Empty Altars (39 page)

"Everyone who stayed inside the gates remained unharmed," Jon said.

Just as the runes had predicted. Diana, Freya, and Inga exchanged glances.

"What will become of Griswold?" Diana asked.

Tyr's expression turned thoughtful. "There’s no place for him to hide in the meadow. Heid's gone. He'll have to live in Giantland." Tyr turned to Ormr and his friends and smiled. "I've heard that giants don't treat mortals well."

Ormr's grim countenance softened slightly. "When we return home, we'll spread word that Griswold contributed to Illugi’s death. He'll be shunned by any giants of worth."

"His life will not be pleasant," Asdis added.

Ormr ran a hand through his thick hair. "If you have no further need of our services, we'll take Illugi home to bury him."

"We thank you for all you've done for us," Tyr said.

"Likewise," Ormr told them.

Asdis smiled at Diana. "You've made witches out of us. We thank you."

"Your world needs all the white witches it can get," Diana said. "Griswold tried his best to eradicate you."

The wolves came forward next, and the shifter among them turned to his human shape. "We were of little use to you in this battle. Would you like us to leave too?"

"We wouldn't have found Olaf without your help," Jorunda said. "We welcome you, if you'll stay with us."

"We'd be proud to run by your side," the boy said, "but we prefer our den in the meadow, rather than living inside your gates."

"The meadow's your home, and you're our friends." Jorunda put an arm around Inga's shoulders. "But we'll expect you at our wedding."

The boy grinned. "And we'll be expecting lots of table scraps."

Inga turned to Peta. "And you, friend? We couldn't have won without you."

"I haven't had this much fun for decades!"

"Will you be returning home too?" Jorunda asked.

"My wife and children are waiting for me on our island." He bowed before Diana. "It was a pleasure, goddess."

Noir and Shadow padded forward to say their goodbyes before Peta returned to dragon form and took to the air.

Tyr looked at Jorunda. "We have work to do. You won't want bodies rotting at your door."

Diana, Freya, and Inga left them to it. They might help win battles, but they didn't clean up after them.

Chapter 34

Tyr raised himself onto an elbow. "Modern living has some advantages."

Diana snuggled against him. "We didn’t have to cook last night. And who knew you’d love Italian?"

He grinned, watching the sun’s first rays slant through her bedroom window. “I don’t want to leave, but I have duties to perform.”

“Let Donar do them.”

His smile widened. “That would prove interesting.”

“You’re one of the old gods,” Diana argued. “Can’t you partially retire?”

“Like you have?” He bent to kiss her forehead. “I have to admit, your world is worth visiting.”

“My world, or me?”

“I’d follow you anywhere.” He rolled onto his back and stared up at her high ceiling. “I like your apartment. Everything’s browns and greens.”

“Like my forest at home.” Noir howled at the bedroom door. “He doesn’t like being locked out. He usually sleeps with me.”

“When we’re sleeping he’s welcome, but there are some things even a familiar shouldn’t be familiar with.”

She rolled onto her side and touched a finger to the blank rune on the cord that circled his neck. "I'll always be able to find you now. You’d better behave yourself."

"I might not be able to. You’ll have to come to my world to check on me."

"You think I won't?"

"You’d better. If I visit you, and you visit me, we'll get by."

She sighed. "I want more than that."

The sky god grew serious. "So do I, but your place is with your people, and my duty is with mine. In truth, though, there are no more Romans. They’ve all become Italians, opened restaurants, and make pasta. You live in Manhattan. How many Greeks or Romans do you have to care for?"

"I'm a citizen of the world now, old god. I've kept up with the times."

"No one cares for your altars."

"That's why they need me. They know so little."

Tyr frowned. "If Gudrun was right, mortals will need both of us again."

"She said that we’d face more battles, that our destinies are intertwined." Diana rested her elbows on his chest. “You’re stuck with me.”

He cupped her face in his hand. "It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it."

She smiled and nibbled on his jawline. Strong and solid, just like him. "It works for me, but I have ideas to make it better." Her hand slid under the blankets.

He groaned and pulled her on top of him. “You have the day off. I don’t. I have to go home.”

"Mmm, in a few minutes. Woden and Donar can wait." She lowered her face to his, and her hair fell forward like a veil, hiding her kiss.

He sighed. "I’ve stocked your marble house. It’s ready for whenever you come to the meadow."

“We won’t stay at your place in Asgaard?”

“We could, but I thought you’d like your own surroundings better.”

“Screw the surroundings if we’ll have more privacy.”

“That too.” He moved beneath her, and thoughts of the meadow left her. An hour later, she lay in bed with Noir as her only companion. Tyr had to leave. She understood his duties, and he respected hers. Eventually, according to Gudrun’s runes, they’d have to join together to fight another battle. But in the meantime, she was determined to enjoy everything she could about the sky god.

A Norse and a Greek. Who knew? He could grow of fond of New York, and she could look forward to Northern lights and reindeer furs.

 If You Enjoyed This Book 

Read the Sequel, Available Now! 

Spinners of Misfortune

The Sequel to EMPTY ALTARS

 Spinners can whirl their spindles to call forth magic. Can Diana block their dark spells and save the Norse lands one more time? 

When Tyr doesn't show for a date with the goddess Diana, she's miffed. But it's not like Tyr to forget or neglect, so anger turns to worry. He wears the blank rune she gave him on a leather cord around his neck. She can track him with that, and she does. A good thing. She finds him shoulder-deep in waves, trying to help the thunder god, Donar, rescue a giant, black, guard dog and its masters. As Diana watches, a huge wave reaches from the sea, grabs the men out of their small boat, and drags them into the depths. She sniffs the air. Magic. THAT she can cope with. Diana has magic to spare. She raises her arms and chases away the storm clouds and calms the waters.

 Six spinners stare in disbelief as their spindles stop whirling and their magic dies. The Norse gods don't have the power to thwart them. So who did? No matter. They turn their attention to the dwarves who live in deep caverns beneath the earth. They twirl their spindles and start their magic again. Underground water rushes into the dwarves' caves, but again, their magic is blocked and the waters recede. Frustrated, the women regroup. The Norse have nine worlds, and it doesn't matter which of them they attack. The gods try to protect them all, and the spinners are determined to make the gods miserable. A desperate struggle begins. 

The gods do all in their power to protect their lands, and the spinners do everything possible to create havoc and start a war between the immortals.

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