Valkyrie's Harem (Academy of Immortals 1)

“Downstairs. It’s Agis, and well, I need your help before things get out of control.” His eyes shift behind me and I sense Hildi walking up.

“It’s Luke, isn’t it,” she says.

“Luke? What about Luke?” I ask.

Rupert’s expression confirms she’s right.

“Fuck,” s

he mutters. “I knew something was going to happen.”

Hildi doesn’t wait for more, she’s already on the move, passing me without another word.

I follow, having no idea what’s happening, but from the sound of Rupert’s voice and Hildi’s reaction?

It can’t be good.

27

Hildi

I hear the loud voices before we get to the bottom of the stairs. Cheers and shouts bounce off the hallways. There are no windows down here, no light other than flickering lamps mounted in the walls. A strange energy passes over me as I walk down the hall. This place is ancient, dark.

“How dare you disrespect me like that. I’m a prince. Royalty, and you’re nothing but a former slave to the gods,” an angry voice taunts from the end of the hallway. A crowd lingers in the doorway. Rupert pushes through and I follow, only stopping when the scene unfolds.

It’s a non-descript room, almost a dungeon. Gray stone walls and floors. A thick, makeshift circle of spectators creates a buffer of space. The floor beneath their feet is dark, stained from prior altercations. It’s a fighting ring—something none of us seem to be able to escape.

The crowd is filled with familiar faces. Marielle and the twins. A few of Luke’s friends. They don’t seem to be supporting anyone in particular, just thirsty for a fight.

Agis and Luke have squared off in the middle of the circle; shirts off and bodies tense. They’re both fit, bodies corded with lean muscle. Agis has the thickness of a man, a warrior, where Luke’s strength is less established. He’s lithe and obviously eager. My eyes skim the symbol of the Legion that is tattooed over Agis’ heart. A brand identifying his worth.

“What the hell is going on?” Armin asks.

“Luke and Agis had an altercation.” I see the cut on Luke’s bicep. The wound looks particularly angry.

“Over what?” Rupert asks.

“Irrelevant,” Armin declares. “This has to stop. Agis is here in a position of authority and Luke? Well, he’s the Devil’s son. I don’t think we need to make enemies.”

Armin starts to move through the crowd. I grip his arm. “This is my job. It’s why the Guardians sent me.”

He and Rupert exchange a look. I think for a minute they’ll overrule me, but Armin steps back and says, “Good luck. We’re here if you need us.”

“I’ll need it,” I mutter, but not so much about the fight going on now. I don’t know what’s going to happen when they find out why these two are squaring off.

Before I can do anything Luke punches Agis in the jaw, the sound a thick slap against flesh. “Not so brave without that blade, right? Is it charmed? Is that how you killed all those people?”

Agis’ jaw sets and his hands, deadly weapons in their own right, twitch by his sides. He’s controlling himself, but if he lets loose, he’ll massacre Luke. I rush out between them, just as Agis’ fist arcs through the air in a swing. His fist flies toward my face, and he realizes too late that I’m in the way. My reflexes are on point. I catch his fist in my palm and stop him cold, his eyes widening as I squeeze, disarming him.

He curses and shakes his hand. Agis’ voice is low when he says, “Ms. Axel, this is not your fight.”

“No.”

“This is between the two of us.”

“He’s right, Hildi. You can leave this to the males to sort out.” His eyes flick over me.

That’s when I see red.