Vicar (Viking Ancestors: Forged in Fire, #4), page 1
Story Overview
Trinity is prepared to become fated mates with a Viking dragon if it means saving humanity. What she isn't ready for is a Viking like Vicar. A man who suffers from multiple personalities. One is civil, the other ruthless. Yet when her dragon connects with his across time, and Loki's Dagger mysteriously ends up in her possession, she knows their paths are on a collision course.
Intrigued by Trinity's influence over him and determined to retrieve Loki's Dagger, Vicar heads to the future only to find Trinity on the run. In quick pursuit, he follows her back in time and learns the unexpected. Now that she’s in his era, she suffers from dual personalities as well. One is sweet, the other cutthroat. To make matters worse, they’re up against an enemy determined to pit them against each other and make Trinity his own.
Thrust on a turbulent journey, they discover not only a forgotten past but learn they once shared a deep love. They also realize just how involved their savage nemesis was in their ultimate fate. Will they rediscover the sizzling passion they once shared despite all they’re up against? Or have they already lost the battle to something that’s been stalking them since childhood? Find out in the next installment of Viking Ancestors: Forged in Fire.
Vicar
Viking Ancestors: Forged in Fire
Book Four
Sky Purington
COPYRIGHT © 2022
Vicar
Sky Purington
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Edited by
Cathy McElhaney
Andrea Snider
Cover Art by Tara West
Published in the United States of America
Contents
Story Overview
Pronunciations
Series Overview
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Just Curious?
Exclusive Invitation
Deities & Dragons
Series Cast
Midgard Locations & General Glossary
Nine Worlds
Previous Releases-Best Reading Order
Family Trees
About the Author
Pronunciations
Eirik (eye-rick)
Frida (free-duh)
Håkon (hawk-ohn)
Helheim (hel-himm)
Leviathan (luh-vie-uh-thn)
Loki (low-kee)
Midgard (mid-gard)
Mórrígan (more-i-gen)
Múspellsheimr (moo-spell-shay-mm)
Mt. Galdhøpiggen (gall-ter-peegan)
Naðr Véurr (nahdr vuu-ah)
Níðhöggr (neathe-högr or neathe-herd)
Valhalla (val-hal-uh)
Valknut (vulk-noot)
Dedication
For Zeke and Luna, Siberian husky pups who are equal parts sweet and mischievous. So very glad you came into our life. Welcome to the family!
Series Overview
As foretold by the great serpent Níðhöggr, a Great War simmers on the horizon. This time, the Sigdirs and their allies are caught in the lethal crosshairs of battling gods. Determined to keep their fellow dragons and human counterparts safe, they will do whatever it takes. Even if it means tapping into the ancient power of a blade nearly as old as the gods themselves. A dagger that requires five male dragons be Forged in Fire with five females, harnessing the power of fated mates. First, though, their mate must agree to be together for all eternity.
Introduction
When Leviathan and Destiny were Forged in Fire in Ireland, they invoked Loki’s power and a call to arms. Leviathan’s Viking protégés must find women to mate with for all eternity. Meanwhile, four sisters just arrived in twenty-first-century Maine, heeding a prophecy that says they must travel through time to help humanity. Four sisters who eventually learn their souls came into existence via Leviathan and Destiny’s Forge.
So far, Maya, the oldest sister, has traveled back in time and Forged in Fire with Dagr, making them Helheim dragons who aren't just fated mates but keepers of souls on Midgard. Jade and Thorulf have Forged, harnessing their Celtic godliness, allowing them to fight with magic kindred to the enemy’s.
Now Vicar’s heading to the future to confront Trinity and figure out how she’s been able to influence him. Why she ended up with Loki’s Dagger. The only problem? He doesn’t arrive with his more reasonable Sigdir side surfaced, but his ruthless, confrontational Múspellsheimr personality in control. And so the story goes...
Chapter One
Winter Harbor, Maine
Present Day
TRINITY had always known she was different than her sisters but had no idea how much until Loki’s Forge began. Especially when Leviathan and Destiny Forged in Fire and ignited Loki’s master plan to create dragons powerful enough to go up against Celtic gods.
“I know you have Loki’s Dagger.” Her sister Raven narrowed her silvery turquoise eyes at Trinity. “What I don’t know is why you’re not admitting it.”
By admitting it, she referred to the brief telepathic conversation Aunt Elsie had with Jade across time a few hours ago. Jade claimed a Viking named Vicar swore the dagger had ended up with Trinity after Jade and Thorulf defeated their enemy.
