Collide and Seek

by Sara C. Roethle

  We’d all gotten a full night’s sleep, and the key seemed to be lying dormant within me. I knew it would resurface eventually, especially once it gained access to more energy, but hopefully by then we’d be able to fight it. We’d just have to keep me away from any dead bodies in the meantime. I didn’t like the idea of weakening myself to weaken the key, but it was our only option until we could summon the old gods.

  I laughed at how silly my thoughts felt as Alaric walked up behind me. “What is it?”

  I shook my head and leaned forward to finger the sleeve of my new winter coat. It was one of those expensive, micro-down numbers, thin and light, but extremely warm.

  “Just amusing myself with the fact that we actually think we stand a chance of summoning gods to help us,” I explained.

  Alaric kissed my cheek. “You’re the one that encouraged the idea, my dear.”

  I smirked, though he couldn’t see it. “We travelled back in time, I touched Yggdrasil, and now an ancient magic is housed within me. I’m pretty sure anything is possible at this point.”

  Alaric spun me around and kissed me, but as he pulled away, a dark look crossed his face.

  “What is it?” I questioned, still wrapped in his embrace.

  He half shrugged. “After what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t put it past you or Mikael to summon the old gods. The real question is, will they want to help us once they’re here?”

  I quirked an eyebrow at him. “What do you think Bastet will say?”

  He frowned. “I’m not sure. We can choose between Bastet and Dolos. War and deceit . . . not the most magnanimous pair.”

  “Freyja too,” I added.

  I got the reaction I was hoping for as surprise crossed Alaric’s face. It wasn’t often I got the jump on him. “Freyja?” he questioned.

  I nodded. “Aila is her descendant,” I explained. “She told Sophie while they were waiting for us to return from the past.”

  Alaric seemed thoughtful. “A goddess of war and death,” he mused, “but also love and fertility. Perhaps a goddess that would fight to save an unborn child.”

  I smiled. It was a slim, jagged, tenuous ray of hope, but it was hope nonetheless.

  Alaric lifted me in his arms, then carried me to the bed, laying me down gently atop our winter clothes. “We have hours to kill until dark . . . ” he trailed off, his voice gone low with seduction.

  I raised my eyebrows as I looked up at him. “I can think of a thing or two to pass the time.”

  He kissed down my neck. “Name them slowly, please.”

  I stated my first suggestion.

  Alaric lifted his gaze to mine, a dark grin on his face. “Now that’s my little land-skjálpti.”

  Hours later, as the sun began to make its slow descent from the sky, we prepared to leave. Still in our room, Alaric helped me into my new coat, taking the time to zip it, and button the clasp that would hold the collar close to my neck.

  He pulled the hood up over my head playfully, then used it to draw me in for a kiss.

  “I love you,” he breathed.

  I pulled away, surprised. “Come again?” I asked with a wry grin.

  He tilted his head downward and eyed me like I was a misbehaving child.

  “No,” I said innocently, “I really didn’t hear you, I need you to repeat yourself.”

  “You know,” he teased, “I don’t even say that out loud to my sister.”

  I crossed my arms and looked up at him. “You know, I’m an out loud kind of girl.”

  He grabbed me and lifted me effortlessly into his arms, cradling me like a baby. He kissed me fiercely. “Madeline,” he began, “you are incorrigible, head strong, you care far too much about everyone else, and I love you.”

  I laughed. “Alaric, you are single-focused, impulsive, and perhaps a bit wily, but I love you too.”

  He kissed me again, then walked us toward the door. “I’m holding you to that,” he joked. “You can’t take it back now.”

  I smiled up at him as we prepared to go join the rest of our group. “War is capable of love,” I teased.

  He returned my smile, flashing his little fangs. “And death has a heart.”

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