Valkyrie (8 page)

‘She is so full of life,’ observed Freya.

The old woman’s eyes were sparkling with pride. ‘Just like her papa. I wish he could have seen how beautiful she is.’

‘He wanted that too. As he lay dying, his thoughts were only of his girls, as he called them.’

Alma’s eyes fogged as she sniffed. ‘I just hope I live long enough to see the girls protected. I know I couldn’t rest peacefully if anything happened to them.’

‘Nothing’s going to happen, Grandma.’ Tamika entered the kitchen, followed by Archie. ‘They’re not going to take our home away from us.’

She lifted her sister from her grandmother’s arms and started to burp the baby. Tamika’s face brightened as Uniik giggled in her arms.

Alma’s eyes lingered on Freya before replying to Tamika. ‘Of course, child, but you know your old grandma won’t live forever.’

‘Sure you will,’ Tamika said. She looked at Freya while gently bouncing the baby in her arms. ‘I didn’t mean to call you Gruesome Greta. Take off your coat
–
you can stay.’

Freya rose and stepped closer. With her gloved hand, she stroked the baby’s head. ‘I prefer to keep it on, and I didn’t mind what you called me. I like Gruesome Greta. After all, that’s my name.’

Tamika frowned at Archie. ‘You said her name was Gee.’

Archie shuffled uncomfortably on his feet. ‘That’s what I call her. But her name is Greta.’ He focused on Freya. ‘I told Tamika about your problem. So she’s agreed that we can all walk to school together.’

‘My problem?’

Freya could feel a lot of emotion coming from Archie. He was very anxious. He’d obviously told Tamika something about her and was frightened she would say the wrong thing.

‘Yes, Gee,’ he said cautiously. ‘You know, about what happened to your family in Denmark and how you are staying at my house in hiding so the bad men don’t find you?

‘I also told her no one knows you are here and how we’re going to try to sneak you into my school under a different name.’

‘Oh,
that
problem,’ Freya agreed. Her eyes caught hold of Alma’s and the old woman was nodding. ‘Yes, well, Tamika, I hope you can help me.’

‘Sure,’ Tamika agreed. ‘And I know how you can get into our school without any records.’

Tamika told them about a homeless boy in her class who lived with his family in a shelter. They couldn’t locate his old school records, but the school had to take him anyway.

‘I’ll take you to school and register you on Monday,’ Alma said, forming a plan. ‘I’ll tell them you’re my brother’s niece and that you’ve come over here to spend some time with me and your cousin Tamika.’

‘Will they believe you?’ Freya asked. ‘I have pale skin
–
we don’t look like we come from the same family.’

Alma nodded. ‘They’ll believe what I tell them. Don’t you fret about that.’ She paused. ‘But we are going to need some kind of birth certificate for you.’

‘I can do that!’ Archie announced. ‘I can easily do that on the computer. I can also make up a doctor’s note that says you’ve got some rare spinal disease and are wearing a big back brace that you’re embarrassed about. So you wear strange clothing to hide it. It would also excuse you from Phys-Ed.’ His eyes grew even bigger as he started to extend his idea. ‘I know!’ he added. ‘We can say that you’ve got a weird skin problem so you can’t touch anyone or let them touch you. That way, you can wear your coat and gloves all day. And, because we’re pretending you’re from Denmark, if we write the notes in something that looks like Danish it’ll be even easier to fool everyone!’

Archie’s enthusiasm was catching as they thought more about how to hide Freya’s true identity. By the end of lunch, they had created a whole story for her to tell the school.

While they used Tamika’s computer to create the false documents, Alma disappeared into her sewing room to work on the cover for Freya’s wings.

When they left the Johnson house in the early evening, Freya felt prepared for her first day at school.

CHAPTER NINE

F
reya was restless. It was long past midnight and she still did not feel the need for sleep. Archie had already gone to bed and there was nothing left to do.

‘What are you doing?’
Orus asked as he watched her pull on her armour and gauntlets. Then she attached the sword to her side and walked to the back door.

‘I can’t stay here watching television all night,’ she said. ‘Let’s go for a short flight. I need to stretch my wings.’

