Page 113 of Valkyrie Unknown

“Why the fuck would you deal with a siren?” Finn talked over Enid. “Are you an idiot?”

Odd response. It was true, some sirens were like those in myths—luring anyone who got near to their deaths. Others had done like most of us, and adapted as times changed. It wasn’t unusual to find a siren running a roadside diner, a pub, or a hostel. They took in those who needed help, and would exact revenge on behalf of the battered and abused who crossed their paths.

For Finn to automatically discount the idea… “Have you done something that makes you fear a siren’s wrath, Jotun?”

“I’ve done a lot of things, as have you,” Finn said. “We don’t know who she is or what she stands for.”

“Don’t listen to him.” Azzie waved away the concern. “You always do your due diligence, Enid. Though…” Her expression flattened. “This isn’t something you learned from Lugh, is it?”

I didn’t like that Lugh had taken an interest in her. Regardless of Loki’s flaws and the danger he posed to Azzie, there were some things he couldn’t be blamed for. Actions that were the result of a blood oath he’d sworn to Lugh centuries ago, then seemingly broken. Lugh used the supposed betrayal to bind Loki with a magic that forced him to perform certain deeds, regardless of his desire to do so.

“He hasn’t steered me wrong yet. You can trust him,” Enid said.

While the consequences Loki faced were Lugh’s right, Lugh had taken advantage of the broken oath. He’d manipulated the contract. “Trustis not a word I would associate with Lugh.”

Finn rolled his eyes. “Says the creature who got his power from Odin.”

“I’ve learned from my mistakes.” I growled.

Zeke let out a clipped but loud whistle, catching me off-guard.

Why did no one at the neighboring tables react?

“The two of you don’t get enough of this in other places? You have to disrupt Azzie’s birthday?”

While Zeke was an acceptable human being overall, he possessed a number of small flaws that kept me from liking him… and of course one large one. My least favorite, aside from the fact that he’d won Azzie’s trust so completely, was his tendency to call me out for social missteps that hadn’t mattered in decades past, and wouldn’t matter in the future.

“I didn’t get the information from Lugh.” Enid spoke with a surprising calm, and my irritation faded. “I heard it in passing from a few other customers who aren’t associated with your prophecies, and I did my due diligence as I always do. It seems she makes you face yourself, and she’s agreed to meet you.”

It had only been three years since the encounter with Ulf, but I suspected in a century, his deception and twisted means of feeling pain would remain distinct in my mind.

Azzie’s hand drifted to her steak knife. “Sounds like the Berserker we met in Elko.”

“Sirens deal in desires and fears. This is an emotional and intellectual encounter,” Enid said.

“Pretty sure I can traumatize myself without someone else’s help.” Despite the flippant words, Azzie traced an absentminded touch along the handle next to her.

“Dessert is served.” This waiter had either the best or the worst timing. “For the birthday couple.” He set plates in front of Azzie and Zeke first. “And for everyone else.” He delivered our sweets as well. “And this was dropped at the host’s station, for Ava?” He took a nearly meter long box from the other waiter with him.

My senses flared to life with concern. “Dropped off by whom?”

“The host didn’t get their name.” The waiter handed the box to Azzie. “I assume you’re Ava?”

The blood in my veins turned to ice.Avawas a name from Azzie’s mother’s visions, always attached to Loki.

She took the box. “That’s me.” Her expression matched the concern boiling inside me.

“Enjoy dessert.” The waiters both nodded and were on their way.

Azzie turned the box over in her hands.

“You can’t open it,” I said.

She tugged at the edges of what looked like a lid that would lift off. “He wouldn’t send something dangerous here.”

“Who’s Ava? Who calls you that?” Enid asked the question I expected to come from Zeke or Finn.

Why hadn’t either of them asked first?

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