Dead Wrath by T. G. Ayer Page B

masters or mistresses with cloaks and weapons. Among them I noticed Turi, who threw me a brilliant grin the moment she met my gaze.
    She hurried to me, her skirts flapping, orange hair flying. "Good. You are here. Come, I have your cloak and your sword and helmet ready." Her cheeks were flushed and it looked like she'd been doing a lot of hurrying.
    I shook my head at her offer. "Coat and sword only, Turi. I won't be needing the helmet just yet."
    She bobbed her head and bent to an engraved box to grab hold of my black coat. Long and made from the same special black fabric as the rest of my clothes, it was soft and looked amazing. I slipped my hands into the sleeves and enjoyed the feel. The hem reached my knees and seemed precisely shaped to my figure in spite of nobody ever measuring me for the garment. I'd always suspected Turi had something to do with the sizing.
    Now she fussed and tried to help me with buttoning up the coat, but I waved her away.
    Siri giggled beside me. She'd already arrived dressed and ready. Someone must have ensured she received the proper garments in time for our departure. Now as I looked at her, I was struck by how young and vulnerable she looked.
    I bent my head closer. "I know we haven't had a chance to practice anything. Are you comfortable enough in dragon form to carry me on your back?" I asked softly.
    "Don't worry. My father made sure I was well trained." Her expression was a little bittersweet.
    "What happened?"
    "Oh, nothing really. Sometimes I wish I could just wipe the past clean and start again. Now I have responsibilities, and then this Ragnarok thing." She sounded sad and a little defeated.
    Grabbing the bag of weapons that Turi held out to me, I slung it over my shoulder, then reached for Gungnir. With a shake, the spear lengthened and Odin's sword shone in the light of the fire. Just touching it gave me a little more strength, a little more bravery.
    I glanced back at Siri, feeling at little sorry for her. I asked, "Do you still feel this is not your fight?"
    Siri folded her arms and looked away for a moment. The flames of the fire threw a glow onto her face, making her already golden eyes seem so much brighter. "To be honest, when I arrived, that's exactly what I'd thought, but now that I've seen firsthand what we are facing ... the way they came for Thor and what they did to Fenrir. It made me stop and rethink a few things. Fenrir and the god Thor, son of Odin. Neither of them were able to protect themselves from the attack, and that is a bad sign. To me, it says we are up against a very powerful enemy and we need all the help we can get." Her voice was soft and determined, not a hint of doubt anywhere.
    I nodded, pleased that she'd come to that conclusion without having to be convinced. "And now you feel you are ready to fight?"
    She shrugged. "Maybe not ready, but I am willing. If you know what I mean." She glanced up at my face and gave me a sheepish grin.
    "I know exactly what you mean. And sometimes I feel exactly the same way."
    She frowned. "Even now?" she asked, watching my face.
    "Even now," I said, exhaling slowly. Her words was so apt for how I felt.
    During our conversation, many of the team had already used the Bifrost and departed. Joshua and Aimee waved good-bye as they stepped onto the bridge, and then in a swirl of shimmering light, they were gone.
    I beckoned for Siri to follow, but before I could move to the entrance to the bridge, the sound of swishing fabric and hurried footsteps caught our attention. Siri and I turned to see Frigga enter the room, scan the floor, and hurry toward me.
    Immediately, my heart clenched tight as fear scraped new wounds into my already battered soul. "What's wrong? Is it Fen?" I didn't care that my fear was blatantly obvious in my voice.
    Frigga shook her head and gave me a soft smile. "No, my dear. And I do apologize for frightening you, but I needed to tell you something before you left."
    I walked toward the goddess, leaving