by S. T. Bende
Laughter rumbled in Viggo’s throat. “Those are fireflies.”
Fireflies?
“So, the meadow’s not on fire?”
“No.” Viggo’s laughter deepened. “Weren’t there fireflies on Midgard?”
“There were. Just not where I lived.” I stared at the flickering light rising from the meadow. “You’re sure that’s what they are? Not flames?”
“Fire’s not green, Glitre.”
“Maybe it is here. How should we know?” I blinked as a second wave rose from the grass. This time the lights seemed even brighter . . . and most definitely did not appear to have wings attached to them. Gulp. “Besides, if there are fireflies in Alfheim, wouldn’t we have seen them before?”
“They’re not native to our region.” Viggo hadn’t stopped his slow triangle steps. I had to whirl my head around to keep the apparently-not-fire in my sights.
“There!” A third wave ascended, this group close enough that I could practically touch them. “Jeez, they look exactly like fire.”
“Hence the name. Sorry,” Viggo apologized when my fist thumped his chest. “Here, let me show you.”
He released his hold on me, and stepped toward the lights. They blinked out, leaving him illuminated only by the moon and the stars. He stood very still, and after a minute the green lights flickered back on. They rose in lazy swirls, lifting from the meadow at a snail’s pace. When a steady stream had formed around him, he slowly reached out and cupped his hands together. A faint, green light shone between his fingers.
“Here. Look.” Viggo walked to my side. “This is a firefly.”
I peeked at the gap between his fingers, and tried not to gape at what was most definitely not a green flame. A tiny, winged creature sat in his palm. Its hindquarters were illuminated like a lightbulb, emitting the faint glow I’d mistaken for fire.
“Whoa,” I whispered. “I’ve never seen that before.”
“Really? They’re pretty common on Alfheim—and on some parts of Midgard too.”
“Not in Granite Ridge.” I studied the tiny creature, now flapping its wings so it hovered in Viggo’s hands. “Is it okay in there?”
“I’ll let it go. I just wanted you to see it first.” Viggo opened his hands, and the firefly shot from his palm. It soared upward, joining the sea of green rising toward the tree. “Anything else I can teach you tonight? Dancing, fireflies . . . you name it.”
I rolled my eyes at Viggo’s laughter. “Glad I can amuse you.”
“You do more than that.” Viggo slid his arms around my waist, and pulled me close. “You inspire me. You never stop fighting to make our world a better place.”
“I hope I don’t let Maja down.” My teeth worried my bottom lip. “I really don’t know what I’m doing.”
“You don’t have to.” Viggo stroked my cheek with one finger. “Just do your best—that’s all anyone can ask of you. And remember—if it’s too much, I’ll evacuate you on the spot. No questions asked.”
I craned my neck to press my lips to his jaw. “You’re a good training partner. And an even better boyfriend.”
“I do what I can.” He bent and kissed me—a slow, lingering kiss that left liquid heat coursing through my veins. What little blood I had left in my head streamed due south.
Yum.
“Come on, Glitre.” Viggo’s lips moved against mine as he spoke. “It’s late—we’d better head inside.”
“I’d rather stay out here.” I shifted back into our kiss, losing myself in the ease of Viggo’s arms. But much too quickly, he gently pushed me away.
Seriously?
“You’ve got a big day ahead,” he reminded me. “And I’ve got to report in to Finna and catch her up to speed on the new plan. She was expecting us home tomorrow, but I’m guessing we’ll be here another day.”
“Probably.” I sighed. “Assuming we free the älva, we’ll still need time to track the senators. And figure out how to extract them, too. What if they aren’t being concealed by clearing columns? What if it’s some whole new energy I have to learn to fight and—"
“One day at a time,” Viggo reminded me. “First, we extract Maja’s sister and the rest of the älva. That’s the only thing you need to focus on.”
“Right.” I reluctantly released my hold on Viggo, and slipped my hand through his. We walked slowly across the meadow, careful not to step on any flickering, green lights.
