Page 54 of Vicar
Chapter Twenty-Two
“SEEK OUT RAVEN?” Trinityfrowned at the memory of her younger self fading. She had just asked Thor to help her not drive Vicar away. “She could help me stay with Vicar?”
Though she looked Thor’s way, both he and Loki had vanished in a flash when a loud whooshing sounded overhead.
“Violence is more riled up than ever.” Fire flared in Revna’s eyes, and flames rather than smoke curled over her skin. She looked at Vicar in warning. “I will assist the others in keeping Violence away from Trinity. Meanwhile, you two must make haste. Go with Thorulf and Jade to the Múspellsheimr chamber. From there, they’ll take you to the smaller Alfheim cave.”
Neither of them had a chance to question her before she chanted and vanished in a wisp of smoke.
“The Múspellsheimr chamber?” Trinity frowned at him. “Is that really such a good idea? Won’t it prompt our other sides to resurface?” Her eyes narrowed at where the memory had just been. “And Thor told me to seek out Raven to help? Raven, who supposedly helped me turn into a ghost and travel back in time to see you? Turned me into something that wouldn't allow my Múspellsheimr side through as much when I was with you? Because she clearly came through a little.”
“Evidently.” While Vicar would much rather pick up where they’d left off in bed, he sensed Violence's ever-growing intensity. His rabid need to get to Trinity. So he pulled her after him. “As much as I’d rather stay here, we should heed the gods. Danger gets closer by the moment.”
“Danger that’s putting all your people at risk.”
He felt her shame that she had only just realized that.
“Vicar, I should have never come here. I’m so sorry I didn’t realize—”
“You should have come here and nowhere else,” he said before she could finish. “Even if it wasn’t the right path on our journey, which itwas, I would have you nowhere but by my side.” He opened the door to the Keep’s hallway once they made their way through the main cave of the Sigdir Lair, then looked at her dead-serious. “Only ever by my side now, Trinity.”
When their gazes lingered, he knew she understood how deeply he felt. How, in some strange way, both his personalities were connecting with her. Merging in a deeper and deeper need for her, the more they remembered.
“Why is that?” she whispered because she couldn’t quite find her voice. Not with the emotions he felt rushing through her. Love, hate, anger, defiance. Too many to count. “Why does it seem like everything’s dwindling down to something singular...yet still separate?”
“Because it probably is, sis,” Jade said. She and Thorulf rushed by, urging them to follow. “Loki says we need to hit the dark stuff, so let’s get this done.”
“Why are you guys coming with us?” Trinity asked, in pursuit. “Shouldn’t you be here protecting the Keep?”
“We’re coming because we’ve got the best shot at getting you to the next Alfheim cave.” Jade winked over her shoulder. “Thanks to good ole Celtic magic.” Her brows flew up. She shook her head. “Pretty damn telling that you two shouldn’t step foot outside if you can help it.” She looked skyward. “Then again, Violence is one mean sonofabitch. He's just as negative as his brother, Evil, but he’s got a shit-ton more energy.” She made an explosive gesture over her head. “It’s going off everywhere. Fireworks times a thousand.”
“All the more reason you should stay,” Trinity argued.
“You would think.” Jade shook her head. “But Loki and Thor say they’ve got this for now. You two moving forward is the only way to defeat this thing.” She frowned. “Besides, there’s no way I’m letting you go anywhere without me.”
“So no mention of Violence’s mother, Goddess Carman?” Vicar asked. “Or Mórrígan?”
