Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) (36 page)

Skuld came forward first, a bright smile on her face as she wrapped a single finger through her long, blonde hair and twirled. “You can put those things away.” She pointed at the spears. “You won’t be needing them.”

“I will put nothing away,” Tyr said, his tone absolute.

“Such a nice big brother,” Skuld baited in a singsong voice. “It’s very noble of you to spend your entire life searching for your pet wolf and little sister.”

“Enough of this!” Verdandi stalked forward. “We take the evil spawn and leave here, as planned.”

Skuld sighed, turning to her. “That
was
our plan. But I told you it wasn’t going to work if we weren’t on time. If we’d arrived exactly four-point-seven minutes ago, we would’ve had a chance. But when the wolf jumped into the water, the future was altered in favor of the girl, not us.”

“You are not always correct, dear sister,” Urd interjected. “The past is proof of that. I see it clearly. Things could yet change.”

I watched, openmouthed, as they continued to bicker, each debating their own merits at predicting what would happen. As they conversed, Fen and Sam came over the top of the rocks. Fen held out his arm to stop Sam from nearing the fray, and I was grateful.

Without glancing behind her, Skuld purred, “It’s nice to see you again, wolf. You’re looking yummy as ever.”

My hackles went up immediately. Her tone had been intimate.

“No need to look at me like that, child,” she told me. “His heart is not for sale.” Then she tipped her head back and cackled with mirth. “But I don’t usually pay for anything. I’m a take-what-I-want kind of girl.”

Verdandi stomped forward, obviously fed up with this conversation. “You will come with us now,” she addressed me, her tone harsh. Her left arm hung a little limply at her side. I wondered if Junnal had had a hand in that.

Did she honestly expect me to say yes?

She was cocky, I’d give her that.

Before I had a chance to shoot her down properly, a strange sound hit the air, a cross between a hum and an amp buzzing too loudly. Both Tyr and I turned to see the air shake behind us. There was no other word for it.

Slowly, figures and shapes began to emerge, like mirages solidifying before our eyes.

I heard a familiar voice before I saw its owner. “She won’t be coming with you now, or at any point, hag,” Ingrid announced. “She’s home now, and we will protect her to the death.”

“Ingrid!” I shrieked as I ran toward her.

She held out her arms, grabbing me up in a big bear hug. “Phoebe, we were getting worried you wouldn’t show! If it wasn’t for Huggie telling us to be patient, we would’ve stormed the realms searching for you. You gave me a huge scare when you got carried off, but I knew you’d prevail. You’ve always been strong.”

Huggie cawed his agreement above us.

“It feels like I’ve been gone for months,” I said through happy tears. “I’m so happy to see…all of you.” As I eased out of her arms, I appraised the women lined up in formation behind her. They were all dressed alike in white tunics and breastplates, each of them clutching an evil-looking weapon, ranging from axes to swords.

They were the fiercest group of ladies I’d ever seen.

My heart swelled with pride, and a familiar feeling rippled through me. I knew I was home. For now anyway.

“It matters not that the Valkyries have arrived,” Verdandi sneered, her tone ragged and hateful. “We will take you all down.”

A fierce growl erupted behind her.

Fen had changed into a wolf, and he stalked toward her menacingly, his black fur flying and brilliant in the sunshine.

Skuld began to laugh. “Now this is a party! Honestly, we should do this more often, don’t you think?” She glanced between her sisters. “It’s nice to get out of our cave once in a while. It’s so dingy down there.”

Verdandi was visibly apoplectic.

Her body shook as her fists clenched. “You will not succeed in evading us. We will not allow you to change the fabric of our world. It is unthinkable!”

I stepped forward, feeling bolstered by my backup. “That might be true, but when you come for me next time, I’ll be ready.”

Verdandi’s mouth went up cruelly on the side. She took a step forward. Fen growled at the same time that Huggie cawed above us. “You won’t win. No one escapes us. We see all.”

