Ever
“Anybody home?
The silence that greeted her made the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand to attention. Ever knew she wasn’t alone in the house even though all the lights were turned off. The part of her that remembered her warrior training cautioned Ever to pause and take in her surroundings.
Having woken late, Ever had gone for a walk to try and clear her head, and somehow, day had turned into night. Ever wondered how someone had been able to breach the wards around her home while she was out. If she’d still been on speaking terms with Samhain, Ever could have asked her over to make sure the wards were still working. But the lack of communication between them left her with few options.
Maybe she could ask Ricky.
Dropping her handbag, she shut the door with a click and headed for the kitchen, looking for a weapon. Erika’s beautiful sword lay across the kitchen table, and Ever thanked the heavens for the woman’s untidy nature. Sure, it could have been a string of bras like a couple of days ago, but as the light from the moon glinted on the steel blade, Ever took hold of the tang and made her way into the living room.
The aura she felt inside the walls of her home was like nothing Ever had experienced before; that she remembered, anyway. It felt as if she were standing next to an exploding nuclear reactor, or maybe like a bubbling volcano. Past Ever had experienced a volcano once, felt the heat of it as it had destroyed the city of Pompeii.
Back pressed against the wall, Ever stepped one foot over the other as she made her way to the living room, bracing herself in the doorway once she got there. She could make out the faint shadow of a man seated on one of her armchairs, his head turned to look out the open curtains. Ever stalked toward her prey, pulse thundering in her ears and heart racing.
When she pounced, Ever kicked the chair so that the man crumpled to the ground with an oomph. Lashing out, she stuck the man’s arm, wounding him so that a spurt of blood splashed her skin. As Ever caught a glimpse of his handsome face, her mind flashed to a memory and the man on the ground smiled. Ever wiped the blood from her cheek and raised Erika’s sword. His eyes followed her blade as Ever pressed it against his neck.
“Do not move.”
“Come now, Kyria. Is that any way to treat family? I must say, your hosting skills are appalling.”
Snorting, Ever said, “Considering my biological father is trying to kill me and my mother is a bloodthirsty bitch, I’m sure you’ll understand the need to draw blood when my ‘family’ rocks up out of the blue.”
The beautiful man lying on her wooden floor smirked at her. “Darling, you have issues.”
“Tell me about it.”
They stared at each other for a while as Ever tried to wrap her head around the fact that a real-ass god lay on her living room floor… and he considered her family. How would she react if Thor showed up on her doorstep?
“Whilst I adore what you have done to the flooring, sister mine, and appreciate the opportunity to see it from a closer angle, I would prefer to return to a more appropriate luxury if I may.”
Swallowing, Ever removed the sword from Loki’s neck and held out a hand. When her adopted brother's hand slipped into hers, the electricity that punched into her veins was hypnotic and dangerous at the same time. It was then she realized it had been Loki in her head all this time. When she snarled at him, the little shit simply curved his lips into a smile and shrugged.
“Ah, so you realize who has been spouting words of wisdom in your mind for a bit now, don’t you?”
“I thought I was going mad, you asshole. How could you do that to me?”
“I was helping in my own way.”
While Ever tried to settle her anger, Loki pulled the chair upright and plopped down on it once again. He folded his arms behind his head and rested his right leg over his left knee. His black hair was pulled back into a ponytail that seemed to highlight his perfectly symmetrical face. Dressed in black jeans, boots, and a T-shirt emblazoned with Marvel’s Loki emblem and a famous quote from the movie—You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel. Loki grinned at her with a smile designed for mischief.
Ever gave a shake of her head. “What are you doing here, Loki?”
Removing his arms from behind his head and ignoring the little trickle of blood on his neck, Loki folded his hands in his lap. “Time, sister mine,” he began, “is not on our side. The tidings of Ragnorók are slowly creeping in on us. It’s time for you to remember who you really are and stop fluffing about.”
