Dreams of a Dark Warrior

Declan’s torture at the hands of my former allies, the Neoptera.”
    Regin swung her head around at Lothaire. “You’re
talking
to me? You really wanna do this, leech? Clear the air?” Again she reached back for her swords and came up empty. With a glare, she dropped her hand to the sword at her hip. “Then let’s go! The Valkyrie know what you did to our queen. You hid Furie somewhere, torturing her for decades. Rumor has it you buried her under the sea to drown a million deaths.”
    But Lothaire frowned disdainfully. “I assure you I do not know where Queen Furie is.”
    “We have it from a very reliable source that you do. Your old king said so.”
    “Who was crazed till the day he died.”
    Regin narrowed her gaze. Lothaire was physically incapable of lying. “Then… then where is she?”
    “Again, I do not know—”
    Chase raised his hand, hissing, “Listen!” He flicked his fingers for her sword. Without thought, she tossed itto him. In one fluid motion, he caught it, then flung it end over end down through the treetops below.
    A Cerunno uncoiled with serpentine agility, narrowly dodging the blade.
    When it slithered away with a bullet’s speed, Regin cried, “We’ve got to catch it!”
    “It’ll be long gone, Valkyrie,” Lothaire said. “You can’t match pace with one of that kind, not when you have a torque. Besides, you need to be running in the opposite direction. The night of our escape, I saw the Cerunnos amassing with all the Pravus allies. Among others, there were vampires, shifters, and some Sorceri—Portia and Emberine, specifically.”
    “Then those bitches will be coming for us! We’ve got to attack them first.”
    Lothaire gave a harsh laugh. “They’re too powerful. You’re not much stronger than a mortal right now. What hope do you have against a being who can move mountains?”
    Natalya said, “As soon as Portia knows we’re on
this
mountain, she’ll level it.”
    Lothaire turned to Chase. “You and I are faster than the others. We need to lead the Pravus away from this group. Make a lot of noise while descending as swiftly as possible, and hope they follow us. Or this mountain will fall.”
    Chase gave a curt nod, then faced Brandr. “You take the others to the boat. Due west from here there’s a covered berth in a leeward cove. We’ll meet you there before sunset.”
    “Oh, no, no. This is a shit plan.” Regin crossed to stand before him. “For one thing, Valkyrie don’t
flee
. We
fight
.”
    “We’re running out of time,” Lothaire intoned.
    Chase pulled her close to say at her ear, “Then do this to protect Thad and Natalya.” The bastard was playing on her sense of loyalty. And it was working!
    When he drew back, she said, “This is still a shit plan. I can fight—I can help you!”
    “I ken you can fight. Which is the only reason I’d let you out of my sight.” His confidence in her abilities continued to surprise her. “But right now, we
are
faster than you and the others. You know this is the most logical move.”
    She did, but was pissed that they were in this position.
    When she pursed her lips, he said, “If for some reason we don’t show by sunrise, take the ship.” Then Chase shared a look with Brandr. “You watch her back.”
    Brandr gave a curt nod.
    In Old Norse, Regin murmured, “Take me with you.”
    Chase’s brows drew together. “This is the best choice, lass.” Trying to make light, he chucked her under the chin. “Is the big bad Valkyrie worried about me?”
    Peering up at him, she said one word. “Yeah.”
    Chase dragged her close with the crook of his arm. “Mind yourself, Regin.” Against her hair, he vowed, “I will no’ be long apart from you. ”
    The Endgame commanded action,
Lothaire thought as he and Chase sprinted through the brush.
And I’m about to obey.
    “Come, Magister, you’re flagging. Did I drink too much?”
    Chase was utterly exhausted, more than from merely ceding blood. He was depleted—as if from a berserkrage. Between breaths, he snapped, “Do no’ bloody call me that!” He cast another glance back in the Valkyrie’s direction.
    “You look worried. I’m sure Regin will be fine. We should be concerned more for ourselves down in this forest.”
    “If something happens to me, what would it take to get you to watch over her?” Chase wiped sweat from his brow. “To make sure she gets off the island alive?”
    “More than you can give. Such as a firstborn to go with my others.