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  Tom and the Hales grabbed Justin’s legs and helped the other men carry him to the dining room table. They stretched him out and began a round of triage. Mason checked vitals and Liam brought compresses, clean water, and bandages.

  My legs weighed a thousand pounds each. I pulled them through wet cement, step by impossible step, toward the dining room. Numbness spread over my skin.

  I bent over the head of the table and stroked his hair as they worked. Slowly, magically, his hulked-out body returned to the usually oversize one I knew. A powerful magnetic pull dragged my face to his. I pressed my cheek to his forehead and listened.

  My heartbeat fell into rhythm with Justin’s. My tears rolled over his skin and I closed my eyes. Images of Nym lodged in my mind. She smiled and laughed, patted my chest, and spun under a canopy of evergreens.

  “I see his thoughts.”

  The room stilled around me.

  “He’s with Nym.” She straightened and looked toward the dense tree trunks of the century-old forest. She pressed a finger to her lips and tiptoed away. Justin followed. Something glinted in the sun. A curved blade like the one Gil carried. “Frost giants.”

  Liam stroked my hair. “What else do you see?”

  A sob burst from my lips. “Seven giants. They attacked the Stian camp. Half their men are dead.” Lightning crashed through my heart. Half my men. I righted myself, swiping tears and tugging the hem of my shirt. “We need to get Calder here and help him see reason. I won’t let anyone else die because of my fear. We cannot win separately, so it’s time to unite the clans. Whatever that takes.”

  Liam draped his arm over my shoulders and led me to a chair against the wall. “Come on. Rest while he heals.”

  I lowered myself onto the seat and rubbed tiny electric shocks off my arms. “Tell me I’ll have control of my body again soon. I’m not a fan of emotional outbursts. Especially my own.”

  The sad smile on Liam’s lips worried me.

  “What’s wrong? Is there something else? He will heal, won’t he?”

  Tom squatted before me. “Right now the most important question is are you okay? If we’re going to do this, we need our leader.”

  “I’m fine. I was sitting in the kitchen eating cookies while he was being beaten half to death. How’d they find him?”

  Tom glanced from me to Liam. “He was collapsed in the Hale cemetery. They suspect he came to warn us of the attack. It looks like he was in warrior form when he was injured. The marks will be gone by morning.”

  I exhaled a metric ton of anxiety.

  Liam licked his lips and pulled my hands into his lap. “I think I know why you and Justin are so attune to one another’s thoughts. Do you recall the prophecy you fulfilled?”

  I laughed without humor.

  He caressed the back of my hand with his thumb. “The prophecy said a Viking would lead with a nymph, unite the warring clans, and restore balance for both of us. We assumed you qualified as both Viking and nymph. Nymph because your mother is Calypso. Viking because you are Hermes’s daughter, but it never fit perfectly. The more I considered it, the less it made sense, and I thought, maybe, the Fates had twisted the prophecy’s wording somehow.”

  My patience dwindled. “What are you saying?”

  Tom stood and moved away several paces, allowing us privacy or perhaps anticipating the thing I couldn’t fathom.

  Liam turned on his seat, bumping our knees together. “Being Hermes’s daughter cannot make you a Viking. We are born of Nike’s siblings—Bia, Kratos, and Zelus. Only them. You are a goddess, yes, but not a Viking. Justin is a Viking.”

  A nymph will lead with a Viking.

  Zeus had lied to me. “I’m not both. I’m part of a pair.” I looked to Justin’s motionless body, and instinct accepted the information as if I’d had it all along.

  Liam cast his gaze away. “I’m sorry. It’s not me and it’s not a total revelation. We already knew Zeus considered him your partner.”

  “I asked him on the dam when I transformed. I asked if he’d raise Justin to lead with me and he said no.”

  “He told you it wouldn’t be Justin?”

  I raced back to that moment. What were Zeus’s exact words? “He said he’d given me everything I needed.”

  Liam huffed. “Does he ever answer anything directly?”

  “No.”

  Justin groaned and rolled on the table, strangling my heart with every flinch of battered muscle. Men swarmed to his aid.

