Chapter Forty-Two
Rey
The world goes completely still around me.
My hands shake as I think back on the note.
Raido first. Then Dagaz.
That leaves Hagalaz, Othala, and Thurisaz.
It’s time Aric and I had a chat. Laid our cards on the table.
And since we just bled, burned, kissed, and shielded each other in the wreckage of a tree, maybe—just maybe—now’s as good a time as any.
“C’mon,” he says. “Let’s get out of this rain.”
As we slowly start making our way back toward campus, I wonder: Does he know what the runes mean? Are these tattoos my path to Mjolnir? I mean, I’m not entirely sure how I activated them, but…
It can’t be that easy.
The lack of information from my father makes me think he doesn’t have all the answers, either. He probably never did. Doesn’t change anything, though—I need the hammer. Aric’s the key to finding it. And I have to trust that Laufey’s note will guide me.
I lengthen my stride to try and keep pace with the Giant. Aside from the scent of woodsmoke in the air and that faint smell of ozone that comes after a storm, the woods are calm.
The noise increases as we draw closer to campus, though, and I make out whistles and bullhorns, hollers and…
Is that music? By the time we make it out to the field, it’s like we never left.
Students are still screaming and cheering, their wet hair and clothes the only indication they got caught in the same storm as we did.
Reeve’s team is celebrating in the middle of the field. Guess they managed to capture the flag. They stop when they see us approach. “Was there another battle we weren’t aware of?” he asks.
“Why are you wearing half a shirt?” Eira tilts her head at Aric. “Did you set yourself on fire?”
Everyone laughs.
I join in because, well, kind of?
I probably look just as bad, with dirt and pine needles in my hair. Honestly, I’m surprised Ziva hasn’t asked how our romp in the woods went. Save for his shirt, that’s exactly what we look like, guilt and all.
Aric’s still lightly trembling next to me. I can’t tell if he’s traumatized, pissed, or both. Eira grabs at Reeve’s arm. “Eriksons like it rough, huh?”
Ziva makes a face. “Dude, he looks hurt, read the room.”
Aric shrugs, but his eyes are wild, like he’s daring anyone to say another word. “We’re fine. Looks like we won. Go blue.”
Thunder cracks overhead, and lightning streaks across the sky.
Sigurd sounds an airhorn. “Due to the risk of lightning,” he shouts, “we need to clear the field. The rest of tonight’s festivities are canceled.” He shoots a glare at Aric. “Be sure to check your orientation week schedules. And mark your calendars for the Wild Hunt!”
Another rumble of thunder has the crowds of students dispersing.
I chance a glance at Aric.
I can’t shake how right it felt to be in his arms. But that’s just delusional.
There’s no world in which this works out. I know that. He does, too. So why is my heart beating so fast? Why do I want to lean toward him instead of away?
I swallow hard.
Why do I care whether or not he’s okay?
As our group starts to walk along the path toward the dorms, I fall into step. Reeve is waving his Nerf gun in the air and recounting his great victory like it’s one for the ages. Eira is hanging on his every word. Rowen and Ziva just look bored.
As we come toward that creepy basalt arch, the one that blew out my candle, I pause.
We’re past the point of pretending. Past the point of retreating to our separate corners.
There’s only one way forward.
“Aric,” I call out. “Can I talk to you really quick?”
Reeve stops next to him and says something under his breath. Aric shakes his head, then shoves Reeve ahead of him. He turns and crosses his arms as the rest of the group continues on. “You needed something?”
The third rune. A test. It’s time to reveal Hagalaz, and I know just the person to recruit.
It’s time to risk exposing everything.
“You.” I cross my arms. “I need you, and to be more specific, I need a Giant.”