Page 124 of Valkyrie Unknown

It seemed I was off enough that I’d let it show in my voice. “Good. Dealing with stuff. Nothing life threatening, though.” My own words tickled a thought in the back of my mind, but the connection flitted away before I could grasp it. “What’s up?”

“The siren is ready to see you.”

A distraction. A direction. I sat up straight, and Zeke raised an eyebrow. “When?” I asked.

“Now.”

What? “Nownow? No. Why?” I wasn’t ready for any sort of test or training. My mind was off-track. I hadn’t stretched. I wasn’t re?—

“Because it’s a psychological crucible.” Enid stopped me from thinking things I’d rather not. “The more time you have to think, the more you overthink, and it hurts your chances. Basically she said you don’t want to psych yourself out before you get there.”

I couldn’t. “I need a little time to get ready.”

“Are you clothed, awake, and decent? If the answer to all of the above isyes, then you don’t need time. I wouldn’t push if Tania hadn’t emphasized how important it was you go the moment you found out,” Enid said.

This was the kind of thing I searched for. This was what I wanted. Why was I hesitating? “I’m not ready.”

“You’re as ready as you will be in a day, or two, or a week. I have faith in you.” The way Enid said it, I couldn’t help but believe her.

“Okay. What do I need to bring?” I was intently aware of Davyn and Zeke watching me. Listening. Davyn could probably hear Enid, but I doubted Zeke could.

“Just a powerful person of knowledge to make the introduction.”

Easy enough. “You? I’ll be right there.”

“Not me.” Enid let out an awkward laugh. “Someone who knows a lot more than me.”

I only knew one being like that. “Finn.”

At the name, Zeke frowned.

“He’ll work,” Enid said.

Let’s do this. “Thank you. I’m on my way as soon as I find him.”

“Good luck.” Enid hung up.

I looked between Davyn and Zeke, who wore twin expressions of expectation.

“You’re not going alone,” Davyn said before I could explain.

Pursing my lips, I stared him down. He didn’t flinch. I didn’t have time for this and I did like that he had my back, so I turned to Zeke instead of arguing, and explained what was going on. “You can stay here,” I said. “I’ll go ask Finn if he can take me.”

“Us.” Davyn spoke up.

Zeke stood and offered me a hand up. “I can’t avoid him forever, and I should go home anyway. I’ll walk you over there.”

Finn was in the living room watching TV, but he looked up the moment the three of us walked in. I explained the situation again.

“No.” Finn spat out the word the instant I finished. “Zeke, she’s training to kill you.”

Were we doing this again? “I’m not. You know I’m not.”

“But you will when it comes down to you or him,” Finn said.

I wouldn’t. I refused. “I’ll find another way. I won’t kill Zeke.” Or anyone I didn’t have to.

Zeke let out a growl that could’ve competed with Davyn’s. “Just fucking—” He raked his fingers through his hair. “—try for thirty seconds to be something other than a cocky jackass, and do this favor for her.”

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