  I motioned for Tom to rejoin us. “As soon as Justin wakes, I’m going to ask him to invite Calder, Adam, and the rest of the Stians to come here. No persuading their clan one by one. There’s no time for that. The union can’t wait.”

  Chapter 20

  The Tri-County Thanksgiving Swim-a-Thon started at seven, which meant parents, swimmers, and enthusiasts were up before dawn and consuming vats of coffee by six. Mom poured our third refills into travel mugs and grabbed her keys. “You’re ready to swim miles before most of your friends have had breakfast.”

  “All my life.” I mussed Chester’s soft hair and grabbed my swim bag. “Did you register many sponsors from work?”

  Mom held the front door for me. Her lips formed a cute little bow. “A few. Maybe thirty.”

  “Wow. Okay. I guess I’ll swim longer than I wanted.” Every year swim families paid to sponsor a swimmer or the team by pledging a small amount per lap. Many of them went to watch us swim all day and visit with the rest of the swim community. Swimmers were allowed breaks, so the older swimmers easily swam for miles. Coach solicited sponsors for the team, but parents normally garnered additional support for individual swimmers, too. I’d planned to swim two miles and head over to the Hales’, but with thirty personal sponsors watching, I’d have to reconsider.

  I stopped on the porch while Mom locked up. Cold winter wind cut through my warm-up and hoodie. I wrapped fatigue-cloaked arms around my middle and bounced on my toes. “I have a ton of studying to do, and I’m exhausted. Do you think anyone would care if I stopped for the day at lunchtime?”

  She looked me over. “When did you get home last night?”

  Five minutes before her alarm went off this morning. “Late. I was jacked up on espresso and Christmas cookies. I think Mason made about ten thousand.”

  Mom slowed her pace. “You mean Mr. Hale? What happened to Victoria?”

  “He asked me to call him Mason. Mrs. Hale went back to Iceland to be with a sick relative.”

  She unlocked my door and opened it for me as if I was a toddler. “I don’t know how I feel about you being there so late with three guys.”

  I tossed my bag onto the seat. “Be serious. Mason is old. Oliver dates Allison and Liam’s my boyfriend. It’s fine. I’m safe there.” I pulled the door shut behind me, thankful she’d accepted the lamest excuse ever for Victoria’s absence.

  Mom rounded the hood and climbed behind the wheel. “I guess, but that’s not really what I meant.” She started the car and turned the defrost on high, blowing arctic air into my face.

  I adjusted the blowers away from me and held my travel mug under my chin for warmth.

  “You know what I meant, right?”

  Slowly her meaning registered. Dumb. Of course she was worried about sex. She was the only one not constantly afraid for my life. “What’d you do there so late?” Mom sipped her coffee and pretended she was making small talk instead of being nosy.

  “We ate cookies and talked.” Also, I trained to use a magical sword bequeathed to me by Grandpa Zeus. My arms and shoulders ached with fatigue. No sleep. No strength. I should’ve faked a virus and stayed home. If I didn’t recuperate in the next thirty minutes, I’d be lapped by little children.

  Mom rubbed a mittened palm over the windshield above the dash. “Jeez. I think the ice is on the inside.” She huffed and sipped coffee. “I know you want to get this over with, now you have a boyfriend, but I think the sponsors would appreciate yo
u showing off a little and so would the charities who earn another few dollars every time you flip your magnificent swimmer self around for another lap.”

  “Guilt is unfair.”

  She shrugged, not looking the least bit guilty.

  Murky figures appeared in the distance and my heart seized. Liam and Tom walked toward us on the sidewalk carrying blankets, totes, and two big foam fingers. Their matching school spirit hoodies were adorable. I relaxed into the beaded seat cover.

  Mom rubbed the windshield again. “Do you see them, too?”

  My cheeks pinched from an overgrown smile. “Yes.”

  She leaned across me, getting a clearer view through my unfrozen passenger window. “The Hales are up before dawn to watch you swim? Did you invite them?”

