Truth: A Valkyrie Saga Book 3

Chapter 2 - A Different Type of Royal

For five years, I have acted as Nahuel's eyes and ears within the human realm. I have heard truly incredible and unbelievable things, but mostly the human-bound Valkyries are predictable in their actions. Currently, I am using the Look-Through to watch a Matching event in the Americas West Kingdom and something was off. I spend my days following these people around and listening to their most secret conversations. I even know the ones that had traveled far to be at this event because The Elementals have blessed me with the Gift of Teleportation, and am well acquainted with each of their homes. I know these people and I am positive that it is not normal how they are all talking about the same thing. Yes, the human-bound Valkyries love to gossip and create drama for the thrill of it, but this was different. Almost every single conversation that I overheard was about a single Valkyrie, a man named Ray. It was not in their nature to focus so long on someone other than themselves.

This Valkyrie must be of great importance to them. I need to discover more so that I can give Nahuel a full report. That way he can form a plan to protect us. To protect Awenasa.

-Pala Quickfeet

Once I was installed in my designated seat that was strategically placed behind Regina's, my sense of indignation returned, followed closely by anger. I was not an object of power that the Collinses could use against the other Royal families. I may not be as high in the pecking order as Regina and Florence, but that didn't mean that she could talk to me like that. I had hidden away from all other Valkyries for the last three years to avoid this exact situation. I was not going to be reduced to what I had been as a child. I knew better now.

The more I replayed the Queen's words and my subsequent reaction to them, the more my blood started to boil. I was angry at Florence, but I was also furious with myself for breaking at that moment. There had to be a way for me to be true to myself and maintain my independence while still being able to be a member of the Oakland Clan. Because if I continued down the path that Florence wanted me to, I would end up running away just to keep my sanity.

Something had to give.

Rationally I knew that right now was not the time nor the place to make a stand. The matches had started some time ago, and I glanced up to see two Valkyrie's I didn't recognize fighting with a huge amount of intensity. They were graceful and quick. Both excellent swordsmen but their fight failed to capture my attention. Instead, I looked down at my scarred palms and gently traced the rough skin while trying to control the power that was rippling within me. Valkyrie Gifts were directly linked to our emotions, thus making them harder to control when feeling something intense.

Right now, I was feeling intense anger. What I really needed was to jump up and participate in the fighting playing out before my eyes. A good fight was a good way to take the edge off when I was feeling over-emotional. But I had a suspicion that my joining in on the competition meant to showcase their worth to Regina would not be appreciated. So I remained sitting in my straight-backed chair while wearing this ridiculous dress and attempted again to reign in my wayward Gifts.

I wasn't succeeding at this goal very well. I felt my power surge and all of a sudden my machete materialized in my dominant hand even though I hadn't actively called for it. I quickly Cloaked the weapon and looked around to see if anyone had witnessed me draw on a weapon this close to the Royals. Both Mathis and Elijah had made it abundantly clear to me that I was not to materialize weapons against any of the Royals unless they attacked me first. They warned that because I had already killed one king, that everyone else would be extra wary around me.

Luckily, everyone around me had their attention fixed to the fight before us, and the only person I saw looking my way was Derik. Seeing his piercing gaze reminded me that I was supposed to have pushed them into the void so that they could gather information. Our plan had totally slipped my mind after everything that had happened with the Queen. I considered sending them to the void now but decided it would be suspicious if half of the Oakland Clan disappeared from sight in the middle of an event. Especially because everyone now knew about my Cloaking Gift. We needed our information gathering exposition to remain secret. Plus, everyone was here and watching the event. There would be no one for them to listen into. I would push them to the void as soon as the fighting was over.