Valkyrie's Claim (Academy of Immortals 2)

“Marshal, I swear on Odin’s good eye…”

His hand skims around my waist, landing on the curve of my ass. It feels good—so good—and it makes me hate him more. “I’m not sure why me siding with Roland means what you and I were doing has to stop.”

I look up at his face. It’s uniquely and unnaturally gorgeous. He’d admitted that he didn’t just pillage his way through villages during wartime. He fucking charmed his way into homes, convincing them to hand over the family jewels and down the pants of thousands of women. Seduction is his power, and I feel it ebbing between us.

I hold up a hand, as if I can block the attraction. “Get out of my way, Marshal.”

His eyes narrow, and he grabs my wrist, running his thumb over the ring. “Where did you get that?”

I snatch my hand away, before my skin combusts from his touch. “None of your gods-damned business.”

“Cut the bitchiness and answer me, because I know you’re not stupid to put on a charm or a piece of jewelry you found lying around this infested hellhole.”

Rage ripples through me. “Marshal, I swear on my life I will rip your balls off and shove them down your throat one at a time if you don’t get your hands off of me and get the fuck out of my way.”

“Is this how it’s going to be between us from now on?”

I glare at him.

“You know I didn’t have a choice, right? Roland showing up changed the game. He’s strong and ruthless, more so than any of the Immortals. I’ve fought by his side for a thousand battles. He’s going to win, Hildi, and he’ll kill you to do it.”

“Is that a warning?”

“It’s a fact.”

His eyes flick over my shoulder, and I get the strong sense we’re being watched. I glance behind me and sure enough, dozens of eyes are on us. It’s an unnerving sensation, and I’m overwhelmed that everything about this moment, this party, is for show.

Whatever the hell is going on, I’m not going to be part of it.

“Move.”

With causal ease, he steps out of my way. I enter the hallway and see Rupert heading back toward the dorms. A strong hand clamps around my upper arm.

“If you think you’re going to use him as a replacement fuck-buddy, don’t bother. He’s too fucked up to get his dick hard. Stick with Armin. He may be filled with guilt, but at least his cock still works.”

I spin on my heel and march up to him. I’m tall, but Marshal is taller. “Shut up. You lost any right to speak to me ever again. You betrayed me, the Immortals, and the Guardians. You will not win this battle. There is no battle. I’m going to see to that.”

“How? By keeping the key hidden? It’s only a matter of time before Roland or one of his lackies find it. After that the door will be opened, and the temple breached. War is coming, Hildi—there’s no stopping it.”

I search his eyes, hoping to find something solid behind them. All I get is cold cruelty. I’m sure countless women have seen the same glint before he destroyed their lives.

That’s not happening to me or the people I care about.

2

Rupert

My heart pounds like the beat of the party music, hard and pulsing through my veins. Sweat coats my neck and forehead, and I loosen my collar. I know what this is. It’s a panic attack. I’ve had them since childhood. Mostly in social situations—parties or extravagant meals. I don’t like the eyes of people on me—women in particular. Their skin, their lips, their hands. Guilt consumes me when I think of how I want them on my body. A fractured line keeps me from taking what I want and receiving what I need.

I blame my father. The priests. The whores they brought to me to keep me focused on winning wars and acquiring land. Women were not something real, just objects. Like the raven-haired girl fawning over me tonight. That’s the kind of girl I was accustomed to, not the kind of woman I want.

Like Hildi.

She’s a woman. A real woman.

Exactly what my father warned me about, nothing but a distraction.

I turn down the hall, toward the one place that makes me feel at ease. I’m at the library doors when my name echoes against the narrow stone walls.