Free Tro (Elsker Saga Book 3) by S.T. Bende Page A

and poked my head around the corner of the cupboard. As I watched, the door burst open, and two figures stormed through. They were shrouded in shadows, their faces obscured by traveling cloaks, but as I peeked around the corner of the cupboard, I could make out the difference in their size. The first appeared to be a male of human stature, a little over six feet tall. He moved with an air of grace as he swept through the room. The figure behind him seemed to be a female over twice his height. She moved with the refinement of an inebriated mountain goat. She stormed behind the man, emitting a grating wail I could have sworn I’d heard before. Twice, she tripped on the benches strewn throughout the hall. When she stumbled a third time, she picked up the offending furniture and threw it at the wall behind me. It ricocheted off the cupboard, splintering into a thousand pieces and showering shards of wood across my back. One pierced the blanket and dug into my flesh like a tiny needle, making me wish I’d worn my thick flannel pajamas to bed. The extra coverage, though unflattering, would have come in handy.
    “Where did you take them?” the woman shrieked. “Where are my babies?”
    The man turned on one heel, his hands steepled together. When he spoke, his voice came on a hiss. “Patience, Angrboða.”
    The enormous woman swiped at the man and he dove out of her reach, landing unceremoniously on the floor. The female stormed to his side. “Where are they?”
    The man righted himself. In the moment he pushed his hood slightly off his face, I caught a glimpse of something familiar, but before I could register what it was, he tugged the hood over his jaw, so he was completely obscured.
    “Angrboða.” The man shook his head. “Have you no faith? The children are with their father. He will take care of them.”
    “That’s not possible. They can’t be with you—you’re here.” The woman raised her hand and the man stepped back.
    “Oh, am I?” The man waved his arms in front of him and his figure disappeared. A voice came from the spot where he’d been standing. “Or am I just a projection?” He flickered back into view.
    “You sent a hologram to tell me you took our children? You selfish, evil…” The woman lunged and her hood flew off her face. For the first time I could see her grotesque features: yellowed, pointy teeth set against purple lips. Dirty, mottled skin covered in pox, and stringy, blue hair that fell to her waist. From what I could remember from Olaug’s lessons, she seemed to be a mountain giant. Her people loathed the gods, to the point where they’d staged a dozen rebellions in the last five hundred years. Two had nearly been successful.
    “Ah, ah, ah.” The man wagged his finger. “If you hurt me again I won’t tell you where I’ve sent them.”
    “You have one minute,” the giantess hissed.
    “Do you remember their prophecy?”
    “Of course. The three of them together will bring an end to Asgard.” Recognition dawned on the giantess’ face. “Have you sent them to fulfill their fates?”
    “Indeed.” The man crossed his arms, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “They are safe with me, inside Asgard’s walls.”
    “The gods will be dead by morning.” Angrboða clapped her hands together. The joyful gesture was a contrast to her dour form.
    “Not so fast. First they must turn themselves in.”
    “But the prophecy said—”
    “The prophecy said they would end Asgard. And they will. But to do so, Odin must believe he has them under control. He has hunted them all these years—once he believes they are no longer a threat, he will let his guard down and they can do their jobs. The children are aware of this. And they are prepared.” The man walked to the window and faced outside.
    “Will they be hurt?”
    “No more than necessary. The girl will be given a realm to rule. Odin will unknowingly hand her an entire army to assist our cause. The boys will be separated, one