Runes #03 - Grimnirs (9 page)

Was I really at the mental hospital, or did Norns also erase my parents’ memories?

“I was teasing, Dad.” In the kitchen, I cut a huge chunk of the remaining pie and scooped it into a bowl. Our first floor had an open floor plan with arched doorways separating the kitchen from the living room and the living room from Dad’s writing cave. Mom often conversed with Dad while cooking in the kitchen. “I missed Mom’s pies.”

Mom chuckled. “Thanks, hun. Make sure you bring down the bowl, okay?”

“Promise.”

Back upstairs, Echo was on top of my bed as though he belonged, the laptop on his chest. He’d removed his jacket and only wore the leather waistcoat and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. With the leather pants hugging his thighs, he looked so tempting.

I knocked his booted foot with my knee. “You’re making my covers dirty, reaper.”

He looked at his boots then at me. His expression said he knew I was being a bitch over nothing. There was no dirt on his boots. He sat up, put the laptop next to him, and took the pie.

“I’m sorry today was rough on you,” he said.

I shrugged. “Until I understand what happened to me during those weeks, it’s not going to be easy.”

“Norns plant false memories in Mortals’ heads all the time. They don’t mess with us, but I guess your situation is different.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were training to be a Norn, Cora.”

What I’d read about Norns flashed through my head. The good ones helped humans, while the bad ones were behind most natural disasters. “Good one?”

Echo smirked. “No, doll-face. You are bad-ass.”

“That doesn’t sound like me. Why would I want to be an evil Norn?”

“I don’t know. But you changed your mind and decided to join us. You chose to be a Grimnir.”

Reaper of scumbags, the sick, and the elderly? From online pictures, Valhalla looked like a palace. Why would I choose to be a Grimnir and not a Valkyrie?

I didn’t realize I’d spoken out loud until Echo stopped in the process of putting a chunky piece of pie in his mouth and shot me an annoyed glance. “Inside Hel’s Hall is not so bad. She has a nice court, even though it is cold and a little depressing. Valkyries are wussies. Every time one of them is sent to Hel’s Hall, they whine like babies.”

“You hate Valkyries?”

He smirked. “Hate takes energy. I don’t care about them one way or the other. I just don’t like them stealing my souls.”

“Yet, you let Raine’s father go.” Then I remembered. “Oh, Crap. Mr. C. What did you find out about him? Is he okay?”

Echo frowned. “He had a stroke this morning and flat lined around noon.”

“That’s about the time I saw him.” I reached for my jacket and car keys.

“They resuscitated him, but he’s in a coma at the local hospital. Kayville Medical Center. Where are you going?”

“The hospital. Raine must be devastated. No wonder she hasn’t returned my calls or texts.”

“You want to go now? It’s late to be driving anywhere. Use a portal.”

I glanced at the mirror and wished we could. “I can’t. My parents might wonder where I’ve disappeared to when they swing by my room and find it empty.”

“They check on you before they go to bed?”

“Every night. The first few days when I came home, they did it several times. Drove me crazy.” He had that look on his face. “Don’t say anything about false memories. I was in that psych ward.” I paused before opening the door. “Come on. I want to hear why the Norns erased my memories.”

“We can talk in the car, but I can’t come inside with you. The Valkyries around here don’t like me, so don’t tell them anything about me.” He walked toward the mirror still wolfing down the pie.

I stared after him, wishing I could use the portal. What Valkyries was he talking about, and why would I mention Echo to them? I didn’t know them.

5.
 
Valkyries

“Isn’t it late to be going out now?” Dad asked, standing. “You could always go tomorrow.”

“It’s only,” I glanced at my watch, “eight, and Raine would be there for me if it were you in the hospital, Dad.”

He reached for his jacket. “I’ll come with you.”

“No. I’ll be fine. I’m picking up a friend on the way. Go back to your work. I’ll call you when I get to the hospital and when I’m on my way back.”

He glanced at his computer. “No, I’m not letting you drive anywhere alone, muffin. I’ll tell your mother where we are going.”

Arguing with him was pointless once he made up his mind. “I’ll be by the truck. I want to get something from my car first.”

Outside, I saw Echo in the front passenger seat of my car. I opened the car door and peered at him. The runes on his body glowed. “My dad insists on taking me.”

“Good. We’ll finish our conversation later. Remember, your memories are gone because Norns erased them and replaced them with fake ones. When you get them back, it will all make sense.”

“You said the Valkyries don’t like you. Why?”

“I didn’t reap Mr. Cooper as a favor to Torin St. James, so he owes me. Valkyries don’t like owing us favors.”

I’d gone into selective listening at the name Torin St. James. “Raine’s boyfriend is a Valkyrie?”

He nodded. “Yep. He’s a hard ass, but a good soldier. We tend to steer clear of each other. Andris is young and an idiot.” He touched my cheek. “Go. Your parents are coming. Oh, don’t forget. No mentioning my name to anyone.”

That again? “Why would I do that?”

He smirked. “Because girls love to talk about guys they’re crazy about.”

I laughed. “You are one person I try not to think about.”

“You can try, but you can’t help yourself, doll-face.”

