Page 168 of Valkyrie Unknown

Forty-Six

Zeke

As with eachtime we’d fought side-by-side, I knew what I needed to do without Azzie and me exchanging a single word. The instinct flowed through me without words, prompting the rune I drew. The where and the how.

And the instant Azzie dropped her hand to her side, impressions became clear thoughts. She was sacrificing herself to end this.

No. “Azzie.” The fight smothered my shout. My heart plummeted into my shoes.

She had the ax. She was flying toward the source of the fight. Not jumping, but soaring. Her scream shook the building, and she brought the blade down on our foe. A black slimy substance splattered everywhere.

It didn’t matter. None of it mattered. Azzie lay on the ground, not moving.

I would kill them all. The fury carried new words that flowed past my lips. She was gone. She couldn’t be. This wasn’t the time or place.

Power spilled from me. Flames of rage licking inside and filling the room. I’d burn away the blackness. I’d scorch it until it evaporated in fire and blood. Until life and death were one.

I let the despair drive the power, and pushed it into every corner of the room. Except where she lay and I stood and Davyn raged. It wasn’t over. She couldn’t be gone. I’d raise every world if she was.

It all turned to ash and fluttered away in the heat. The warehouse. The others—beast and Valkyrie alike. Friend and foe. It all burned up, until nothing was left but Azzie’s body. Davyn. The empty chasm inside me.

I could rule the world like this. The power was in me. The knowledge.

I didn’t want any of that. This was the last thing I’d ever wanted, and the one thing I feared more than anything. Someone else was gone—Azzie—was gone, and I was still standing with the ability to conquer it all.

“Damn. I thought for sure she’d make it.” Finn’s voice came from behind me, and the world rematerialized.

My rage was back.

Davyn was already charging him—half man half bear racing along intricate and bright rugs toward Finn and the open door behind him.

Unlike Davyn, I didn’t need to go hands-on to hurt Finn.

It’s Finn.

So?

She’s not really gone. Reason penetrated the cloud of anger.

Davyn ripped his claws through Finn’s shoulder, pinning the god to the wall. “You will bleed for her.” Davyn’s growl was primal. His words matched my thoughts. “I’ll kill you again and again.”

“It was always going to be this way.” Finn spoke through gritted teeth, and gripped Davyn’s wrist. It was clear Finn was straining, but he wasn’t going anywhere unless Davyn let him.

I summoned another wave of cleansing flame.

“Don’t.”

Azzie.

She was standing next to me. Brushing fingers over my cheek. Approaching Davyn.

It’s a test. All just a test.

Azzie rested a hand on Davyn’s forearm. “He’s not worth losing yourself.” Her voice was strained. Tired.

The power bled from me and the fury went with it. I stumbled at the sudden weakness. What did I do?

I had no idea, but my mind was mine again.

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