Valkyrie by Kate O'Hearn Page A

thinking. Don’t get involved!’
    ‘But someone may be hurt! You know what their weapons can do.’
    ‘Freya, no!’ Orus cawed as she leaped off the roof.
    Freya flew in the direction of the gunshot. ‘Come on,’ she called. ‘Let’s just see what it is.’
    As she flew towards the sound of the shots, they moved away from the city centre and into an area of run-down buildings. Freya opened her senses. She could feel fear from people on the neighbouring streets who were fleeing from the sounds of gunfire.
    Some stood at their apartment windows peering down curiously. With the heavy rain and her dark wings, hair and clothing, Freya knew they wouldn’t see her gliding silently between the buildings.
    Up ahead she felt heavy waves of terror rising to meet her from two very frightened people. As she flew closer, Freya crested a building and gazed down to the street below.
    She saw a man and woman cowering in the doorway of a burned-out building, cornered by three men holding guns.
    Freya landed on the closest roof and drew her sword.
    ‘Freya, you can’t!’ Orus warned. ‘This is their world, not ours. Don’t get involved.’
    ‘But they are going to kill them. Look . . .’ She pointed with her sword tip as two Angels of Death landed silently and unseen on the street behind them. Their heads and wings were held low and a great sadness was on their faces at the tragedy about to play out.
    ‘This is their territory, not ours. Leave them be. It’s their fate; you can’t change it.’
    Freya shot Orus a look. ‘This is wrong and you know it. We can’t let them kill those innocent people.’ She leaped off the roof and landed on the street several metres from the attack.
    Coming up behind the Angels of Death, she caught one by the arm. ‘I’m sorry, you have wasted a trip. There will be no death here tonight.’
    The angel’s eyes grew wide. ‘Valkyrie?’ he said. ‘There is no war here and this isn’t a battleground. You have no jurisdiction or claim. What will happen here must happen. You are forbidden to intervene.’
    Freya held up her sword. ‘Yes, well, I was never one for following the rules. Go back now. These people will live.’
    Freya charged past the shocked angels towards the group of attackers. ‘Stop now or face my wrath!’
    ‘What the . . .’ one of the attackers called as he turned and saw Freya storming forward. He wiped rain from his eyes in disbelief.
    With her sword held high, Freya blocked the two innocent victims with her body. She turned to face their attackers. ‘I will give you one warning. Drop your weapons now and leave these people be or you will feel my sword.’
    In the dimly lit street and with heavy rain pouring down, Freya was confident they couldn’t see her clearly. But even if the attackers couldn’t see her wings, she was certain that the victims cowering behind her could.
    She heard their sharp intake of breath and felt their fear change. They were now more frightened of her than the men. Freya turned quickly to them. ‘Say nothing – and, for your lives, don’t touch me!’
    ‘Are you suicidal?’ one of the attackers asked as he turned his weapon on Freya and took a step closer. ‘Or just plain stupid?’
    ‘Neither,’ Freya answered calmly. ‘But I am sick and tired of you humans hurting each other for no other reason than personal gain. These people have done nothing wrong, and yet you intend to kill them to steal their possessions.’
    ‘ Us humans ? ’ the leader called as he laughed and nudged his friends. ‘And what does that make you then?’
    Freya could clearly feel his thoughts. He was preparing to use his weapon against her. ‘What does that make me?’ she repeated as her temper flared. ‘Not human!’
    Freya’s wings flashed open as she charged the men. Stealing a quick look back at the couple, she cried, ‘Get down and stay down!’
    The loud, sharp sounds of gunfire filled the air. Bullets pinged as they struck her