Of Gods & Valkyries: Book Three

Mercenary Once More

– K Á R A –

I followed Tayah at a distance as she pushed open the tavern door. My hood drawn low and my mood ever lower. I armoured myself in the full glory of Valhalla under the cloak. There was no need for it–in fact there was no need for this meet at all. Another useless few slithers another mortal wanted to draw out just to have her attention once more...

I did not stop my immortal. For how many more careless moments would there be to intervene in old mortal affairs? How long until we found the place under stone that supposedly explained so much of the gods–

A mortal couple cackled loudly as a male groped a heavy chested woman. I dragged my eyes back to Tayah's waving brown hair as the door opened and closed. She knew I followed. She no longer had to glance to feel my presence.

I kicked the door open and eyed the living hells.

No patrons bothered to glance. They were too drunk or too moronic. I dodged the bodies and odours quickly as a dancer. I let her pulse of power draw me to their corner beside the fire. An entire table with benches and a few glowering guards posted around them.

I resisted a snort as I came to take a seat beside Tayah–

An armoured hand shot out and tried foolishly to halt me. Rensbrooke was about to order them off but I needed no such permission from mortals. His hand twisted at a sharp angle under mine and he dropped to his knees with a cry.

"Kára..." Tayah murmured, not even looking behind her. "Let us be civil."

I looked down at the pained mortal and let my eyes drop to a mortal silver. "Do not ever try to touch me again." I said simply, releasing the brittle metal and letting his fellow guard aid the buffoon.

I dumped myself in the bench beside my immortal and levelled my gaze at the most mundane woman I had ever beheld.

"Yara, is it?" I cut out.

"Lara." She returned smoothly with a teasing smile. "Parsnip, was it?" She drawled back.

My returning smile has sent lesser mortals to the Underworld. "Something like that."

Tayah poured out the ales from a jug before we could start naming each other different things. She was all business this evening. But that mortal was all smiles and dark amber eyes. I drummed my gloved hand slowly without taking my eyes off her. She pretended not to be aware and met Tayah's uneasy expression.

"Again, Tayah I thank you for coming. I know we did not end on the best of terms..." She emphasised, taking a drink once it was filled.

"It was a difficult time for us." She admitted, "Much has changed."

But the mortal took that for a different meaning and she nodded scanning over Tayah's godlike features carefully. I took a deep gulp of the mortal piss in front of me and started plotting the most enjoyable way to take her life.

"I heard many stories of the Three Lions' adventures. Each more thrilling than the next." She chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

Tayah left her hands on the table and fidgeted with a silver piece between them.

"I think there's a few things you should know–"

"No, Tayah. Please let me say my piece first." She moved her hand across the table as if to dare touch hers but stopped herself. "–I wouldn't ask your help if it were not dire. I know you do not owe me anything–"

"No she does not." I interrupted slowly. "So why do you not get to the point quickly."

Her irritated glance at my face made my smile widen.