As we entered the cave and made our way toward the corridor that housed our rooms, I glanced at the rows of closed doors. Maja had distinguished hers with a swirling pattern of purple, lavender and silver paints, and I blinked at the light spilling out from beneath it. The dark faerie was still awake, no doubt planning for the task we’d undertake in the morning. Knots built in my stomach as Viggo walked me past her room to our shared suite. My anxiety piqued after he left me at my bedroom door with one last goodnight kiss.
If I failed tomorrow—if I couldn’t manage the darkness, or if I wasn’t strong enough to break through the clearing columns that held the älva, then Maja’s sister would remain trapped. And we’d have tipped our hand to whichever branch of Narrik’s minions were holding her hostage, possibly alerting them to our bigger plan to free the senators and remove Narrik once and for all. And if they knew that was coming . . .
The knot tightened in my gut as I pictured everyone who was counting on me, from the prisoners to their families to the whole of Alfheim. I could do this. I would do this.
Or I wasn’t fit to rule at all.
Chapter 15
“ARE YOU READY?” MAJA stood in the middle of the meadow, her goth-chic ensemble a stark contrast to the morning’s peaceful hues. Light peeked over the mountaintops, bathing the dewy green grass in a pinky-orange glow. The fireflies were long gone, replaced with winged creatures of a different variety.
Overnight, Rafe had amassed a veritable army of älva. They formed a protective circle around Maja, Viggo, and me, their intense faces forming masks of ferocity and their glowing weapons resembling tools of terror. I didn’t want to think too hard about what they might do if the darkness overpowered one of us. It was why I’d asked Viggo to stay close—and if need be, pull me out of whatever I got myself into before Rafe’s guards took me down.
“I’m ready.” I fingered my new labradorite necklace as I turned to Viggo. “Is Signy set?”
I couldn’t fathom how my aunt had managed to arrange an attack team in less than eight hours. According to Viggo’s earlier report, she’d wrangled most of Larkin’s unit to help us . . . and half of another warrior’s, too.
“Professor Bergen’s team is in place,” Viggo confirmed. “She has a full squadron moving into position as we speak. The ground assault will begin the moment you break the columns.”
“Then I guess there’s nothing left to wait for.” I drew a breath. “Viggo, let them know we’re moving in.”
Viggo tapped his communicator. After a minute, he looked up. “Ground team’s ready,” he relayed.
I turned to Maja. “On your mark.”
The dark faerie’s kohl-lined eyes narrowed into thin slits. She widened her stance, squared her palms to the ground, and inhaled slowly through her nostrils. “Bring in the light,” she ordered.
I snuck a glance at Viggo. His reassuring nod stilled a few of the butterflies beating against my belly button. With a slow breath, I closed my eyes. Then I mirrored Maja’s stance, pressed my palms toward the grass, and pictured a stream beaming from the center of Alfheim straight through my feet. The light hit me with a jolt, and I stumbled backward as my entire body was filled with energy.
“Steady,” Viggo said softly. His firm hand on my shoulder guided me into place, and I held my ground while a second wave coursed through my arms and down my torso.
When I was absolutely brimming with light, I called out to Maja. “I’m ready for the next set.”
“Okay.” Her voice was steely as she said, “Now bring in the dark.”
With a n
ew, considerably shakier breath, I raised my arms to the side. In an instant darkness swarmed around me, darting and weaving outside of my protective bubble as though it were searching for a way in. Pain wracked my body as the darkness dove, jabbing me with white-hot pricks like knives diving deep into my insides. There was so much—at least double the amount I’d felt last night. Had yesterday’s bees told their friends I was now open for business? Gods, how many friends did they have?
Don’t think about it, Aura. Just focus on the job.
Right.
