“Call me that one more time, and so help me I’ll—”
“Enough.” Tore chuckled. He slid one arm along the back of the couch so it rested behind my head. His fingertips just grazed my shoulder, and a surge of heat shot all the way through me. I didn’t know if it was deliberate or if he was just stretching, but I had the overwhelming urge to inch closer to his side. No snuggling with your protector, Allie. Bodie would never let you hear the end of it. Neither would Hannie. Snort.
Bodie sat straighter then. “You don’t know how we all know your mom, huh? You want to see something?”
He raised his hands so they cupped a translucent ball, about a foot in radius. Light sparked between his palms, creating a soft glow. I’d totally forgotten about Bodie’s gift. I wasn’t sure how it worked, but it seemed like he trapped memories and could replay them—like an Asgardian DVD player. I leaned forward, expecting him to take my head in his hands, but this time he shook his head. “I can show it to everyone,” he offered.
Awesome!
The light in his hands grew until it became a thin flat panel—a projector of sorts—and a scene played out on the light.
“Holy mother. You’re like a flat screen TV!” I gasped. The boys chuckled, moving closer so they could all see the images.
There was some kind of a party going on. Wildflowers, crystals, and colored silk hung from trees in a garden. My mother sat on a low chair, her belly swollen with pregnancy.
“Your mom’s baby shower,” Bodie chimed in.
Elora sat at my mother’s feet. Both women were laughing. Two men stood in a corner, gesturing animatedly with their hands.
“My dad and your dad,” Bodie said, nodding to the two men.
My dad. I looked over the man in the tan pants. He was tall and strong. I had his jaw and his penchant for talking with my hands when I got excited. My eyes welled with tears. He stopped talking to Bodie’s dad then and looked over at my mom to give her a wink.
“Dessert time!” A beautiful woman glided into the garden, carrying a tray of cookies and sweets. Tore stiffened beside me, and I knew from one look at the woman’s blonde hair and clear-blue eyes, that it was his mother.
“I miss her lingonberry cookies.” Johann sighed. Tore just nodded silently beside me.
Two men approached my mom with gifts in their hands. They deposited them at her feet, enveloping her in a gentle hug. “Eir!” They grinned. My mother’s entire face lit up as she embraced the two men.
“My dads,” Johann offered, smiling at the memory.
Dads? Oh dads. Right on.
A flash of light from outside drew our focus to the window. With a clap of his hands, Bodie dissolved the memory.
“Thank you.” I turned away from the window and threw my arms around Bodie. Now that I knew our parents had been friends, I felt closer than ever to my boys. “That was everything to me.”
“Any time, Allie.” Bodie hugged me back.
Another flash of light pulled my attention back to the window. Outside, a spectrum of colors flashed in a sparkly pattern, sending a beam onto the snow just beyond the porch. “Oh my God,” I whispered. “What’s that?”
“It’s the Bifrost.” Johann rolled his eyes. “Come on, newbie. You’ve seen that before.”
Oh. Right. The burst of light in our front yard was the magical god-porting rainbow. Silly me.
“Johann, get the door,” Tore ordered.
“I don’t hear anybody at the—” A firm knock interrupted Johann’s objection. “Jeez, she moves fast.”
“That’s Greta.” Bodie winked. “Fast.”
“You wish.” Johann elbowed Bodie as he got up. He crossed to the front door and opened it a crack. “What’s the password,” he teased.
A tinkling laugh came from outside. “Open the door, Johann!”
“You guessed right.” Johann wrenched the door open and pulled a petite redhead into a hug. “Hei, Greta!”
“Hei hei,” Greta mumbled into Johann’s chest. “I can’t breathe.”
“Right! Sorry!” Johann released his hold and ushered her into the living room. “Greta, you know Tore, and Mack. And Bodie.” He waggled his eyebrows, and Bodie shot him a glare.
“Thanks for coming.” Tore waved from the couch. “This is Allie; she got banged up pretty bad in Alfheim.”
“Hi.” I raised a hand. I’d have stood, but the agony in my ankle had prevented movement for the past two hours. “I’m really grateful you’re here.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Greta smiled warmly at me. Her emerald eyes crinkled at the corners, and her energy radiated a pearlescent white. She wore her long, red hair loose, except for two braids in the front, and she wore a beautiful white gown with a white corset over it. I was an expert at first impressions, being able to read energy and all, and by all accounts, Greta appeared to be a good egg. I was glad she’d come.
“Hei, Greta.” Mack pushed up from the armchair and crossed to Greta’s side. He clasped the healer’s hands warmly in his own.
“Hello, Mack. It’s good to see you.” Greta smiled warmly up at him. “And Bodie, your sister sent these for you to share with your friends.” She set a container of cookies down on the coffee table. “How have you been?”
“Good. I’ve been good.” Bodie had scrambled to his feet and now stood at attention in front of the fireplace—the farthest spot from Greta that was technically still in the room. Get out, did the healer make him nervous? I scanned his energy, and saw his heart center absolutely pinging with excitement. Oh my God! Bodie totally liked Greta!
“Have a seat, Greta.” Tore gestured to the opposite arm of the sectional. Greta removed the backpack from her shoulder and set it on the ground before sliding into the cushions and crossing her legs.
Another flash of light came from outside.
“I am so sorry, Tore.” Greta looked apologetically at the demigod beside me.
“Why?” Tore asked. “It’s not your fault Allie got hurt.”
“No, that’s not why I’m sorry.” Greta hemmed. Her face was pinched in anxiety.
“Then why are you—”
“Hell-ooo.” A high-pitched voice rang from outside.
Greta winced as Tore’s features hardened. “Synna,” he muttered.
“She insisted on following me.” Greta shot Tore a pleading look. “I told her this wasn’t the time, but . . . well, you know how she is.”
Tore clenched his jaw. “I sure do.”
“Who followed you?” I asked.