Chapter Sixty-Nine
Aric
It took longer than I thought it would, setting up for the Wild Hunt. Between the buffet tables, candles, and chopping wood for all the mini bonfires, I’m exhausted.
Reeve left Rey’s costume with me and bounced on account that he had to meet the DJ in the stadium. I call bullshit. He just got tired of stacking firewood. What is with the guy and physical labor?
It’s not like I wanted to leave Rey, but I still answered Sigurd’s call. He and Reeve are the only family I have left. I chalk it up to loyalty, maybe a sense of obligation, but the truth is I also needed a minute to myself.
So much is at stake tonight, and it’s impossible to focus with Rey in my arms. When I’m with her, all I can think about is touching her. And one touch is never enough.
A few girls pass me in the dorm lobby. They’re already dressed up in silver fairy costumes, the guys trailing behind them wearing horned helmets and leather vests.
Some people like to dress early and hit the local pubs and restaurants to pregame before the Hunt.
The fraternities on the other side of campus have been at it since breakfast. Any excuse to party, I guess.
I hope Rey’s going to be okay with hers having so many layers.
I peeked inside the garment bag because it was heavier than I expected.
It looks like Sigurd had it commissioned specifically, which makes me wonder just how long Sigurd’s had this planned.
And does he actually know what an authentic Valkyrie used to dress like?
Did he fight them? He holds vast memories of the war and our people, but he seldom shares his stories with me.
My parents didn’t like to talk about the past, either. I think it pained them too much.
Sigurd isn’t as sentimental. He’s just selfish.
But for once, the pain my family has caused me doesn’t sting to think about. Because Rey’s my future now. If we can just get through tonight…maybe we can truly be together.
I jog the stairs and shoulder open the door to our floor, then head straight to her room. I’ve just lifted my hand to knock when I hear muffled voices inside. Is she with someone? I press my ear to the door.
“You can’t just pop into my room unannounced!” she growls. Now that my powers are almost completely awakened, my hearing is so good it sounds like she’s right beside me.
“Get over it.”
I jerk my head away from the door. Reeve is here. Not at the stadium. Something dark edges along my spine. I press against the door again.
“I want Mjolnir, Rey.”
“You and everybody else.” She laughs darkly. “Why didn’t you just steal it from your other brother, huh?”
Other brother? What is she talking about?
“This isn’t gossip hour,” Reeve tells her. “The last thing I want is to revisit Thor’s death and my part in it.”
Rey gasps. “Your part in it?”
“Who else do you think killed him, the Easter Bunny? It was war, Rey. All’s fair.”
“You’re a fucking monster, Loki!”
I freeze.
My entire body goes cold.
Loki?
As in…the Loki. Adopted by Odin and raised as a brother to Thor.
I stumble back, completely numb. Then I jerk the door open so hard the electronic lock breaks.
Reeve throws up his hands and curses.
Rey freezes on the spot.
Betrayal washes through me so hard and fast, I can’t catch my breath. My brother. My brother who was supposed to be protecting me, warning me away from her, the whole time was lying to me about who he is and what he really wants.
And she knew?
Rey knew.
Was it all bullshit? Needing me? Protecting me? Was it all for show?
Of course it was. It always was.
Both of them.
Fuck.
What else hasn’t she told me?
And him…his betrayal churns from the depths of my heart, shredding what little bit of home I had left. My hands ball into fists, ice rising and crackling off my skin. Thunder rumbles so hard overhead, the room rattles with it.
The monster within me roars for release, icy claws tearing beneath my skin so viciously, it’s a wonder I don’t rip apart. I force it down. Swallow hard.
“Loki,” I whisper. “Right.”
Reeve shakes his head. “Aric, no, it’s not what you think. I have no skin in the game. She’s the one—”
“Are you kidding me right now!” Rey shouts.
But she’s not innocent, either. That much is obvious. “You knew. And you didn’t tell me.”
“I was going to, Aric! You have to believe me.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know what to believe right now other than you’re both fucking liars willing to gamble with my life. And for what? For a weapon. Nobody cares if I burn the world, turn into a monster, lose my fucking soul—you all just want power.”
I level Rey with a glare. “I think it’s safe to say that this little ceasefire is over. And we”—I shake my head at Reeve—“aren’t brothers.”
They both start yelling at once.
But I hear nothing.
I toss the costume into her room, then turn and leave the hall, the dorm, the campus. As storm clouds gather, darkening the sky with the fury of a hurricane, my vision blurs. My chest aches.
I’ve always walked the line between being the man I hoped to be and the monster I knew lived inside. But with Rey, I started to believe things could be different. Now a cold emptiness unfurls in my heart…
And I welcome it.
I guess I have my answer, then. I’ll turn into the monster.
Because nobody wanted the man anyway.