Witches (Runes series Book 6) (24 page)

Lavania wasn’t in the kitchen, but Ingrid heard sounds coming from her quarters. The spacious bedroom had a sitting area with a large-screen TV, and a private study attached to it. It used to be Eirik’s parents’. He and I would hide there when we played hide-and-seek as children.

I knocked and was surprised when a man opened the door. The guy had red hair, a nicely trimmed beard, and piercing blue eyes. He had Norse god written all over him. Could he be Lavania’s mate from Asgard? I heard she’d married a minor god. He only wore a towel and from the looks of it, he must have just stepped out of the shower. I tried to keep my eyes on his face.

“I’m, uh, looking for Lavania,” I said.

He studied me with unnerving intensity. “You are Lavania’s young protégée. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Raine.” He bowed.

I blinked. “Oh. Thanks.”

“I’m Belmar, Lavania’s mate. Do come in.” He stepped back and indicated the room. “She went to get us something to eat and should be back shortly.”

I didn’t move. “Uh, I didn’t see her in the kitchen.”

“Oh no, she went to our home in Asgard.”

I bit my lip. “Could you just tell her I stopped by? I’ll talk to her later.” I turned to leave then glanced at him and offered a tiny smile. “It was nice to meet you, sir.”

“No, my dear. The pleasure is all mine.” Then a twinkle entered his eyes. “Maybe I could be of service to you?”

And what would he want in return? Gah, I was becoming suspicious of every god now. “No, but thanks for the offer.” When he smiled and bowed again, I changed my mind. He had kind eyes. “Unless you know something about Idun-valkyries like Lavania.”

He nodded. “She and I have been together for centuries, so I know of her work.”

“Is she given a list of people to turn into Immortals or does she get to choose?”

A thoughtful expression settled on his face. “At first, she was given a list to prove herself. From my understanding, if she didn’t succeed in getting the people on the list, they’d assume she wasn’t ready.”

My interference could screw Torin’s chances. Lavania entered the room with a tray brimming with covered plates and bowls, and frowned when she saw me. She smoothly shooed her husband away and joined me, closing the door behind her.

“What is it?” she asked.

I quickly explained about the premonition and my concerns.

“Oh dear,” she murmured and my heart sank. “A Norn’s and an Idun-valkyrie’s works don’t complement each other very well. He can only offer them Immortality just before they die.”

“Have you ever lost people?”

“Oh yes. Not everyone wants to become Immortal. Although at the beginning of my training, the Council gave me a list of people they hoped would accept Immortality.” She peered at me, her brow furrowing. “This is a test, Raine. Torin can either pass or fail it. If he fails, it goes on his record and it will be centuries before he gets nominated again.”

Great! “Who provides the list?”

“The Valkyrie Council. You may have to let this one go, honey.” Lavania touched my arm. I nodded, turned, and left.

There had to be another way. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the plane crash and that little girl trapped under her father. Tears rushed to my eyes again.

How could I let this happen? All those people would die if I did nothing. Yet, I couldn’t take this opportunity from Torin.

I stripped and entered the shower. For what seemed like forever, I stood under the hot sprays and cried. What was the point of being a Seeress and not helping people? My bathroom door opened and I looked over my shoulder, my eyes widening. Torin? I covered my breasts, my back still to him. He’d never seen me naked.

“What are you doing?” I asked in a strangled voice I didn’t recognize.

“Joining you,” Torin said.

My heart trembled and my stomach dropped. I was naked while he wore shorts and a T-shirt, yet a feeling of deja vu washed over me and images that made no sense flashed in my head. We’d never showered together or made out in his shower. Yet the images said we had. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps, or a premonition? I shook my head.

“Is that a no?” Torin asked, reaching behind his neck with one hand and pulling off his shirt. He flashed a smile that said he’d try to make me change my mind if I denied him.

I swallowed and shook my head.

“So it’s okay to join you?”

I nodded.

“Use words, Freckles.”

He was being his usual impossible self. When he slipped his fingers under his waistband, my eyes widened. He chuckled. When I realized he wasn’t stopping, I faced the wall, my heart pounding with anticipation and panic.

What was he doing now? I wanted to check, but I didn’t dare. I heard the door close. He slipped his arms around me and pulled me closer until I felt every inch of his naked body. All of him. Pressed against my back. Holy smokes.

“I hate to see you cry,” he said.

