Heroes (Eirik Book 2) (16 page)

“Rhys and Nara have searched for Einmyria since she was taken and failed to find her. I don’t plan on doing the same. My sister is definitely here on Earth, but the only way to confirm it is through my grandmother.”

“So how can I help?”

He sipped his drink and hesitated, but my mind was already sorting through the information he’d given me. His grandmother bit his sister and me, so the two of us shared a blood bond. I should be able to feel her.

“No, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want you involved,” Eirik said. “This is my problem.”

I gawked at him. “When you were in the bathroom, you couldn’t wait to ask for my help. What happened between then and now?”

“You just told me how strong Granny’s pull is and how you couldn’t resist her. I’m not putting you in a dangerous situation like that.”

I studied him, wondering if he was serious or messing around. He met my gaze without cracking a smile. His sister’s life was at stake, and he was willing to ignore that to protect me. He was choosing to save me when I wasn’t in any real danger.

“How dangerous can it be, Eirik? We just need to visit whatever clubs or schools the Immortals attend here, and I’d find her because of our shared bond.”

“What about false leads because of hundreds of other orphans my grandmother bit. Not to mention, they could be anywhere in the world. It would take us months to cover all the continents. I want to find her by her birthday.”

“Then how did you expect me to help?”

He learned back and shook his head. “It was a stupid idea to begin with. Forget it.”

“You know I’m going to bug you until you tell me, so you might as well come out and say it.” He reached for his drink, but I snatched it out of the way. “You can get it back after you explain.”

He sighed. “Why can’t you ever listen to me and not argue?”

“Because you’re always wrong. Spill it.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and growled. “In the last several months, I’ve smelled my grandmother’s scent, but every time I followed it, it disappeared before I can pinpoint her location. My plan was to use you. Bring you back with me to Hel, use the bond between the two of you to find her. If the bond is as strong as Chief Skavnir claimed, you could lock on her and help me find her faster.” He leaned back and made a face. “That’s it.”

My stomach had dropped the moment he’d mentioned going back to Hel. Now it churned. Searching for his grandmother in Helheim would be like walking into a burning building without protection.

“But the plan can’t work because my grandmother is unpredictable and a little unhinged,” Eirik said. “Now that I know how powerful she is and how she can use the bond to lure you away from me, I don’t really want you anywhere near her.”

“What if I said I still want to help?”

“My answer would still be no.”

My mind raced, but I couldn’t see a way out. I didn’t want to go looking for that crazy old dragon. We had enough problems here on Earth with Witches being hurt without inviting more. Yet, how could I walk away when Eirik needed my help?

“Listen, uh, I better head home,” I said. “I hope there’s a better solution out there, because you need to find your sister before your grandmother does. You know I’d help if I could.”

He nodded and the smile he gave me was strained, but he didn’t detain me when I got up. I wished he would. Maybe beg me to stay and help him. Give me a reason to brave all the dangers for him. When I reached outside, I gave him one last wave and crossed the street.

I entered TC and found a few customers browsing. Hayden must have invited Zack because the two of them were behind the counter talking in low tones. They were the perfect couple—both beautiful, no worries in the world except school and when they’d see each other again. I wanted that kind of relationship. Exciting with no worries about dragons, blood bonds, and family obligations a mile long.

“You okay?” Hayden had followed me into the séance room.

“Yeah. Just grabbing my things and heading home.”

She watched me collect my sling bag and overnight things without saying a word. She was chewing on her lower lip as though undecided about something. Her expression said she was worried.

“Did you want me to stay longer?” I asked. “I’m only going home because I promised Dad to spend part of spring break at home. Starting Wednesday, I’ll willingly be a permanent addition to your family.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve always been a permanent addition, like Little Orphan Annie.”

I winced. Orphan, like the ones Eirik’s grandmother had bitten and the Norns had sneaked out of the other realms. How many Immortals loyal to her were here on Earth? No wonder she’d said she was ready to march into Asgard and take on the gods. She had an army. The only one she’d needed by her side was Eirik and he’d eluded her, so she’d bitten me. Was it to control Eirik through me?

“Seriously, you are beginning to worry me,” Hayden said, peering into my face. “Did you hear what I said?”

“What? Sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“Witches are being hunted, Hayden. That’s enough to make me lose sleep. When is Tammy coming home?”

She shrugged. “I told you, her note said she’d be back in a couple of days. She does this all the time. She’s probably shopping in Miami or New York.”

