Menu

Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels #5.4) - Page 12/20

Dagfinn spun the axe. A barrage of frost missiles shot out. Curran leaped back and forth, circling Dagfinn. On the battlements the shapeshifters roared and howled.

"How are we doing, baby?" I called out. Serves you right, Your Furriness. Next time, listen to me.

"Trying not to show off," Curran yelled.

Dagfinn brought the axe down. A sonic boom smashed into me. Curran flew backward.

"Bring it!" Dagfinn roared.

The shapeshifters booed.

Curran bounced back up and dashed forward.

Dafinn spun, but the Beast Lord was too fast. He dodged left, right, and collided with Dagfinn. The huge Viking staggered back from the impact, whipped around, picking up momentum, and charged, roaring, gripping the axe with both hands, and bringing it up for an overhead blow.

Move, honey. Move.

Curran lunged forward.

What the hell was he doing?

Dagfinn chopped down with all his strength.

Curran caught the axe with his right hand.

Dagfinn stopped.

Holy shit.

The viking strained, right leg forward, left leg back. Muscles rippled on his arms. Frost ate at Curran's hand, but the axe didn't move.

"Done?" Curran asked.

Dagfinn snarled.

Curran raised his left hand. His fingers curled into a fist.

"Not in the head!" I yelled. "We need his brain."

Curran yanked the axe forward. Dagfinn jerked back, trying to regain his balance, and Curran swept his left leg from under him. Dagfinn crashed down like an oak chopped at the root.

Curran tore the axe out of his hands and tossed it aside. Dagfinn swung at him with his right fist. Curran leaned out of the way and sank vicious punch straight down into Dagfinn's gut.

Ow. I hurt just from looking. The shapeshifters on the wall made sucking noises.

Dagfinn curled into a ball, trying to suck in a lungful of air, which was suddenly missing.

Curran pulled Dagfinn up, swung him over his shoulder, and carried the viking toward me.

Oh you crazy sonovabitch.

Curran dumped purple-faced Dagfinn by my feet. "Here is your expert, baby."

The shapeshifters on the wall whistled and howled. Why me?

"Thanks, showoff," I told him. "Let me see the hand."

"It's fine."

"The hand, Curran."

He held it out. Blisters covered his right palm. Frostbite, probably second-degree. It had to hurt like hell. Lyc-V would fix it in a day or so, but meanwhile he'd have to grit his teeth.

"I said don't touch the axe."

He leaned over and kissed me. The shapeshifters on the walls cheered.

Dagfinn finally manage to remember how to breathe and swore.

I leaned over him. "He won. You're going to read my runes now."

"Fine," Dagfinn growled. "Give me a minute. I think something's broken."

According to Doolittle, nothing was actually broken. Dagfinn treated the diagnosis with open suspicion, but given the circumstances, he decided to deal with it. Curran, on other hand, got a plastic bag with some sort of healing solution tied around his hand. He liked it about as much as I expected.

"This is ridiculous."

"With the bag, the hand will be usable in two hours," Doolittle informed him. "Without the bag, it may be usable by tomorrow. It's your choice, my lord."

Curran growled a little, but kept the bag on.

I put Julie's drawing in front of Dagfinn.

He squinted at it. "Whoa. Was this on a weapon?"

"No, it's on a gold necklace that's killing a child. Looks like Elder Futhark, but not exactly. Is this a spell?" I asked.

"This isn't Elder Futhark."

"What is it?"

"It's dvergr."

I sat down into the nearest chair. "Are you sure?"

Dagfinn pulled back the sleeve of his tunic, displaying his tattoos. "Look here."

The last two characters on his shoulder matched the last two characters on Julie's paper. Dagfinn drew his fingers along the tattoo. "This says, Wielder of Axe Aslaug born from blood of Earth shaped by hands of Ivar." He tapped the paper. "This says, 'Apprentice of Ivar.' Yeah, I'm sure."

"What is dvergr?" Curran asked me.

