We were all still in the hotel when we heard a motorcycle take off from outside. Andrew’s, I remember the sound of the engine. Which, of course, meant we suddenly seemed to have urgent matters on our plate once again. When Ken said as much she referred to me as “Love.”
It took a moment or two for that to register. But once it did it was, I mean…I don’t know how I could possibly capture it in writing. And during all that crap we went through with Krieger and Ken’s challenge, when I was afraid I might lose her, I’d realized that I felt the same way. I know, I know, it probably seems way too early for me to be saying that. I met her for the first time two-ish weeks ago, didn’t start getting to know much about her until about a week ago, hell we’ve only been on one proper date.
But you know how you hear about how going through dangerous life and death situations and such together can make people fall for each other faster? Well, it’s true. And I didn’t hesitate to tell her how I felt. It was a wonderful moment, even if it wasn’t as long as either of us probably would’ve liked. Mainly because of Andrew’s sudden departure, of course, but also because everyone else was at the door by then.
Rufus stormed in as soon as I opened it and threw a hissy fit. He didn’t really seem all that happy with me or her, and the two (literally) barked at each other for a while. I may have learned Gaelic but I doubt I’ll ever understand…canine, wolven, whatever it’s called.
And then the girls all tensed and/or grabbed weapons. In retrospect, I probably should’ve grabbed my vest instead of just getting Grimmur Klærnar ready. It didn’t do me much god lying wherever it had landed on the floor after Rufus kicked my suitcase off the bed. But by the time Lexi said it was a gunshot they’d heard it was too late. Next thing I knew there was a soft clink to denote some sort of divinely-empowered flash bang hitting the ground. It did its job disorienting Lexi and Ken, though Claire and Cindy managed to avert their eyes before it went off. I didn’t, but it didn’t really affect me either. That divine fortitude comes in handy.
I was able to anticipate how long they’d give the flash bang before they moved up the stairs, and got there right away when they did. They still got their shots off first, though, must’ve been prepping to fire as soon as they rounded the corner. And just before I attacked I noticed that the sons of bitches were all dressed in M.I.S.T. gear, which is why I yelled out friendly fire and only broke the closest guy’s gun instead of his neck.
…My thoughtfulness was rewarded by having all eleven of them who still had weapons hit me with a concentrated barrage. That’s when I really could’ve used the vest. A day earlier that probably could’ve killed me. But ever since Ken killed Krieger I’ve seemed to be stronger, tougher, smarter…it’s like we had a level up, or something. Long story short instead of bleeding out on the floor I just got some lurid bruising, a cracked rib or two, and a shallow wound. Which, granted, isn’t enough to slow me down anymore. But damn it hurt, and I probably wasn’t going to be able to handle a second barrage like that so well.
Thankfully I didn’t have to, I saw Cindy moving just in time to lift myself off the ground as her axe slammed into the floor. Sent a shockwave out in all directions. The rest of the girls were too far back for it to reach them, and I was aloft so it didn’t bother me; but half of our attackers got knocked to the ground and the other half were sent tumbling down the stairs.
I hope the bastards had some painful falls.
Then Lexi did…something to drain the outright aggression from the air. It stopped the stopped the goons from trying to kill us, whatever it was, which was all I really cared about. Their M.I.S.T. gear was genuine, and they claimed they’d been ordered to kill us. Which was just wonderful. I called Hel to see if I could figure out whether Brynhildur knew anything about this; my trust in her wasn’t exactly implicit. And, well, I learned that my Mother really doesn’t like my adoptive sister before one of the soldiers mentioned that they were under orders from a Yazata and another group was being sent to assassinate Brynhildur. Which, needless to say, answered my question.
It was also the point where I told Hel I’d have to go, now that that was settled it was time to focus on the people trying to kill us all. Yazata, godsdamnit, like they haven’t been enough of a pain in my ass already. And now they’re claiming we’re in league with Utgard-Loki just because he left some manner of taint on Cindy. Bunch of blind, pretentious, self-righteous…
I should probably stop before I rant for a page or two.
Anyway, I was hoping to just start talking and make them listen. I’ve been able to do that to people now, I’ve found. Cindy and the rest could leave while I kept them occupied, then I could just fly off and let them stew. I didn’t really want to butcher them wholesale and let the Yazata twist it into more BS accusations to throw at us.
Then a son of Atar showed up and declared his intent to see us “burned in the flames of purity.”
Oh how I am coming to despise the Yazata.
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