Flexing my palm, I bent my fingers and opened a tiny hole in my protective sphere. The bees swarmed, pushing through the space and slamming into me with an intensity that knocked me backward. Viggo’s hand returned to my spine, the familiar touch centering me enough that I reclaimed my balance. As darkness warred with light, I held my stance and waited for the surge to ebb. Pressure built atop my chest, choking me of oxygen and leaving with the disconcerting sensation of being towed under. My lungs expanded, but I couldn’t sense the air enter my body. It was as if I was being suffocated from the inside. I inhaled deeper, harder, until a tiny stream pierced my chest. It traveled through me: a narrow, life-affirming passage that slowly expanded until I’d again mastered my breath. The bees, however, kept coming in strong. Really strong. After an eternity, I straightened my fingers, closing the hole and sealing off my space. The dueling energies swirled, ebbing and flowing until they merged into a singular, silvery mist. When I was confident I’d gained control, I called out to Maja. “I’m good.”
“All right,” she returned. “I’m sending you a scan. Let me know when it arrives.”
Maja had explained that she worked in kind of a virtual reality setup—she’d project an image into both of our minds, and we were to direct our attack as if it were happening right in front of us. Our blasts would be transported across the realm to strike where needed, keeping us safe from physical harm and creating a stealthy assault that freed the älva.
Hopefully.
“Do you see it yet?” Maja asked.
“It’s here,” I confirmed as the image of a castle filled my mind. Its walls were transparent, allowing me a view of what appeared to be a live relay. Signy’s team was already in place, her warriors positioned at each corner of the structure, and obscured within the castle walls. The prisoners were clustered in a small dormitory, with four guards standing just outside their door. A short corridor led to a large, open space. Based on Maja’s descriptions, it must have been the work area. A quick perimeter scan revealed the four columns that arched into a dome.
“I see it,” I confirmed. “It looks like they’ll be on the move soon.”
“We don’t have much time. Focus on the front columns. I’ll take the ones in the rear. Whoever clears first will help the other.”
“Okay.” I drew the silver mist into my hands and threw it outward. It struck the front pillars with a thunderous boom, its impact ricocheting across the distance and knocking me off-balance.
Viggo’s arms slipped beneath mine as he helped me to my feet. “You okay?”
“I wasn’t expecting that,” I said honestly.
“What are you doing?” Maja yelled. “Go again.”
I braced myself for a second hit and threw another surge at the columns. This time, the energy coming back at me was less intense—I managed to stay on upright long enough to send one of the pillars crumbling to the ground.
“I got one!” I cried.
“Don’t start celebrating yet,” Maja warned. “There are still three more—no, wait. Two more.”
“Okay.” I directed a series of pulses at the remaining front column. A small crack appeared in its base, but it remained mostly solid.
“How’s. It. Coming?” Maja grunted.
“I’m not getting anywhere,” I called out. “This one’s stronger.”
“When a stabilizer is deactivated, any surviving energy transfers,” Maja yelled back. “It’ll take more power to clear these two.”
She was just sharing this now?
“Work together,” Viggo ordered. “If the columns combined power, then you should, too.”
“He’s right.” My arms trembled with the strain of sending another surge. “I’m not effective on my own. Move to the front pillar, and once it’s down we can take on the rear.”
“All right,” Maja said. “Brace yourself.”
My arms shook as Maja transferred her focus. A fierce wind whipped around me, whether nature or Maja-made, I couldn’t quite tell. Her energy was much more powerful than mine—the jolt of her impact knocked me flat on my butt, and I scrambled to my feet, struggling to hold my own.
“Push harder, Aura!” Maja shouted. “It’s breaking!”
“I’m trying,” I gritted. I sent another surge at the pillar, and tried not to gape at the sizeable crack forming in its base. We were actually doing this!
“One. More. Time.” Maja directed another wave at the column, and I did the same. The two streams collided at the base, and with a deafening crack the entire pillar crumbled to the ground. Dust rose from its remains, billowing in tiny puffs before being reabsorbed into the air.
“Now the back!” Maja ordered.
I regathered my composure and threw a series of pulses at the final column. It took longer than the third, and by the time we managed to down it, my arms wobbled and my legs shook. I’d never been more exhausted in my life . . . and I hadn’t even lifted a sword.
Gods, I missed my Verge days.
