Page 120 of Valkyrie Unknown

Was Gwydion keeping us from overhearing the conversation?

Kirby looked contrite. The exchange lasted another minute or two, with Azzie’s anger fading, but not vanishing. She shook her head, and stalked away from Kirby. When she got closer to Davyn and me, her “let’s go” was as clear and distinct as I’d expect.

We walked one way, leaving Kirby, Starkad, and Gwydion to go the other.

“What was that about?” I asked.

Azzie gave me a cool look. “I think that’s my question. What was up with you and Mister Other God?”

I very much didn’t want to talk about it, the same way I hadn’t wanted to read the story from a book two days ago. She and Davyn would both push until I spilled the truth, though. “It’s a hard story to tell,” I said. “Can we wait until Zeke is here so I only have to share it once?”

Deep lines etched Davyn’s forehead at the request. “Whatever it is, at least one of them doesn’t trust you because of it.”

“The feeling is mutual.” I returned Davyn’s glare. “Besides, Kirby understood and she was the one who was in danger.”

Davyn growled.

Azzie resumed walking toward the library. “That’s fair.”

Davyn looked like he was ready to try to beat the answer out of me regardless. It hadn’t worked for Gwydion, and it wouldn’t work for him.

“I’m going without both of you.” Azzie’s voice was sweet.

I wasn’t missing out on another day in the library, and I joined her.

Davyn caught up to us a moment later. When I glanced at him, he said, “There’s no way I trust you alone with her until I have answers.”

It was a bit late in the game to feel that way.

We reached the library, and spent the next few hours browsing, discussing, and ultimately not walking away with any new information about sirens. I was pleased with the random snippets of new things I’d filled in, though.

As we left, I realized she’d never explained what happened with Kirby. I’d ask again, but I wasn’t ready to spill my own secrets.

Before we headed home, Azzie wanted to return to the donut shop. “It’s only fair we bring Zeke something.”

Logic I couldn’t argue with.

When we returned to Zeke’s, he was in the kitchen filling the coffee pot with water. His back was to us, and he was only wearing a pair of boxers, which meant he’d just woken up. I took a moment to admire the runes and images carved in ink along a back that rippled with muscle honed from years of swinging a hammer against hot steel.

“As if you haven’t seen it dozens of times before,” Davyn grumbled and stepped around us.

Why did he care who I looked—Ah. Azzie was staring too.

The sound was enough to grab Zeke’s attention, and he faced us. “Welcome back.”

I blinked across the room, took the carafe from him to set it in the sink, and handed him the coffee and donut we’d brought. “And we come bearing gifts.”

“Too tired to make a joke about coming.” He took the offerings from me. “And you’re the best. Thank you.”

“Careful with language like that,” Azzie said as she and Davyn joined us. She took a seat on a stool on the other side of the island bordering the kitchen, and he stood.

Someone was on edge. Though, that was usually the case with Davyn.

Zeke took a long drink off the coffee. “Why? Is there some sort of magic or promise in a statement like that?”

“Even the intentionally obtuse universe understands hyperbole.” Davyn’s voice was gruff, and he drummed his fingers on his bicep, highlighting his crossed arms posture.

“She’s worried you’ll give me a big head.” I pressed closer to Zeke, and mimed grinding against him. “She forgets you already make my head swell.”

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