Immortals (Runes book 2) (47 page)

We kissed, and then he stepped back. “I’ve got to go. Wait for me.”

“Always.” He was going to reap souls then escort them to Valhalla. It might take hours or several days, but I knew he would be back. For me. For us. “I’m not going anywhere.”

EPILOGUE

Eirik arrived just as I walked into my bedroom from downstairs several hours later. He was leaving. My throat thickened with sadness, and I had to clear it before speaking. “For someone who’s going home to see his family, you look glum.”

He flashed a sad smile. “I hate leaving when nothing is settled.”

 
“You mean you and Cora?”

He nodded. “I wish we’d known she was in that hospital. She probably thinks we don’t care about her.”

“I know, but she’ll understand once you explain.”

Determination flashed in his eyes. “I plan to tell her everything when I come back. Try to reconnect with her while I’m gone.”

“You don’t need to ask.” My eyes smarted. “Do me a favor, too, and keep an eye on Dad when he comes to Valhalla.”

“You don’t need to ask either.” He smiled, a naughty gleam flashing in his eyes. “Look at us, talking about going to Valhalla like it’s a trip to Portland. You are a powerful seeress, and I am the son of an evil goddess.” His voice changed, becoming haunted. “Hel’s spawn just took on a new meaning.”

I crossed the gap between us, and we hugged. “You are Eirik, and I’m Raine. Best friends forever. That’s all I care about.”

“Me too,” he whispered then stepped back. He wiped his hands on his pants, showing his nervousness. “We are leaving in a few minutes.”

“They’re going to love you up there and never want to let…” My voice shook to a stop.

“Don’t. I swear if you cry I’ll… I’ll only come back to see Cora.” His eyes grew bright.

“Try it and you’ll feel my wrath. Don’t forget I’m a
völva.
”

“Yeah, you see the future. Big whoop. I can turn this town into a kill zone.” Laughing, we hugged. “Don’t lose my pullout bed. I’ll need it when I come back.”

“Promise.”

I’m not going to cry… I’m not going to cry…

He disappeared through the portal, and the tears started. I was at the window seat imagining my life without him and Dad when Torin walked into my room. I still had him. He lifted me up off the window seat, took my place, put me on his lap, and wrapped his arms around me. We sat like that for a very long time. Occasionally, he pressed a kiss on my hair or forehead and wiped away a teardrop.

“How many died tonight?” I whispered.

“Four. One of theirs. Three of ours, one of them a cheerleader.”

No wonder Ingrid had joined the squad. “Drew and Keith.”

“Drew is fine. He said something knocked him and a bunch of guys down and he twisted his ankle. He hobbled off the field. Leaving saved his life. You didn’t happen to have something to do with that, did you?”

“Maliina threw me against him, and since we had runes… Keith didn’t make it?”

“No.”

So sad and tragic. I sighed.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you about your father’s illness. I gave him my word.”

“It’s okay. Thank you for giving us time to say our goodbyes. I don’t know how long he has, but I’m going to make the most of it.” I shifted, so I could see his face. “What did you promise the Grimnir for not reaping him?”

“Echo? Nothing. I asked him to look the other away, and he did. He’s cool like that.”

I searched his face. Grimnir worked for Hel, and she might be coming after me now that Maliina had failed to deliver Eirik. “Don’t lie to me about this because I cannot afford to lose you, too. Eirik is gone, and Dad doesn’t have long. If you promised him anything, I need to know, Torin.”

“I didn’t promise him anything, and I’m not going anywhere, Freckles. Ever. You and I have forever to plan. But first, we have to turn you into a Valkyrie.” He grinned with anticipation. “
Völur,
if you must know,
sit around all day while Immortals wait on them and gods vie for their attention. I want you with me. Here. Always.”

I wanted to make a snarky comment because I still found the idea of reaping souls distasteful, but I just smiled. For Torin St. James, I would learn to reap souls, because forever with him sounded perfect.

THE END

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BIOGRAPHY

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.

Ednah also writes Young Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on GRIMNIRS.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six.

You can visit her online at
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www.ebwalters.com
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