cut across the middle like Buddy. Blood pooled from her torso. Blank eyes stared at me. My limbs shook.
Oliver presented his sword and fought Isla’s killer with Allison in one arm. Lars Mahoning caught the opponent at his knees and the two tumbled.
Oliver lay Allison at my feet. “Stay with her. I’m sorry. I’ll be back.” He gave her one last look and cut through Isla’s killer before the fight moved closer, enveloping him in the mix.
I grabbed Allison again and dragged her with me, sliding, and falling in Isla’s blood before finding a steady footing in the wind. Allison groaned.
“Are you awake?” I yelled into her ear.
“I hurt.”
“Can you walk?”
She nodded weakly.
“Okay. Stay with me. Walk.” She put weight on her feet and I supported her body.
A great roar behind us sent fear through my bones. The sound was so near I didn’t dare turn around for fear it would swallow us whole. Allison’s knees buckled and we fell. I scrambled to lift her in another way.
“You.” Adam glared down the end of a long lighted sword.
I blocked his view of Allison, widening my arms at my sides. “What do you want with her?”
“You’re the center of this, not her. I saw you with Liam at the deli, and you’re Justin’s friend.” An evil smile slid over his lips. “Were Justin’s friend.” He tapped the light sword on my chest.
“Gah!” It sizzled, cutting through the material and burning the skin beneath my shirt.
“You found us here tonight. You had Tony killed. And Canin.”
I didn’t know Canin. Was he the one who attacked me outside my home?
“The ravens follow you.” He dug his blade into my sternum.
My hands wrapped around it on instinct, burning and slicing my palms.
“I will lead the Stians now. I see what they missed. You’re the nymph who’ll rule with the Viking. When I carry your dead body to them on my sword, they’ll bow to me. I’ll end the prophecy by ending you.”
Adam reared his arm back and thrust the sword through the air between us. Searing pain punched through me. My heart gave an awkward thud. Something snapped and I lost feeling in my legs. Fierce lightning illuminated my world. Liam’s face in the distance confirmed my intuition. I wouldn’t recover from this. Anguish marred his beautiful features. Fear widened his eyes and panic twisted his regal mouth in heartrending ways. These were clearly not emotions he had regular use for, unlike me. I knew fear too well. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of betrayal and in that moment, fear I’d never again feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. Behind me, Allison gurgled. A sound I’d heard twice more tonight. Once when Buddy had defended me with his sword and once when Isla had come to my rescue. My stomach knotted. Not Allison, too. Numbness weighted my face, chest and hands.
She’d die because I knelt before her. Killed by a sword meant for me.
* * * *
Darkness overcame me. The thunder subsided. Only the irregular thumps of my stuttering heart remained. A moment later, there was silence. I pulled in a breath too deep to be real. Feeling returned in my toes. The pain through my chest dissolved. The black sky split open, emitting light brighter than the sun. I squinted against it. My body rose to its feet without my intent.
“Calypso.” A great voice boomed over me. “You were chosen in your mother’s womb to lead these men. Her love for you has blessed your path. It is your destiny.”
My mind snapped to attention. “Zeus,” I whispered.
“I promised to care for Nike’s people when she and her brothers came to stay with me. I am the god of gods. I am bound by honor to keep my promise. These Vikings are offspring of Nike’s brethren. They are mine to protect. They are yours to manage. May you lead them to Valhalla.”
What? “I can’t lead Vikings!” I screamed into the light.
“You can do all things.”
“Nike said the nymph will rule with the Viking. Will Justin rise to help me?”
“You are both; child of Calypso, daughter of Hermes.”
“Does that mean no? Is he dead?” My knees buckled. “Will you help me?”
“I will give you what you need.”
A line of light glowed at my feet. The hilt of the sword swirled with silver and gold. Runes illuminated the blade. I extended a hand in awe of its glory and the sword rose to meet my fingers.
The ravens waddled at my feet, wings spread, beaks wide.
