Page 45 of The Warrior
“That’s the alcohol talking. Put the bottle down and go home.”
A gruff male voice sounded in the background. “Hey, asshole, time to dance.”
“Magni…Magni,don’t.” I gave a yelp of frustration when the connection between us was cut. Eight times I called him, but I got no answer.
Not knowing what else to do, I called Finn.
“Magni called me. He’s drunk and getting himself killed in a fight right now. You need to help him,” I pleaded.
Finn’s voice was rusty from sleep. “Don’t worry. Magni’s been in drunken fights before. He’ll be fine.”
“You didn’t hear how drunk he was. I could hardly understand what he was saying.”
Finn yawned. “Trust me, killing Magni will take an army.”
“Or one knife placed in the right spot. Finn, he’s not immortal.”
“All right, you’ve got a point.” He yawned again. “I’ll get someone to pick him up.”
“But all I know is that he’s in a bar somewhere.”
“I have a pretty good idea where he might be. Don’t worry about it, Laura. Magni is strong, and tomorrow he’ll have a headache and regret the whole thing.”
I made a pained sound. “He never used to do anything like this.”
Finn sighed. “What can I say? Things changed when you ran away.”
Guilt gnawed at me again. “I never meant to hurt him. I wasn’t trying to get away from Magni. I just wanted to see the Motherlands for myself. If I’d known how bad things were at home…” Tears were pressing and my voice grew thick. “It’s all my fault.”
“Laura, please don’t cry.”
I couldn’t help it. Self-blame and fear for Magni had my tears running freely.
“Oh, crap, Athena, I think Laura is crying.”
“She’s crying?” I could hear Athena’s soft voice.
“Look, you handle Laura while I call the guys and get them to pick up Magni before he kills someone.”
“Sweetie.” Athena’s pleasant voice sounded clearer now. “Talk to me.”
“I messed up and now Magni might die because of me.”
“Finn is doing what he can. He says Magni will be fine. You’ll see him again.”
“I don’t know. Magni doesn’t want me to come back. He called to tell me goodbye.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t believe that’s what he wants, do you?”
“I told him I’d come back home, but he said I shouldn’t. I wish I knew what he was really thinking, but he’s so closed off to me.”
“Laura, you’re young and it will take time for the two of you to grow together. That’s normal.”
“It’s not normal for him to get so drunk he can barely talk. Why would he do that?”
“What does your gut tell you?” Athena asked. “Why do you think he’s getting drunk?”
Tears were still falling. “Because he’s angry with me.”
