Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
I groan and throw a pillow at him. “She was sleepwalking.”
“Sure.” He nods, but then all the teasing leaves his face. “You going to be okay today? After last night’s storm, I mean.” I don’t answer. He clears his throat and tries again. “So, runes on your back, hmm?”
I nod, unsure of how much to tell him beyond the bare bones I texted him late last night. “You know I have abilities.”
“I know.” He crosses his arms. “Does Sigurd know about…” He nods toward the rumpled bed.
“Sigurd knows I’m playing the long game.” It’s not a total lie. “Sometimes it’s better to keep the enemy close, you know?”
Reeve makes a face. “I don’t think Sigurd meant naked close, but you do you—and her, apparently.”
I glare at him. “It was an accident. But still, what better way to gain the upper hand than get her to trust me with everything—mind, body, soul.” I feel dirty, repulsive saying it, but I can’t trust anyone. Not even myself.
This is the first time I’m doing something on my own, the first time Sigurd is trusting me with something huge since the broken engagement. I’m not going to mess up. Besides, she’s leading me to a very real way to finally kill her father: Mjölnir. We’ll trade a life for a life. His blood will be spilled, as it should have been years ago. I’ll wipe him from this world—just like he wiped out my parents.
This doesn’t go against my truce with Rey. If anything, she should thank me for it.
Reeve sighs and snaps his fingers. “Shirt off. Let’s take a look.”
“You’re not a doctor, and it’s not like I have a disease.” I keep my shirt firmly on.
One eyebrow arches. “Dude, I’m your brother. Color me curious. Plus, not everyone can say their brother can build a snowman out of his ass.”
“I have never once built a snowman out of my ass.”
“Pipe dream.” Reeve winks. “Seriously, show me.”
I sigh, peel off my shirt, and turn. The cold air bites against my skin as I wait.
Silence.
When I glance back at him, his face has gone pale, eyes locked on the runes carved into me like brands. “Interesting mix of runes, Aric. Very interesting mix.”
He leans back, studying me as if weighing a choice.
“Hope you know what you’re doing with Rey.” His voice dips, serious now. “She may seem nice, but the Stjernes killed our parents without hesitation. Have you ever asked yourself why? What they knew that got them slaughtered? We all know it wasn’t an accident.”
The words land heavy, sharper than I would have expected.
“This isn’t child’s play, Aric. Odin Stjerne is powerful. Never forget what he controls in this…” He hesitates, just for a second. “City.”
I frown. City? Reeve covers it with a smile, but the slip prickles down my spine, his hesitation and sudden amusement making me pause.
“We’re safe here,” Reeve continues. “Endir’s gates protect us. Sigurd sees to that. But be careful with Pandora’s box, brother.” His eyes focus on my back again. “You can’t shut it once you open it. And when you do…” His grin twists, almost eager. “How else do worlds end? Chaos.”
The word lingers between us, bitter like he released a curse into the air.
I turn away, tugging my shirt back over my head. I need the second of reprieve so I don’t need to look him in the eye. That word reverberates around in my skull. Chaos…chaos…chaos…
And I realize that I’m not sure if Reeve is really protecting me—or just waiting to see me burn.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Rey
The humidity from the storm last night is lingering, just like the scent of Aric on my skin despite the very cold shower I took the minute I bolted out of his room. Ziva’s holding her fan attached to her phone in front of her face and waiting for me in the hall outside my dorm.
“I thought Reeve said maintenance was going to fix the flickering lights. It’s like we’re on a haunted floor.”
I can only focus on one thing at a time, and haunted floors are nothing compared to the utter embarrassment of sleepwalking into enemy territory. What the hell? And why did I have the best night’s sleep of my life in a Giant’s arms?
It’s not like I can share with the class all the reasons why waking up in Aric’s arms was the jump scare of my life without sounding like I need to be locked up in a padded room.
“Actually,” I finally answer Ziva, “the lights are kind of growing on me. Besides, my money’s on Reeve forgetting to tell maintenance whatever they tried didn’t work.”
“Your faith in me is disappointing,” a joking voice suddenly says.
I glare at Ziva. “Could have told me he was in the hall.”
“I thought everyone could sense his brand of evil—my bad.” She winks.