Sun's Tear (The Valkyrie's Passion Book 2): A Valkyrie/Shifter Romance (13 page)

Raven

“Fuck,” Skid muttered when Magnus finished telling the bikers the situation. He was a tall man with long, lank-brown hair and a scar across the bridge of his nose. “That's why we were butchered? Some fucking beef between Norse gods?”

“Norse gods,” Thunder groaned. He had a deep voice. His hair was shaved and tattoos covered his arms. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Does it fucking matter?” Big Hoss growled, smacking the table. “We need to hurt them.”

“Yeah,” groaned the young Dwayne. His eyes were glassy from his painkillers, his face flushed red. “We need to hit those motherfuckers hard.”

The five Black Wolves stared at him.

“Oh, sorry,” he groaned. He was a prospect which made him like a guy pledging a fraternity. He had to win their approval while they hazed him. And, apparently, he was supposed to keep quiet at one of these wolfpack meetings.

Magnus had to make an exception to the rules just so I could sit here, but he had driven out Haleigh and Kris from their own kitchen. Madge was nearby, frying up pancakes and bacon. She kept setting the food before they guys while they devoured it, all while pretending she wasn't hearing a word.

It was...strange.

“No,” Magnus said, glancing at Dwayne. “I move to make Dwayne a full patch. I'd say the boy's earned it. Took a piece of lead in his leg and still snarling for action.”

“Lead's a tough sumabitch,” Skid said, smacking Dwayne on the back.

“Lead,” nodded Big Hoss. “All right. Let's vote. Should Lead get patched.”

“Lead?” I asked.

“Road name,” Magnus whispered. “Like Big Hoss, Skid, and Thunder. Not their real names.”

“Is Magnus your real name?”

Big Hoss laughed. “Some guys have a name so bad-ass we don't bother giving 'em nicknames, and others just never find one.”

“Or Thomas, who would refuse to answer to one,” grinned Vince. Then his face fell. “Fuck.”

Magnus nodded. Thomas had been killed and replaced by the Thief. It worried me that the Thief was in two places at about the same time. I would have to ask Loki about that.

“I say he's a patch,” Skid said.

“Patch,” Thunder nodded.

“Agreed,” Vince grinned, leaning back in his chair.

“You're in Lead,” Big Hoss nodded. “I have a patch in my saddlebag.”

“You expected this?” Magnus asked.

Big Hoss nodded. He walked to the door right as someone rang the doorbell. I turned my head. “That fucker in the suit that kissed your woman is here, Magnus,” Big Hoss growled. “Want me to punch him in the face?”

Loki was here. My heart thudded in my chest and I fought a smile curling my lips. “Let him in,” I said.

Big Hoss stared at me, then glanced at Magnus.

“We'll hold off on hitting him in the face,” growled Magnus. “For now. He's a god, so he'd probably fuck you up anyways.”

Loki looked as perfect and as handsome as he always did. He strode in, his custom suit fitting his body and making him appear so charming and stylish, his handsome smile on his lips. He stared at me and the urge to smile only swelled.

Instead, I put my hand on Magnus's wrist and squeezed; my wolf was tense.

“Well, isn't this cozy,” Loki said with a sardonic grin. “Everyone looks so jubilant this morning. I suppose I can imagine why.”

“What do you want?” Magnus growled as he stood.

“Why, to help you, of course.”

“Right.” Magnus folded his arms, his muscles bulging.

Loki sighed. “Maybe you should just hit me and get it out of your system. For all of Western Civilization claiming to have put the barbarity of the past behind, you humans sure do have a propensity towards it.”

“'Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must ultimately triumph.'” Magnus quoted.

“Now who said that?” Loki asked. “It has too many big words for you to have strung them together on your own.”

Magnus punched. His fist cracked into Loki's jaw. The god stumbled back into the wall.

“Magnus,” I snapped. “That's not helpful.”

“I know,” Magnus growled, “but it was satisfying.”

“Yes, I'm sure it was,” Loki said, rubbing at his jaw. He winced as he shrugged his shoulders. “You sure this is the man you want? A barbarian?”

“A Viking,” I answered as I glared at Loki. “Yes, I do. Now, if you are just here to antagonize my man, then get the hell out, Loki.”

His eyes flashed with hurt for a moment, and then his self-mocking grin appeared. “Well, I have always been a fan of self-flagellation, so I shall stay and add whatever little aid I can to this endeavor.”

“And what endeavor are you talking about?” Magnus demanded.

“Why, saving your life,” Loki said, his jaw swelling. “I would think you could be more grateful and forget about a little kiss. Trust me, she had her chance and said no. I do not begin to understand how the mind of a woman works and how she could choose you over a magnificent god like myself.” Loki shrugged. “C'est la vie.”

