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happened once before; we
don’t exactly have a protocol for it. But don’t stress about me,
I’ll pack for myself.”
    Mia gave a single nod and pushed through the
door. She was back to her composed self. “Well then, I’ll throw
some things together for Tyr. I’d imagine things are going to move
very fast once they get back. And nobody wants to be caught with
unwhipped meringue.”
    I loved our human, but sometimes the things
she said made less sense than troll talk.
    Mia and Elsa rushed out of the room in a blur
of glossy waves and lavender and vanilla perfumes. I sank onto the
floor as I picked up my phone and dialed. My stomach turned exactly
once at the thought of delivering this news, but I forced it to
still. With deliberate effort I closed my eyes, inhaled through my
nose, and willed my stomach to settle. After five seconds that felt
like a lifetime, I regained command of my body.
    Perfekt control was one of the first
things they taught in valkyrie school.
    “Brynn.” My mother’s warm voice came through
the phone after only three rings. “How are you? Are you eating
enough? Your dad and I saw those photos of you with that mortal
girl you’re looking after—she looks lovely but both of you could
use a good meal. Why don’t you come home for the weekend and—”
    “Mom,” I interrupted. “I don’t have much
time.”
    Knuckles cracked as my mom clamped down on
the phone. “What now?”
    “Freya’s been abducted,” I whispered.
    The strangled cry that came across the line
made it clear my mother knew what this meant. Not that she’d ever
forget.
    “Again?”
    “Again,” I confirmed. “Tyr’s going to
formulate a strategy and get everyone situated. He’ll probably
contact Odin in the next hour or so. Don’t worry.”
    “Don’t…” My mother trailed off.
    “I just didn’t want you to hear it from
someone else first. Tyr, Henrik, and Forse are on their way back to
the house right now. We’ll work out a plan, and I’ll let you know
who’s going after her and who’s running intel from the
compound.”
    “Please volunteer for intel,” Mom wheedled.
“I can’t lose you.”
    “It doesn’t work like that,” I reminded her.
“And you’re not losing me. I’m great at my job, remember?”
    Mom sighed. “Your job. Why couldn’t you be a
healer? Or a fight choreographer? Or a Norn…” The sadness seeped
into her voice.
    “Nobody’s immune, Mom. You know that.”
    “Yes, but… you don’t have to go looking for trouble.”
    To distract myself from losing control, I
loosened my braid and used my fingers to comb through my unruly
waves. I focused on the texture of the strands and the tug on my
scalp as I crafted a low ponytail. Control regained. One minute
left . “I’m not looking for trouble, Mom. I’m looking for Freya.
Or, I will be, if that’s Tyr’s order. This is his call. I just
wanted to let you know.”
    “Is Henrik with you?” she asked.
    “He’s on his way back right now.”
    “Okay.” Mom sounded relieved. “I’m so glad
the two of you have each other. He’s always looked after you. I
still remember the night he stepped in to take you to your Fall
Ball in high school, when that horrible boy stood you up. Henrik
saw you sitting on the porch steps in your beautiful dress, crying,
and ran next door to put on his suit and—”
    “Not the time, Mom,” I muttered.
    “Right. Sorry. Be careful, sweetheart.” This
time, the tension in Mom’s voice was tempered with love.
    “I always am. And I promise we’ll get Freya
back before things go too far. It won’t be like last time.” My
breath caught on the words.
    “I know you miss her, too,” Mom
whispered.
    “ Ja .” I pressed the heels of my hands
to my eyes to stop the tears threatening to escape. “I’ll let you
know when I’ve got my assignment. We’ll find Freya before the
realms notice the absence of love,” I promised.
    “Please hurry,” Mom urged.
    “We will,” I murmured in agreement.