Perfekt Control (The Ære Saga Book 2) by S.T. Bende Page B

broke
through the silence. Henrik came tearing out from behind the
waterfall, a glossy look in his eyes. Finnea stamped along behind
him, adjusting her hair. I thanked every deity I could recall that
neither was naked. “Get that rainbow out of here! We were having a moment .”
    “Moment’s over.” I grabbed Henrik’s hand and
pulled him into the Bifrost with me. He reached down to grab his
backpack, still propped against the rock on the side of the pond
where he’d left it. “We’ve gotta dash. Nea-Nea, it’s been a real
peach.” I waggled my fingers at her as Henrik ripped off his charm
blockers and tossed them into his bag. I tried not to look
victorious as he gripped my hand. What was the point? I might have
been taking Henrik with me, but I had no claim on him. After all,
he and I didn’t exactly have the…history he had with her .
    “See you later, Finnea.” Henrik gave a small
nod and met my gaze with an apologetic look. “Where to?”
    “Heimdall,” I called upward, refusing to let
emotions cloud my focus. “Take us to Muspelheim.”
    And without a backward glance, we flew
through the realms, leaving one älva- laden Helheim for one
dripping in lava, flames, and the all powerful fire giants.
    I didn’t know which was worse.

CHAPTER
SEVEN
     
     
    THE MINUTE THE BIFROST dropped us
into Muspelheim, Henrik held out his arm. I reached for it
instinctively, then pulled back. Instead of letting Henrik comfort
me, I put my elbows on my thighs and bent over, drawing deep
breaths until the heaving stopped. Stupid Bifrost
sickness .
    I stood quickly, and ignored the hurt look on
Henrik’s face. I could barely handle my own energy right now—no way
could I take on his.
    “Listen, Brynn. About what happened—”
    I pulled a dagger out of each boot and shared
one with my partner. “It doesn’t matter. Follow protocol. We’re
cloaked, right?”
    Henrik frowned, but waved his hand in front
of us. “What the Hel? My magic’s not working. Why would… oh, skit .”
    “What?”
    Henrik pointed. “We dropped in too close to
the castle. Royal residences are enchanted with enough dark magic
to block my spells.”
    Fabulous.
    “We’re in the open, assess for immediate
threats and find cover.” Henrik positioned his back against mine in
the standard formation so we could turn a quick circle. I inched
away from the contact, staying close enough to feel the vibration
of his movement and counter-shift accordingly, but far enough that
I didn’t actually have to touch him. I couldn’t. We kept our
weapons drawn as we examined every inch of our surroundings for
prospective threats.
    “Watchtower, my eleven o’clock,” I murmured
as I pivoted. “It looks unoccupied but it could have a drone.”
    Henrik tensed against my back, but kept
moving in rotation. “Gathering of younglings, my ten o’clock. One
additional presence, semi-mature, possibly a sibling or
babysitter.”
    We continued our tight circle. “Guard just
rounded the castle wall. Jeez, how’d he miss the Bifrost dropping
in?” I asked.
    Henrik pointed to a flaming tree on the
opposite side of the castle. “He was probably distracted. I sent a
detonator ahead of us as we left Alfheim, and the unsanctioned
explosion should have pulled his focus.” He sounded smug.
    “Pretty pleased with yourself, ja, ace?” Oh, good. Joking took the edge off the pain. I’d have to
remember that.
    Henrik ignored me. “Best cover at my six
o’clock,” he deduced. “Near enough to the younglings we can
determine whether they’re being watched, and hopefully pick up some
information on what’s going on inside the castle. Do you think
Freya’s being held there?”
    “Hardly likely.” I’d have to catch Henrik up
to speed once we found cover. “I’ll follow you.”
    “Move out.” Henrik crouched as he ran to the
foliage he’d determined to be the safest hiding spot. I followed,
cringing with every twig snap and leaf crunch. There was no way