Dead Wrath (2 page)

He'd always been able to make me laugh and he'd made that short stay in Ms. Custer's foster home in Craven so very special.

Now he sat on his bed and leaned against the dark, polished wood backrest, his face and body all grown to a young man who looked eighteen. A tray of breakfast sat on his lap, half-eaten.

I frowned. "I'm sorry to walk in on your breakfast." I hesitated just inside the door.

He snorted, his eyes sparkling. "You can walk in anytime. I'm about to go crazy in this room. The only company I've had in the last day have been the four walls, and Greta the Huldra."

"At least she's cheerful," I offered with a smirk.

"There is that," he said, shrugging as he grinned back at me.

"I'm sorry. It's probably my fault that everyone's been neglecting you."

He frowned and shook his head. "You know, Bryn, not everything that goes wrong around here is your fault."

"Umm, that's debatable." I winked and continued. "But what I meant was the warriors have preparations to make for our next mission. Joshua's out with a scout team, and Aimee is training a group of Ulfr warriors. So they pretty much have their hands full."

"And you? Don't you have your own hands filled with work too?" he asked as he picked up a half-eaten pastry.

I nodded and sat beside his knee. "Yup, which is why this has to be a short visit."

He made a face, but he didn't push it.

"So tell me how you've been doing?"

His head bobbed a little too enthusiastically, but I let him speak. "I'm doing very well. Got some meat back on my bones, not so undernourished anymore. You can barely tell I have ribs."

I laughed, although the memory of his emaciated body still gave me a chill. The frost giants certainly didn't care for their prisoners. "Getting fat, are we?" I asked, stabbing a finger at his belly.

"Hey, get off. I'm still ticklish," he whined, and it reminded me so much of the old Brody that my expression faded to nothing. He turned his head and studied my face. Seemed he'd noticed the change in my mood. "Hey, you okay, Bryn?"

I nodded, vaguely aware he'd be waiting for some explanation. I went with the truth. "Just now, you reminded me so much of the boy I once knew."

"That boy is still here, Bryn." He tapped his chest. "My body may have been changed, but I don't think the soul forgets the people you love."

My throat tightened as I swallowed back the emotion that enveloped me. "I know, but it's a little strange to see you look so much older. I suppose I'll get used to it." Then I tilted my head and looked at him. "How much do you remember of being Brody in Craven?"

"All my memories seem to be intact. Just like with Joshua and the rest. But it gets a little sketchy after I reached Valhalla."

I frowned, watching him pick at the flakes of pastry. "So you don't recall being taken from here?"

"Nope." He shook his head sadly. "I wish I could remember something."

"I wonder how he managed to pull that off?" I asked myself softly.

"I don't really think that matters much right now, does it?" he asked, assuming I was talking to him. "I'm alive and I'm not going anywhere. I'll soon be well enough to fight."

I laughed. "No. What I meant was we need to investigate how he abducted you so we can find out how he entered the palace and who in Asgard is working with him. He couldn't have acted alone to take you right from under our noses. Someone must have helped him."

Brody leaned against his pillows, his plate now covered in shredded bits of pastry. I got to my feet and said, "I'd better get moving."

As I turned to leave, Brody called out, "Bryn? Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." I turned to face him with a ready smile.

"When will I be able to fight?"

A shadow passed over my soul at the question, but he deserved an answer, and an honest one at that. "As soon as you are strong enough, you will begin your training. Then when Fenrir or your instructors say you're ready, you'll join a scout team and begin your missions." Secretly, I hoped it would be all over before he set foot out of the bed.

Now he beamed happily. "I can't wait."

"What's the rush?" I asked, laughing at his anticipation.

"Because Loki needs his head removed from his neck, and I plan on fulfilling that task."

I snorted. "Then you better get in line, kiddo."

CHAPTER TWO

I left Brody and headed to my 'office', a stark, stony, and cold cellar-like hall we'd dubbed the War Room. It sat beside Fen's hall, but it seemed since Sigrun's death, he preferred not to be in charge of this war. As if there were something else going on behind his dark eyes. He had to be hurting, far more deeply than I was, and that frightened me. I couldn't fathom the depth of pain he was experiencing. Was it just that he was stronger? That he could handle it better? I hoped so.

His emotions were always well shuttered, his eyes always dark and unreadable whenever we ran into each other, giving the impression that he remained unaffected or perhaps better at handling grief. I'd left him to it, didn't push him to talk about his emotions because I didn't want to talk either. But we were both missing someone else too. And his absence had a profound effect on Asgard.

After Heimdall had blown the horn to call the gods to arms and announce the beginning of the end, Odin had left the Hall, dissipating into nothing, his body as intangible as the air around us. But he'd said one more thing before he'd departed. He told us all that he was leaving one person in charge of the defense of Asgard and all within the nine realms who wanted to live and defeat Loki and his burgeoning army.

The Valkyrie Brynhildr.

His face had been a mask when his words rang out, but there were none who'd challenged him. Even Freya seemed to absorb the knowledge with utter calm, and that was all the more surprising since it meant in the time of the greatest war ever to turn the realms upside down, she, a goddess, the chief of all Valkyries, would answer to me, a nobody from Midgard.

When Odin disappeared, Frigga and Fen drifted toward me in the silence that descended on the Hall.

Frigga spoke softly in my ear. "My dear, you must address the people gathered here. Odin has granted you the position of leadership and you must take it with both hands or you risk having them not respect you at all."

My fingers tightened themselves over the golden rod of Odin's staff.

I nodded, the movement jerky and hesitant, but before I could say anything else, Fen cleared his throat. "Bryn. You know I am always at your service. Whatever you say shall be my command. You have the armies of the Ulfr at your disposal." He spoke loudly enough that many of the gathered gods and generals turned to listen closer to our conversation.

