The building was in flames, the roof half collapsed. Erik started toward it, running directly at the fire. Göll passed him and tripped him. His body hit the concrete and slid. He flew to his feet and swung at her, his fist striking her shoulder squarely. She barely shifted and the pain was horrible, like punching a slab of concrete.
Erik immediately bent over, clutching his hand and swearing. “Why? He might still be in there.”
“This is not how you are meant to die.”
“But I am meant to die, right? Just like Chris?”
She nodded. “There is no other way to Valhalla.”
“Why would I want to go there?!”
“Very few do.” The voice was new and came from behind him. Erik spun on his heels and Göll moved in front of him, her hammer shifting back to a spear.
She looked barely eighteen, thin and short. She had black hair and eyes to match that contrasted against pale skin.
Erik stood up, still holding his fist to keep the pain as dull as he could manage. “What do you mean?” He walked to Göll’s side and she gave him an annoyed glance.
The girl looked at Göll before speaking. Her voice was flat and hoarse. “It was stupid of you to come here. She knows that.” The girl nodded at Göll. “You’ve been given a poor bargain, Haki Erik Styrsson.” She paused, looking at the flames, her face never giving away the slightest hint of emotion. “But Hel wishes to meet with you, and offer her assistance.”
Göll flew into a rage and stomped her foot, splitting the sidewalk. “Never! There can be no gain in a deal with that creature.”
Erik looked at Göll. She was seething, focused intently on the girl across from them. “Who are you?”
“I am called Vár. Surely even the modern people know Hel?”
Erik knew the name. “Loki’s daughter? She rules the realm of the dead.”
Vár raised an eyebrow. “Near enough.” She turned her eyes to the sky around them. “There is a place not far from here where you can sleep without worry. She has prepared it for you and the valkyrie.”
There was very little to consider. There was no safety elsewhere and he had no reason to trust Göll any more than Vár.
“Take me there.”
Göll looked at him with angry eyes. “It is not safe to trust this girl or her master.”
Erik started walking and Vár turned to lead them. “She hasn’t tried to kill me yet, at least. And where else would I sleep?”
Göll scoffed but offered nothing in the way of an argument. Vár moved along at a leisurely pace, casually checking the air from time to time, her loosely braided hair shifting whenever she did.
They had walked nearly a mile when Vár came to a stop in front of a dingy motel that Erik had passed only a few times before. It hadn’t been updated in decades and he’d never seen more than a car or two in the parking lot.
“You will be safe here. Two rooms have been afforded by Hel’s kindness so that you might both sleep in comfort.”
Her voice hadn’t given any hint of it but Erik couldn’t help but think there was some sarcasm there. As they came close to the motel, the air changed, warming the slightest bit and growing still.
Vár produced a key and opened the door to room 19. “For Odin’s chosen.”
Again, his instincts told him there was mockery somewhere in her words but he walked into the room anyway. Göll followed him in with Vár behind.
“The rooms are modest, for which Hel apologizes.”
“And when do we meet her?”
“Not until the morning.”
Erik took in a deep breath, letting it out as a tired sigh. “Fine. Not much else I can do.”
Göll ignored their conversation and stood in front of the window, watching through the blinds.
“Is there anything else you desire?” Vár asked Erik the question, but her eyes kept finding their way to Göll.
“No. I just want to sleep. Or… sit. Quietly. I don’t know.”
Vár nodded and walked to the door. “Should I show you a room, valkyrie?”
Göll didn’t look at the dark-haired girl. “Do not talk to me.”
“Then, I will look forward to the morning.”
chapter|3
What little sleep Erik was pretending to get was abruptly cut short when a loud knocking sound came from the bathroom, followed by a few bumps and the muffled sound of an argument. Göll’s weapon began to glow as she turned toward the noises. It was only a moment later when Vár stepped out, brushing the plum-colored dress she was wearing to smooth it out. She moved to the corner of the tiny alcove without a word and motioned away from the bathroom door.
A woman came out. She was no older than thirty, dressed in tight jeans and short, bright red heels. There was a loose off-the-shoulder t-shirt under a leather jacket and curled stark-white hair at the top of her head. Erik looked at her, hopelessly confused.
She walked to the end of the bed before looking over at Vár. “This is him? I’m not convinced.” She looked back at Erik and pointed at Göll with a thumb. “And with her track record…” She sighed. “Hi. I’m Hel. You go by Erik, right? Not Haki?”
He nodded slowly.
“Well, he can hear anyway.” She looked around the room. “Isn’t there a chair in this dump?”
Vár ran to the door and left when the question was asked.
“You’re Hel?” Erik was slightly annoyed at not having a better question to ask, but it was as good a starting place as any.
“I am. Do I not seem like her? Is it the shoes? I wanted taller ones, but really I get enough of being tall at home.”
“You don’t… seem…”
“Seem… stuffy? I don’t talk like I got shit out of a medieval courtyard?” She curled her arms and did a mocking dance. “Oi blimey, ye have offended…” She