And he was right.
She had the dagger that had been at the heart of forging her sisters and their new mates in fire. What she couldn’t figure out was how Vicar knew that.
Raven had just joined her on the back deck, where she’d come for some much-needed fresh air. After all, it wasn't every day a girl found an ancient-looking dagger lying on her bed when she ran upstairs to get a hoodie. It was almost as if it waited for her to be alone before it showed up.
“I’m not sure why I didn’t admit it initially either,” Trinity confessed, frowning at Raven. “I just...” What exactly? Because she wasn’t entirely sure other than part of her felt possessive of the blade. Like it needed to stay in her hands for safekeeping. “I just get the overwhelming sense I’m supposed to hold onto it for now.” She shook her head. “No one else.”
“No one else being Vicar Sigdir,” Raven surmised. She clipped back her jet-black hair and eyed Trinity in that eerie, sees-all way she had about her sometimes. “What was Jade talking about when she reached out to Aunt Elsie that first time? Why did she ask about you possessing her and Maya?” She cocked her head. “And why did she wonder if you’d already traveled back in time?”
“First off, I don’t know Vicar, so why would I want to keep this dagger from him?” Trinity lied. Well, partially lied. “And I have no idea what Jade’s talking about. I haven’t time traveled.” She rolled her eyes. “And what do I know about possessing someone?”
Following her thoughts far too easily because they were so connected, Raven crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow. “So, how are you only partially lying? A lie’s a lie, sis.”
She was glad to see her darker-energy sister standing outside safely rather than cowering inside, avoiding negativity. Avoiding anything that might drag her down and push her closer to evil and darkness. Nicer still to see her halfway upbeat, a personality trait that had been rare before the Forge began.
“I guess I’m only partially lying because I might kind of know Vicar.” She sighed, pulled out the dagger, and eyed its charred blade. It wasn’t a beautiful knife by any means but sinister-looking. Intense. “As to traveling through time or possessing our sisters, if I did, I’m not sure how.”
“That sounds a lot like you did then.” Raven considered her. “What makes you think so, though? And how do you only,” she made air quotes, “kind of know Vicar.”
“Through dreams on both counts, mostly...strange dreams.” She sheathed the dagger, worried it might drag on Raven’s energy. “It was like I was pulled toward someone at certain times, and my connection with Jade and Maya was the only way I could reach them.”
“Them, or him, being Vicar,” Raven prompted when Trinity paused, grappling with the oddities that had overcome her lately. Namely, a sense she wasn’t exactly who she was supposed to be. Or that there was more to her
than she realized. It was hard to make sense of. Yet, somehow, unfortunately enough, she knew it had something to do with how Jade claimed Trinity came across to Vicar. Dominant in a way that felt unfamiliar.
At least before all this began.
“Yeah, Vicar, I guess,” Trinity muttered, knowing darn well it was him thanks to her inner dragon.
“Vicar, the guy with multiple personalities,” Raven commented. “One of them being ridiculously alpha.” Her lips twisted in repressed amusement. “And you acting like some sort of dominatrix.” She flat-out smirked. “Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
“I’m not a dominatrix.” She scowled and shook her head. “I’m not anything near that when it comes to the bedroom.”
She avoided the word sex out of consideration for Raven, who’d had to remain a virgin because men and their volatile energy dragged her too low.
“I’ll admit, it’s hard to envision you being that in charge between the sheets.” Raven’s merciless smirk remained firmly in place. “But based on what Jade said, you definitely came across that way in front of everyone.”
Trinity groaned, mortified at what she’d said to Vicar through Jade. Worse yet, that she’d done it in front of his parents. In front of many of his people, for that matter.
“So, are you coming for him?” Raven asked, chuckling. She repeated what Trinity had evidently said. “Are you keeping him until you’re done with him? Until he’s halfway civilized again?”
Honestly, right now, her gut was telling her to run from him. That he was the one coming for her, determined to figure out why she’d said those things. Why, as it had also been hinted at on Jade's journey, Trinity was hunting him, seeking him, then intended to keep him. None of it sounded like her. Not at all.
That is until the Forge began.
Since then, she started having not just unusual dreams but sensations she’d never had before. Some downright naughty, others more passive. Too passive. Like her dragon would roll over for his if given half a chance. Which irked her to no end. She might like to help men, fix them as her sisters called it, but she rolled over for no man. That sounded like the complete opposite of being dominant.