‘But it’s raining. We’ll get soaked.’

Freya sighed. ‘A little rain never hurt anyone.’

‘How do you know? This is Midgard rain, not Asgard. Maybe it has something in it that will damage our feathers.’

Freya burst out laughing. ‘Nice try, Orus. Now, come on, you need exercise too.’

Orus ruffled his feathers in disappointment.
‘What about your helmet?’

‘Not tonight. I want to see the city with my own eyes and not have it changed by the helmet’s powers.’

Rain was coming down in heavy sheets, which limited visibility to a few short metres as Freya entered the back yard.

Opening her wings, she ran and leaped into the air. With one powerful wing beat, she climbed higher in the sky. After several more beats, she was gliding over the rooftops of Lincolnwood.

‘Where do you want to go?’
Orus called.

Freya’s eyes caught sight of Chicago’s glowing skyline in the distance. ‘That way,’ she pointed. ‘Let’s go see the city.’

Knowing they had until sunrise, Freya played in the sky with Orus. She flew circles around the raven and won every race against him. By the time they reached the large city, the rain was forgotten as the two laughed from the sheer delight of flying again.

Without her helmet’s protection, Freya remained higher in the sky. But her curiosity tugged at her and she couldn’t resist the temptation to land on the flat roof of a building. It offered an amazing view of the city.

‘Look at all the lights! It’s so beautiful here at night, isn’t it?’ She walked around, wide eyed, taking in the sights and staring down at the world below. The rain made the streets glow in the cars’ headlights.

‘It is,’
Orus agreed as he settled on her shoulder.
‘But I’d be feeling better if you’d brought your coat. There are tall buildings with windows all around us and we don’t want anyone to see you.’

‘I didn’t want my coat to get wet,’ Freya said. She stepped up to the edge of the flat roof and peered down at the late-night traffic. Because of the late hour and foul weather, there wasn’t a lot happening on the street.

The sound of gunshots in the distance suddenly shattered the city’s silence. Freya ran to the other side of the roof and peered down. ‘It came from that direction!’

‘Oh no,’
Orus warned.
‘I know what you’re 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 breastplate and fell harmlessly to the ground. Odin had been right. As long as she wore the armour, nothing could harm her
–
no matter where it struck.

The rules of Asgard said that if she, a Valkyrie, touched a human with her bare skin, or wings, they would die instantly and be sent to Valhalla. But in all her training, she was never told what would happen if she killed a human with her sword.

Not wanting to risk Odin’s wrath, Freya would do no more than wound. She wielded her sword with precision and she sliced the guns out of the attackers’ hands and left the men on the wet ground, moaning and crying as they clutched their wounds. Freya leaped at the leader and pressed down on his chest with her black leather boot and placed the tip of her sword at his throat.

‘Your reign of terror in this neighbourhood ends tonight, human. If I learn of you or your men attacking anyone ever again, I will not be so generous and spare your lives.’

‘What are you?’ the leader cried as his frightened eyes lingered on her open wings. ‘I shot you, I know I did.’

‘Your weapons are powerless against me. Remember my warning. Bring peace to these streets or you will face me again. There will be no second chances.’

Freya turned and left the man. She approached the two victims. ‘Come,’ she commanded as she walked further down the street.

Too frightened not to obey, the couple dashed past the attackers on the ground and followed Freya.

‘Thank you, thank you,’ cried the man. ‘I don’t know who or what you are, but you saved our lives.’

They were only young
–
not very much older than her, by Earth standards. He was handsome with sparkling eyes and pale, smooth skin, apart from a spread of stubble around his chin. The young woman was pretty and held an air of gentleness. She reminded Freya of a delicate little fawn in the woods. She could feel that they cared deeply for each other.

In that moment, Freya realized she’d never felt more alive or happy. She shared in their pure joy of existence. They all knew something amazing had just happened
–
even if the couple didn’t know that she was a Valkyrie: a reaper of souls. But there had been no reaping tonight. Freya had saved lives, not taken them. The feeling was more intense than she could imagine.

