Chapter Twenty-Eight

Brenna glanced around the tent she now shared with the two women. It’d been three days since the fight, both of them keeping their distance from each other, as much as they could. Erik had permanently taken the front seat beside Jake, packing and unpacking the van in near-silence. There was a tension in the air, the sadness of seeing something that had flourished during the trip take a turn for the worst—and possibly die.

Lucy poked her head in. “Chili’s almost ready. Just stopped Jake from dumping a whole bottle of hot sauce in it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Man’s got no taste buds left.”

“Not hungry.” Brenna toed off her shoes and stretched out on the sleeping bag. “I had lunch, I’ll be fine.”

Lucy crawled in beside her. “How you doing?”

“I’m good,” Brenna lied.

Lucy eyed her, raising one eyebrow.

Brenna stared at the ceiling. “Erik doesn’t think I’ll be able to do what it takes to protect us from Kara.”

Lucy laid on the sleeping bag next to her, propping her head up with one hand. “She’s your friend, right? Mark filled us all in.”

Brenna flinched inside. She didn’t want to give out any more information than necessary. “Yes. She used to be my sister—not by blood, but in every other way. And she’s determined to try to kill us both. Erik first, then me.”

“Why?” Lucy frowned. “I mean, I get she’s got a hate on for Erik, blaming him for her brother’s death. I’ve seen how that works—people who can’t deal with a loss taking it out on someone. This is damned extreme, but I get it. But you being her old friend…”

“It’s complicated.” She wrestled with the words.

Lucy poked the nylon wall. “I can understand what Erik’s worried about. You’ll hold back automatically, and that’s okay.” She drew in a deep breath. “Killing should never be easy. When it gets that way, then there’s something wrong with you.”

“I know. I just…” Brenna bit her lip. “I don’t believe he’ll be able to stop her.”

“Don’t write Erik off. He’s a good man, a strong man. He can hold his own, inside the ring and outside. He survived being shot up—not too many come out of something like that alive. And alone.” She smiled as Brenna turned her gaze on her. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happened. Survivor’s guilt can be a bastard.”

Brenna frowned. “Survivor’s guilt?”

“Yeah. He feels bad ’cause everyone around him died. Jake filled me in on the history—Erik gave him enough that he put it together. Now he’s got you, and he doesn’t want you hurt or in danger.” She tapped her temple. “Remember, when you’re under fire you get tunnel vision, all twisted around because you want to protect those you care about.”

Brenna didn’t say anything. She wanted to tell Lucy everything about Valhalla, about Freyja, but held back. Sharing with Erik had caused this problem—she didn’t want to make it worse.

“You think I should give up on Erik?” Brenna finally asked.

“I think you have to see where the road takes you. Some battles a man’s got to face on his own. You can’t choose for him no matter how much you love him. Same goes for Erik—he can’t make the choice for you, and you shouldn’t let him.”

Brenna nodded, letting the words sink in.

“Soon we’ll be at Columbus and then you can think things over without Erik underfoot. Time has a way of making things clearer,” Lucy said.

A gentle knock came at the wooden stool placed at the front door in lieu of a doorbell.

Lucy twisted around. “Yes?”

“I’d like…” Erik’s voice was hoarse. “Can I talk to Brenna? Please?”

“Let me check.” Lucy turned back. “Your call.”

Brenna bit her lip, using the brief pain to focus. “I’m coming out in a minute.”

She busied herself with putting her shoes on, drawing out the time.

“Say the word and Jake’ll figure out a way to drive him into the nearest town tonight,” Lucy whispered. “If you can’t cope with him being so close. Don’t want to run him off but we’re not going to let the two of you fight all the way to Columbus.”

“I can handle him.” Brenna kissed her cheek. “Thanks. You’re wonderful.”

“Well, yeah.” Lucy laughed as Brenna backed out of the tent. “I am.”

…

The moon was rising above the trees, the dim light drowning out the small campfire in the middle of the circle.

He stamped his feet, kicking off the soil clogging his shoes. He ached from head to foot, unable to stand still. The morning training sessions were gone, everyone avoiding him. Conversations were short and curt from the women, not much better from the men.

It’d all gone to hell, and he didn’t how to fix it, if he ever could.

She came out of the tent and stood in front of him.

His chest ached as he looked directly at her, something he’d steadfastly avoided for the past few days. Her long blonde hair now tumbled over her shoulders, so much longer than when they’d first met. She jammed her hands into the front pockets of her jeans, the dark blue T-shirt frayed at the edges.

She never seemed more beautiful.

“Can we talk somewhere?” He nodded toward the edge of the campsite.

“Sure.” She stared at the ground as she led him over to the back of the van.

Erik noticed Jake and Mark sitting by the fire, chatting to each other as they stirred the pot of chili. Helen glanced over, her arms crossed in front of her as she said something to Lucy, who had exited the tent.

“Don’t be angry with them,” Brenna said. “They’re not mad at you.”

“They’re not mad at you, either,” he replied. “It’s always awkward when a couple breaks up—people figure they have to choose sides even if they still like both parties.”

“I guess. You still planning on leaving at Columbus?”

“Yes.” He leaned against the van. “It’s the best way to draw Kara off your trail. I have some ideas, some contacts to make.”

“Don’t tell me anything. If Kara finds me first, I don’t want to help her find you.” She scrunched up her nose. “She’ll ask, and I don’t know how far she’ll go to get information from me.”