“And what can you bring to our endeavor?” growled Magnus. “Beside a mocking tongue that seeks to cut the very people he claims to want to help.”

“Ah, not quoting there.” Loki peered at Magnus. “I think I do see a spark of intelligence in your beast's eyes.”

“Loki,” I said, folding my arms and fixing him with a hard stare, “I'm going to hit you if you don't start playing nice.”

“My apologies, noble and gracious Valkyrie. I have ever allowed my tongue to get me into trouble.”

“So, you're really a god?” Big Hoss asked as he sat down at the table.

“I am. You sound disappointed.”

Big Hoss nodded. “Yep. You seem more like the villain in a cheesy action movie than a god.”

Magnus gave a snort of laughter.

“You have wounded me, noble biker,” Loki groaned, clutching his heart. “I shall bleed out, flooding the floor in a tide of crimson and drown you and your hurtful comments.”

“Definitely disappointed,” Big Hoss repeated.

“Loki,” I groaned. “Either help or get out.”

“Fine, fine,” Loki sighed. “Let us palaver.”

“What?” I asked.

“The fuck does that mean?” Thunder rumbled.

“To have a prolonged and idle conversation,” Magnus answered. “I don't think Loki is taking this seriously at all.”

“Oh, deathly seriously,” Loki grinned. “After all, your ungrateful life is at stake. If you were to die, then poor Raven would be all alone and weeping. Why, I would have to expend considerable effort in comforting her, and that would be an absolute shame.”

I slammed my hand on the table. “Dammit, Loki. I made my choice. Do I need to climb on Magnus's lap and show you how much this man means to me?”

Loki's face fell. “Sorry, Raven. This is difficult.” He took a breath. “The Sun's Tear is at your rival club's drinking establishment.”

“No shit,” Big Hoss said with a roll of his eyes. “Imagine that. Our enemies are hanging out at their bar. Wow. Thank you for coming.”

“There is strong magic around the place,” Loki continued, ignoring Big Hoss, “and I fear the Thief has used the Sun's Tear to further enhance your rivals.” He glanced at me. “You and Magnus will be hard pressed to cut your way through the surviving Blood Eagles and fight the Thief.”

“Who can be in two places at once,” I added.

Loki blinked. “Really?”

“You didn't know? While you were leading the Thief through the woods, he was also fighting Magnus. He had masqueraded as one of Magnus's bikers for at least a day.”

Loki leaned back. “What troubling news. I had no idea. The Thief is cunning. Almost as cunning as
I am
. It was quite apparent when I led him off. He only toyed in chasing me. By the time I realized it, you had already been rescued by your wolf.”

“He needed me to pick up the Sun's Tear,” Raven sighed. “And, like the idiot that I am, I obliged. It was burning hot. I could barely touch it.”

“He used us.” Loki's face twisted hard. “He tricked me. That is disheartening.”

“Maybe,” Magnus said, his eyes hard. “So, you've come to tell us our fate is hopeless. That is the help you've come to provide?”

“What if you had back-up?” Big Hoss said. “Me, Thunder, Vince, and Skid can go.”

“I can go, too,” Dwayne or Lead or whatever I should call him added.

“No,” Magnus said. “Normal weapons are useless against them. Bullets just bounced off of them. They would rip you to shreds. I'm not letting any more Wolves die.”

“It's not your decision to make, Magnus,” Big Hoss growled. “We all get a vote. I say we're fucking helping.”

“Yep,” Vince declared.

Thunder and Skid nodded.

“Yes,” Dwayne groaned. “We're going to kill those fuckers.”

“You're not going,” Big Hoss and Magnus said at the same time.

“You're shot, Lead,” Vince said. “You're not gonna be any good in a fight.”

“But...” Dwayne, or maybe I should call him Lead now, leaned back. “This is fucked up.”

“Yep,” Magnus nodded. “And I don't care if you all voted. You are not going.”

“A vote has been taken at the table,” Big Hoss growled, staring Magnus straight in the eye. “The pack has made its decision. Do we need to strip the presidency from you, Magnus?”

“You will die.” Magnus leaned back in his chair. “Fuck, we've lost enough of us. Raven and I will handle it.” Magnus turned to look at Loki. “Unless you're volunteering to go and fight.”

“Alas, I am more of a lover than a fighter. You would find me quite useless in battle.”

“Right,” sneered Magnus.

“But, I can render assistance in arming your men,” Loki grinned. “A few simple runes drawn on your weapons, a bit of magic, and you will find that the Blood Eagles will not be as resistant to your weapons as they were last night.”