And so she’d sneaked out at five in the morning? I hadn’t told Hayden about the man with her mother or the way they’d disappeared. Since she didn’t know about portals, I didn’t want to scare her. She was already looking at me funny. I tried to act normal.

“Does this mean we get to throw a party tomorrow night, or my cousin is camping here for the next forty-eight hours?”

Her cheeks grew pink. “No to the party and none of your business to the second question.” She started out of the room. “By the way, a guy came here looking for you. Dirty blond, trench coat, hotter than summers in the bayou.” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Have you been holding out on me?”

“Eirik came…”

“So that’s his name. Eirik. Sounds Scandinavian. Did he find you?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t add anything to that.
Please, don’t connect him to the drawing I did four months ago and don’t ask questions I can’t answer.

“Is that why Wes hightailed it out of Costa Vida?”

I sighed with relief. “No. His boss wanted him to go in early. What were you doing? Spying on me from across the street?”

“Yeah, like I have nothing better to do. Wes sat in his car for a good ten minutes before he took off. Doesn’t sound like someone in a hurry to get to work, does it?” She glanced over her shoulder into the store and added in a lower voice, “If you’re seeing two guys at the same time, plan better next time.”

I stared after her, feeling a little sick. Wes must have seen me with Eirik. Costa Vida had clear glass and chances were he’d seen Eirik massage my foot. Damn! I really needed to break things off with Wes before he got hurt.

“See you guys later,” I called out.

“We’re going to the movies this evening. Want to come?” Zack asked.

“And play the third wheel? Don’t think so. Later.”

I headed to the parking lot, started the car, punched the code to open the gate, and left the compound. Eirik was still seated inside Costa Vida, and our eyes met as I drove by. He looked like he carried the weight of his family’s misfortunes on his shoulders, and it wasn’t fair. His father expected way too much from him. I had to find a way to overcome my fear of his grandmother and help him.

EIRIK

Three days of intense, renewed searching for my grandmother had led nowhere. Karle was still a no-show, and I couldn’t sleep or eat. I had no idea what bugged me more, missing Celestia or not finding my sister. I’d missed Celestia before, but this time was different. It hurt. To make matters worse, I broke into scales at the oddest moments.

“Don’t worry, guys,” I said, controlling the shift. “My dragon won’t come out to play again.”

“That’s what you said last time,” a blond with a crew cut and leathery skin said.

Ostberg might bitch, but learning to escape the dragon’s fire was good practice for them. These men and women would fight alongside Surtr, the fire Jötun prophesied to destroy the world. They had no idea that fire giants didn’t discriminate. You stood in their path and they destroyed you. At least, that was what my father claimed.

“Were there second deaths, Ostberg?” I demanded.

“No, sir.”

“Then stop bitching and let’s do this.”

I faced Nass, a tall black dude with so much inking I couldn’t tell where his hair ended and the tattoos began. Winking, I wiggled my fingers and dared him to come get me.

Snarling, he rushed me with a carved axe. Two more came from behind me. I swung the mace and caught Nass on the shoulder, the force sending him across the arena and into the trainees seated on the icy bleachers. I kept swinging and caught the second attacker on the side. He’d jumped, probably hoping to catch me from above with his jagged hammer.

That was the beauty of
Gunnlögi
. It never slowed down once it hit something. It plowed through every obstacle and kept going.

Seconds before the arrows landed on my back, dragon scales covered my skin. Battle was the only time I felt in sync with my dragon half, where partial shifts like this happened naturally without conscious effort. The iron tips bounced off my scales, sparks crackling in the air.

Another jagged hammer landed on my shoulder, and the impact whipped me around. Using the motion, I caught the attacker with a roundhouse kick and finally let go of the mace. Fighters jumped out of its path. It would keep going at the same speed, neither gravity nor laws of science making it stop, until I engaged the right runes to direct it back to my hand. The best part was the spin somehow made it move in a circle, not a straight line.

I ducked and caught the next attacker in the solar plexus with a right hook and followed through with a chop to his wrist. The crack of his bone filled the air. He howled in pain and rage, but didn’t slow down. Another rammed her elbow into the scales protecting my upper back. The force of the blow almost made my knees buckle as she howled in pain. I grabbed her by her pants, looped an arm around her neck, and used her as a shield. She caught the arrows meant for me and went down, dropping her axe. Before I could recover, two more converged on me.