“You still don’t think you’ll be able to kill her?” He kept his voice low. “When you think she’ll torture you to find me? After that?”

“I will fight,” Brenna said. “I’m not an idiot. She has the advantage on a number of fronts. Least of which being invulnerable.” She looked at her hands, clenching and unclenching her fists. “The odds are not in my favor. But if she comes for me first, I’ll do my best to delay her if I can, give you more time.”

He shook his head. “That’s not what I want or need from you.”

“Then what?” She glared at him, and he saw the fire in her eyes, the warrior maiden coming out. “You mocked me, told me you didn’t think I could face Kara.”

“I did not,” he shot back. “You said you couldn’t bring yourself to consider stopping her by killing her. With her invulnerability, that’s damned well the only way this can go down, and we still have no idea what or how to do that, aside from getting her spear and using it against her. That makes you a liability. For both of us. I’m not going to go over this with you again. We’re going our separate ways in Columbus. Maybe I’ll see you again, maybe not.”

“You will. At Ragnarok.” She drew a staggered breath. “Even the damned will come out to fight.”

He didn’t know what to say to that, so he nodded and turned away.

…

The bus station in Columbus was a small building set not far from the highway, allowing them quick and easy access to the city core.

Jake met him at the back of the van. The rest of the group got out, stretching their legs and preparing to say goodbye.

Erik fought to keep from pressing his hand against his stomach, trying to quell the nausea building up inside. He hadn’t been so nervous since leaving for boot camp.

Jake held out a handful of bills. “Should be enough for a ticket and a nice hotel room somewhere.”

Erik waved him off. “I’ll be fine. You need it for gas, camping…”

The older man shook his head as he pressed the money into Erik’s hand. “Not as much now. Besides, you’ve been a great help to us. All of us.” He let out a low grunt before continuing. “I hope you end up okay. Sorry I can’t give you the pistol—safer to keep it with us than to have you grabbed by the authorities for carrying it around.”

“I’ll be fine.” Erik put out his hand. “You’re a damned good man, Jake. Been an honor to be with you.”

Jake gripped it, putting his other hand atop their tight embrace. “Right back at you.” He stepped back as Helen came up and hugged him.

She pulled back, and he saw the tears in her eyes, breaking his heart just that much more.

“We’ll take care of her.” She lightly jabbed him in the chest with one finger. “You just take care of you.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

Helen moved back, and Mark took her place. The handshake was rough, hard, and exactly what he expected from the veteran.

“Be careful out there.” He glanced back at Brenna. “We’ll do our best by her.”

“Thanks.”

He gave Erik’s hand an extra squeeze. “You helped me. Now I’m going to help you.” Mark pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and held it up before digging a small disposable phone out of the other. “Paid up for fifty bucks and already put my number in there. That way you’ll always have a way to get hold of us. You can check on her and we can check on you.” A soft smile appeared. “And if you want to talk to her, you can. Call me first and I’ll be a buffer zone if you need it.”

Erik hesitated before taking it. “Thanks.”

Mark nodded. “Just be careful out there.”

Lucy advanced on Erik, replacing Mark. She locked eyes with him as she shook his hand. “You did what you thought would help her. I understand. But don’t believe for one second this is going to be the answer.”

She stepped away before he could speak.

It took a long minute for Brenna to move up. She handed him a plastic bag.

A dark blue woolen knit scarf lay inside.

“For Canada,” she said in a soft whisper.

“Thanks.” He swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. “Watch your back.”

“Always.” Her smile was forced. “Fly straight, and I’ll see you at Ragnarok.”

He struggled with the urge to wrap his arms around her, pull her close, and never let her go. But it’d be a death sentence for them both, and he couldn’t do that to her.

It took all he had to turn, shoulder his duffel bag, and walk away.

…

She didn’t have the heart to look back as they headed for the highway.

“He’ll be fine.” Jake reached over and patted her knee. “You, too. We’ll arrive at Washington soon enough, and after that you can come on back West with me until you figure out what you want to do.”

Helen leaned forward and placed her hand on Brenna’s shoulder. “He’ll be fine. Man’s a good fighter—she won’t be able to put a finger on him.”

No, Brenna wanted to yell. She will kill him.

She smiled and reached back to squeeze Helen’s hand.

The next few days were spent heading through Pennsylvania, stopping below Pittsburgh at a university and a series of small towns.

They were all a tangled blur in her mind, the daily routine of packing and unpacking the tents occupying her thoughts.

The tone of the group had changed with Erik’s leaving. There were still the jokes and teasing, but now it all seemed forced, aimed at keeping her occupied and without any mention of Erik or the events of the past month.

One morning she rose and ventured out of the women’s tent to find Mark nodding off by the fire. She patted his shoulder, getting a weary smile.

“I’ll start the coffee.” She went to the back of the van where they kept the food supplies.

Brenna studied the wooden staff, still lashed with the other luggage. She hadn’t touched it since the fight with Erik, letting her training slide.

She reached out and stroked it, feeling the smooth wood fit into her hand.

I will not go down without a fight.

Mark smiled as she returned to the campsite, staff in hand. “I was kinda wondering when you would start up again.” He levered himself out of the chair. “How ’bout we warm up with a little hand-to-hand before you go all medieval on a tree with that?”

Brenna grinned. “Let me make the coffee first.”