Page 7 of Viking

When Kára turns to face me, the new warrior takes advantage of her distraction and lands a right hook to her cheek. The shock on his face when she doesn’t fall to the ground is comical.

“Inferno, handle him,” I order. “He’s not cut out for Valhalla.”

Inferno starts to walk toward the man who’s wearing a cut with motorcycle club patches that I don’t recognize.

“No!”

Mist, another Valkyrie, materializes and stops Inferno in his tracks with a hand on his arm. There was a time when people appearing out of nowhere would have startled me, but now it’s more annoying than anything.

“Mist, he’s done,” I say. “He broke one of the cardinal rules in the Warrior Code of Conduct.”

I point to the Warrior Code of Conduct, the thick lettering etched into the gold walls of Academy Hall. The words I’ve come to live by seem to mock me.

Warrior Code of Conduct

No warrior may engage in fighting outside of the fighting arena

Do not incite violence

No stealing

No betting on fights in the arena

Never raise a weapon on anyone when their back is turned

Never strike a Valkyrie

Cannot make contact with any blood relative

Cannot reveal your true self to anyone

Cannot tell anyone why you’re in the human world

Do not engage with a Legacy

When a mission is complete, return to Valhalla immediately

Do not become emotionally involved with a human

Physical relations between a Warrior and a human are forbidden

Warriors and Valkyries may engage in sexual acts but must not become emotionally involved

“He doesn’t even know the rules yet,” Mist snaps.

“Regardless, you don’t strike a Valkyrie and get away with it.”

“I seem to recall a certain warrior who tried to split Kára in two when he first arrived.”

I flash back to my death date and chuckle. “Touché.”

“The man is frightened,” Kára says as she darts her eyes between him and me. “Much like you were, Viking. Give him a few days. If he doesn’t come around, we’ll send him to the Fire Pit.”

“Send me home,” the man demands. “I want to go home.”

Staring at him, I see the fear Kára mentioned, the panic. And I remember it like it was yesterday.

“What’s your name?” I ask him, softening my tone.

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