Page 57 of Baldr's Secret Mate

Flynn's expression darkened. “Are you sure that's wise? Baldr's visions—”

“I don't care about his visions,” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low. “I'm not letting him walk into his death. Will you help me or not?”

For a moment, Flynn hesitated. Then he nodded. “Thor has already gone to collect the other wolves and Baldr is passed out on the couch. If you go out the back, he won’t notice you’ve left for a little while at least.” He paused, looking me up and down. “Are you sure you want to do this though? Tyr is a monster… he won’t hesitate to kill you if he gets the chance.”

“I have to,” I replied, the determination clear in my voice. “Baldr has done so much for me… and I can’t just let him die. IfI can kill Tyr alone, then maybe I can spare the Hati pack from going to war.”

“You know… I tried to take on Tyr by myself to save Nana,” Flynn replied, his gaze locked on mine. “And Thor crashing in at the last moment to save me was the only reason I survived.” He reached out, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe Baldr and you need to work together to make this happen.”

“In Baldr’s vision we are together. That’s why he dies.” I paused, trying to force back the tears that threatened to fall. “He dies because he’s trying to save me.”

Flynn stared for a long moment before he blew out a sigh. “I understand.”

“Thanks.”

I started for the back door when a hand came to rest on my shoulder, stopping me.

“Hang on,” Flynn said, pulling me toward his room. “I have something that might help you.”

We stepped inside the tiny room with a bed tucked into the corner. Flynn went to his closet, rummaging around for a moment before he came back with a long black piece of leather. It wasn’t until he unwrapped it that I saw the glimmer of silver and realized it was a sword, the same kind the knights used in the stories Baldr read to me.

“Take this,” he said, handing the sheathed blade over to me. “It’s a shortsword, so it’ll be easier to conceal. And it’s made of silver. Any wound you inflict to a werewolf with this blade will be immune to their healing powers.” He gave me a small grin. “That’s why Tyr is missing a hand.”

“That was you?!”

“Thor and I together.”

“Wow…” I took the blade, surprised by its weight in my hands. “I don’t know how to use this…”

“You hold it by the handle and you stab that motherfucker to death,” Flynn said nonchalantly. “If you’re close enough, you won’t need any fancy technique to hurt him. But if he sees this blade on you, you’ll never get near him, so keep it hidden.”

I took the leather strap and pulled it over one shoulder, wearing it like a bandolier with the blade tucked inside the jacket Flynn had given me. “Thank you,” I said, reaching out to shake his hand. “And thanks for not telling Baldr.”

Flynn shook my hand, giving me a grin. “You’re welcome. And I will tell Baldr. In about thirty minutes. So you better get moving.”

“What? Why?!”

“Because none of us is going to win this battle alone,” he said gently. “But if you think you can, I’ll give you a chance. From what Baldr said, you are incredibly powerful. If anyone could kill Tyr without help, it’ll be you. But if Tyr is still breathing after you try, your mate deserves the chance to fight at your side no matter what the consequences might be.”

I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. If the roles were reversed, I’d never forgive Baldr for running off without me.

I nodded, accepting Flynn's logic. “Fair enough. I'll do my best to end this before Baldr arrives.”

With that, Flynn led me to the back door, and I slipped out into the night. The freezing cold air hit my face, and I took a deep breath, centering myself as a puff of mist expelled from my lips. I reached deep inside, feeling for that spark of power that had been growing stronger each day. It thrummed beneath my skin, eager to be unleashed. The well of chaos boiling deep within me wanted blood. Tyr’s blood. After all those years of torture and pain, I figured I was due some vengeance, even if that was the sort of thing all those stories told me I should avoid.

But those stories weren’t real life, and they didn’t know my pain.

As I made my way through the darkened woods, I kept to the shadows, my senses on high alert. I knew Tyr's pack would be on the other mountain and were marching this way. In fact, as I reached down and prodded my magic within me, I swore I could feel Tyr getting closer, his evil presence like a shadow on my mind.

I followed an old trail that led me to the outskirts of town, where abandoned warehouses loomed like silent sentinels, remnants of the town’s history I knew nothing about. Still, it seemed like the perfect place for a werewolf throwdown. And Tyr’s presence grew stronger with every step. He was close by, I could almost taste it.

I paused at the corner of one building, peering around. And there, in a dimly lit lot, I saw him. Tyr stood all alone under the light of a single yellow lamp, the only one still glowing in that forgotten place.

My heart raced as I observed Tyr from my hiding spot. He was massive, more imposing than I remembered, with muscles rippling beneath his tight black hoodie. His silver hair gleamed in the lamplight, and I could see the stump where his hand should have been. A cruel smirk played on his lips as he scanned the area, as if waiting for someone. My blood boiled as I stared at him, remembering all those years of enduring his malice as he tried to break me. But now it was my turn to dish it back to him.

I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. This was it. I had to strike now, while he was alone and unprepared. My fingers brushed against the hilt of the silver sword concealed beneath my jacket, its cool metal giving me a small measure of comfort.

Summoning my courage, I reached deep within myself, calling forth the chaotic energy that had been building inside me. It surged through my veins, making my skin tingle and my vision sharpen. I could feel the raw power at my fingertips, begging to be set free. I felt the burning rage fill my chest as I stared at my captor. My magic surged, the air around me rippling with violet power like heat. As I stepped out from my hiding place, Tyr’s gaze turned to meet me, his grin widening.

---