  “No.” I’d been with them all night and no one had mentioned my meet. “Tom’s a Mahoning. Distant relative, I think.” I rolled down my window as they got closer. “What are you two lunatics doing?”

  Liam leaned through my window. “Supporting a great cause.”

  Tom waved his foam finger. “And local charities.”

  I turned to Mom. “Tom’s the new team manager.” I should’ve known he was coming.

  She wrinkled her nose. “You don’t have a team manager.”

  Headlights illuminated the Bronco’s interior as a giant vehicle slid against the curb behind us. Mom smiled into her rearview. “He came.”

  The guys stepped back to look at the newcomer. Tom mouthed, “Your dad.”

  I didn’t need the help. Mom’s puff of excitement explained itself.

  I closed my eyes and counted to ten. She was a big girl. She could take the chance of being screwed over again if she wanted. I reopened my eyes and Mom was applying lipstick.

  The headlights shut off and Dad ambled to Mom’s window. She rolled it down with shaky hands. Her nerves rattled my calm.

  Liam and Tom approached Dad on the driver’s side, shaking hands and making introductions.

  The guys came back to me. Liam leaned in my window. “See you at the meet. I’m going to get your team manager over there and find a seat.” He smirked before planting a kiss on my forehead. “See you soon.”

  Dad opened Mom’s door. She’d shut the engine off.

  Mom slung her purse onto one shoulder and leaned into the Bronco. “Let’s ride with your dad. The Hummer’s all warmed up.”

  Liam and Tom climbed into the Mercedes parked in their driveway.

  Thankfully, the venue for this year’s Thanksgiving Swim-a-Thon was nearby and the conversation bounced between the pair in the front seat as we traveled. They made plans for dinner, which was perfect. I could spend the evening at Hale Manor doing battle practice and engineering a plan to unite the clans immediately.

  When Dad settled into a parking space, I tossed Mom my phone and ran ahead. Tom and Liam shuffled inside the natatorium doors.

  Liam kissed me for luck. “You were amazing with the sword last night. We talked about you all the way here. It’s like you were born to wield her.”

  “I kind of was.” I laughed. “Wait. Her?”

  He crossed his arms over a stupid impressive chest. His thin blue shirt clung to the muscled planes and angles visible beneath an unzipped school hoodie. “I think you should name her.”

  I pulled my gaze back to his soft green eyes. “That’s weird.”

  “No, it’s not. Men name their boats, their cars, their…”

  I clamped a hand over his upturned lips. “Stop.”

  He pressed a kiss into my palm before applying my palm to his cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks.” He was working his way off notice and he knew it. I gave him a healthy squeeze. “If you want to sit with my parents, Mom always sits in the balcony on the north side about halfway up.” Who knew where Dad would want to sit, being his first time showing up. “I’ll stop by on my breaks. If you get hungry, buy something from Sweeties’ Bakeshop or Mr. Calzone’s Italian. They always vend this event and they’re both delicious. They give all the money to charity.”

  “Done. Swim some miles and when you’re finished, we’ll make a plan for dealing with the Stians. Justin called as we were leaving this morning. Calder agreed to our meeting tonight.”

  A thrill ran through me. There was hope. Anything was possible. “Excellent.” I kissed his jaw and dashed into the locker room. If my sore limbs survived a couple miles of swim, I’d be back at the Manor in three hours, preparing for the most important conversation of my life.

  * * * *

  I paced the foyer at Hale Manor, wearing my sword on my back like Link on the way to save Zelda. As much as I’d grown, the sword still dragged the ground when worn at my hip. I practiced reaching overhead and setting it free. Five miles in the pool had loosened my joints and further exhausted my limbs, but adrenaline made up the difference. I hadn’t been able to stop at only two miles as planned.

  Tom had placed the men strategically throughout the manor in case Calder came with nefarious intent. Odin’s ravens perched in the chandelier above the staircase. Back for information to update their master on my shaky state of affairs, no doubt.

  Liam whispered to Oliver behind me while Mason stuffed grapes into his mouth by the handful. Anxiety compressed my lungs.