I grabbed the axe the woman had dropped just as a man charged at me from the right, his eyes filled with rage, teeth bared in a snarl. Oh, he was pissed. He must have been the partner of the woman I’d used as a shield. Instead of waiting for him, I sprinted toward him, surprising him. Before he could adjust his thinking, I jumped, stepped on his thigh, and used the momentum to propel myself upward. Focusing all my power on my left knee, I caught him in his jaw, the sound of cracking bones filling the air. The force of the impact sent him flying backward.

In that instant I caught sight of my new attacker rounding on me from the left. I whipped around in midair and used my weight to my advantage. Blocking his attack with my free hand, I brought the axe down, catching him in the ribs. His body hit the ground and dislodged the snow just as I landed on my feet.

Damn, that felt good. I wanted more. “Who’s next?”

“That’s enough!”

I glanced over my shoulder at Mother. How like her to spoil my fun. I raised my right arm, engaged the right runes, and the mace flew back to my hand, the chain coiling around my forearm. The spiked head slowed to a stop on my bicep, then sunk through the shirt and onto my skin.

No one spoke. I walked away, entered the hall, and headed to my shifting room. Food awaited. I ate without tasting the food, shifted, and ate some more. I even ate the hated vegetables.

Mother and two guards were waiting when I stepped outside for my morning ride. She wore black—pants, top, and cloak. She never wore gloves. Black attire used to mean she was in a bad mood. Not anymore. She just loved to wear black. She stroked my scales, and I sighed. I lifted my head and glanced toward the cave, wishing I were headed to Earth. I needed to see Celestia.

“What’s wrong, Eirik?”

I looked at Mother and grinned. “Nothing. Are you thinking of going up with me?”

“If you have time. It’s a beautiful morning,” Mother said and studied the surrounding mountains before focusing on me. “I thought a flight might cheer you up. You hardly ate last night. You’ve been distracted, and you were brutal during your session with the warriors.”

“I’ll always have time for you, Mother.” I bumped her with my nose and got a pat.

“Are you worried about something? Your father thinks you take too many chances.”

That sounded more like what she’d say, not my father. But she was right about one thing. I was worried about many things—finding Granny, Celestia’s bite and its effect on her, and Karle’s disappearance. I needed him to navigate the realms.

“Nah, I’m fine. Ready?” I lowered my head and laid my front feet on the ground.

“No fancy aerial moves. I’d like my food to stay in my stomach.”

“Come on, Mom. What’s the fun if we don’t take chances? I was hoping you’d jump off my shoulder and free fall. Then I’d swoop down and catch you.”

She stopped.

“I’m kidding. Hop on.”

She wore a dubious expression. “Maybe the guards should come with us.”

I grinned. “Ye of little trust. I would never do anything that puts your life in danger, Mother. Hang on tight to my mane.” Like Celestia, she sat between two flappy pieces on my neck and gripped another before we took off.

At first, I stayed close to the hall, swooping low near Garm, who went a bit crazy. Then I took off toward the north to my favorite destination.

“It’s okay to scream when I dive,” I said.

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because it’s fun. When I was young, I’d ride roller coasters that hurtled toward the ground at a hundred-and-thirty-miles per hour. It’s both scary and thrilling, so we screamed.”

“Your Immortal guardians were idiots,” she snapped.

“Not really. All parents let their kids go on rides. Most of the time, they are safe. Hang on. Here we go.” I swooped toward the valley and landed by the lake. She got down, looked around, and smiled. For a moment I was mesmerized. She didn’t do that often, and she looked almost peaceful. I wished I could bring that out of her more.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” She inhaled and sighed. “When I first arrived in Helheim, I used to come here whenever I needed to get away from the hall. I’d ride my horse through the valleys and the guards would follow on a sleigh. They even created a tunnel through there”—she pointed at an area to our left—“and cut our trip by hours. Then your grandmother came to live with us, and she decided such excursions were too dangerous. She closed the tunnel and that was that.”

“She wasn’t very nice, was she?”

“No. However, she didn’t mean to be cruel. She had an important job to do, and she did it right. As the chieftess of the Southern Clans, a lot was expected of her. She considers gentleness a weakness and kindness a failing. She had to be hard and tough and merciless all the time, so she treated everyone like they were warriors. You shaped up or you got left behind.”

“Even you and your brothers?”

“Oh yes. She treated everyone the same. That’s why I am like this.”

