“Are you guys saying Nott caused the mudslides?” I balked, my coffee mug frozen mid-sip.
“Nott caused the decay in the earth, which contributed to the destabilization of the land, thereby priming it to be more susceptible to a slide,” Mack explained. “A few years ago, the Los Angeles County Parks Department had the manpower to divert the overflow from the kinds of rains they’re getting this season, but apparently, their hands are now administratively tied. Nott or one of her night elves may have put a bug in those administrative ears, or the humans could have done that to themselves. Either way, it resulted in hiker deaths, home destruction, and a freeway that will take months to repair. And that’s just one location. Over the past year, Midgard’s environmental disasters have grown to five times what they were three years ago. Nott’s got her claws into this planet; that’s for sure.”
Jeez. It brought everything home, in a very disturbing way.
There wasn’t much to say after that, so the four of us sat, eating waffles in silence, while a light snow fell outside the kitchen window. After a minute, a deep voice broke through the quiet.
“Well, isn’t this cozy. You dewdrops enjoying your breakfast?” Tore sauntered into the kitchen. He turned his back to us as he pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge.
Oh, God. His black workout pants hugged the sides of his butt, and despite the snow, he’d opted to wear a tank top that left no doubt as to which of the realms his arms were from. Asgard, all the way.
“There’s a warm plate in the oven.” Mack nodded at the stove.
“Thanks, but I ate before my run.” Tore turned around and leaned against the counter. His eyes moved over Mack and Johann before settling on me. “Morning, Allie,” he murmured. “Sleep well?”
His sultry tone caught me off guard. Coffee slid down the wrong pipe, and I coughed before answering. “Slept great for one hour,” I croaked. “Thanks.”
“Good.” He tipped the bottle back, and downed its contents before tossing it into the recycling bin. “Because I’m picking you up from school when your last class gets out, and then we’re going to the complex.” He moved across the kitchen and opened the back door. He stepped through and pulled it closed behind him, heading into the snow without bothering to put on a long-sleeved shirt. Apparently, the ‘Professor’ wouldn’t be following me to my classes. It seemed he had more important things to do.
“What exactly is the complex?” I asked the guys. Nobody had explained what the physical portion of my training would entail. I just assumed I’d be getting my butt handed to me, times four.
Bodie and Johann exchanged a look over my head. “For us, it’s a giant playground,” Johann began. “But for you . . .”
Bodie shook his head with a grin. “Get ready, Allie. Today’s gonna be one Hel of a ride.”
Great. I couldn’t wait.
****
The rest of my day slugged on. Even with three more coffees in my system, and three hypervigilant protectors sitting behind me, I could barely pay attention in my last class. Normally, I would have appreciated the lecture on what our culture could do to combat climate change, but today the professor’s lecture went right over my head. When she finally dismissed us, I shoved my books into my bag and tripped on my way out of the classroom.
Mack caught me by the arm. “You okay?”
“Fine,” I lied. His eyes narrowed in concern, and I outed myself. “I’m freaked out about training, okay? I read up on Asgardian weapons at lunch, and I’m kind of scared about what Tore’s going to do to me.”
“You’ll be fine, Allie.” Mack squeezed my elbow gently, but there was no denying the worry in his eyes. We made our way to the parking lot, where Bodie and Johann gave me a look that said nice knowing you; you’re probably going to die in training today. Maybe I was being a tad dramatic . . . but I definitely caught a look.
A loud honk caught my attention. The boys stepped back as Tore pulled up to the curb in a white Range Rover. I tried to retreat with them, but Bodie pushed me forward.
“Moment of reckoning, girl. Get in,” he said.
“Gee, thanks,” I replied.
Mack opened the passenger door for me and bowed his head slightly. That boy was one in a million. I sincerely hoped I lived to thank him for being such a good guy. I offered a halfhearted wave as I slipped into the car and fastened my seatbelt. My stomach was tied in knots, and my body already ached, anticipating the pain that was surely in my near future. But since Gran hadn’t raised a weak woman, I turned to Tore and met his steely blue gaze.
“Bring it.” I spoke with a confidence I didn’t feel. Tore just smirked and gunned the gas.
Dear Universe, Kindly have mercy on my fragile bones. Thanks. Xoxo, Allie.
****
Two hours later, I lay on the mat, panting like a woman in labor. Tore stood over me, glistening with a fine sheen of sweat that only increased his hotness. My sweat was neither fine nor sheeny. It was a gushy, sticky mess that in no way improved my attractiveness.
“Get up,” Tore demanded.
My back was on fire. Muscles burned that I didn’t even know existed. I was flat out in the center of the complex—a large, open gym space made from a converted pole barn. The structure housed the guys’ physical conditioning equipment and an insane arsenal of torture-inducing weapons.
“Why can’t I just pepper spray the elves?” I groaned. My abdominal muscles tried to kill me as I forced myself to sit up. If I could just spray everyone, then I wouldn’t need to train.
“Because night elves eat pepper spray for breakfast. Come on, Allie. I thought you were in shape?” Tore rolled his eyes.
Oh, no he didn’t. I shot up quickly, gritting my teeth as I took my fighting stance. My body was used to working out—I exercised to ground out the energy of the day—but it wasn’t used to being thrown around a room, bouncing off a wall, and slamming into the floor. I mean, honestly. Whose was?
Tore’s twinkling eyes suggested he found my irritation amusing. Jerk. “Enough blocking techniques. Let’s get to the weapons. Bodie? Bring out the basics.”
Finally, something cool. Mack approached from the left, carrying my shoulder armor in his hands. He held it up to my arm. “Let’s get you suited up, Allie,” he said. “I know you’ve worn this once before, but you need to know that there’s a light magic infusion woven throughout this piece. It will activate the crystals in any Asgardian weapon you wield, making it deadly to those races susceptible to light magic. Quick physiology lesson: the only thing that can kill a light god is dark magic. Darkness is light’s energetic opposite, and our systems can’t sustain the duality. For dark beings, it’s the other way around. Light magic infused weapons can kill dark creatures. Like night elves.”