Valkyrie's Claim (Academy of Immortals 2)

“I’m definitely in for a drink,” Agis says, definitely not convinced.

Armin kisses my temple and nods at Rupert to join him at the bar.

Miya steps forward. “This is very wise of you.”

“Thank you.”

> “It’ll take more than one night to build these bonds.”

“I’m just hoping it will kick things off.”

“It will.” We both look over at the bar where the guys have squeezed in. Rupert talks to Elizabeth and Armin to Darius. Luke, who has the most contentious relationship with Agis due to their fight in the ring, approaches the hulking Immortal. A few moments later, they seem deep in discussion. If hand gestures are any indication, it has to be about weapons.

“The gods knew what they were doing when they put you in our path, Hildi Axel.”

I feel his hand on the small of my back. A gentle, reserved touch. A thrill runs up my spine. He walks past me toward the others, ready for a drink. His word echo in my ears. He’s right, of course, but the gods didn’t just put me in their path, they were put in mine. Every day that passes, every touch, every moment that transpires between me and the Immortals proves that something bigger is at play.

31

Miya

“The night was harsh, filled with snow, sleet, and hail. That didn’t stop us from scaling the sheer cliff of the mountainside. We started that day with ten-thousand soldiers, by nightfall we were down to a thousand. We kept climbing, knowing facing the wrath of Camulus was worse than the battle ahead…”

From a darkened back corner of the bar, partially hidden behind a thick curtain, I listen to Agis’ retelling of the battle we had on a lower realm so many years ago I can’t even recall. It sounds fantastical—exaggerated—but even today I can feel my frozen fingertips and that hard stone beneath my nails. These kids—and they are most certainly kids—listen to every word like it’s gospel. They should.

“What happened when you got to the top?” Luke asks.

“We claimed higher ground and waited, thinking for sure we had the upper hand.”

“You didn’t?”

“In theory, yes,” Rupert says, having been quiet until this point. “We forgot one thing.”

Elizabeth leans forward. “What’s that?”

“That the Allyrimen warriors had wings.”

A small gasp sounds from the group hovering around my brothers. Armin shakes his head, no doubt recalling dawn breaking, and the white up above not being clouds but wings. It wasn’t until their swords were on us that reality sunk in.

“So you lost.”

Agis chuckles. “No. We never lost.”

“Ever?”

“Not when we were fighting as one.”

That’s the difference. We aren’t fighting together this time. We’re missing Marshal and Roland. One of those can be replaced by the balance Hildi brings to us…but two?

I finish my drink, not wanting to think about it.

Agis launches into another tale, this time about us tracking demons in the tropics. I tune him out, studying Hildi as she leans against the bar. Her position is casual, yet always on high alert. I can’t help but notice the way the leather of her pants hug her curves, or the way the tank stretches across her chest. I know she thinks I keep tight control on my urges, that I’m filled with peace and tranquility, but it’s a constant battle with her around. Especially now that she’s so closely connected to Rupert and Armin. Their bond is strong. Electrifying.

She turns to the bartender and he hands her another bottle, uncorking the top. I expect her to take a sip or go refill Armin’s glass, but she doesn’t. She turns and walks in my direction, easily locating me in the darkened corner.

She approaches and fills my glass, bending and giving me pleasant view of her cleavage.

“You’ve been over here for a while,” she says, tipping the bottle back to her lips, then licking them when she’s finished.