Ever almost dropped her sword a second time. “Fluffing about? Fluffing about?” she spluttered. “I haven’t been ‘fluffing about’ as you say. I’ve merely been trying to deal with the fact I’m a mythical creature whose father is a sadist intent on killing me. I’ve been trying to come to terms with the fact that the man I’m in love with may only feel drawn to me because you helped curse us so we are bound together!”
The final words were shouted, and thunder rumbled above in the skies. Shaking her head, Ever sank down onto the chair opposite Loki, the sword resting in her lap as she regarded him. He held her gaze with eyes that spoke of galaxies far and wide, his lips turned down in a faint grimace.
“And if I spent all day whining about the fact that I was simply adopted into this powerful family and always looked upon as the black sheep, then the Ever I grew up with—the Ever who would have slayed dragons to have me smile—would have kicked my ass by now, told me to figure out where my balls were located, and encouraged me to reattach them.”
Ever barked out a laugh. “Have I said those exact words to you before?”
“Yes. I fear your general has been a bad influence on you over the years.” A tug played on the trickster’s lips, and Ever noted a tone of affection as Loki spoke Erika’s name.
“I’m not ready for this, Loki. I don’t want it.”
“We are never ready for greatness, Ever. But your destiny awaits you.”
“I just want to be free.”
Once the words were spoken, Ever realized they had come from a person who had died many years ago, the person she used to be. That person seemed as far away from Ever as the person she had been before she discovered she was a Valkyrie. If only she could rewind time and erase all that had happened after they’d made that stupid curse.
“I am not to blame for the past, sister mine. I am only a cog in the wheel that helped it along. Some say I am the one who set things in motion when I killed Baldur, your brother. It may have sown the seeds of darkness that became rooted in Odin once Mother passed. But what I did—implementing what you call a curse—saved you from certain death. Had I not set the wheels in motion, you would have died when Odin stabbed you, and the world would have been a very different place.”
“I wish we could leave the past in the past and concentrate on the future.”
Loki stretched out his long legs and exhaled. “The future is constantly changing. Not even the best seer in the world can predict how this one will end. We may be gods, Ever, but we have free will also. That impacts everything. The path to destiny may guide us, shape us, forge us into who we are meant to be, but our decision-making is our own doing.”
“You’ve become wise in your old age,” Ever teased, again realizing it was Kyria doing the teasing. Her smile slipped, and he gave her a small smile in return.
“Ah, so the general is correct. You are waging a war inside your head when the war needs to be waged on Midgard. Accepting who you are will not only bring you closure, my dear, but it will also allow you access to the power you need to keep yourself and those you hold dear alive.”
“I’m not ready,” she whispered in response, despising her cowardice.
“Nobody is ever ready for war. But they gather their wits and go with it. Perhaps, if you let Freya assist you, help you adjust, then you would be more willing to accept who you really are.”
Ever shifted in her chair. Freya may have shown her a lovey-dovey memory, but Ever did not trust her recall of the past. To her, Freya was as bad as Odin. It was no surprise that those two had been drawn together. Like takes to like.
“The Freya I remember is a cold-hearted bitch who spent her time honing little girls into killers. Whatever her objective, no matter her beliefs, we were all little girls—some had even been taken from their families and trained to be killers and soul thieves. There is a seed of hate in my heart for that woman, and I’m not sure if it will grow, cease to exist, or something else.”
Loki leaned forward and rested his chiselled chin in his hands. “You are still thinking like a human. The morals and traditions of those in Midgard differ from those blessed to hail from Asgard. Our customs and ways are not of this world, Ever. Accept that, and you can move forward without this anchor of conscience weighing you down.”
Ever shook her head. “I killed my first soldier at age seven. Tasted blood with my sword and celebrated it because that was the Valkyrie way. We ate roasted pig, and I had my first sup of ale as the kill was toasted. That’s not normal.”
Loki blew out a frustrated breath and rose from his seat to stride around her room, his arms clasped behind his back. “We come from a people who have not progressed as the humans have. A mere second of life passes for us when a decade passes for a mortal man. You must stop thinking of yourself as human and think of yourself as other. We all depend on you.”
