Page 41 of Valkyrie Confused

Pan’s chin bumps the top of my head, as he nods. “I called her when you mentioned her, and she said I’m supposed to protect you.”

“From what?” I push free, which makes me stumble and land into the armchair.

His gaze slides to Arnlaug and back in a split second. “She didn’t say. Just that you are significant to the grand scheme of things.”

I hear him, but my attention is focused on Arnlaug. He’s a Berserker. Lethal. And he hasn’t committed to not being a threat to me after tonight. “Are you here to kill me?” I ask him. No clue what I’m going to do if his answer isyes.

The shock in his expression is comforting. “No. I told you, I’m only doing Odin’s bidding, and he wants you brought to him.”

I pull the hairband off my hair, twist the curls back into place, and secure my bun again. I need to have control oversomething. “Why?”

The uncertainty that flickers across Arnlaug’s eyes? Not so comforting. “Valkyries are his.”

Pan snorts. “That’s sexist.”

“It’s not.” Arnlaug crosses his arms over his wide chest, his huge biceps threatening to rip through his T-shirt. “Berserkers are his too. He only wants what belongs to him to serve him.”

“Okay. Not sexist. Just dehumanizing.” I rub my temples. “How does he want us to serve him? Is it a sex thing?” I shudder at the thought. I don’t know much about Odin except that he’s the father of the Norse Pantheon. Kind of like Zeus’ counterpart. And Zeus was a serial rapist.

Arnlaug kneels in front of me slowly, carefully, to come to my eye level. “It’s a war thing. There are some prophesies that tend to align people on one side or another.”

“Odin’s side is seldom the one to be on,” Pan says, “but Arnlaug refuses to see this. He has, however, agreed to give you four weeks to train and become more comfortable with our world, before he does his job and takes you to him.”

“Oh gee. He’s agreed to spare me a little longer? That’s mighty generous of him.” Does my snark show, or should I try harder? “What if I refuse to go?”

Arnlaug clenches his jaw, but Pan says, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. The way things stand, you have a choice. Run and have a Berserker chase you down, or stay and learn how to fight.”

“So you’ll be ready when you go to the AllFather,” Arnlaug says.

Pan’s arched eyebrow tells a different story. He wants me to be able to defend myself when time comes.

“So going back to being just a writer-slash-hotel-owner isn’t an option?” I ask with a halfhearted chuckle.

“You were never just that,” Arnlaug says. “Even if you didn’t know it.”

“And nothing is set in stone.” Pan’s words are a ray of hope, and I cling to them.

I huff. “I’ll have my sword FedExed over.“

“No need.” Pan moves his hand to behind his back, and when he brings it forward again, he’s holding a long, double-edged sword with a leather-bound hilt.A sleek, midnight-black stone adorns the pommel. This blade is gorgeous, and unlike the replica I have at home, lethal.

I take it and weigh it in my palm when he offers it. Perfectly balanced. Feels like it’s always been in my hand.

“We’re training at six,” I say. “Sharp.” It’s the only viable option. “For an hour, so you’re back in time for breakfast service.” Before I walk out, I remember. “My laptop?”

Pan splays the fingers of both hands, palms facing upward, and it appears on them. When he hands it over, I’m careful not to touch his skin. Who knows what else he can do?

I wish he and Arnlaug had told me about all thisaftersex, because there’s no way I’m sleeping with either of them now. My divorce has taught me not to let a man factor into my decision making, and when I deal with what I have to, I want to make the best choice for myself.

At least I no longer feel rejected, as I tuck my laptop under my free arm and go to my room. The sword makes climbing all these stairs more tiresome.

If I’m a Valkyrie, shouldn’t I have wings? I should have asked the guys, but I’m not going back. I’ve made a pretty admirable job of holding my shit together so far. No guarantee that will remain the case.

Besides, maybe I’ll wake up soon, and this will all have been a dream.

I know better than to believe that.

God, I’m glad I have more wine in my room.

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