“Have you seen Émilien since you and I went to his house in France?”
“As a matter of fact, I just spoke to him. Why?”
Freyja’s red eyebrows rose. “Really? Are you two on speaking terms now?”
Hel snorted. “Not hardly. I would describe us as coldly civil. I went to his home to find out if he told Shalendra the truth yet.”
“And?”
“He hasn’t. To paraphrase, he said he would tell her when he was ready.”
Freyja scowled and crossed her arms. “So, never.”
“That isn’t acceptable. If he doesn’t tell her soon, I will. I know I was the one to insist he lie, but that was only because she was so young and wouldn’t understand. I didn’t want her to think I didn’t love her. She’s old enough now to comprehend my reasoning and has the right to know who her parents are.”
“I never understood the secrecy, myself. Why couldn’t she know Émilien as her father, not brother?”
“Loki. He knows nothing about my life, and I want to keep it that way. If he were to discover I had a child, he would only use her and twist her mind.” Hel swallowed the painful lump lodged in her throat at the thought of what her father could have done to corrupt her beautiful daughter.
The last thing she wanted was for Shalendra to go through what she had as a child. After everything her father had put her through, the lies, abandonment, and torture, some days, she wondered if she wasn’t as insane as he was. She knew the ice-cold persona she so carefully constructed wasn’t from being an uncaring bitch. It was the only defense she’d found that could keep her father out of her life...and, ultimately her daughter’s and Émilien’s as well. She couldn’t risk either of them, even if her ex-husband perpetually pissed her off.
“I’m so sorry, Hel.” Freyja pressed her fist against her heart. She blinked away the tears blurring her beautiful amethyst eyes. “Have you heard anything about Émilien’s parents? He said he had uncovered something about them being in Helheimr since their disappearance.”
Hel shook her head. “They couldn’t have been here since then. That was almost a century ago. I would have felt their presence, especially the human’s—I mean, Émilien’s mother. She could not live here for that long without great suffering.”
Freyja frowned, her gaze moving somewhere behind where Hel stood as she seemed to be counting on her fingers. “What do you mean centuries? Bernard isn’t that old. I think he’s in his early thirties...”
“He is part elf, which is stronger than his human half. Like the other elves, he stopped aging in his early twenties. I’m certain his caretakers continued the human tradition of birthdays, so he would not learn of his Elven heritage.”
Freyja’s jeweled gaze met Hel’s. “Perhaps you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that...yet. I must be getting old because my mind isn’t what it used to be.”
Hel let out a bark of laughter, surprising both Freyja and Baldr, whom she forgot was still standing just behind her right side. “You are immortal, silly woman. Your incredible brain is just as sharp as it always has been. You are simply wearing yourself out by trying to take on too many goals. Even gods need their rest, you know.”
Freyja smiled. “You’re right. I am tired. Maybe I will sneak off for a day or two. Would you like some company? We could look for Olivier and Jessica together.”
Hel’s stomach clenched. She wasn’t a social person. Even making small talk was like having her skin flayed and then peeled off in tiny pieces. Could she deal with the goddess for more than a few minutes? A fiery sting spread from her scalp to her feet, the pale flesh turning bright pink. In the lightest of touches, Baldr’s hand spread across her lower back. Instantly, an icy sensation flared from the center of where his hand lay, soothing away the burn and calming her nerves.
“My lady,” Baldr said, his deep voice soft but powerful. “We first need to deal with the group you sent before anything else. I’m afraid they aren’t as docile as you made them out to be. They are spoiling for a fight as we speak. If you want them alive, I suggest we end this for the time being.” He gave Hel a sideways glance, his blue gaze sparkling with humor, before turning back to Freyja.
“Oh dear, yes, please stop them. Raisa will be quite annoyed if anything happens to her charges, and Alva has championed the draugar. She may appear docile, but when riled, she is anything but. Let me know how it goes.” Without further fanfare, the connection blinked out, leaving them staring at the misty valley below.
“I need to go find Merle,” Sophie announced, her semi-transparent shape disappearing completely.
Hel’s gaze narrowed as several dark shapes fanned out. A glowing blue light appeared, filling the valley and illuminating the emerging fight. “I think we might have a problem.” Laying her hand on Baldr’s muscled forearm, she transported them to the vale.
“Did you have to set us down between them?” Baldr grumbled. “I may be dead, but I don’t want to be zombie dead or made into puppy chow.”
Hel chuckled. “Puppy chow...that’s priceless.” She held up her arms, her silver-tipped fingernails glistening in the eerie blue glow, and froze the two factions in place. The lead draugr’s heavy black brows inched up on his forehead as his brown gaze dropped to hers.
“My name is Hel, and I am the ruler of Niflheimr, which includes Helheimr, the land of the dead, and where you currently are standing. While I normally allow those sent here to continue their lives as they were before death...” She turned her head to the lead werewolf, whose snout was drawn back in an evil snarl. With a tiny dip of her head, she mentally dared the creature to pounce before returning her gaze to the draugr.
“However,” she said, continuing her previous train of thought. “Your group and the werewolves have been sent here by Freyja and your appointed guardians—Raisa for the werewolves and Alva for the draugar. They expect you all to learn how to work together as a team and not kill one another out of pettiness or anger. You will stop whateverthisis and follow me to where you will be staying.”
Without another word, she walked away from them and didn’t bother looking back to see if they followed. The uncontrolled force beating at her back told her everything she needed to know. She let the wave of power settle around her, the sensation skittering over her skin and making the fur in her coat stick straight out.
“Very impressive, my lady,” Baldr whispered beside her. “And just where are we taking them? To my knowledge, we have no new accommodations for magical undead and angry wolf men.”
Hel bit back a smile. “I was hoping you would come up with an idea.”