“Ground team, move now. The columns are disabled.” Viggo’s voice from behind reminded me this was only half over. The rest of our team still had a job to do.
“Now what?” I panted.
“Now we wait for your aunt. Keep your guard up, and be prepared to strike anyone who—”
“Viggo, we need coverage on the left flank! They’re too strong for our arrows, and we can’t reach them in time!” Signy’s normally calm tone was thick with tension.
“You hear her?” Viggo barked. “Left flank, cover . . . something!”
I refocused on the image inside my head. Two burly guards, stun-blades extended, moved in on the älva. The prisoners charged down the corridor, having apparently overpowered the first team of guards at their dormitory. Maja had said the älva were intuitive, but exactly how they’d realized the columns were gone, I did not know. Regardless, they now had a second, considerably scarier, threat bearing down on them.
“On it,” I called. “Maja, I’ll get the tall guy.”
“I’ll take his second.”
We turned our streams on the guards. Maja flattened hers in one try, while mine managed to fight against the silvery mist I shot at him. His movements were noticeably slower as he continued along the hall. But he was still strong enough to raise his spear to an älva as she flew past him. Electricity crackled from its tip, and he lunged at the faerie, pinning her to the wall and sending her into a fierce convulsion.
“Maja!” I screamed. “Help me take him out!”
“Gladly.” Maja pulled back from her guard. She pushed her stream into mine, sending a surge so intense it threw the spear-holder with a burst of power. The aftershock thundered against the castle’s stone walls, sending waves of debris raining onto the ground.
“They’d better evacuate,” I warned. “Viggo, tell Signy the structure’s unstable.”
“On it.” Viggo spoke into his communicator, and in my mental periphery I observed Signy’s team making their adjustments. Those outside of the castle charged for the entrances, while those on the inside moved toward the remaining guards. They quickly disabled their opponents, then shifted their attention to evacuating the prisoners. They were nearly clear of the corridor when another crack rocked the castle. The building shifted on its foundation, and a fresh surge of rubble rained from its wall.
“Viggo!” I shouted. “Have Signy get everyone out of there! The western wall is coming down!”
“Signy, you need—”
&nbs
p; “I know!” Signy’s voice pierced the air. “But we can’t clear the corridor. There are too many of us!”
“We have you.” An unfamiliar voice rang through the comm. When I shifted my attention to the scene inside my head, my jaw nearly unhinged.
What. The. Actual. Helheim?
The former prisoners had come together, making a circle around Signy’s team. One by one they lifted the warriors from the ground, dodging rocks and rubble as they flew along the corridor and into the open space. With the columns eliminated, there was nothing keeping them in. The älva launched for the sky, carrying their charges well above the castle and flying toward the mountain. The second they’d cleared out, the structure came tumbling down. The castle caved in on itself in a heap of stone and dust and darkness.
Breath caught in my throat as I scanned the scene for any survivors. “Did Signy get out?”
“Professor Bergen, report in.” Viggo spoke hurriedly into his comm.
“I’m clear.” Signy’s voice made my heart jolt. Thank gods! “And so is the rest of our team. The älva saved us.”
“Everyone?” I squeaked.
“Everyone,” she confirmed.
“What about Emilie?” Maja blurted. “Is my sister hurt?”
“Hold on.” Signy’s voice was muffled as she conferred with someone on the other end of the comm. “Emilie is fine. She carried Larkin out.”
“Good.” Maja’s heavy exhale tugged at my heart. If it had been Elin, I’d have been sick with worry.
Thank gods.
“We’re just touching down,” Signy said. “Give us a minute to sort ourselves out. We can debrief in five.”
Relief coursed through me and I dropped to the ground with an exhausted oomph. When I opened my eyes, Viggo knelt beside me, his face mirroring my own relief. Maja was doubled over a few feet away, breathing heavily. And Rafe’s warriors remained in their circle, gratitude painted across their stoic faces.
We’d done it. We’d freed the älva. The only question that remained was . . . what was Narrik going to do to retaliate?