Talking to him was useless. I turned to see Dad coming toward me. Mom was locking the door. When I glanced back at Echo, he was gone.

“Your mother is coming, too,” Dad said, stating the obvious.

I wasn’t surprised. My parents didn’t socialize often with Raine’s parents, but they were friends. We had potluck a few times a year, and Raine’s dad often came to the farm to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and visit with Dad. I slid in the back seat and checked my cell phone. There was still no text from Raine.

“How did you find out about Tristan?” Mom asked as we left the farm.

“A friend texted me,” I fibbed. “Mom, did you guys see Raine’s family while I was away?”

“Not really. We were so busy, and with Raine not coming to visit you, I thought it was best we keep our distance. I had no idea they were going through so much.” Mom sounded calm, but I knew she felt guilty. Dad took her hand and squeezed it.

“I’m sure Raine’s mother will appreciate seeing you at the hospital,” I said.

The drive to the hospital reminded me of our mad dash after Raine had injured herself. Eirik had driven like a maniac, hardly stopping at stop signs. Eirik. Funny I hadn’t thought about him in the last few hours. When did his family move away? I was hoping Raine would tell me.

Kayville might be a small town in wine country Oregon, but we had an amazing hospital with great staff. We didn’t airlift patients to bigger hospitals in Portland or Salem. After the lightning accident, Kayville Medical Center had taken care of all the students. Even Raine had been treated here after she received a head injury.

We entered through the ER and headed upstairs to the ICU. Torin and a blond couple stood somewhere ahead. The same couple had come with Raine to my home after I came back from the hospital. Runes covered their faces and arms.

Valkyries.

Did Raine know about them?

The ICU had open visiting hours, but only relatives were allowed. Dad convinced the nurses to get Raine and her mother to come out. I left my parents waiting at the nurses’ station and found the perfect seat to observe the Valkyries. I picked up a magazine, lowering it so I could study them unnoticed.

The girl was gorgeous and frail-looking. From the way she was looking at the silver-haired guy, she was totally into him. The guy had the same alert look in his eyes as Torin and was equally good-looking. Maybe runes gave them model-worthy looks, or being exceptionally good-looking was a criterion for becoming a Valkyrie.

I pretended to read when Torin glanced my way. In a few seconds, my heart skipped with dread. They’d decided to join us. My parents were still by the nurses’ station. Maybe I should just join them. The Valkyries took the empty chairs across from mine. My heart pounded so hard I was sure they could hear them.

No, I’m not going to look at them. I’m not… I’m not...

“Maliina got a few things wrong,” the silver-haired guy said. “She’s hotter.”

“Shut up, Andris,” Torin said firmly.

So that was Andris. Were they talking about me? And who was Maliina?

“Do you think she’s faking?” Andris asked. “Her mother said she had a breakdown and claimed she could see us and souls.”

They were definitely talking about me.

“Can you hear and see us, Cora Jemison?” Andris asked, confirming my suspicions.

 
“Leave her alone,” Torin said in a firm voice. “I’m sure it was a one-time thing.”

Was that why he’d been in my P.E. class? To confirm whether I could see him? He didn’t have runes at the time, but… dang it. I hated not being able to look at them. And I agreed with most comments I’d read online. Torin’s British accent was sexy.

 
“Maliina marked her,” the girl said in an accent I couldn’t place. “She was never patient, so maybe she mixed up the runes. Gave her temporary abilities.”

Maliina again. Who was she?

“I can prove she’s faking.” Andris stood and walked toward me.

My heart picked up tempo. What was he going to do? So what if they found out I could see them? Who was Maliina? I kept my eyes glued to the pages of the magazine, but I could see him coming closer and closer.

“Enough!” Torin snapped, appearing beside Andris.

“Ooh, why do you always spoil my fun?” Andris griped, but I could hear the laughter in his voice. “You can’t be everywhere, big bro. I’ll corner her at school when you’re not around.”

“Hel’s mist, Andris,” Torin snarled. “If you are bored, find a freaking distraction. A girlfriend or a boyfriend. Just leave her alone. She’s Raine’s best friend, which means you don’t mess with her.”

“Boys. Boys. Fighting over me again?”

Echo. I almost turned. I blew a shaky breath and bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling.

“What are you doing here, Grimnir?” Andris snarled.

“Always nice to see you,
Andy
.” Echo bowed to Torin. “
My Lord
St. James, Earl of something-something. No, you lost that title along the way, didn’t you? In the most humiliating—”

“Shut up, Echo,” Torin said. “You are not supposed to be here.”

Echo chuckled. “Really? Last time I checked, hospitals are my hunting ground, which makes you bitches trespassers.”

Someone growled. Probably Andris since I couldn’t see Torin losing control like that.

“Outside, Echo,” Torin snapped. “Now!”

“Since you didn’t say please... Who’s this beauty?” He came into my line of vision and studied me. It took all my effort not to kick him.

“Don’t even look at her wrong or you’ll have Raine to deal with,” Andris warned.

“Torin’s mate?” Echo asked, reaching out to touch my hair. Torin grabbed his wrist. “Völur don’t scare me.”