Was I supposed to respond to that? I was too busy trying to control my erratic breathing, and my mind had stopped working except to monitor his every movement. I listened to his breathing, stared at his arms around my waist, and my flushed skin was aware of his every muscle pressed against mine. I didn’t think I could speak or move. In fact, I was sure the only thing holding me upright was his arm.

“Was the vision that bad?”

He seriously wanted to talk about that now? How about the fact that we were in the shower together? I nodded.

He dropped a kiss on my shoulder and swept my hair away from my neck. “Want to tell me about it?”

Hel’s Mist! I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t remember what I was about to say. My body was still reacting to the kiss he’d casually dropped on my shoulder. Worse, he was gently stroking my stomach and rubbing his cheek against mine. But the most distracting of all was all that skin and body parts pressed against me. I couldn’t think, let alone speak.

He chuckled and whispered in a husky voice, “It’s okay. We can talk later. Do you want me to wash your hair?”

I must have nodded because he reached for the shampoo, squirted some on my hair and gently lathered it. I pressed my hands against the wall since he’d let me go and my knees were like Jell-O.

“Close your eyes,” he said, fingers massaging my hair and scalp. “I’ve always wanted to wash your hair. It’s so thick and silky.”

I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to respond to that, so I kept my mouth shut. He rinsed my hair and squirted conditioner on it.

“Funny how I’ve had all these fantasies about you that I swore I wouldn’t act on until you were my wife, but now I realize I was a fool. We could have been living them.” He chuckled, rinsing out the conditioner. “Some of them at least. The others might shock you.”

Wife. We’d never really discussed marriage although I’d hoped we’d be together for eternity. For now, I was more intrigued by, “Fantasies?”

Yay! I finally found my voice.

“Oh yes. So many and,” he lowered his head and whispered, “so naughty you’d kick me out of here if you knew.”

Kick him out? Never. “Like what?”

“Memorizing the perfection of your body.” He poured bathing soap on his hand and slowly rubbed it down my arms, until our hands met. He slid his fingers between mine. Again, his movements were slow and hypnotic. I never knew the skin between my fingers was so sensitive. “You have soft skin.”

He ran his knuckles back to my shoulders, his touch light and reverent as though he was worshiping my skin. He stepped back, soaped my shoulder blades, upper back, then slowly down the small of my back, even lower to my feet. Slowly, he came back up. He squirted more soap all over my front.

If we did this often, I’d be out of shampoo, conditioner, and soap within a week. Not that I was complaining.

“Close your eyes.”

He hadn’t been kidding about the memorizing part. My breath hitched at times and other times I just stopped breathing as he explored every curve and dip, his touch gentle, reverent, teasing. He had me completely under his spell. I forgot about the plane crash and the dilemma I was facing, and focused completely on him and the moment.

Sensations cascaded through me. I shivered and shuddered. I even begged him at one time though I wasn’t sure whether I wanted him to stop, or never stop.

He turned me around and said, “Open your eyes, luv.”

I stared at him in bemusement. He stroked my cheek and I leaned against his hand. “That was…” I couldn’t describe it. Better than this morning? He set a new bar every time.

He smirked. “Amazing, I know. Now put your arms around my neck.”

His arrogance was rearing its ugly head. I grew bolder, my voice returning. “Is ordering me around part of your fantasy?”

“Oh yes. Do you have a problem with it?”

Part of me didn’t like being ordered around, but another part got a kick from it. “Yes.”

“Get used to it. Now, kiss me.”

I cupped his face and kissed him, pouring all my love into it. When I lifted my head, I looked him in the eye and ordered, “Turn around.”

“This is not part of my fantasy,” he complained.

“No, but it’s mine.” He let me wash his hair, but before I could do my exploring, he was out the door. All I could see was his back. “What… Where are you going?”

“Home. This was about you, not me.” He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist, picked up a second one and held it out for me.

How come he got to see me naked, but I couldn’t see all of him? I hated double-standards. I turned off the water and allowed him to wrap the towel and his arms around me. The towel was nice, but unnecessary. All I needed was his warmth to chase away the sudden chill. I sunk against him, never wanting this moment to end. He pressed a kiss on my temple. “Did I mention what an amazing body you have? Every curve and dip.”

My face warmed. I had no response to that. “What do you mean this was about me?”

“You don’t trust me.”

I rolled my eyes. “You had lipstick all over your face and lips.”

“Slight exaggeration, but I forgive you.” He lifted my chin so I could see our reflections in the mirror. “Look in the mirror,” he said, eyelids dropping and lips curling in that slow, sexy smile I loved. Then he opened my towel. I tried to cross my arms. “Don’t do that.”