“I’ve already evaded you”—I held up two fingers—“twice. The first time we met, I was green. This time, I have backup. The next time, I’ll be strong and ready to fight.”

Urd made a choking noise, and Skuld kicked at the ground in front of her, her bird squawking agitatedly on her shoulder. “Well,” Skuld mused in a mock lighthearted tone, “it’s time to go, Verdi. We will scry more. But, you’re right. She will not escape us.” Skuld pinned her gaze on me, and her visage shifted for a single, awful second.

I stumbled backward, my stomach heaving.

What was hidden behind her glamour shocked me. Her skin was peeling, she was missing an eye, and I was fairly certain her teeth were pointed. There were bones protruding from her cheeks, and her complexion had been blood red.

I shuddered while trying to catch my breath.

She made Verdandi look like the beauty queen.

In that instance, I knew Skuld was my real enemy. She was the one who was behind Fen being sent away. She was the one who would see my future. She was the one responsible for the horror and torture meted out by the Norns. Verdandi was evil, but Skuld was the mastermind.

She smiled, ever so sweetly, knowing I’d seen exactly what she intended. “Ta-ta!” she chirped. “It was so nice meeting you in the
flesh
. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.
Very soon
.”

The ground rumbled, and in a puff of air, they were gone.

I stood there for a long moment, then turned to Ingrid, embracing her again, relief that we’d managed to evade them again seeping out of me.

“Phoebe, we’re so happy to have you back. Come on, we have lots of things to catch up on, and it looks like you need to eat.” She tugged me along, and I went happily.

After a moment, I realized Tyr, Fen, and Sam weren’t following.

I stopped, glancing back. “Let’s go,” I gestured.

Tyr stared at the ground. Fen had changed back to his human form and stood stoically next to Sam, who looked unsure about what to do.

“What are you waiting for?” I asked. Nobody answered. I glanced at Ingrid. “They can come with us, right?”

She blew out a breath. “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?” I was exhausted and needed to get to Yggdrasil, which even now called to me. “They are my friends. No, actually they’re more than that. They are my brother, my lover, and my best friend. Without the help of each of them, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

“I get that, Phoebe, I do,” Ingrid said. “But rules are rules. We keep this place cloaked from anyone who is not a Valkyrie.” Huggie squawked overhead. “And I shouldn’t have to point out to you that the son of Loki is a wanted man. We can’t let them in.”

I crossed my arms. “Has Huggie been inside?”

“Yes, but the bird doesn’t count—”

“Of course he counts!” I sighed. “Ingrid, I’m hurt, emotionally compromised, and bone-tired. But I won’t set foot inside your walls without my friends. I want to find my mom. I need to train. I know I have a ton to learn, and you have the capacity to give me those things. I’m not the same woman I was when we were in New York a short time ago. I’ve changed. And I’m not bending on this. If you deny us, we will go someplace else. Likely someplace less safe.” I emphasized the word
safe
. “It’s up to you.”

“Phoebe…”

I shook my head.

Resigned, she replied, “I will have to talk to my sisters.” She walked toward the group, and the shieldmaidens closed in around her.

I went to stand next to Fen, Tyr, and Sam while they discussed matters.

Fen’s arm went around me, and I leaned in. “Valkyrie, you must go inside their walls,” he said. “It’s the only real protection you have. I can only do so much. We will escort your friend home safely.”

“Don’t even suggest it,” I said. “We do this together or not at all.” Tyr started to say something, and I cut him off. “We are not having this discussion. My mind is made up. We got this far together, and we’ll figure out the next step together. Each of you has proven your loyalty and friendship. I know in my heart I need all of you here. I need to free my mother. I have so much to learn. Being here will benefit all of us.”

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, Ingrid broke apart from the group and walked toward us. I stepped up to meet her. “The ladies are split down the middle,” she told us.

I waited.

A grin spread across Ingrid’s face. “But I cast the deciding vote.” She beamed. “You’re in.”

“That’s great—”

“But we have some conditions.”

“Of course.”