The Angels of Death drew near. The older-looking angel spoke in a grave tone. ‘Azrael will hear of this, Valkyrie. He will not be pleased. You have broken the rules and intervened where you had no right. These streets are ours.’

‘Tell Azrael if you must,’ Freya said softly. ‘But I meant no disrespect. I just couldn’t let this happen when it is within my power to stop it.’

The angel shook his head. ‘You have changed their destiny tonight. They were meant to come with us. Tell them they have new lives and to make the best of them. We will be watching. If they do badly in their new lives, or if their future children do harm, the judgement will be on you.’

‘I understand,’ Freya said, bowing her head.

The two angels bowed, opened their white wings and took to the sky.

The man turned quickly and looked behind him. When he returned to Freya, his eyes were wide. ‘What just happened? Who were you talking to? It felt like someone was standing right behind us.’

Freya nodded. ‘You are correct. They were Angels of Death, here to take you with them. They have gone now.’

The young woman cried out and the man put his arm around her for comfort. ‘We, we weren’t supposed to be here,’ he started. ‘We were in our car and got lost. We came to Chicago for our honeymoon. But when we ran out of gas, those men attacked us. We didn’t have time to run. If you hadn’t come . . .’

‘They would have killed you,’ Freya said.

His fear was calming. He looked back and saw the attackers, still on the ground and clutching their wounds. In the distance the sound of sirens filled the air. It was getting closer. He offered his hand to Freya. ‘You saved us, and I am eternally grateful.’

Freya took a step back. ‘I am not an Angel of Death but if you touch me you will die.’

‘What are you?’ The man looked Freya up and down and his eyes settled on her wings. ‘Those wings are real, aren’t they?’

Freya nodded.

At that moment, Orus returned to her shoulder.

‘Is that a crow?’ he asked. ‘There is a legend about crows and death.’

‘Orus is a raven, not a crow,’ Freya explained. ‘But what we are doesn’t matter. What does is that I have intervened on your behalf and broken the rules to save you. From this moment forward, you have new lives. You must take this opportunity to do good work in this world. Teach your children the same. Remember, you should not have existed beyond this night. So any harm you or your children do, I will be punished for. Don’t make me regret my actions.’

‘I swear,’ the man promised. ‘From this moment forward, we’ve both been changed. We won’t disappoint you.’

Finally the woman nodded and spoke. ‘You have our word, Angel. Thank you, thank you for our lives.’

The sounds of sirens drew closer. Flashing lights raced towards them.

‘We’ll be all right,’ said the man as he split his attention between Freya and the approaching police cars. ‘But you’d better go. You saved our lives and we can never repay that debt. But we can try to protect you. We won’t tell them what really happened here. Go now, before they see you.’

Freya was reluctant to leave. But the flashing lights and noisy sirens were not inviting.

‘Live well and live long,’ she said as she stepped back. Freya opened her wings and jumped into the air and started to fly. When she reached the rooftop, she peered over the side and saw the couple waving at her. She waved back.

‘We had better go,’
Orus said.

Freya put her sword back in its sheath. She wanted to stay in this city of darkness and find more people in trouble. Helping that couple had made her feel just as good as when she’d saved Archie. These had been the best things she’d ever done in her life.

‘Freya, please,’
Orus begged.

‘You’re right,’ she said reluctantly as she took to the air. Stealing one last glance down to the street where the police were climbing out of their cars, Freya decided it wasn’t over. As she and Orus made their way back to Lincolnwood, she knew she would return to the city to help stand guard over its innocent people.

They arrived back at Archie’s house just before sunrise. Freya was too excited to sit and watch early-morning television with the raven. She had saved lives
–
and it felt amazing.

Freya longed to tell her sister Maya what had happened. She imagined the good the two of them could do together and what a team they would make. She had been gone for two Earth days. But little time would have elapsed in Asgard. Certainly not long enough for her to be missed. Her only worry was Loki. Would he tell Odin what had happened? He did like to stir things up. Even though he had helped her leave and shared half the blame.

Rolling over to her side, she gazed out the window to the distant dawn. The rain was finally letting up as the sun rose. As its weak rays slowly drove back the night, Freya thought again of Maya, wondering what was happening now in Asgard.