“I never asked you to.”
“Oh, but sister mine, we followed you regardless. You made promises to us that day, and some followed you to their deaths. When you remember her—my Kyria, that is—then you will truly understand what I mean. Say the words, Ever. Take your mother's help, and take the crown that belongs to you. She trained you for this.”
“I don’t want the crown. I’ve never wanted it.”
Loki came forward and crouched down in front of her, running the back of his hand over a tear that streaked down her face. “Oh darling, you can’t erase the past… not even if you don’t remember all of it.”
Ever sank further into the shade of the trees as she allowed the tears to fall from her eyes. She was embarrassed, humiliated, and despair tugged at her heart. Mother had screamed at her for over half an hour, degraded her in front of those whom she would one day lead.
She knew she should have taken the soldier’s life, but when his child had raced from his home screaming for his papa, Ever had blanched and flashed back to the shores of Valhalla, right into a slap across the face from Freya.
Freya had disappeared, returning moments later with the head of her enemy and most importantly, his soul. Her mother had tossed the man’s bloodied head onto the sand and called her worthless, not deserving of the crown. When Erika, the tiny sprite of a girl, had stepped up to aid Ever, Freya had sent her flying across the sand in a heap.
Ever had fled then, hiding herself in the shade of the tree branches, her bare feet sinking into the comfort of the sand. A twig snapped, and Ever snatched a dagger from her waist.
“Fear not, Kyria. ‘Tis only me.”
Ever sprang from the trees and wrapped her arm around her brother’s neck. She sobbed into Loki’s shoulder until all the tears had been wrung from her small body. When she pulled back from his embrace, he bent at the knees to wipe the tears from her face.
“One day, Kyria, you will understand why Freya does what she does. She is preparing you for the biggest test of your life. Come now. Dry your eyes, square your shoulders, and become the warrior princess you are.”
She snapped out of the memory so fast that she gasped. Loki, now on the other side of the room, studied her with otherworldly eyes.
“You comforted me many times before, especially when Freya happened to be extra hard on me.”
A stiff shrug of his shoulders. “It is what big brothers are meant to do, is it not?”
“I don’t think you’re as bad as you pretend to be.”
“You are not the first to notice. Perhaps I need to do another movie. My resting bitch face is slipping.”
“I guess the next thing you’re going to do is tell me to grab my big girl knickers and go kick some ass, but I’m terrified.”
“You’re in the great game now,” Loki told her, “and the great game is terrifying.”
“Do you have a stash of movie and TV quotes stored away in your brain, or what?”
The trickster simply chuckled and flashed her a big grin.
“Loki,” Ever asked, “what will happen when I say the words? Will it hurt?”
Loki reclined in the chair once more. “Each time is different. When you embrace it with all of yourself, it can be euphoric. The time you stubbornly refused to admit it, yet said the words anyway, you writhed in agony for days. That, I never wish to experience again.”
“I know what I am, what I must do. But part of me wants to go back to being Ever, the teacher who had two loving parents and a childhood full of laughter and love.”
“I do not know what that’s like, so forgive me for not understanding what it has been like for you.”
Before she could respond to Loki, he got a grave look on his face. He blinked, muttered something, and turned his gaze to Ever. “Where is Erika?”
“As far as I know,” Ever responded, feeling panic as the look on her brother’s face grew more dark, “Erika’s at work. They have a case and are working nonstop.”
“I need you to ring your wolf and tell him Erika’s life hangs in the balance and he needs to find her right now. Don’t keep looking at me like I’ve gone mad, Ever. Hesitating could cause the death of your best friend.”
Without a second thought, she yanked her phone out of her pocket and pressed the speed dial number for Derek. “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon,” she begged as the phone rang and rang. It seemed to ring for a century before Derek finally answered.
“Ever?”
“Oh Derek, thank goodness. Erika’s in trouble. You have to help her.” Her words tumbled from her lips in a rush.