“Do it,” Big Hoss growled.

Magnus went silent for a moment. “You are not bullshitting us or playing some prank on us?”

“Would I ever lie to you?” Loki's smile was so innocent.

“Yes.”

“Loki, stop playing your games,” I told him. I reached out and patted his hand. “You don't need to keep up the act with us. Okay? I know you're a decent guy. I know you want to help us. I know you're not trying to trick us.”

Loki's smile fell. He stared at me. “Damn, if only I had met you before you met Magnus.”

I pulled my hand away. “None of us can change that.”

“My magic will work. I am skilled at creating weapons. I have armed other gods in the past.”

“Then we need to plan,” Magnus said. “The Blood Eagles' bar is not that big. There are only two ways in.”

“Ah, I have pictures,” Loki said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small iPad. He swiped the screen and tapped a few times, then set it down on the kitchen table. There was a picture of the bar, two Blood Eagles lounging at the entrance. The open sign was off. “These are thirty minutes old. I did a little reconnaissance before coming here.”

“You have an iPad?” Big Hoss asked. “I thought you were a god.”

“Exactly,” Loki nodded. “That's why I have an iPad. I need to be as pretentious as possible. I also have an iPhone, an Apple watch, and a Mac Air. You should see my house. I filled it with every pretentious, hipster thing I could.

“It's so kitsch.”

A smile crossed my lips. “Okay, let's plan, guys.”

Magnus

I pulled Raven to me and hugged her. She rested her head on my bare chest. I closed my eyes and smelled the mix of fresh shampoo and her sweet scent. I kissed her forehead. The plans were finished.

It was time to fight.

“You watch your ass,” she whispered. Her hand slid down and gave me a squeeze through my jeans. “I like it.”

I smiled. She lifted her head, and I claimed her lips. Her arms tightened around my neck. She sighed into the kiss. I didn't want to let her go. I wanted to keep her safe and sound. What we were doing this morning was dangerous.

But she wasn't a china doll. I didn't have to coddle her. She was strong. My Boudica. She broke the kiss and fixed me with a fierce, confident stare. Her black hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, taking away her normally innocent beauty.

Today she had the beauty of a badass Valkyrie. “Don't get hurt,” I told her. “I want to walk with you in the night again.”

“Always,” Raven sighed. She pulled away. “If we keep stalling, we'll never do this.”

“I know.”

“Any inspiring words?” she asked.

“'For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,'” I quoted.

“Brother?”

I smiled. “Figuratively.”

“Who said that? Lord Byron?”

“Shakespeare.”

“You are far too well read for a barbarian,” Raven smiled. She broke away and headed to Haleigh's car. Kris and Haleigh already sat in the front. Raven slid into the back, Big Hoss on the other side, his UMP submachine gun on his lap.

I hoped Loki's magic worked.

I glanced at the god as he leaned against a tree bordering the driveway of Kris's house. He had his sardonic smile creasing his too-handsome face. Kris started Haleigh's car and drove down the driveway to bring Raven and Big Hoss into position. The car disappeared down the curving driveway.

I turned and marched on Loki.

“Eager to throw another punch?” asked the god.

I seized the collar of his immaculate suit and slammed him into the tree. “If you played us false today, I do not care that you are a god. I will rip out your throat, Loki. I will not need to don the wolf's cloak to do it.”

“And we'll piss on your corpse,” Skid added, his UMP slung over his chest as he sat on his Harley. Vince had an eager grin.

“Why would you think I played you false?” Loki asked. “I do not want harm to fall on Raven.”

“And that's the only reason I haven't kicked the living shit out of you.” Again, I slammed him against the tree.

“Yes, good,” Loki groaned as I let him go. He adjusted his suit. “The weapons will work. Even on the Thief. Keep Raven safe. Blood shall be spilled today. It would grieve me to see her dead.”

“Unrequited love must be a bitch,” I growled, a grin on my face. “It must just eat at you.”

“It does. It's a small worm devouring the core of my body.” His face grew dark. “Treasure her, Einherjer. The love of a Valkyrie burns hot and sweet, but she must be carefully tended and protected. Even the strongest flame can be extinguished through neglect or malfeasance.”

My phone chirped. I pulled it out of my jean's pocket and flipped it open. The text read: “In position.”

“Let's go,” I growled and strolled to my bike. I straddled the leather seat. My bike snarled to life like an angry wolf-bitch howling for blood. I missed Raven riding bitch behind me. She belonged there. I felt almost naked.

I summoned Heimdall's ax into my left hand and twisted the accelerator. The Bear and Eagle coffee house wasn't far away from here. We would be there in minutes.