Again, images flashed in my head. Me in his bathroom trying to cover myself while he ordered me not to. How was this possible? It couldn’t be a premonition. I couldn’t see my own future.

“Look at you. You are breathtakingly beautiful.”

I didn’t see it. My hips were too wide and my chest too small. With my hair plastered to my head and no makeup, I looked like a drowned rat. He tucked the towel around me.

“Why would I want any woman when I have you? You’re it for me, Freckles. My alpha and omega.” He nuzzled my neck. “I’ll prove it to you every day if that’s what it takes for you to believe me, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”

My throat closed. He’d proven in more ways than I cared to count that he loved me. But I wasn’t saying no to what we just did. No, what
he
just did. I wanted more of that. A lot more.

“The fantasies?” I asked, reaching up to caress his cheek.

He turned his head and pressed a kiss in my palm. “I’m going to live them with you, one at a time. You can have your turn when you’re about a century or two.” He stepped back, his towel threatening to unwrap. I didn’t mind.

I lifted my chin and used my abilities to loosen it just a few more inches.

“Now get dressed,” he ordered, spoiling my moment. I should have just yanked the damn towel off. “I’m cooking us dinner. We can discuss your vision and what to do about it, then you can tutor that airhead.”

“Beau is not an airhead. Besides, people at school think you’re jealous of him.”

Torin scoffed at the idea and spread his arms. “Me? Jealousy stems from puny minds with trust issues.” He blew me a kiss when I glowered. “I trust you. Completely. I just don’t like that bonehead, so tonight you’re tutoring him in my house.” He turned to leave.

Puny minds? Just for that. I waved my hand and the towel flew off him. I covered my mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. Without an ounce of shame, he turned and put his hands on his hips, giving me full frontal.

Oh, my. Did I get my fill? He was magnificent.

Once again, images flashed in my head. Images of him. Naked. In his bedroom. Another premonition?

“My face is up here, Freckles,” he said.

That line had me flustered the first day we met. Not this time. If I couldn’t touch, I was going to look and memorize. I had ugly images of jocks to get rid of and a few fantasies to create. “Turn around.”

Torin sighed, turned, and posed like a body builder while looking over his shoulder and wiggling his eyebrows. He looked completely ridiculous, but I adored this goofy side of him.

I was still grinning when I finished getting dressed. Torin was visible through the window. As though he knew I was watching, he looked up and straight at me, and raised his glass. I waved.

Feeling better, I see.

I smiled down at Onyx. She hopped on to the window seat. “Yes. Where have you been?”

Downstairs. Femi was cooking steak. Why were you crying earlier? Did someone hurt you? The Norns again?

She and I had discussed the Norns after school. “No. I had a premonition of an accident I can’t stop. Many people are going to die.”

There shouldn’t be an accident you can’t stop.

“Unfortunately, this is one of them.”

Then get help.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

If a job is too much for you, you need other Witches. I can find some for you.

The little girl at the crash site in my vision flashed into my head. Maybe I could save her family. I’d rather go for saving a few than none. “Can you find anyone for me?”

She sighed.
Magical people. All you have to do is think about them and project their images into my head.

Too bad. She hopped onto my desk and watched the screen as I booted up my laptop.

Who are you looking for?

“A non-magical person.” After ten minutes of searching for the airplane in my vision and getting nowhere, I grabbed a piece of paper and pen and sketched the logo, and headed downstairs. Mom was setting up a dinner tray for Dad.

“Where’s Femi?”

“On a date. She’ll be back tomorrow morning. There’s food in the oven.” She scooped more casserole onto a plate. “We’re going to watch Hitchcock, if you want to join us.”

I was not into black and white oldies. “No, thanks. I’m having dinner with Torin. Mom, have you ever seen a plane with a logo like this? It had Middle Eastern script on the side.”

She studied my drawing. “Hmm. You know me with modern technology, hun. I’ve never flown anywhere and don’t particularly care for things I don’t understand. Ask your father.”

Despite the tumor eating his brain, Dad was still the most brilliant man I knew. He studied the picture and gave me a solution in seconds. “Most airlines will have the name of their country on one side in English. Look at the other side of the plane.”

Not the answer I was looking for. It meant revisiting StubHub and accessing the same vision. My stomach hollowed out at the thought. My visions weren’t two-dimensional like images on a screen. I was part of it, which made them real and traumatizing. Dad identified the team faster, thanks to the names on the shirts and the team colors.

