Chapter 30
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Rolf filled Hecate, Mormo, and Varu in on his experiences since leaving for The Games, leaving out a few key points. Namely, that he might have mated Sylvara and that he’d run into his annoying father, Apollo.
“So that movie about Khent and Val, that happened?” he asked.
Mormo nodded. “Yes. She’s unconscious downstairs in Khent’s lab, and he’s been hovering.”
“And growling,” Varu added. “As if I’d hurt his mate. He’s not all there, so don’t fuck with him, Rolf. Not about this.”
Rolf nodded, though he knew he needed to talk to Khent about Ilu. Val being out of it meant no one had control over an even worse chaos than the one coming. And with Ilu free to consume the world, Rolf would be missing the big battle to come.
No way he’d let that happen. And well, he did want Khent to fight alongside him. The reaper couldn’t do that if he was stressing about his mate.
“Orion had something to report as well,” Hecate mentioned.
“How’s he doing? Still stressing over Kaia and the baby?
” If the White Sea Witch ran true to form, her baby should arrive in another three to four months.
But Orion was a vrykolakas with deep magic in his bloode, and Kaia was freaky powerful for a prior sea nymph turned most powerful water witch on the West Coast. For all Rolf knew, their water baby could arrive tomorrow, next week, or right in the middle of their coming war.
“Of course he’s stressing,” Mormo said drily. “Because why would we have one normal vampire not freaking out when chaos comes?”
Varu didn’t quite bite back a smile.
“I saw that.” Mormo frowned. “Rolf, why is Loki dragging us around?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Isn’t he your father?” Varu asked, curious.
“Hell no. I’d have killed myself long ago if that were the case.
” Rolf shuddered. “I mean, I like the guy because he’s great with pranks, and he likes spending time with the draugrs.
But as a paternal figure, he’s a nightmare.
You have met his kids, right? They all want to either ruin the world or create eternal suffering.
Not that I’m against that, but I mean, there’s more to life than a war with giants.
That’s all they think about. Gods and jotuns battling. Bo-ring.”
Varu nodded.
Mormo sighed.
Hecate scowled. “You’re still convinced that the Blood Stone is with Jormungandr?”
“Yes. There was mention of the last stone being split into two pieces, but I think Loki was just jerking my chain. I need to talk to Jormy though.” Rolf yawned. “Tonight. I’ve got a few contacts trying to get me better intel.”
“We should set Duncan on that,” Varu said.
“Where is he?”
Varu concentrated, and Rolf knew he was communicating with the Bloode Stones inside him. The stones gave him the creeps. He didn’t like when they tried to ping him and forcibly blocked them.
“He’s coming back with Macy from a trip to Storm Falls, checking to see if anything new developed there. Nothing that he can tell.”
Hecate nodded. “The Darkness visited that town, probably escaping a hell realm to get a toehold in our world. Then it was in the mountains, where it made contact with Valentine.” She frowned and studied Rolf. “Why would it do that, do you think?”
He shrugged, aware everyone watched him. They knew he’d been close to Khent and Val when everything went down in Irkalla. Back when Ilu and Val had bonded. “Maybe it could sense the bond Val had with Ilu before Ilu faded? Chaos could have left a mark.”
Hecate gave a slow nod, but she didn’t look entirely convinced. “What about Loki?”
“What about him?”
“What do you think he’ll do once you find that last Bloode Stone?”
Rolf snorted. “That’s easy. He’ll try to steal it.” He paused in thought. “Or he’ll have Syl steal it from me.” Instead of being annoyed by the thought, he laughed. “Oh man. What if we have to fight for it? Did I tell you she shot holes of lightning through me? Then she fed me so I wouldn’t die.”
Varu frowned. “You didn’t mention that.”
Because that was before he’d gone down on her. “Ah, well, yeah.” In a low whisper while looking over his shoulder for Syl, he admitted, “I wasn’t really on death’s door. But I wanted her blood, so…” He shrugged.
Varu tried not to smile.
Mormo swore. “Is this all a game to you?”
“Um, yeah?” Rolf huffed. “Honestly, Mormo. You’ve known me for nearly two whole years. Why would I take this seriously? Have I taken any of the world-ending doomsday events we’ve had, and we’ve had a few, seriously?”
Mormo paused. “You make a good point. But we need that last stone. You can’t give it to Loki. Even if he is your father.”
Everyone watched him.
“Seriously? You still really believe that?”
Hecate shook her head. He wondered if she knew…
“Mormo, leave the boy alone.”
Varu and Rolf said at the same time, “Boy?”
“Rolf, get your rest. Then get me the stone. No more playing. Varu, I need you to track down the Darkness. We need to talk.
Mormo scowled. “No, Hecate. You can’t meet up with it. I won’t let you.”
She smiled. “You’re sweet. But I must see if we can communicate before this all evolves into a war we can’t win. Not yet.”
Not yet? Rolf studied her. “What are we waiting for then?”
She smiled at him, and Rolf had the feeling he was supposed to be the answer. “Um, Hecate, if you want me to stop this battle from happening, forget it. I can’t wait to throw down with the Darkness.”
Varu nodded. “He speaks the truth. We’re all ready for the battle. It would be disappointing not to fight.”
Mormo gaped. “Disappointing? We’re talking about the end of everything!”