"Dwarf," I told him. "Old Norse dwarf: magic, powerful, skilled with metalwork. Makers of weapons for the gods. They're often portrayed as embodiments of greed - they lust after power, women, and most of all gold."

"Hey now!" Dagfinn raised his hand. "Most experts believe this to be a later development. The dwarf myths probably take their root in nature spirits..."

"Dwarves like in Tolkien?" Curran asked.

I wish. I dragged my hand over my face. "One time four dwarf brothers, the sons of Ivaldi, created some magical gifts for the gods. Two other dwarf brothers, Brokk and Eiti, became jealous of all the praise and bet Loki, the trickster, that they could make better gifts. He wagered his head. The dwarves won and then wanted to murder Loki. The gods wouldn't let them do it, so Brokk sewed Loki's lips shut with wire. These are not jolly, drink beer and go on adventure type of dwarves."

"The one I met was a good guy," Dagfinn said.

"You think it's the same Ivar who made your axe?" Curran asked.

Dagfinn nodded. "I was about fifteen or fourteen. I was wild back then, not like now."

Curran and I looked at each other.

"So my uncle Didrik, he was a viking, took me to the mountains to this valley. We met a smith there and my uncle talked to him and then left me there for the summer. It didn't go well at first, but Ivar and me got along finally. I liked it there. When Didrik came to get me, Ivar made me this axe and put the runes on me. Right arm," he slapped his right biceps "controls the axe. Left arm is my oath. I can't ever kill a defenseless person or force myself on anyone, or the axe will turn on me."

"I heard you broke into the monastery looking for the Asian ladies," Curran said.

"Asian ale," Dagfinn said. "I wasn't looking to rape anybody. I was looking for the beer. None of them would talk to me, so I kept trying to grab them to make them still so I could ask where the beer was. I had a bit to drink that evening."

The light dawned on me. "Dagfinn, they are Buddhists. They don't brew beer. You needed the Augustine Brothers two miles to the south. You went to the wrong monastery, you dimwit."

"Tell me something I don't know," Dagfinn growled. "Anyway, can I see this collar?"

We took him in to see the boy. Roderick shrank a little. "Don't be scared," Dagfinn said. He examined the collar for a little while and we returned to the other room. Dagfinn sat into his chair, while Curran leaned against the wall, watching him and emanating menace.

"Could be Ivar's work," Dagfinn said. "I just don't understand why. The dwarf I knew wouldn't hurt a child."

"Can you find the valley again?" I asked.

He shook his head. "There is a trick to it somehow. I'd meant to ask Didrik about it, but he died. I've tried to find him on my own. I've been all over the Smoky Mountains and nothing."

He was holding something back, I could feel it. "What are you not telling me, Dagfinn?"

He hesitated.

"It's going to kill the kid," Curran said.

"He might know," Dagfinn said.

"He who?"

"You know. He."

My heart took a dive. This was getting better and better.

"He who?" Curran demanded.

I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice. "The Vikings know of a creature. He's been trapped on their land for a very long time. They don't like to say his name, because he might hear and kill them at night."

"Don't tell me you're thinking about it," Dagfinn said.

I spread my arms. "I'm out of ideas."

"Kate, please tell me you haven't been to see him before, right? Right?" Dagfinn asked.

"No. This will be my first time."

"Why?" Curran asked.

"He catches your scent when you go to see him," Dagfinn said. "It takes him awhile, but once he learns the scent, he never forgets it. People who go to see him twice don't come back. Their bones stay on that hill."

"We're going to need back-up," I said, thinking aloud.

"Don't look at me," Dagfinn said. "I like you and all, but I've been once. I ran like a little girl and barely got out. I can't go again."

"Backup won't be an issue," Curran said.

I shook my head. "We can't bring anyone we can't afford to lose."