“The men must stay away from the main residence. They can train with you and have meals in the communal area, but they don’t enter the main living space. We have some old caves a half mile down where they can stay.”

I glanced back at Fen and Tyr. They both nodded.

“Your human friend can stay, but she has to agree to have a memory sweep if we deem it necessary.”

I glanced at Sam and was shocked to see that she appeared elated by the news. “Anything!” she gushed. “I’m sure it won’t be deemed necessary, but if agreeing gets me into that”—she gestured toward the lush valley bookended by tall mesas that had appeared like magic in front of us—“I’ll do just about anything.”

Ingrid walked past me, giving Fen a hard look. “Step out of line, even one time, wolf, and it will be the last breath you take. We will harbor you for now, as a favor to Phoebe. But only because you kept her alive and saw her safely back to us. That goes a long way in our world. Phoebe is special. What you’ve done will be honored.”

Fen bent his head, acknowledging Ingrid’s words, but said nothing.

Ingrid turned to Tyr. “I’ve heard a lot about you, God of War. You’ve been missing for many years. Our curiosity is piqued. If you enter our stronghold, we will wish to learn from you.”

Tyr bowed his head. “I will freely share what I know.”

Ingrid nodded, satisfied.

She came back to me and looped her arm around my shoulders. “We have lots to catch up on, niece! You’ll have to tell us about all your travels. But first, you need to feed. You’re nothing but skin and bones.” She shook me good-naturedly. “Around here, we specialize in turning new Valkyries into lethal fighters. By the time we’re finished with you, your muscles will have muscles. Once your weapon of choice finds you, your training will begin in earnest, and you will bloom into the great warrior you’re meant to be.”

“Finds me?”

“It’s a process.” She chuckled. “It took many tries for me to find my trusty spear. But yes, the weapon you’re meant to wield will stand out starkly among all others. In essence, it chooses you. When it’s finally in your possession, everything begins.”

“I look forward to that,” I said as we walked toward the stronghold, arm in arm.

I refused to be anyone’s victim ever again.

Now for a sneak peek of

FREED

by Amanda Carlson

– Coming Fall 2016 –

1

__________________________

____________

“D
on’t worry about it, Phoebe. It’ll come.” Ingrid’s voice was confident as she handed me a new weapon. “Here, try this. It’s the mighty pickax.”

I took the ax begrudgingly. It felt like a child’s toy after hefting a fifty pound spiked cudgel all day. The pickax was lightweight and nondescript. The blade wasn’t even sharp. “There is nothing mighty about this weapon,” I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure you just dug this out of storage somewhere.” I didn’t blame her, as we were running out of options to try. I’d been training at the Valkyrie stronghold for over a month, and the weapon that was supposed to “choose me” hadn’t revealed itself yet.

I’d tried swords of every flavor and size, bows, maces, machetes, and battle axes, and that was just to name a few.

Nothing felt right.

“I’m not going to say I did or I didn’t,” Ingrid answered wryly. She’d been my champion since the day I’d arrived. She was up without fail every morning at dawn, tirelessly working on my skills, teaching me how to fight and defend myself, and overall being a great aunt and friend. “One never knows with these things. We have to try them all, from storage or not.” She winked.

“What if my perfect weapon is not actually
in
the Valkyrie compound?” I twirled the pickax around my head, getting a feeling for the weight and size of the weapon, like I’d been taught. It was unbalanced, which made my movements clunky. I had to be careful it didn’t catch on my sleeve, or worse come down on my head.

I wore the standard Valkyrie fighting regalia. The same clothes Ingrid had shown up with that fateful day in my apartment. A white overtunic, called a kyrtill, which fell to my upper thighs, soft leather pants, these were a caramel color, a sword belt called a balteus, which currently held Gram and the ice pick I’d taken off the dark elf I’d killed, and a pair of beautifully detailed arm bracers. The protective metal breast plate I wore had been formed to my exact measurements. It was held in place by thick leather straps that crisscrossed my back.