Free Valkyrie's Kiss by Kristi Jones

herself has made this request,” I said, softly. “It
is her stone to claim.”
    “And I am under
orders by Odin himself. I will not relinquish the stone to the likes of you.”
    “Very well,” I
said, and bowed my head. “You must do your duty, as I must do mine.”
    I turned, as if to
leave, then spun around and thrust my sword at the Fenrir ,
aiming for his neck. But he was quick. He must have been expecting the blow. He
leapt into the air, letting out a fierce howl.
    He came at me, his
mouth open, his long teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
    I whirled around
and switched the sword to my left hand, but he was no ignorant beast and before
I could move away, he bit down hard on my free arm, clenching it in his
vise-like jaws.
    I tried to pull
away. The Fenrir shook his head, ripping the flesh
from my forearm. I screamed out in pain.
    Though I was able
to withstand the mightiest of men’s weaponry, the teeth and claws of a Fenrir were different. He was a creature anointed by Odin.
He had powers as strong as the gods themselves.
    The pain was excruciating.
I felt as if a bolt of electricity had ripped through my arm, from the shoulder
to my wrist. I bit down hard on my lips to keep from screaming again, my teeth
slicing through the soft flesh. I couldn’t scream again. The sound might bring
the stiffs. Or worse, another Fenrir . The wolves almost always travelled in packs.
    My body was coated
in sweat, and the cold air soon had me shaking.
    I hit him on the
flank with the flat edge of the sword, and it was enough for him to open his
jaws and release my arm. I rolled away from him, cradling the sword close. When
I struggled to my feet, he was bowed down before me, growling, ready to pounce
again. I hefted the sword, getting a better grip on it. I crouched low. My
breath came in ragged bursts. I braced myself for the next attack.
    The wolf leapt
again, its silver hair gleaming in the moonlight.
    The crack of a
firearm rang out. The wolf yelped and collapsed on top of me.
    I lay there,
immobilized, listening to it gasp, holding my breath against the foul stench of
the wolf’s jaws.
    With a great
physical effort, I pushed the beast off of me and struggled into a sitting
position. My sword lay on the ground beside me.
    Standing above me
was one of the young Valkyries I’d seen from the steeple. She had long blonde
hair and blue eyes. I did not know her.
    “You killed it.”
    “Yes.”
    “Thank you,” I
said, getting to my feet.
    “No problem.”
    I glanced at my
sword and back at the blonde.
    An elfish grin
turned up her lips. “Go ahead. Pick it up.” She still had the gun dangling in
her left hand, but it was pointing south. She followed my gaze, shrugged, then tucked the gun into her pants, behind her back. “Works better than that sword.”
    “I guess so. You’re
getting ready to do an internment.”
    The girl lifted
her chin, her eyebrows shooting up. “You saw us?”
    “I did.”
    “Yes, an
internment. You know how it goes.”
    “I do.”
    “And you were…?”
    I hesitated. Of
course I didn’t want to tell her the truth. But I couldn’t think of a lie. I
rarely encountered Valkyries outside the battlefield. This one looked to be of
age, but too young to mate. What was she doing here?
    “Is it your sister?”
I asked.
    “Yes.” She stepped
closer and peered over my shoulder. “I don’t see your sister.”
    I resisted the
urge to step back. My rescuer looked fresh and young, slender and innocent, but
she emanated a strength , an iron will, that was
unsettling.
    “No. I’m not here
for that.”
    She put her hands
on her hips. “Then what are you here for?”
    “I’m not sure
that’s any of your business—I’m sorry, what is your name?”
    “I’m Ermhilde .”
    “ Ermhilde . I’m Sabrina. I
appreciate your help, but I’m fine now. I won’t interfere with your
internment.”
    Ermhilde nodded, sucking on her bottom
lip. “Good. And you’re welcome. Again.”
    I picked up my
sword,