Heroes (Eirik Book 2) (17 page)

Three days had passed since Tammy left. It wasn’t the first time she’d gone shopping for the store because some of the things they carried were exotic and hard to find. Last year, she’d traveled to the South Pacific and Africa to collect certain herbs and had disappeared for a week. Maybe she really was on a shopping trip. After all, she did leave a note.

There’d been no more reports about dead Witches. We checked the Witches online boards and forums daily. Maybe the first killings were a one-time thing. Still, there had been a steady increase in the number of Witches buying charms and warding paraphernalia. Online orders from TC’s website had tripled too.

I left through the back door to collect my car. As usual, the cloak from Hel’s Hall was in my sling bag, so I paused to close my hand around the goddess’ rune and looked around for Eirik. I missed him. I couldn’t believe he’d disappeared on me just because I couldn’t help him.

My eyes went to the runes etched all over my car, and I wanted to slap myself. I was an idiot. The answer had been right under my nose all this time.

Eirik had etched these runes so I would be safe from his grandmother. He’d done it four months ago and again three days ago. He was a protector and would never let anything happen to me. Yes, it would be scary to go back to Helheim knowing what I knew now, unlike Friday night, but I had to. For Eirik. It was time to stop being afraid and watch his back. The trick was to convince him to see things my way.

There was a note from Echo pinned on the steering wheel of my car. I read it, feeling sick to my stomach. Three more Witches had been attacked last night. He didn’t say whether they’d died or not. Why hadn’t he brought it inside the store? The Grimnir was weird.

I texted Hayden before taking off. I went back to stressing about how to convince Eirik he needed my help. He could be stubborn, and since I didn’t know how to create portals, I couldn’t march to his house and pester him about helping him. He had to see things my way.

Dad’s SUV was in the carport, but Officer Sullivan had picked him up this morning in a squad car, so I knew he wasn’t home. I parked my car and looked around. There was no one else around to hear me screech like a banshee, and trees and bushes blocked our house from the Gordons’, our nosy neighbor’s prying eyes. It was time to test Eirik’s dragon senses.

I opened my mouth and screamed, then waited.
Come on, Eirik. Show me you can sense when I’m in danger.
I screamed again and glanced around. I expected to see a portal open and Eirik come charging to my rescue. Instead, our front door flew open and Dad bursted outside with his gun cocked. A woman followed him.

Damn! Wrong rescue party.

“Celestia! What happened?”

“I’m fine, Dad. I’m okay.” I hurried to his side, but my eyes stayed on the woman standing behind him barefoot.

Rosalie Perkins, the only female on the city council. I’d interviewed her once. She’d also called the house a few times looking for Dad, but it never crossed my mind that they could be more than friends. Was she the reason Dad had wanted me home this afternoon?

“I thought I saw an alligator.” My fear for gators was a family joke. “But it was just Bandit, the Gordons’ dachshund,” I added for Mrs. Perkins’ benefit. “He’s always chasing imaginary things in our backyard.” I kissed Dad’s cheek and smiled at her. “Hi, Mrs. Perkins.”

“Hello, Celestia.”

“You two have met?” Dad said.

“My school did a piece on the city council, and I interviewed Mrs. Perkins.” And now she was barefoot on my porch standing too close to my Dad whose shirt wasn’t tucked in. They’d definitely not been discussing city business. The idea of my father with a woman was weird. I didn’t want him to be alone, but at the same time, I didn’t want him hurt.

“Okay. I’ll be in my room, Dad. Nice to see you again, Mrs. Perkins.” I disappeared inside my room and closed the door.

Eirik hadn’t come. So much for his dragon knowing when I was in danger. I guess screaming like a crazy person didn’t constitute danger.

I booted my laptop, and in minutes, I was studying Mrs. Perkins’ profile. She looked amazing for a forty-five-year old. A former assistant district lawyer in New York City, she was widowed and had one son. She must be trustworthy to have been elected to the city council, but that didn’t mean jack when it came to relationships.

A cold draft swept across my room, and I dove for my cloak, my heart pounding. As soon as I connected with the rune, I saw the portal. Eirik entered.

“Is everything okay?”

It was now. I grinned. Hooray for his dragon senses. He’d heard me. Before I could speak, a knock resounded on my door.

“Celestia?” Dad asked from the other side.

Damn. I placed a finger on my lips and motioned for Eirik to move out of the way. Even though he was invisible, he stood right smack in front of the door.

He pointed at the closet. “You want me to hide in there?”

“No, sit here.” I scooted to give him room.

The portal closed, sending another cold draft across my room. Instead of sitting, Eirik sprawled on my bed, hogging it like it was his. He fluffed pillows and got comfortable.

“You can tell him to come in now,” he said.

“No funny business, Eirik,” I warned him. “This is my dad.”

“Sweetheart, can I come in?” Dad asked.

“Sure, Dad,” I called out, started to close my laptop, then decided against it. Dad did not make chief by playing politics. He’d been a damn good detective, so lying was out of the question. My heart pounded though. Eirik was in my bedroom. If he did anything to indicate there was an invisible man on my bed, I didn’t know what I’d do. I needed Dad to leave or I’d have to keep him distracted.

He opened the door and peered inside. “Do you have a moment to talk?”

No.
If I said no, he’d think I was sulking about his female guest and insist on talking anyway.

“Tell him yes. I want to meet him,” Eirik said.

“Sure, Dad. I was just doing a little research.” I turned the computer and showed him the screen. He smiled and entered my room.

“That’s my girl. Always direct,” he said.

“Comes from living with a lie detector.”

He chuckled. “I wanted you to meet Rosalie, but from the look of things, you have questions for me.”