  Liam dashed the toe of his boot against the floor and I jumped. “Where is he?” Fury cut through his words, shooting tingles through my fingertips.

  “I don’t know.” I checked my phone again. “I haven’t heard from Justin today.”

  Liam moved to my side. “He texted Tom this morning accepting the invitation on Calder’s behalf. They were supposed to be here an hour ago.”

  “I know.”

  Mason glared at the ravens. “If only they could talk. You know they have the information we need.” He flung a grape at them. “Freeloaders. Where are the Stians? What don’t we know, crows?”

  They craned their creepy necks and cawed, directing beady black eyes at Mason.

  I turned my phone over in my palm. “I’m going to call him.”

  The guys crowded me. I dialed Justin’s number and hit speaker.

  “Hey.” Justin’s eager voice burst into the air and my shoulders relaxed. Nothing awful had happened to him. “How’d it go?”

  The trio of Vikings around me became momentary statues as the implications of Justin’s question landed like anvils.

  Liam broke the silence. “What do you mean? You were supposed to be here an hour ago.”

  Silence.

  “Justin?” I croaked. “What’s going on?’

  A muffled swear jumped across the line, and I imagined Justin rubbing the back of his neck and turning in a small circle. “Adam and Calder left me to guard the camp. To prove my allegiance and to keep me from consorting with you more than they wanted. I’ve been making grooves in the ground waiting for your call. They’re supposed to be there. With you.”

  Tom snapped into action, barking orders through the house to hidden men. Mason rested a heavy hand on my shoulder.

  Liam took the phone. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying they aren’t here. They left more than an hour ago, and I’ve been waiting to hear from someone.” His voice boomed with authority. “I’m sitting here freaking helpless, useless, waiting to hear if you’re dead or alive and you tell me they never came?”

  Liam swore and pushed the phone in my direction. “Callie’s mom is calling.” He pulled a phone from his pocket. “I’m calling you from my phone now, Justin.” He released my cell and turned away with his.

  I inhaled deeply and moved to the center of the large room. If Stians burst through the windows, I needed time to drop the phone and free my sword. “Hi, Mom.”

  A deep, rumbling laugh echoed through the receiver.

  Breath caught in my throat. Oliver, Liam, and Mason encircled me. Mason tipped my phone and pressed the Speaker button. He motioned for me to talk.


  “Who is this?” I asked stupidly. Unless the giants had impeccable timing, I knew a Stian had my Mom’s phone. Hopefully that was all he had.

  “I am Calder Stian, and if you want your human back, little nymph, you will agree to be mine.”

  Liam growled.

  I bristled. “Where is my mother?”

  He made a sick noise of appreciation. “Keep it up. I like a feisty woman. I will rule with the nymph, control a world of Vikings, and enjoy the perks of being king.”

  “You’ll enjoy my sword over your neck.”

  Someone gripped my shoulders, offering me their strength while tears blurred my eyes.

  “Tell me where she is so I know she’s safe, then tell me where you are so I can show you why you should never have touched my mother.”

  “You think you’re all powerful, but you’re barely a match for my weakest man without a partner, and I know you won’t fight. I know about your weakness for humanity.”

  “Where is she?” I seethed and trembled with the need to strike.

  “Take me off speaker.”

  I obeyed.

  “You think we’re ignorant. Inviting us to Hale Manor for a friendly chat. How was that supposed to go? Were you serving tea and crumpets?”

  I clenched and unclenched my fists. “Espresso and cookies.”

  He laughed. “You’re funny. Another feature I look forward to enjoying privately. You can also be my jester.”

  “What. Do. You. Want?” Where. Is. My. Mom?

  Liam held his phone near mine, allowing Justin to hear the conversation. Calder’s obnoxious timbre was barely muted by removing him from speaker.

  “I want you to come to the place you learned to swim. Come alone or your mom loses her pretty little head.”

  Calder disconnected.

  I sat on the floor, forehead to the ground, and screamed. “They have my mother.” What must this seem like to her? Did she overhear him on the phone? Did he reveal his true self, or did she think he was a random abductor?