“You will unite the clans and make honorable warriors of these leagues. Create Vikings who are worthy to feast at Odin’s table in Valhalla,” Zeus thundered.
Wind whipped violently at my skin. I wielded the sword with both hands, for fear of losing it over the dam’s edge.
“Yes, sir.”
Great light poured through the night. In a sweeping arch, it settled above me before dropping like a stone, bursting against my head, shimmering over my skin until I glowed from the bath of glory. My skin responded, tingling and snapping as the luminescence seeped inside, filling my bones and core until I was certain I glowed. At once, my lungs filled anew. My heartbeat returned, heavy and strong. Hair whipped around me, long and wild like the nymphs who shared my bloodline.
Night closed over, blackening the world. The great light was gone, along with Zeus’ voice in the sky. I rubbed my eyes as they adjusted to the change. My hands were clean. My bloodied clothes had been replaced with a shimmering gown of white. Before me knelt a hundred Vikings, some I recognized as Stians, all in various degrees of injury. Liam lay at my feet.
“Liam.” I dropped to his side.
He turned his face to me in shock. “You are the Viking and the nymph.”
I nodded. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You do.” He tipped his head to the men on the walkway. “Tell them.”
I stood tall, squaring my shoulders in the relentless wind. “The battle here is over. If you want to leave, go peacefully now, but I hope you’ll choose to stay.”
Several men stood, scowling. They walked through clumps of fallen warriors. A few rose and followed the first. Many stayed.
A round of soft clapping erupted behind me. Nymphs approached with wide eyes and reverent postures. Hope played over their features.
“You aren’t bound to serve them anymore.” I spoke with fervor. “You choose your path.” Feminism roared through me.
The ladies sat at my feet.
A single sword rose over
a head with ginger hair. A man I recognized from Hale Manor spoke the first word from the battleground. “Calypso.”
“Calypso,” the crowd answered.
“Calypso.” Liam smiled.
I embraced Liam with renewed hope. If this was possible, maybe all things were. Two dire prayers burned in my heart. “Justin and Allison need a hospital.”
Chapter 23
Allison’s voice was weak but determined through my cell phone. “I can’t believe I’m missing a senior year Halloween bash. It’s the biggest party of the century and you’re going without me.”
I steadied the mascara brush in my hand, leaning closer to the bathroom mirror.
“It’s amazingly unfair you were attacked at knifepoint last week and survived. You should definitely be pissed about missing this party.”
She sighed. “Ow.”
“See. You can’t even sigh without pain, silly. How about this? I promise to send pictures and videos. I also promise to spill something messy on someone you hate and I promise to drop your name to Oliver Hale no less than three times.”
“Four.”
“Four.”
“Ugh. Yuck. Dad’s here with pain meds and a lecture. I gotta go. Text everything.” She disconnected without a good-bye. Allison had survived with her trademark congeniality intact. Her memory was another story. Oliver had taken that to protect her. It had hurt him more than he let on, but I felt it. I felt everything lately.
Mom bounced up the steps, looking happy. “Wow. Justin’s going to collapse when he sees you.”
Justin also got a memory reduction. He thought he’d blacked out and fell in his pond. The hospital staff took their lame stories in stride with some help from Liam’s sway. Two workers stabbed at a deli where nothing was stolen and one almost drowned cowboy. Justin had recovered in an hour and went home with a headache and no memory of an epic Viking battle, whether from the bashing of water in the Dover Dam or Liam meddling with his mind, I didn’t know. Honestly, I didn’t care. The only things I wanted that night had come true. My friends lived. Oliver had to start over wooing Allison. A task made tougher with her housebound for recovery. He didn’t have a ton of reasons to drop by a practical stranger’s house and visit. Justin didn’t remember my relationship with Liam. I couldn’t help wondering if that was intentional on Liam’s part. Liam gave me continual opportunities to run away, which seemed moot considering I was officially the boss of him. I smiled. He pretended to hate the new dynamic, but the pride behind his words was visible from space when he complained.
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