Page 7 of Vicar
Because she had, hadn't she?
“I’m not sure.” She eyed the stunning cave. “It was my inner dragon. She knew I’d be safe here...”
“From me?” Vicar prompted when she trailed off, trying to figure out why this place felt so kindred. So incredibly familiar.
“I think so...sort of.” She decided to avoid his eyes to maintain sanity. “It definitely has to do with you...or half of you.”
“Itdidsuppress your Múspellsheimr side,” Tor pointed out to Vicar. “I didn’t realize this area could do that.”
While Tor, with his classic Viking looks, seemed kind enough, she sensed various things running beneath his handsome façade. Inner anguish that flowed deep. Perhaps because of his love for Revna, the head seer who only loved him back when she felt like it? Then there was that whole Raven-going-demonic-on-him thing. That said something about him. But what? She’d never felt her sister get that enraged, and it was terrifying. Thank God Maya and Dagr were there to get things under control.
“I didn’t know this area could repress a side of me either,” Vicar said, echoing Tor’s sentiment. His curious gaze never left her face. “I’m fairly certain it couldn’t when I was younger.”
“Which was the last time you came here,” she surmised. Drawn by the glittering rock in a way she hadn’t been when she first arrived, she ran her fingers along the stone closest to her, surprised by the warmth that curled up her fingers and arm.
Vicar sensed it because his eyes narrowed. “What was that you just felt?”
She shook her head, uncertain yet somehow certain all at once. “I’m not sure...yet it’s familiar.”
Just like everything about him.
“What is this place exactly?” She shifted away from him for no other reason than his scent was becoming too overwhelming. Not like a guy wearing too much cologne but in a far more primal way. He smelled like an intoxicating mix of wild sea and chilled spicy pine that appealed to her human and dark, dangerous smoky fire that appealed to her inner beast.
When Tor explained where they were, that this cave harnessed the magic of the Norse world Alfheim, home of the light elves, it felt right. Perfectly natural that she would end up here.
“Oh, I’vesobeen looking forward to seeing you,” Jade exclaimed, appearing at one of the cave entrances in all her insta-Viking glory. From her fur-trimmed sexy boots to her cleavage revealing leather tunic, she'd made herself right at home in this era. She strode toward Trinity with an I’m-so-proud-of-you look, embraced her, then held her at arm’s length beaming. “Just think, my good-girl little sister has grown up into a proper bad-girl.” Her brows shot up, and her smile grew wider. “Who knew?”
“I’m not a bad girl,” she muttered, frowning at Jade yet happy to see her. Happy to no longer be alone in this strange place with stranger men. Three now after Thorulf entered and kept a protective eye on Jade while scanning the cave warily.
“Right, not bad or naughty at all.” Jade gave her an exaggerated wink, then grinned at Vicar like they were old chums. “So I see she’s already got you right where she wants you.” She eyed their surroundings as warily as Thorulf. “Which is where again, exactly?”
“A cave built with Alfheim magic,” Vicar divulged. “Somewhere I don’t recommend we dragons stay too long.” His gaze never strayed from Trinity. “Not when I’d much rather bring Trinity to the Keep and introduce her to everyone.” He offered a loose shrug, repeating what Jade had said with his own spin. “She cankeepme there as easily as she can here.”
While she suspected his Sigdir side saw the whole thing as flirtatious, she guaranteed his inner Múspellsheimr thought no such thing. She also sensed returning to the Keep would give his darker half free reign over his Sigdir side.
“No,” she blurted out, positive she wasn’t ready for that even as a small part of her wondered. Remained curious about her own ‘other side’ when it came to him. “I want to stay here for now.”
“Here?” Jade asked. “Why?” She shivered. “Aren’t you uncomfortable in this cave?”
“No.” She frowned. “Why would I be?”
“I dunno, sis, but like Vicar said, this place isn’t a good fit for dragons.” Jade narrowed her eyes at Trinity. “Though I definitely sense your dragon’s at ease here.” She arched a brow at Thorulf, who seemed ready to cut down the cave’s rock walls if they got any closer to Jade. “What do you make of that?”
“I think it’s worth paying attention to.” He shrugged at Vicar. “I also think if she’s more comfortable here, then she should stay here for now.”
“I agree,” Tor seconded despite Vicar’s scowl. Tor’s kind light blue eyes went to Trinity. “You’ll have to leave eventually to discover why you might be part of the Forge, but not right now.” He noted the setting sun beyond the cave entrance. “We can manifest bedding and provide food and drink to make you comfortable for the night.”
“Thanks.” She looked at the others, most pointedly Vicar this time, and put on a brave face. “You guys don’t need to stay here. I’ll be fine.”
“Like I’m gonna leave you alone.” Jade shook her head. “Not happening.” She manifested a small fire and frowned at Trinity. “Besides, you shouldn’t be so confident about being by yourself here. Remember, we’re fighting some nasty gods. Ones who I imagine have their sights set on you next.” She gestured at Loki’s Dagger. “Especially considering you actually do have that despite denying it when I asked you before.” Her sister cocked her head. “A blade that I get the feeling you’re in no rush to give up.”
“No,” she agreed, startled when Jade manifested a horn of what smelled like ale in Trinity’s hand.
“And why is that again?” Jade asked as everyone settled around the fire. It seemed nobody would be leaving yet.
“I’m not sure,” Trinity replied softly. “All I know is my dragon wants me to hold onto it. That nobody else should have it right now.”
“And by nobody, you mean Vicar,” Jade surmised, following what she wasn’t saying easily enough.
“I mean, whoever’s supposed to have it next,” she said vaguely.
“Yet you don’t want Vicar having it?” Jade pressed. “Vicar, who you’ve been chatting with across time by possessing Maya and me?” She narrowed an eye at Trinity. “Not cool, by the way.” Then she shrugged a shoulder. “I’ll admit my interest is super piqued about a number of things you’ve said and done over the past few days, though.”
She was about to say more but didn’t have a chance before everything around them brightened, and someone else appeared. Someone who confirmed that Trinity belonged in ancient Scandinavia every bit as much as her sisters.