I glanced at her. “Like what? You are strong and tough like her, but you’re also kind and gentle when necessary. That’s why the guards and the Grimnirs respect you and would do anything for you. They love you, and Dad adores you.” She made a choking sound, and I glanced at her. I’d surprised her.

“You think I’m gentle and kind?”

“Yeah. I’ve seen you with the souls, Dad, and Trudy.”

She looked down, and I wasn’t sure what she was thinking.

“You can also be tough as nails.” A stricken expression crossed her face, and for a second I thought I saw remorse in her eyes. Did she regret the way she had treated me when I first arrived? “But I understand you had to fix parts of me that were broken and weak.”

She shot me a censuring glance. “I never thought parts of you were broken or weak.”

“Sure you did.” I bumped her with my head. “So, how can one break free from a blood bond?”

“A blood bond?”

“From a dragon kiss.”

She chuckled. “I haven’t heard that expression used to describe a dragon kiss in centuries. Who told you about it?”

“Karle’s father. He is bonded to Granny.”

Mother made a sound of disgust. “Stay away from him. Anyone bonded to my mother is incapable of resisting her call.”

I didn’t want to hear that. Not when Celestia was bonded to my grandmother. “How does that work?”

“It’s all about controlling the life force of the bitten. During a bite, chemicals from a dragon’s teeth enter the blood stream of the person bitten and a bond is formed. The life force of the bitten changes. The dragon can find their energy in a room full of people. In a town. Some even say, across the Veil. All you need to do is find a thread of her energy, lock on it, and pull it to you. My mother is strong-willed, so you have to be the dominant one or she’ll break free. It doesn’t matter how faint the thread is, you can find it and follow it. Once you show her you are in charge, she will always respond.”

In charge of my crazy grandmother? I didn’t think so. I had no idea how to grab or lock on to an energy thread, but Celestia might.

“How did you break free of her?”

“I fell in love with your father and his needs became more important than those of my mother. The bond he and I created was deeper and stronger than the blood bond.” She studied me. “I don’t think my mother is capable of loving anyone deeply enough to break the bond between the two of you. But she’s capable of doing terrible things. If she ever hurts you or your father, I will hunt her down and kill her.” She studied me intently, her expression saying the words she’d probably never utter. She loved me. “Do fix that horn, Eirik. It’s unseemly.”

“Never.” I moved closer to the water and studied my reflection. It was a reminder of my carelessness and the day I almost lost Celestia. “It adds to my magnificence.”

A snicker escaped her. “You are vain.”

“No, Mother. I’m your son. A few dents here and there only add to our appeal.”

She laughed, and it was a real laugh, the sound echoing around the mountains. “Come on, you impossible boy. Let’s head home before your father sends the guards to find us.”

“He is a worrywart, isn’t he?”

“Yes, and that’s because he cares too much. Why don’t you take a break from training and go visit Celestia?”

“Why?”

“Because you become quite irritable when you don’t see her. She should visit you if you like. After all, this is your home.”

I grinned. One day, I hoped it would be her home. Mother climbed on my back, and we took off. When I reached the top, I caught Granny’s scent. Instead of focusing on it, I dug deeper to find her energy. At first, I didn’t feel it. I did a loop around the mountain and then around the lake, until I felt the direction it was coming from and took off toward the hall.

“Did you feel her energy?” Mother asked when we reached the hall.

“Yes. I’ll find her and see what she wants later.”

Surprisingly, Mother didn’t warn me to stay away from Crazy Granny. Did that mean she believed I could take care of myself?

As soon as I shifted, I headed to my quarters to shower and change. I was going to see Celestia.
Now that I knew how to break the blood bond, I was going to make her fall in love with me. The Wusses of the world weren’t going to stand a chance.

~*~

CELESTIA

“See you tomorrow,” I called out to Hayden.

“Don’t forget to bring your stuff.”

“If I finish my laundry.” I was leaving early to take care of it. “I want to cook something special for Dad before I leave, so I might be late coming in the morning.”

“That’s okay. You’ll be here for the rest of the week and that’s all I care about.”

We’d planned to spend the second half of spring break at her house and the first half at mine, but since her mother was still out of town, she hadn’t wanted to leave her home empty. Zack was keeping her company. They’d tried to hide it and he often left before I got there, but I could tell. Hayden had a glow and a dreamy look on her face most mornings. He might also be the reason why she didn’t seem to mind her mother’s absence.