“Yes. Johann will stay here and keep communication with Heimdall. If we need an urgent extraction, he’ll direct the Bifrost to us.” Tore kept one hand on my back and one on his glowing, blue blade. His broadsword was sheathed at his side.
“Excellent. Let’s move out.” Mack’s shortest brother turned to the right and began marching. Tore motioned for me to go ahead, and I followed the sea of Macks traipsing through the trees. I felt pretty tough in my black cargos and tank top, with a dagger tucked into my combat boots and my armor covering my arm. The charged sword at my hip vibrated slightly; the energy of Valhalla’s fallen soldiers was ready to kill. It was awesome . . . and just the hugest bit scary.
My protectors flanked me as we marched across a blanket of pink and purple flowers and along a corridor of what looked like Aspen trees. Finally, we reached the waterfall. And while we were there to recover a piece of a god-killing weapon, and in all likelihood, fight some crazy night elves for our lives, it was impossible not to appreciate the moment.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. My senses took in the gushing water, the flower-covered mountain, and the thick, blue mist that rose off the river. This waterfall would be the ideal first date spot. If one were in a dating state, of course.
“That it is, Pepper.” Tore’s throaty voice sent a shiver up my spine. He’d come up behind me without my realizing it, but now I sensed his presence brush up against my backside. Sandalwood and winter enveloped my space. Mmm. Tore. I forced myself to remember that we were here on business . . . but first, I took one more hit on the Tore smells. Much better.
We continued on the flower-covered trail, getting closer and closer to the waterfall. As we moved, something inside my armor began to buzz. It was only a faint vibration, but it gave me a heightened sense of awareness. The fact that it didn’t make me run screaming through the hills of Alfheim was a testament to how extremely bizarre my life had become. Instead, I calmly informed the group of my situation.
“I feel something,” I offered. “Want me to follow it?”
“Yes.” Tore motioned for the group to part, and they moved to the side so I could take the lead. I let my eyes roam over the land, and after several passes, my gaze locked in on the base of the waterfall. A faint glow lit the mist from behind. As I focused on the light, my armor pulsed.
“I know where it is.” I walked faster, until I reached the spot where the river pooled out into a small lagoon. My armor practically sang when I got to the water’s edge. Kicking off my boots, I prepared to step into the pool.
“What are you doing?” Tore frowned.
“It’s behind the waterfall!” I grinned, stupidly excited to retrieve my first weapon piece. This was way easier than I’d thought it would be.
Tore kicked off his shoes in response. “You’re not going in alone,” he said. I froze as he slipped off his shirt, showcasing a torso covered in lean, corded muscles.
Please take off your pants, too. But instead of answering my silent plea, Tore dove headfirst into the water, still wearing his bottoms. Dang it.
I dove in after him, fully clothed, and swam toward the waterfall. The water was pleasantly warm and crystal clear. If I hadn’t been searching for a god-killing weapon piece, I would have splashed around this elfin paradise all day. Instead, I swam to where Tore surfaced and treaded water beside him.
“Be careful not to wake the mermaids,” Tore warned. Blood drained from my face.
“Are you kidding?” I whisper screamed.
Tore couldn’t hold in his laughter. “Of course I am, Pepper. Come on. Mermaids?”
I backstroked away from Tore with enough force that my kicks splashed water all over his cackling face. Jerk. When I reached the rumbling base of the falls, Tore dove beneath the water. He must have been an insanely good swimmer, because it only took him seconds to surface beside me. His hand slipped into mine, which was apparently the cue for my stomach to launch into an Olympic-level gymnastics routine. Settle down, Allie.
“The water’s going to be really strong, so hold on tight, and don’t lose me,” Tore ordered. “Take a deep breath, and then we go under together.”
I almost didn’t comprehend his words because my stupid hormones were scrambling my brain. It wasn’t my fault his hand felt so strong, and reassuring, and just all together awesome in mine.
I nodded my consent. Tore counted to three; then we dunked. Once under, I kicked fiercely to push myself through the turbulent water. After an eternity, we made it to the other side. The water was calm against my back as Tore’s hand pulled me up. We made it.
The moment my head broke the surface of the water, Tore shoved me behind him. I kept one hand on his bare shoulder and treaded water while he turned his head from left to right. The glow of his sword pulsed beneath the surface, lighting up the cave-like space behind the fall. Beyond the pool was a small sandy beach, bordered by a steep wall of moss-covered rocks. Everything was black and green, with the exception of Tore’s glowy blue blade.
“It’s safe. Follow me, Allie.” Tore swam to the edge of the pool and dragged himself onto the little sand beach. He reached out to help me up, and there was an awesome moment where his eyes lingered on my wet, skin-tight clothes. But as I held my breath, he snapped straight back to business mode. “The weapon piece. Where is it?”
Right. I spun around, facing the rock wall that crept high up the mountain. There was a little cave opening about six-feet above our heads. It glowed with such intensity, it put my necklace to shame.
“It’s there.” I pointed.
Tore frowned. “I can boost you up, but what if someone’s in there? I won’t be able to defend you. You need to be ready.”
I pulled out my grappling dagger. It glowed blue at my touch. “This going to be enough?” I asked.
Tore shrugged. “It has to be. But once you’re up, if you sense anything off, jump back down. I can take out whatever follows you to the ground.”
“Deal.”
Tore laced his fingers together, his cobalt eyes peering into mine. “Be careful, Pepper.”