Tore tugged his beanie lower over his ears. “Yeah, I sense that too. I hope their numbers aren’t down because they found what they’re looking for and bailed. But I don’t think that’s an issue—something tells me they can’t touch the pieces of your weapon. Only you can.”
That was an interesting theory. “Hold on.” With another push, I spiraled my energy around the mountain. It came back to me after reading two more signatures. “The elves have broken up. Two of them are heading down the hill. If we stay on this path, we’ll meet up with them in a few miles.”
“Huh.” Bodie spoke from over my shoulder. “Do you think they spotted us and they’re coming to pick us off?”
“I doubt that.” Tore kept marching forward. “If they saw five of us, and sent two assassins, they’re even dumber than I thought. They’re probably looking for shelter. That storm is moving fast, and they have to be exposed atop this mountain.”
“What are we going to do?” I asked. A swift movement from just over the ledge drew my attention. “What’s that?”
My heart jumped into my throat as a black blur swept past my head and landed on the path in front of Tore. I heard the sound of blades drawing behind me, but Tore held up one fist and ordered the boys to stand down. “It’s just Huginn,” he said. The collective exhale from behind let me know the raven’s arrival was good news.
Tore bent down and untied a scroll from the raven’s leg. With his message delivered, the bird flapped charcoal wings and soared back over the ledge, flying until he was just a speck on the horizon.
“What’s it say, man?” Johann called from behind.
Tore faced us as he unraveled the scroll. His eyes scanned the paper before he tucked it into his pocket. “The darkness at the top of the mountain is a horde of night elves,” he confirmed. “And there’s a strong light magic resonance a hundred meters due east of their gathering spot. My guess is they sense the magic is nearby, and they’re trying to locate it. But the weather’s bad enough that they can’t find it. Either that, or they’re protecting it.”
“The magic is the piece of Gud Morder, right?” I felt dumb asking, but I wanted to make sure we weren’t walking into a—did Tore say horde?—unless it was absolutely dire to our cause.
“That’s right,” Tore confirmed.
“So what’s the plan?” Mack asked.
“The plan is . . .” Tore paused. “Okay. We take out the two night elves heading our way and get as close to the light magic spot as we can before that storm hits. Once the blizzard begins, we attack. Night elves come from Svartalfheim, so they’re unaccustomed to snow. They’ll be at a tactical disadvantage. Two of us have energy sight, so Allie and I will be able to see through the storm. We’ll tell you where to go. The faster we can get our hands on the weapon piece, the faster we can get out of this Helheim.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” I pulled my blade from my boot and held it at the ready. “Let’s go kill some night elves. Then we can celebrate by making a really kick-butt shelter, with the fire to end all fires.” I very much looked forward to being able to feel my fingertips again. And also, my nose.
“You heard the girl. Onward.” Tore rested his hand on the hilt of his broadsword and headed up the trail. It took over an hour of insanely steep hiking before we finally neared the spot where I’d sensed the night elves. Wind whipped over the ledge, and I nearly lost my footing where the trail split off, cutting into the mountain just far enough to permit a few trees to grow. It wasn’t exactly a forest, but it was a dense enough patch of foliage that we’d be able to find some cover. Provided we made it that far without being blown over, first.
“The night elves should be just around the corner,” I whispered. And with a sudden gust, the storm was upon us. The force of the icy snow and whipping wind made me sway on my feet, and I stumbled precariously close to the ledge. Bodie’s arm snaked out from behind and shoved me back onto the path. I dug my knife-shoes into the ground to hold my position.
“Thanks,” I called over my shoulder.
“No worries,” Bodie shouted back.
Tore held up a fist. “Be quiet. I sense them.” We gathered behind him, ducking beneath one of the trees and away from the narrow path. Visibility was marginal, but the wind was bad enough that I hoped the dark elves would be forced to take shelter. As I’d just seen, there was a very real possibility of being blown off that ledge. “Mack, you and Johann take air assault. Scale those two trees, and drop in on the perps if they pass. Bodie and I will hide behind those rocks and attack from the ground. Allie, you’re on cleanup. It’s your job to eliminate anything that gets past the rest of us. Got it?”
“You’re going to let me fight them?” My voice rose on the last words. “I thought you’d banish me to the trees and tell me to stay there.” The fact that he finally wanted to treat me as an equal warrior was just about the hottest thing a guy had ever done for me.
“We told you if you let us get you up the wall, we’d let you take care of yourself.” Tore shrugged. “Unless you don’t want to . . .”
“Oh, I want to,” I said. My blade glowed blue in my hand. It wanted to, too.
“Good. Everyone, fall into position,” Tore commanded. “The hostiles are approaching at eleven o’clock, and we want to have the element of surprise.”
Mack and Johann quickly climbed the trees, and Tore and Bodie took their places behind neighboring boulders. I ducked into a crevice and waited. It was time for my second kill. And instead of being scared, a thrill of anticipation coursed through my energy centers.
What had I become?
CHAPTER TEN
SINCE THE MOMENT I’D found out about my lineage, I’d hoped that I was truly a product of both of my parents—part healer, part warrior. I’d demonstrated sufficient energy skills that I knew I’d grasp my mother’s side eventually, but to date, I hadn’t done anything that made me trust I’d inherited any abilities from my paternal side. I knew I’d never be able to meet him, but as I gripped my glowing blade on the side of the snowy mountain, I sincerely hoped I had what it took to make my father proud.