“Jesus, Ever, slow down. What’s happened to Erika? I sent her home to you after she dropped Ricky off to his. She should have been back ages ago, but what makes you think something’s wrong? How do you know she’s in trouble?”
Ever snuck a glance at Loki, who had paled. “I have it on good authority she’s in trouble. Please, can you just trust me on this? It’s life or death. Derek, please find her… she’s family.”
“Stay by the phone. I’ll call back.”
He ended the call then, and Ever stared at it for a few moments before looking back at Loki. But her brother was gone.
“Loki! Loki!” she called out. “You can’t just tell me my sister is in trouble and then vanish your ass outta here. Come on, Loki. Damn you!”
I will ensure she is safe until your wolf arrives, Kyria.
Save her yourself. I know you care about her. You could save her.
I cannot interfere in the lives of those on Midgard. I would not incur the wrath of Thor. Our brother is protective of his human pets. But she will not be harmed. I will unleash all kinds of hell if a single hair is harmed on her head.
The voice slipped away then, leaving Ever alone in her thoughts. She hated waiting on the sidelines, and she was pretty sure any one of her past selves would have as well. Hugging the sword to her chest, she gripped the phone tightly and waited. The agony of not knowing what was happening overwhelmed her in a wave of helplessness.
Being powerless to go and rescue her friend, along with Loki’s conversation, made her realize one thing. She didn’t want to be powerless anymore. Ever wanted to be strong enough to wade into the fight fearlessly. Whatever terror Odin set on her or those whom she called her own, Ever would do anything to protect against. Anything at all. And in that instant, her decision was made.
She would say the words. She would become strong enough once again.
Her mother had not raised a princess, a damsel in distress. Freya had trained a Valkyrie. And that’s who Ever wanted to be.
And with that decision made, the course of the future altered once again.
Erika roused herself from unconsciousness and let out a groan. Cracking her peepers, she took in her unfamiliar surroundings and cursed as memories came flooding back to her. Struggling into a sitting position, Erika swayed a little as the back of her head ached. She would kick that damn warlock’s ass once she got free.
Suddenly aware she was being watched, Erika tilted her head and looked towards the shadowy corner. She could feel him there, waiting, watching her.
“Yo, Ricky… c’mon, man. If this is some hazing shite for the new girl, then you guys seriously need to rethink things.”
A leering figure skulked out of the shadows, and through blurry eyes Erika thought some people might consider him handsome—if it weren’t for the fact that half his face was missing and the inside of his gums were visible through a hole in his cheek that Erika was quite certain shouldn’t have been there.
“I’m going to enjoy eating you,” it said in a voice that made her regret watching all those late-night horror movies by herself.
“How romantic. But I’ve always been a fan of flowers and chocolates. Start with those first, yeah?”
“You will fear me!”
The roar almost blew off Erika’s ears. With a grimace, she said, “I doubt that. I’ve taken bigger and badder beasties down in a heartbeat. I am a Valkyrie. I am not afraid.”
Her captor growled and lurched forward, striking out with the back of his hand so hard she tasted blood. He grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and dragged her forward, slamming her onto a chair and wrapping a steel chain around her legs. Her hands were already bound behind her back, so she had little chance to escape.
“Fear not, general. Help is on the way.”
A quick glance to her right revealed the god of mischief. “I know you’ve dreamed of tying me up,” Erika whispered to the man only she could see, “but this is a bit extreme. C’mon, get me the hell out of here.”
With sadness in his fathomless eyes, Loki shook his head. “You know I cannot meddle in human affairs. I cannot incite the wrath of Thor. Not even for you.”
The monster slapped her again and shouted for her to shut up. Erika blinked to clear the fog in her mind as a gorgeous woman strode into the dingy basement with Ricky in tow. The warlock’s eyes were glazed over, and he looked anywhere but at her.
Erika took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. It was not the first time she’d been tortured, and she had survived. She would survive this, too.