Page 57 of Fenrir

Grace nodded. “Of course.”

How sad that a whole group of people were fleeing to the Underworld. She knew what it felt like to be a refugee, but a whole group? She wondered what had happened.

“By the way. I’m fine with you taking off for a few more days,” said Odin. “Your welcome to any time; just let me know.”

She nodded. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

He looked at her for a minute, conflicted. “What I did to Fenrir was wrong. If I can help make it right, even in some small way, I want to try. And you seem to be just what he’s needed for a long time. So, you tell me what I can do, and if it is in my power, I’ll do it.”

His genuine words struck Grace in the heart. “Thank you, Lord Odin.”

Odin chuckled, revealing a handsome smile and brilliant white teeth. “It’s just Odin now. The only thing I Lord over here is this bar. Now get going over to Frigg’s. She really does need help.”

Grace waved and headed for the door. She looked back over her shoulder at Odin. The more she got to know the Norse gods, the more she realized they were nothing like she’d imagined they’d be. Especially Odin. Tanned and muscular, with long white hair and light eyes, he appeared to be a retired biker. If older guys had been her thing, she definitely would have had a crush on him.

She pushed open the exit door and laughed. She already did have a thing for older guys, she realized. Just older furrier guys.

Grace walked downto Frigg’s bar, The Raven Weaver, and as she approached, the chaos inside reached her ears. The door opened, and several patrons walked out, shaking their heads.

“Guess we’ll head to Odin’s tonight,” said one.

“Maybe for the rest of the week,” said another. “I doubt they’re gonna get all those people a place to go in just one night.”

The men passed Grace and whistled, but she paid them no mind as she continued to the front door. Dozens of smells hit her as she pushed through patrons crowded everywhere. Beer, brimstone, blood, wolves, wood, fire, too many scents to register. Something woodsy and familiar hit her nose, but just as soon as she smelled it, the scent was covered up by the scent of damp clothes. She made her way through the crowd to the bar, where she could faintly hear Frigg talking.

When Grace squeezed past a minotaur, Frigg spotted her, her face lit up.

“Oh, thank the All Mother you are here,” Frigg said. “They are talking so fast I’m not sure what’s happening. But now that you’re here, you can help me sort it out. I’ll start to get the beds ready downstairs in my emergency inn.”

“Okay. Is there a place you want me to start?” Grace placed her bag behind the counter.

Frigg shrugged. “Talk to any of them. They’ve all been asking for you.”

Grace frowned. “Me?”

“Grace!”

She turned at the sound of her name, and as the regular patrons moved out of the way, she finally saw them. The refugee group took up half the bar. At least fifty of her pack members sat on the left side of the room, occupying booths, tables, and even on the floor. One of the pack elders stood, and she walked toward him, trying to understand why they were there.

“Moon Goddess child,” he said with a bow.

Grace’s skin heated, and her chest squeezed at the name. Only her mom Fay had ever called her that. Fay, Fenrir, and… Robin. She scanned the group for Robin. If Aldard was calling her that in front of the rest of the pack, it could only mean one thing, they all knew the truth about her. As she looked around at their faces, she saw the truth of it in their eyes.

“Elder Aldard.” She inclined her head. “What’s happened? Why are you here?”

“It’s your father. He’s returned. He returned to become alpha of the pack once more and started demanding to know where you were. When no one spoke up, he got… angry.”

“What?” Grace’s heart beat so loud she could feel the blood pumping in her ears. Her father had returned. He’d waited for Fay to die, only then to return? But… why?

Grace looked around the group. “Robin. Where is Robin? I need to speak to her.”

Aldard shook his head.

Tears spilled into Grace’s eyes. “She’s dead?”

“No. She’s been injured, though, and she’s being tended to by a healer somewhere here. There was nothing we could do. Your father brought others with him. Others like him. Rogues who had nowhere else to go. They took over the lands. They took everything. We are no match for them.”

Robin. Robin was hurt… Her father was looking for her… The question was, why? Had he missed her? Had Fay kept him away all those years? Questions swirled in her mind leaving her both elated and terrified.

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