“Uruguay,” Dad explained. “They’re in the roster to play Team USA in two weeks. If we lose to them we’ll be out of the World Cup. We have an amazing goalie, but Uruguay has experienced players. Since when do you like soccer? You could barely focus on the game a few days ago.”

“Since Torin started coaching at LA Galaxy Academy.” I couldn’t tell him about the plane crash. Mom, on the other hand, wasn’t easy to evade. She followed me out of the room.

“What’s going on?”

“I had a premonition about a plane crash.”

A thoughtful expression settled on her face. “Are you thinking of stopping the crash? Alone?”

I shook my head. “No. That would be too much.”

“There’s a reason Norns work in threes, my dear. It takes a lot of their power to change things. And don’t forget who is in charge of accidents.”

Evil Norns
.
I’d been so focused on what I could do; I had completely forgotten evil Norns were behind most disasters.

“If you take on something like this, you’ll be going against them.” She touched my cheek and went back to join Dad.

Sighing in defeat, I texted Beau and headed to Torin’s. He had already set up a picnic for two on the floor in front of the fireplace. He had gone all out. Stir-fried chicken on a bed of rice topped with shrimp scampi and fresh garlic bread sticks. Chocolate dipped strawberries completed the meal. I had soda while he had a glass of wine. Since he was barefoot, I kicked off my flats and joined him on the rug.

As usual, he cooked everything to perfection and there was plenty of it. I couldn’t believe I was ready to kill him this morning, and now we were playing footsie while he fed me strawberries. He even offered me a sip of his drink.

“Argh. How can you stand that? It’s so bitter.”

“I like spice in my life, which explains why I’m crazy about you.” He swept my hair over my shoulder. “You, Freckles, are ice and fire. Sweet one second then my worst nightmare the next.”

I bumped him with my shoulder. “Hey, that’s mean. I’m sweet.”

He smirked. “Sweet is boring, and that,”—he stroked my nose—“is something you’ll never be.” He tilted his head as though listening and yelled, “Get lost, Andris!”

I hadn’t even felt the draft that usually accompanied a portal opening. Andris appeared in the doorway between the living room and the family room. He studied us.

“Hey, you,” I said.

“Don’t mind me. Just checking to see if everything is ok.”

“Everything is fine. Now go away,” Torin said rudely. Good thing Andris wasn’t easily offended. He leaned against the doorway. For once, he wasn’t smirking.

“How are you doing, Raine?”

“Two seconds bro, then your neck. I have a date,” Torin warned.

I put an arm and a leg over Torin in case he decided to make good on his words.
 
He shot me a questioning look. “I’m holding you down.”

“I could run with you on my back.”

I glanced up at Andris. “Everything is perfect.”

“Did Torin explain?”

“No, but he’s apologized in his own way.”

Andris groaned. “You bullied her? Listen, I owe you an apology. Torin would not have gone to that club if I hadn’t suggested it. But he behaved like a gentlemen the entire time. He told the girls he was taken.”

That didn’t explain the kisses. Andris looked so apologetic I decided not to go there. “It’s okay. Really.”

“The kisses were really goodbye kisses. He sat there and took it.”

He should have pushed them away. “It’s alright.”

“Until Sylvie decided to get creative.”

Moving fast, Torin threw his empty wine glass at Andris. Andris caught it and bragged, “Told you I was faster.”

“Who is Sylvie?” I was more than curious. I was jealous.

“The girl who’s probably wishing she’d never tried to seduce him. What did you tell her?”

“Please, let me shut him up,” Torin whispered.

I grinned. “No, I want to hear this.”

Torin groaned and buried his face on the rug.

“She’d have to be five-foot-seven with hair like silk, mouth meant to be kissed, and a smile that lights up a room to interest him.”

I lifted Torin’s head from the floor and kissed him.

“And, uh…”

“Say one more word, Andris,” Torin warned.

“Lavania would like to talk you, Raine. I think she’s taking off and won’t be back until next week.”

Nice. No lessons tomorrow morning. I could sleep in. “I’ll stop by after Beau leaves.”

Andris laughed. “He’s still coming? You’re losing your touch… Okay, I’m leaving,” he added when Torin sat up, taking me with him. “I’ll just take a few of those.” He picked up two breadsticks from our plate, put the wine glass on the floor, and smirked as he left.

Torin lay on his back and pulled me down on top of him. I propped my elbows on his chest and studied him. Whatever insecurities I’d had were gone. “So everything is cool between you and Andris?”

“It will be.”

“And with the Idun-valkyrie business?”