“You should be scared,” Torin added slowly. “Her powers are emerging fast. Within a year, you’ll tremble in her presence.”

Echo sighed melodramatically and studied my face, his unusual eyes gleaming. “So you’re saying I can’t have this one?”

“You don’t touch her. Ever. Let’s go.”

Echo laughed. Then he was gone. The other two Valkyries followed him. I didn’t look, but I felt rather than saw them leave. I blew out air.

The blonde who’d stayed seated during the entire exchange, got up and walked toward me. She stopped by my chair. “I saw your face, Cora. I know you can see and hear us. Don’t be scared. You’re not going crazy or anything like that. I want to help you.”

 
“Why?” I heard myself ask and cringed. I didn’t dare look at her.

“My sister did this to you. If she hadn’t marked you, you wouldn’t be seeing us now.”

Marked me? I looked up and our eyes met. Hers were filled with pity, which annoyed me. I hated being pitied.

“Why would a Valkyrie mark me?” I asked.

“She was an Immortal, like me, not a Valkyrie. I’ll text you,” the girl said.

“Cora?”

Raine! I whipped around and saw her. She looked terrible, her eyes red and hair a mess. She wore the same clothes she’d worn to school. I jumped to my feet, rushed past the blonde, as though she wasn’t there, and hugged Raine. Had she seen me talk to myself? I leaned back and studied her face.

“How’s he doing?” I asked.

Her chin trembled. “He’s still in a coma. He looks bad. Really bad.”

I held her and fought my own tears. Damn my tear ducts. Through a haze, I saw Raine’s mother talking and smiling with my parents. What the hell was wrong with her? How could she be smiling at a time like his? I never understood her. No one could be this chipper all the time. Even when Raine’s father had gone missing, she’d carried on like he’d gone on an extended vacation or something. When our eyes met.

“Thanks for coming,” Raine mumbled after what seemed like forever.

“You’d do the same if Dad was…” I sighed. No need to spell it out. “Do you want me to get you anything?”

“No. I’m just happy you came.” She glanced over my shoulder, and I followed her gaze to see the two male Valkyries walking toward us. They didn’t have runes this time, but their hair looked disheveled. Andris had a rip on his shirt. A hollow feeling settled in my stomach.

Where was Echo? What had they done with him? If they’d ganged up on him…

I sighed. There was nothing I could do now without letting them all know my secret. I should have told the blonde not to say anything. Mom’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“Raine can come home with us, Svana,” Mom said.

No, I wanted to protest. Echo wouldn’t visit me if Raine was around. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I realized how selfish that sounded.

“You should, Raine,” I repeated Mom’s offer.

Raine shook her head. “I can’t.”

“That’s nice of you to offer, Penny,” Svana Cooper said, “but my sister arrived this evening and will keep an eye on her. In fact, the boys should take her home now.” Raine’s mother waved to the Valkyries.

In the years I’d known the Coopers, I’d never heard her or Raine mention her family. “You have an aunt?” I asked.

“More like a half-sister of my mom’s. They were estranged, but they recently made up.”

“Could you take Raine home, Torin?” Mrs. Cooper asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Torin said, but Raine was already shaking her head.

“No,” Raine said. “I’m not leaving until Dad wakes up. I have to know that he’s going to be okay.”

“Oh, sweetie,” her mother said, cupping her face. “I know how you feel. I’m going to be here keeping an eye on him. Nothing is going to happen to him without me knowing. And the minute he regains consciousness, I’ll call you.”

Raine glanced at Torin, and a silent communication passed between them. She must have seen something in his eyes she didn’t like because she made a face and said ungraciously, “Fine, but I’m coming back first thing in the morning.”

Her mother smiled. “Of course. You and Lavania can stay with him while I go home and change.” She kissed Raine’s cheek then patted Torin’s arm.

We didn’t stay long after Raine and Torin left. I avoided eye contact with Andris and was surprised he and the girl remained behind. I hope she wasn’t going to tell him I could see them. Were they after Mr. C’s soul?

Outside, I searched the parking lot for Echo. Maybe he’d be in my bedroom when I got home. We left the town behind and entered Orchard Grove. It was narrow with leafless trees hulking above us like something from a horror movie. Our headlights barely penetrated the bushes at their base. A movement on our left caught my attention, and I peered for a better look.

Suddenly a thump rocked our car, something hitting us on the left.

Mom screamed and reached in the back in an instinctive protective move to stop me from flying forward. Dad cursed as he struggled to control the car. We spun around, our back tires ending up in a ditch.

“Honey, you okay?” Mom asked in a high-pitched voice.

I nodded.

“I think we hit something,” Dad said, starting to get out.

No, something hit us. “Don’t get out!” I cried.

“It’s okay, muffin. If it’s an animal, we’ll have to put it out of its misery.”

Swallowing, I peered outside, searching the shadows. Something was out there. The thought barely crossed my mind when a shadow zipped past. Another followed. They darted across the vineyard. They were fast, and the darkness made it hard to see what they were. One of them shot up in the air. Then there was a burst of light zipping across the field to where it had landed. A bright spark then nothing.