A rustling among the crowd produced Thor and his silent brother Vidarr. Both gods stood over six feet tall, their gold hair hanging to their shoulders, light beards covering their faces, blue eyes glittering. So much alike yet so different. Thor I trusted with all my heart and soul, but Vidarr, on the other hand, was still to earn my respect. Perhaps that would come when he learned to respect me?

Thor knelt on one knee in front of me. "I am at your service, Brynhildr. Sister." He smiled as he spoke the word, and I wanted to wince. How could I accept that while standing beside Frigga? I, or more rightly Brunhilde, was the product of her husband cheating on her. But she seemed to be very accepting as she stood beside me, her hand now closed gently around my forearm. A sign of possession, maybe?

"Thank you," I whispered to the god of thunder and lightning. "Now get up. You're embarrassing me," I snapped. Then my scowl was replaced with a grin, as I was unable to hold myself aloof.

Vidarr bowed his head too, his expression serious. He said, "I too am at your service, sister. We must do what we can to bring Father home and defeat Loki."

I nodded solemnly, recognizing the underlying message in his words. He was pledging himself only until things were back to normal. His cool blue eyes told me he'd never care for me, sister or not. Vidarr, as a son of Odin, didn't seem to suit the bloodline of the All-Father, but who was I to say anything considering I was meant to be part of that bloodline too?

In the wake of Thor's and Vidarr's pledge, the rest of the gathering began to pass by and offer their service too, reminding me that Odin's word in Asgard was law. I inclined my head and pasted a pleasant expression on my face, receiving them all as if they were truly mine to lead. Yet all the while, I had the sense that something was terribly wrong, that what I did in accepting their pledges was all a lie and they would soon see right through my facade.

But I didn't run like I desperately wanted to. I stood there beside Frigga, locking my knees even as they ached to spirit me away. I drew my strength from her until they'd all spoken their pledges and Fen stepped forward. I glanced at him, curious as he watched me, waiting. With a start, something in my brain clicked. Fen was waiting for permission to address the gathering. "Of course, Fen. Why are you waiting for my permission?" I asked with a frown. I wasn't sure I liked this kind of submission in someone I looked up to.

Fen smiled at that, then faced the group to outline what would be happening over the next week. "Gods from far and wide will be arriving in Asgard soon. I want the Bifrost entrance guards to be tripled. I am also of the mind to bind the entrance with magic."

There was a rustle of discomfort in reaction to his statement. "Don't worry. All I intend to do is erase glamor. That would make it all the harder for the Jotunn or for Loki to enter our realm. If we deny them access, that is one step closer to our success. We need all the help we can get."

There were nods of agreement amongst the group, but I could still feel a sense of negativity, and it seemed to be directed at Fen himself. From the sad expression in his eye, he could feel it too.

And suddenly, it struck me why they watched him with suspicion and mistrust.

Fenrir was the one destined to strike the deathblow to the god Odin at the great battle of Ragnarok. It was a load of bull as far as I was concerned, mainly because I'd seen firsthand the devotion Fen possessed for the god he considered his father. I knew full well the hatred he felt for Loki, his real sire, who continued to hurt him from afar.

After all this time, I was still trying to get my head around the fact that Fenrir was the son of Loki. And I was sure I'd be shaking my head at that for years to come. It was as hard to understand as it was to accept that Aidan was Loki's grandson. The god certainly had no problem sowing his oats.

At last, the gathered gods and generals were informed of their tasks in terms of housing and training the impending new arrivals. With their orders in hand, they filed out of the Great Hall, leaving just Frigga, Freya and her assistant Valkyrie, Thor, Fen, and myself. My friends had disappeared too and so had the silent brother Vidarr. If I had been in any doubt about his loyalty, this would have confirmed it. Although, I had to admit to myself I was relieved he'd left.

I was staring at the door, thinking about the brother who would not accept me, when Frigga touched my hand. "Do not worry about Vidarr, my dear. He has only recently thrown off the silence of his vow and he has plenty yet to say. Perhaps sometimes a little too much." I laughed softly with the goddess as she made a little fun of Odin's son. "Even if you do not have his adoration, you will have his loyalty or he will answer to the All-Father." Her words were firm, and I didn't miss the iron in her tone. Then she gave a final nod, as if that were the end of it. And who knows? It probably was.

Odin's word
was
law.

There was a short silence and then Freya spoke, the lines in her face deeper than ever. "Brynhildr, you must know you also have my fealty. What my father says is my law too, but at least I have the sense to know when something is right. This is the way it should be." She wasn't hiding her dislike of Vidarr's attitude.

"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning. My chest tightened. We'd never been the best of friends and I feared her next words would cut me to the quick.

But they didn't. "I can see with my own eyes that you have strength and power of your own. Even if Odin had not bestowed you with this power, you would still have achieved seniority within the Valkyrie army. I would have seen to it. You have acted above and beyond your duty ever since you arrived in our realm. You have courage and honor and perhaps that is what we need most in our leadership. We here all fear the prophecies. Some more than others," she said, her eyes traveling quickly over Fen, who merely looked on with interest, his face a practiced mask of neutrality. Freya inhaled and continued, "But I can see clearly now that perhaps a prophecy does not need to be cast in stone the moment it is uttered. That perhaps the words of a prophet from centuries past could either be wrong, or perhaps the prophecy itself can be changed by the actions of those involved."

There were nods from everyone except Fen, who held his neck iron-stiff, his muscles corded and tight. Then Freya took a step back, glancing at the Valkyrie who had stood silent by her side all this time. "I must return to my regiment and prepare them. In the meantime, I will leave Myst with you. She will assist in whatever way you require. And I assure you she is fully capable."