“Of course. Let’s see how well you’ve taught me.” I indicated the computer desk chair. “Please sit down, Chief Deveraux. This interview will not be recorded. Anything you say will
not
be used against you because you are my dad and I love you. You’re also
not
entitled to an attorney because the only one in the house is the subject of this interrogation.”

He cocked his eyebrows but grabbed the chair and sat. I was still holding the pin, and could hear Eirik chuckle. I almost shushed him.

“So how long have you known Mrs. Rosalie Perkins?”

“Over thirty years. She and I went to school together. She left for law school, got married, and moved to New York.”

“A New Yorker. Life in Windfall must be slow-paced for her.”

Dad chuckled. “I think she’s adjusted well. Besides, this is her home.”

“When and why did she come back?”

“Five years ago, she moved back to Windfall while her husband stayed in New York. They were separated, not divorced. Last year, he died of a stroke.”

“Oh, that’s sad.”

“It was. He was a good man. And before you ask, she told me.”

“Oh. Okay. According to my research”—I glanced at the page with the woman’s short bio—“she has one son, who lives in New York. Have you met him?”

Dad grinned. “No. We decided she should meet you first or you’d find out, go online, do your own research, and start worrying.”

Eirik sat up and peered over my shoulder at my computer. “Man, you are nosy,” he said. “And your dad is an enabler.” I ignored him.

“How long have you two been seeing each other?” I asked.

“Six months. Rosalie is a lovely and kind person, Celestia, and she makes me happy.”

“She’d better or she’ll answer to me.” I couldn’t bring myself to ask him if he and Mom were divorced. The chief of police wouldn’t commit bigamy.

“Ask him if he told her you’re a Witch,” Eirik said while moving his knuckles up and down my arm. I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t want to.

“Does she know about me?”

Dad chuckled and stood. “Of course.” He pressed a kiss on my forehead. “She knows I have one loving, gifted, stubborn, and sometimes impossible daughter. And that’s all she needs to know. If she’s heard that you help my department solve crimes, she hasn’t brought it up. When she does, I will tell her it’s true and I’m very proud of you.” He pinched my nose. “This interview is now over. I’ll be in the study if you need me. There’s leftover Chinese food in the fridge if you want some.”

“I’m good. I had a huge lunch.”

“Are you heading to Tammy’s tonight?”

“Trying to get rid of me early?”

He chuckled. “You are the one deserting me.”

“But I’ll be a phone call away. I’ll head there tomorrow.” Eirik was massaging my neck, and I wanted to sigh. He had magic fingers.

“If you change your mind about Disney World, let me know. Zack said he’d go with you.” Dad left my room, closing the door behind him.

“Disney World sounds like fun,” Eirik said, and I glanced over my shoulder.

He looked so hot reclining on my pillow, lush lashes showcasing his cheekbones. A small nudge from him and I could be in his arms. What would it feel like to kiss him and to be kissed by him? Would it be like I’d imagined? Four months of imagining was enough to drive a girl crazy. He stared at me with half a smile as though daring me to make the first move. No, he was here because I planned to help him, not jump him.

“It might keep your mind off things,” he added.

“How can I go to Disney World when I’m coming with you to Helheim?”

He stopped smiling and sat up. “No, you’re not.”

“Have you found your grandmother yet?”

He frowned. “No. So?”

“So there’s something we forgot to consider while we were busy discussing your crazy granny and her plans for realms domination. I have a feeling she won’t just restrict herself to Asgard. She might control legions of people she’s bitten, but you control her. She messes with me, you kick her senile ass.” I grinned. “What do you think of that?”

He groaned and scooted to the edge of the bed. “I still can’t guarantee your safety.”

“I’m not asking you to. Just do what you do best while I find her. Protect this”—I tapped my chest—“precious cargo.”

Eirik stared at me as though I’d gone crazy.

“I’m going to do what she does, Eirik. Catch the thread of her energy and follow it, then pull it once we are close enough.” He opened his mouth, but I covered it. “Don’t say it. I know I said only evil Witches do it, but desperate times call for desperate measures. She’s playing by different rules, so we have to show her we are willing to go head-to-head with her.” He stood and paced. “What?”

“I can’t let you do this. You do something evil and it starts you on a dark path.”

“But you’ll be there to make sure I don’t follow.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bed. “Tammy warned me never to pull on anyone’s life force unless it’s a matter of life and death. Your sister’s life is at stake. It is a matter of life and death.”

“Maybe you should teach me how to find an energy thread and pull.”

The things he was willing to do to protect me. “Do you remember the last time I tried to teach you magic? You sucked at it. I’m doing this because I want to and because I trust you. I know you will protect me, Eirik, and your grandmother will lose again.”

“You are stubborn.”

“Takes one to know one. So, when do we leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“No, today. It’s only”—I glanced at my watch—“two.”

He blew out air and scrubbed his face. He was conflicted, but I wasn’t backing down. He reached out and ran his knuckle along my cheek. I wanted to lean against him and hold on to the moment, but we had to get going.

“Well?”

“Fine. But if anything happens to you—”

“Nothing will happen that you can’t handle.” I scooted off the bed. “There’s only one problem with our plan. My dad. He might knock on my door and find me gone.”

~*~

EIRIK

“I have a solution.” I walked to her mirror and etched runes on it. The portal opened to her patio, where two Grimnirs sat on deck chairs playing chess. I didn’t know their names, but Rhys had come through as usual. They stopped their game and got to their feet, the woman grinning when Celestia gawked at them. “We are leaving for Helheim. Make sure Chief Deveraux doesn’t knock on Celestia’s bedroom door.”

“Do we rune him?” the guy asked.

“I’m good with voices,” the woman said. “I can pretend to be her.”

“Wait,” Celestia cut in. “How long have you guys been out here?”

“We arrived right when the alligator scared you,” the female Grimnir said.