Ragnarrok was the end of the world and the beginning of paradise, at least in Norse mythology. Jamie didn’t know much about it other than most of the gods died and Baldur wound up ruling paradise, something that would please her sister but scared Jamie to death. Jamie started as Jeff asked his question, the seriousness of his voice registering. Travis stiffened against her.
“Yes, and no.”
“Explain it.” Jeff’s voice was hard.
Travis tilted his head, frowning.
Jamie pulled back slightly, surprised when Travis’s hand tightened in her hair. She eased back into his hold and his fingers relaxed. “What did you mean when you said yes and no?”
“The Ragnarrok you’ve heard of is part fiction, part fact. This is the prophecy most people know:
“Or so says the Poetic Edda. I’m not certain how much is fact, and how much fiction. What I do know is, Odin was terrified enough to have Fenris and Loki chained, Hel banished, Jormungandr tossed into the sea, and Baldur killed. None of the living Vanir or Aesir know the truth of the prophecy, as it was Odin who delivered it to us.”
“Wait a minute.” Jeff stepped up next to Travis, his gaze locked on the man’s face. “Wouldn’t killing Baldur be like one of those self-fulfilling prophecies? If one of the signs of Ragnarrok is Baldur’s death, what does killing him accomplish other than to start the whole thing?”
“Baldur and Hodr are meant to rule, with Baldur ascendant, over the remaining Aesir. If Baldur is to rule, that means that Odin is dead. All of the gods loved Baldur, much more so than Odin. So he came up with a plan whereby Baldur would die. How he planned on keeping him from returning, I do not know. It is possible part of the true prophecy was Baldur’s death, but with a different ending.”
“So you think he was motivated by fear and jealousy?”
“I believe so. He might have thought he could stop Ragnarrok and maintain his place.”
“Wait.” Jeff shook his head quickly, like he was shaking something off. “Weren’t you there when Loki supposedly killed Baldur? I mean, you’re the God of Justice, right? If everything you’re telling us is true, then isn’t that the ultimate injustice?”
Travis winced, regret lining his face. “He’d sent me away on what turned out to be a fool’s errand. I’d been sent to speak with Njord, to see if he’d join us in some silly celebration I don’t even remember now.
Of course he chose not to attend, and everything was over and done with by the time I got back. I…” Travis bit his lip. “I wanted to speak to Loki, to find out why he’d done what he’d done, but Odin convinced me not to.”
“You mean he plied you with apple wine and whispered sweet nothings in your ear.” Logan huffed out a breath. “Thanks for the thought, though.”
Travis ignored him.
Jamie felt a tug on her arm. She turned to find Jordan by her side, a worried frown on her face. “Ask him what the true prophecy is.”
“Why?”
“Because if this whole thing is true, Logan dies.”
“Why would Logan die?”
“Because he’s Loki.”
Her head whipped up to stare at Travis. “What?”
Jeff snorted out a laugh. “This keeps getting better and better. Who are Magnus and Morgan?”
Their brothers looked at Jeff in horror.
“Magni and Modi, the sons of Thor and the Jotun Jarnsaxa, meant to carry Mjolnir after their father dies at Ragnarrok.”
“So they knew all of this, all along?” Jeff was glaring at them.
“Yes and no. Odin used the power of the apples of Idunn to blanket their minds, as he did with all of the Aesir and their living children.”
“Can you tone it down, glowbug? You’re giving me a headache.” Jeff rubbed his eyes wearily.
“Yes.” Travis’s glow dimmed even further, his features once more clear. “Better?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Jamie was still reeling, but she had to know. “I thought the apples granted immortality?”
“No. I believe Kir and Logan were the first to deduce that they did not, as they were cut off from the source of the apples.”
“Actually, I knew first.” Val stood. “Before you ask, I’m Vali, the slayer of Hodr and the son of Odin and the
