Free Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) by Amanda Carlson

find your way here?” He rocked back on his heels and cleaned the dagger on his filthy pants like I wasn’t splayed right in front of him writhing in agony. My blood streaked the fabric red.
    I may have lost consciousness for a few moments.
    When my vision slowly ebbed back, I spotted him perched on a rock nearby, still waiting for me to answer.
    “What did you ask me?” I mumbled.
    “How did you land here? And where are your weapons?”
    “Um, my weapon is currently resting in your waistband.” I glanced around the dismal cave. “And I don’t know how I got here. The tree didn’t ask me where I wanted to go. It just decided.”
    He got off his rock and paced over, bending down to inspect my wound. I was happy I was lying down and couldn’t see the carnage. “No, I mean where is your battle armor? Your shield and your weapon of choice—your spear, ax, or sword? Shieldmaidens are not seen without their full regalia often. If you meant to hunt me, you came ill-prepared.” He ended with a little snarl. “Odin’s favorite dagger will only get you so far.”
    “Hunt you?” I asked, confused. “Why would I want to hunt you?”
    “For the reward and glory.”
    “Huh? I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. The only reward I seek is finding my way back to New York . ” For good measure, I added, “Without any creepy monster following me. I just want to be left alone.”
    “This is perplexing indeed.” His eyebrows locked into concentration. Honestly, his face was incredible. Now that I could focus on it without pain addling my brain, he looked like he’d been carved out of stone, not born. His skin was a deep caramel color and flawless. He could be a Greek statue. And those tattoos and the blond hair. Holy moly . “The only shieldmaidens who have tried to reach me here have come through Surtr’s lair, paying a hefty toll for their entry. This portal was sealed long ago by the gods.” He gestured to the wall behind my head. Then he glanced down with an arched brow, like I kept vital information from him that might have something to do with the unsealing of the portal.
    “Honestly, I’m not lying. I have no idea how I got here,” I insisted. “Verdandi was trying to kill me, and I pierced the tree with Gram and fell through. Actually, it was more like I was sucked inside after I rammed the dagger into the bark, but whatever, it wasn’t my choice. I wanted to return to New York, not come here.”
    He sat back. “You were in the presence of the Norn Verdandi?”
    “Yes, and it wasn’t great. She’s pretty horrifying.”
    “Very few escape their lair. The three fates are…powerful beings.”
    I thought of the big, brave Junnal. “I know.”
    “My judgment is that you cannot harm me.” He stood up. “If I thought you capable, I would have left you here to fend for yourself.”
    “Left me to die, you mean,” I corrected, wondering if I should try to get up or just lie here for a while. Getting up seemed like a lot of effort.
    “Wrong, Valkyrie. You would not have died. I simply saved you from a fortnight of agony.” He stood, making the decision for me, as he bent over and scooped me up like I weighed nothing.
    The pain from the dagger wound had subsided to a dull ache. “Who are you?” I asked as he turned and headed deeper into the cavern.
    “I am Fenrir the Wolf.”
    “I’m sorry, did you say you’re a wolf ?”

8
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    “Y es, I said wolf. My father is the god Loki, and my mother the giantess Angrboda. I am considered a demigod to some, a monster to others, but my true form is a wolf.” He carried me easily, shifting me in his arms as the path became narrower. “My siblings are very different than I, even though we share the same sires. We’ve each arrived in these worlds for different purposes and must accept what has been bestowed upon us. None can fight their destiny.” I heard a hint of a growl. “But I can fight my circumstance,