"She's right," Dagfinn said. "I hired a crew. Six people. I was the only one who got out and only because he ate them first. My advice, hire someone you don't know and tell them upfront it's a fight to the death. They're just flesh speed bumps for him." He looked at me. "You need to talk to the Cherokees."

"Yes, I know." Thinking of going to see Håkon sent ice down my spine.

"Well, I'm out," Dagfinn rose. "Thank you for the fight, I had fun, we should do it again sometime. It was nice knowing you."

Curran pushed from the wall. "I'll walk you out."

"I can find my way," Dagfinn said.

"I'm sure you can. I'll save you the trouble." Gold rolled over Curran's eyes.

Dagfinn sighed and they left.

I went upstairs onto the roof. We had set up a small dining area there, two chairs and a table. Lately every time we sat down to eat in our kitchen, someone would knock on the door with some bullshit emergency, so when we didn't feel like being interrupted, Curran and I would go up to the roof and eat in peace. His Furry Majesty was threatening to drag a grill up there and "cook meat" for me. Knowing him, "grill" meant a giant pit and "meat" stood for half a deer.

I sat on the low stone wall bordering the top of the roof. It was late afternoon, and the sun was slowly rolling to the west. The stone wall was nice and hot under my butt. Summer was coming.



Category

Discovering the World of Free Online Novels

In an age where digital access is at our fingertips, the world of literature has evolved significantly. For book lovers and avid readers, the prospect of finding and reading novels for free online is not only exciting but also incredibly convenient. Whether you're looking for classic literature, contemporary fiction, or niche genres, there are countless resources available where you can indulge in your reading passion without spending a dime. Let's explore how you can dive into this literary treasure trove.

Why Read Novels Online for Free?

Reading novels online for free offers numerous advantages. For one, it eliminates the need to purchase physical books, saving you money and space. Additionally, with instant access, you can start reading as soon as you find a novel that piques your interest. Online platforms also allow for a vast selection of genres and authors, including rare or out-of-print titles that might be hard to find elsewhere.

Top Websites to Read Novels for Free

Several websites offer free access to novels, whether you're interested in classics, contemporary works, or indie publications. Here are a few reliable sites:

Legal Considerations

While the idea of free books is appealing, it's essential to ensure you're downloading or reading novels legally. Many websites, like those mentioned above, offer books that are in the public domain or have been released for free distribution by the authors. Always check the licensing terms of a book before downloading it to avoid any legal issues.

Genres to Explore

Whether you’re into romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, or historical fiction, there’s a wealth of free online novels available in every genre. Sites like Wattpad and ManyBooks categorize novels by genre, making it easy to find what you’re interested in. If you’re in the mood for something classic, Project Gutenberg has a treasure trove of time-honored works from authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain.

The Rise of Indie Authors

One of the most exciting aspects of reading novels online for free is discovering new voices. Many independent authors publish their work online for free to build an audience. Platforms like Wattpad have become launchpads for these writers, some of whom have gone on to publish bestsellers. By reading these novels, you’re supporting up-and-coming authors and getting in on the ground floor of potentially the next big literary sensation.

Community and Interaction

Reading novels online often comes with the added benefit of community interaction. Platforms like Wattpad allow readers to comment on chapters, interact with authors, and even contribute to the story's development in some cases. This level of engagement can enhance your reading experience, as you become part of a community of like-minded readers.

Accessibility and Convenience

With the ability to read on various devices—be it a smartphone, tablet, or computer—free online novels offer unparalleled convenience. You can carry an entire library in your pocket, ready to be accessed anytime, anywhere. This is particularly beneficial for those who travel frequently or have limited physical space for books.

Conclusion

The availability of free online novels has transformed the reading experience, making it more accessible and diverse than ever before. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or looking to discover new indie authors, there’s something out there for everyone. By exploring the many free resources available, you can immerse yourself in the world of literature without any cost, and enjoy the freedom to read whatever, whenever you want.

So why wait? Start your journey into the world of free online novels today and discover a universe of stories waiting to be explored.