“All I have to do is turn everyone on my list and impress the Council. I’m keeping an eye on all of them. Jace will be my first.”

“Isn’t he too young to become an Immortal?”

Torin chuckled and traced my nose with the tip of his finger. “They’re recruiting them younger. He can decide later if he wants to age a little and adjust how often he uses the right bind runes.” He looked at his watch. “Tell me about your vision.”

He didn’t speak when I described what I’d seen. I didn’t realize tears were running down my face until he wiped them. Then he pulled me down for a hug and pressed a kiss on my temple. “I hate what these visions do to you.”

“Sorry.”

“Hey.” He lifted my face. “Don’t be. You care, which is more than I can say for most Norns. Not that you are one of them,” he added quickly. “It’s one of the things that make you special. If you want to stop the crash, go ahead.”

And mess with his promotion? No way. I was going to be a supportive girlfriend. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to go against evil Norns.”

“You did before at the pool, that first time, and stopped them,” he said.

“I rescued a few students, Torin. I didn’t stop the lightning. For me to stop the crash, I’d have to stop them before they mess with the plane. Oh, and it’s three of them against one.”

Torin sat up, dislodging me off his lap. “Giving up without trying doesn’t sound like you. Who told you that you shouldn’t stop the crash?”

Mom and Lavania, but he didn’t need to know that. “No one did. I can make my own decisions, you know.” He squinted, but headlights swept over the window and I looked at my watch. “Beau is here.”

“Beau can wait,” Torin said firmly and gripped my hands. He peered at me. “Why don’t you want to stop the crash? You’ve cried three times since you saw the premonition.”

“Stop interrogating me. I have enough to deal with without taking on evil Norns. My usual trio paid me a visit today at school.”

That got his attention. “What did they want? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“They said I’m supposed to heal the forest. Can you imagine they didn’t?”

He frowned. “It’s been a week. We haven’t heard anything in the news.”

“I know.”

He stood, clearly bothered by this more than the fact that I wasn’t going to stop the crash. He walked to the door and stopped before opening it. “Are you going to do it?”

“Yes. No.” I shook my head. “They’re trying to manipulate me.”

He grinned, his expression saying he agreed with me. The doorbell rang and he growled. “If we ignore him, do you think he’ll go away?”

“No. He’s my first case. Kind of like Jace is yours, so be nice.”

He yanked opened the door. “Hardshaw, right on time.”

“Raine is worth it,” I heard Beau say. “She texted me to meet her here. Where’s she?”

Torin slammed the door in Beau’s face. “Every time he opens his mouth, I want to punch him.”

“You’re better than that. Let him in.” The doorbell rang again. “You’re messing with my case, Torin.”

“He’s an asshole. Mine is a nice young man.” He yanked open the door.

“You live here?” I heard Beau ask.

“What do you think?” Torin stepped back, then he saw what I was doing, picking up our plates. “I’ll take care of that. Take him to the, uh, kitchen. You guys can work on the counter.”

Where he could keep an eye on us. He was so transparent. Beau was busy looking around with interest, but his eyes kept going to our picnic. I saw the hunger in his eyes. With his mother’s broken arm, chances were he’d left home without eating.

“Come in, Beau,” I said and his attention shifted to me. “Have a seat. I’ll be with you as soon as I take these to the kitchen. Torin, you cooked, I clean.” Torin looked ready to argue, but I ignored him and focused on Beau. “Do you cook, Beau?”

He shook his head. “I’d love to learn. Someday.” His eyes lingered on the breadsticks. Poor guy.

“Then you must try Torin’s food. I insist. It’s amazing. I’ll get you a plate.” I hurried out of the living room before either of them could protest. Torin followed me.

“What’s going on?” Torin asked.

“He’s hungry,” I whispered. He rolled his eyes. I smacked his arm. “Be nice. Remember? His stepfather broke his mother’s arm.” He disappeared back into the living room while I warmed a plate for Beau.

~*~

I’d never seen someone wolf down food so fast. I even got him a drink, but he was done before Torin and I finished taking care of the kitchen. Torin might be an amazing cook, but he used way too many utensils.

“Hey,” he said from behind us and we turned. He had his plate and fork, but was still chugging the soda. “Thanks for the food.” He handed me the plate.

I inclined my head to indicate Torin. “He cooked it. I just come here to eat.”

He shot Torin a weird expression. “I still can’t believe it.”

“Believe what, Hardshaw?” Torin asked in such a hard voice I was sure one wrong word from Beau and he’d boot him out of his house.