Page 47 of Daddy's Justice

I thanked her, gave her cell phone back and headed back out to Winter. I had just mounted Winter when I felt it whoosh by my ear. An arrow. Kara or Edda must have found me.

“Don’t try and stop me. I need to go home. I need to tell my parents that I am safe.”

“Get off of the horse, Morrigan.” The deepness of the voice sent a chill down my spine. I looked over my shoulder and saw them. Six large creatures straight from my nightmares. They wore what appeared to be silver masks over their faces, their pointed ears sticking out from behind. They were tall, lean in appearance, dressed in all black. The tallest of them commanded me as the others surrounded us.

“Go, Winter. Go!” I urged him forward and he started to gallop.

The dark elf who had spoken raised his arms and a wall of smoke appeared out of nowhere, surrounding us, choking the oxygen from around me. I gasped as my lungs tightened. Dropping from Winter’s back, I flicked open the spear with my left hand, while drawing my sword with my right. I crouched, ready to defend myself, if necessary. I listened carefully to the sounds around me. Seeing through the thickness of the smoke was almost impossible.

“I would like to speak with Loki,” I called out into the dark night.

“That is impossible. You will be speaking to no one after tonight.” His bone-chilling laugh sent a shiver down my spine.

“There is no reason to kill me,” I said. “I am just one girl.”

“You are no girl. You are a valkyrie and a demigod in one. Your powers are well known.”

“I have no powers,” I lied.

“Do not think that I am a fool. I was sent to finish this mission and that I will do.” I heard rustling steps as they surrounded me.

My heart raced, but I stayed strong, making my demands known.

“I demand you allow me to speak to Loki. I have no desire to help the humans on Midgard. I wish to return to Asgard and to my family. I will cause Loki no harm nor get in his way.”

Please believe me. Please.I tried to remember the skills I had learned in Krav Maga. Negotiation and de-escalation. I had never tried them on beings not from our world before. I heard his high-pitched, evil laughter fill the air, and I knew then I would have to fight for my survival this night. I moved forward and all but tripped over the damned skirt. Reaching down I gathered it, tucking it into my waistband. I had no time to worry about being modest.

The first arrow came by me, and then the second. I heard Winter cry in pain as one hit his flank and I was enraged. It was one thing to shoot at me, another to hit my horse. I lunged toward the nearest sound, slicing his legs out from under him. The dark elf fell forward. I amazed even myself by somersaulting out of the way.

“Go, Winter. Go get help!” I shrieked, stabbing my spear into the dark, smoky night and the elf in front of me.

I was in over my head.

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