“And?” Varu shrugged. “All life eventually ends, Mormo. Once you stop fearing death, happiness can grow.”
“Don’t you lecture me about joy, you spiteful strigoi,” Mormo seethed. “Fear death? Are you fucking serious? Hecate is the goddess of crossroads! What do you think she does all day?”
“Honestly, Mormo. You need to relax more. You seem stressed.” Varu’s calm voice made Mormo’s anxiety seem to spike even more.
“Yeah, get laid,” Rolf added.
Varu studied their magician. “I think Morpheus feels some affection for you. Why not appeal to his obvious crush?”
Mormo’s eyes bugged out.
Varu nodded. “Hecate, perhaps Mormo and Morpheus should work together to find the Darkness while I chat with several masters and let them know what’s coming.”
Leaving Mormo in his patriarch’s capable, and cunning hands—because even Hecate could see that Varu was pulling Mormo’s tail, her grin not hidden fast enough—Rolf walked away to join Syl and Razer for belly rubs. Hmm. Syl might like belly rubs as well.
He grinned. But before he could enter his room, Hecate appeared in front of him.
Shit.
“Rolf, the time is coming when you’ll have to make a choice. You’ll have to open yourself to more than you think you can bear. Death isn’t the easy answer. Fear isn’t a choice. At some point, that might be all you have to keep you warm at night.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. I still don’t care.”
She sniffed then disappeared.
Now annoyed that she’d ruined his good mood, he realized he should check in with Khent and see about Val. And Ilu.
He knocked on his door, entered, and found Syl slumped on the couch facing his television set, a drama on. Was that Aphrodite? Then he noticed the bundle of fur, not a pillow, curled around her feet while she dozed.
Razer had turned wolf pup-small so he could fit on the couch. The little guy had taken a real shine to Syl.
Come with me. I might need your help.
Razer turned sad eyes toward Syl.
Rolf sighed. She’ll be fine. She shoots lightning out of her eyes. When she screams, she makes your ears bleed.
Razer perked up.
Yes, she’s amazing. Now come on.
The wolf carefully left Syl’s feet and slid to the floor.
Syl mumbled under her breath and turned on her side.
How she could be comfortable all bent up on the couch like that, Rolf didn’t know.
But she didn’t stir. He turned to see her ax propped against the couch by her head.
He reached out with his magic and felt it pulse in warning once.
Then it seemed to recognize him and shifted into a tone of welcome.
Rolf smiled. “Thanks. Yes, remain for protection. There’s a ward on the room as well.” Because as much as they all considered themselves family, Rolf had trust issues. Especially around the goddess and Mormo.
He and Razer left the room and Syl behind and hurried down the stairs to Khent’s laboratory.
He knocked and waited. Razer sat patiently.
A deep growl answered.
“It’s me. Open up.”
The door opened, and Khent appeared with a calm demeanor. But his eyes were straight black, and Rolf could feel the reaper’s fury pounding like a raging storm.
“Razer, guard, would you?”
Razer gave a soft woof then grew to twice his size and sat in front of the doorway.
Khent’s eyes narrowed. “Yours?”
“Yes.”
He nodded. “Ah, so that’s the presence I’ve been feeling.” He held out a hand over the wolf’s head. “Fenrir?”
“Shh. Not so loud.” Rolf edged himself inside the door and nudged Khent back. “Now where’s Val?”
Khent’s expression didn’t physically change, but Rolf felt his bleakness. And he didn’t like it.
“Hey, reaper. Sack up. Worst case, Val dies and you reanimate her. So deal.”
Khent glared. “Fuck you.”
“There we go.” Rolf glanced around then spotted Val lying on a plush blanket on an exam table. Comfort for his mate despite the sterile environment. “She hasn’t woken?”
Khent shook his head. “Not since that imp bit her. The Darkness was all over it.”
“Where’s the imp?”
Khent sighed. “I ate him.”
“A little tough to get answers out of him now.”
“I know. I wasn’t thinking straight, I’m embarrassed to admit. But sometimes in that other form, I act more on instinct.”
“Khent.” Rolf shook his head. “Is this what getting a mate does to a vampire? Makes him lose all sense?”
Khent snorted. “Laugh it up. From what I hear, you’ve got one yourself.”
“But I’ve never had any sense to lose.”
That made the reaper’s lips curl. “True.”
“Would you mind if I looked inside Val?” Rolf didn’t know if Khent would let him. “I promise to only look and not interact.” Much.
“No harm done?”
“I can pledge it if you like.”
Khent watched him like the eagle-owl he could transform into then nodded. “Fine. I’ll kill you if you hurt her.”
“Understood.” Rolf traced runes in the air, muttering a spell of revelation. Concerned about Ilu’s vast power, he also kept himself shielded from possible contamination.
The runes lit up above Val before slowly sinking into her. Rolf traced one last symbol on her forehead, a blessing of sorts from that other part of him he didn’t like to think about and lit Val up on the inside.
Then he let himself go and seeped down into her. “Watch over us,” Rolf told Khent.
Knowing he would be vulnerable while merged with Khent’s mate, Rolf was showing Khent the reaper could trust him.
He could only hope Khent wouldn’t be too annoyed if Rolf accidentally used too much power and killed Val. Because, well, accidents did happen.