I howled. Skid, Vince, and Thunder howled with me as we roared down the driveway, leaving Loki and Madge behind.

~   ~   ~

Raven

Kris pulled his car around the corner from the Bear and Eagle. From here, we could peak out and look at the alley that ran behind the bar. I glanced around the corner. The brown, fading siding of the bar, its windows dingy, lay a hundred feet away. Two of the Blood Eagles, wearing their leather cuts and blue jeans, lounged by the door, one smoking a cigarette.

They had no weapons.

“Still just two,” I whispered to Big Hoss.

He nodded, his weapon ready. The man was built like a small tank. I was taller than him, but he could pick me up and swing me like a twig. There was a gleam in his eyes, something fierce, loyal. I trusted this man to have my back.

Why? Because Magnus did, and that was enough endorsement for me.

I motioned to Haleigh. She sent the text to Magnus. My friend and her boyfriend would stay here with the car. My heart thudded. In a few minutes, Magnus and his bikers would be roaring down Highway 512 and assault the front of the bar where two other guards waited.

Then Big Hoss and I would hit them from behind.

“Better suit up,” Big Hoss whispered.

I summoned my armor. It was second nature. The silvery metal rippled around me. The damage it had sustained from fighting Griff had vanished and even my helmet, lost in my escape, appeared on my head. The armor seemed to repair itself when I dismissed it back to...wherever. My soul?

My sword appeared next, burning, eager for the fight.

Big Hoss whistled. “I see why you captured his heart. You look like that chick from the Conan movie.”

“Conan movie?” I frowned. “What? That terrible CGI fest that came out a few years ago?” I had a boyfriend take me, and even the hot lead, the same guy who played Khal Drogo, did not make up for how terrible it was.

“Naw, the classic with Arnold,” Big Hoss nodded. “Valeria. That was her name. She got killed and came back in silver armor. Looked like a bad ass.”

I gripped my sword. My heart thudding. Waiting sucked. “You seem to take to the Norse stuff pretty well.”

Big Hoss shrugged. “Shit happens. You can either accept it or whine about it. I'm sure Magnus would pull out a quote from some dead dude, but I ain't that smart.”

I smiled. “Don't sell yourself short. I think that's one of the smartest things I've ever heard.”

Big Hoss opened his mouth, then paused. “Magnus and the boys are coming.”

The roar of motorcycles grew louder.

~   ~   ~

Magnus

The wind howled past as I rode my Harley. My blond hair fluttered behind me. We rounded the corner. The straightaway into Covington before us. The Bear and Eagle bar lay dead ahead, butting up against the forests right on the edge of town.

I twisted the accelerator. My bike howled as she raced forward.

The three of us barreled down the highway, sliding into oncoming traffic as we whipped around a beta male driving a baby-blue Prius. The driver jumped as we screamed by. I dived back onto the right-hand lane as an approaching semi-truck's horn blared.

My blood roared. The two guards out front of the bar let out screeches as they changed into crimson were-eagles, their cuts still adorning their feathery bodies. Skid came along side me, his UMP held up in one hand.

He went full auto.

The air exploded. Fire spat from his gun. Bullets splintered the bar's peeling siding and broke glass. One of the were-eagles staggered as the other launched himself into the air, wings flapping and taloned feet extended before him.

Thunder skid his bike as he fired a burst into the sky at the rising were-eagle while Vince screeched to a halt and lifted his submachine gun. The air exploded with shots. I braked. My bike tires screeched as I whipped into the parking lot and stopped my bike. The were-eagle dived at me, talons extended.

I swung my ax. Sheets of dancing, undulating light trailed the weapon. The aurora flashed around the metal. The ax slammed into the side of the bird, biting in deep. The Blood Eagle screeched in pain as my blow slammed him into the ground.

Skid screeched to a stop beside me. He fired a burst at the were-eagle standing by the door. Bullets struck the creature in the chest, throwing it back into the wall. Blood oozed, almost vanishing against his feathers.

Loki's magic worked.

“Let's pluck the pigeons,” I growled as I climbed off my bike and donned the wolf's cloak.

The primal rage of the wolf seized me. The world tinged with red as black fur covered my body. I gripped the ax in a furry claw and howled my challenge.

The door to the bar burst open and more of the Blood Eagles poured out, their eyes wild as they changed. Energy crackled about their feathers. The nearest Blood Eagle threw up his wings and cawed. The energy surged up to its beak.

Skid and Thunder unloaded their weapons at the flock of were-eagles. A pair fell, screeching in pain. I lunged forward, charging at the lead were-eagle. The energy crackled along its beak. The creature flapped his wings.

A bolt of lightning shot from his mouth.

I howled in surprise as it struck me in the chest.