Free Valkyrie Symptoms by Ingrid Paulson Page A

asked.
    But Margit’s focus had shifted back to Kjell, who made one more grab for the emergency transmitter in her hand.
    â€œTurn that stupid thing off,” he said. Sven pushed him away. Hard. “If she was part of it, why would she have saved me? Think. You’re letting prejudice cloud your judgment.” Sven and Kjell glared at each other, hands balled into fists, teetering on the brink of an actual punch-throwing fight.
    â€œInteresting that you’re defending her.” Margit’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Snap out of it. She’ll seduce and kidnap you too.”
    â€œSeduce?” I asked as a flush crept up my neck. That accusation was certainly a first. “Kidnap?” I whispered.
    â€œKjell.” Margit’s voice broke over the plea. “Please.”
    And then I knew, all at once, that her hostility toward me had nothing to do with an unrequited crush. She was scared for Kjell. She truly thought she was protecting him. The scraps of odd behavior I’d collected over the day, from the angry old lady in the bakery to Margit’s flaming hostility, were shuffling inside my mind as I tried to piece together what everyone was so afraid of.
    â€œLet’s go,” Kjell said, pulling me behind him. “Before their new friends get here.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I asked. “Who’s coming?” I didn’t like the way Margit was standing, hands on her hips, a smug smile on her face, like we were stupid if we thought we were going anywhere.
    Kjell’s long strides dragged me to the door at a half run, and he didn’t slow down when I stumbled, which was when I realized maybe there was a reason we needed to get out of there fast. Whoever Margit had summoned with that transponder was someone Kjell wasn’t all that eager to meet.
    It was impossible to ignore the stares that followed us across the bar, but I kept my eyes glued to the door, counting down the distance between me and safety with each step.
    â€œHope we see you tomorrow, Kjell,” Margit called after us. “But if not, at least we know where to find her .”

Copyright
    Copyright © 2012, 2013 by Ingrid Paulson
    All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
    EPub Edition © DECEMBER 2012 ISBN: 9780062268716
    ISBN: 978-0-06-226871-6
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    FIRST EDITION

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