“You were lying,” Aunt Elsie exclaimed, cutting into her thoughts as she joined them. She frowned at the dagger Trinity tucked beneath her hoodie and gave her a wounded look. “First Jade, now you.” Her eyes rounded. “You never lie to me.”
“I know.” She hugged her aunt because she didn’t know what else to do. Aunt Elsie had taken such good care of her and her sisters over the years. She didn’t deserve to be lied to. “I’m so sorry.” She pulled back and dished out the sweet smile that usually got her out of trouble. “I just didn’t want to worry you.”
When her aunt’s brows shot up, Trinity knew she better come clean, so she told her what she’d just shared with Raven.
“Well, obviously, you’re supposed to have the dagger.” Aunt Elsie’s expression softened. “Or it wouldn’t have found its way to you next instead of a Sigdir.” Concern lit her eyes when she glanced at the ash tree that doubled as a time travel portal. “Not to say a Sigdir isn’t coming for it and by the sounds of it, not necessarily in a peaceable way depending on his personality at the moment.”
She had learned enough about Vicar’s two personalities to understand why her aunt worried. If his kind inner Sigdir was at the forefront, a side she could evidently bring to the surface easily enough, their initial greeting should go fine. If his Múspellsheimr side surfaced, the more primal one born of dragonkind’s homeworld, God only knows what might happen.
“At least he won’t be alone,” Aunt Elsie went on, referring to those following him. Not just Maya and Dagr, but Tor, who could generally balance Vicar. Considering the blade Loki had created was on the run, she wouldn't be surprised to see the god as well.
Aunt Elsie squeezed Trinity’s hand and looked between her and Raven with renewed concern before continuing. “I’ll admit I’m worried about how things will go at this point for you both.”
No doubt she was, given Trinity’s emerging issues and the fact Raven shouldn’t be left alone without one of her sisters. Sure, she seemed better lately, but she’d never been without them, so it was impossible to know what might happen. Especially without Trinity here to keep her in balance. Because that was what she had always done for her sisters. Evened out their negative and positive energy, so they stayed on an even keel.
Was she still capable of it, though?
“You’re that off then?” Aunt Elsie murmured, following her thoughts easily enough now that Trinity wasn’t blocking them to hide the blade. Her aunt’s brows pinched when she looked at her. “I’m sure Maya will be able to help when she gets here. She’s very powerful now.”
“I’m sure,” she agreed optimistically, determined to keep her aunt from worrying any further. In truth, she had a feeling this went beyond what Maya could do. It was something else altogether. Something her sister’s dragon wouldn’t recognize because it had always been asleep inside Trinity.
Not now, though.
Whatever it was had stirred awake and woke more by the hour. She caught mental glimpses of not just foreign places but of Vicar. Never him in his entirety. Just bits and pieces. Enough to know he was intimidating. His Múspellsheimr side was ruthless by nature. Craved violence and bloodshed. His Sigdir half was far more tempered. Quick to humor even. She might not have seen him when she possessed her sisters, but she’d felt him. Understood how conflicted and tangled he was. How drawn yet repelled by her he’d been.
Yet above it all, beyond his inner demons, was her unquestionable desire to untangle him. To, yes, fix him.
She knew she should be frightened but wasn’t. Sure, she had flashes of fear, but they were always followed by a sense of certainty that she could fix Vicar like all the men before him. Because that’s also what she did. Helped broken men heal so they could enjoy a healthy relationship with whoever came after her. A given, considering she didn't stick around too long. There was no point when she inevitably got the craving to move on and help another.
“Move on,” she murmured, sensing something in that.
More so, suddenly feeling like she needed to get moving.
There was no time.
“What’s the matter?” Raven and Aunt Elsie asked at the same time. Both looked at Trinity with alarm moments before the ash tree whipped violently, appeared to go up in flames, and the ocean turned an angry black.
“He’s coming,” she whispered, sensing Vicar drawing closer. “And he’s mad.”
That’s all she got out before the world burst into flames, and she, at last, came face to face with him...or so she thought.
Chapter Two
VICAR STRUGGLED TO keep his Sigdir side at the forefront, but there was no hope for it. His inner Múspellsheimr screamed up as he landed beside Níðhöggr’s Ash, placed his hand against its great trunk, and willed it to take him to Trinity. To take him to the dragon who thought to control him.
To keep him.
Who did she think she was? Nobody kept him. Period. No woman or man, dragon or not. If anything, he kept them. So why did a strange woman from the future think she could? Moreover, why did a blasphemous side, likely his weaker inner Sigdir, somewhat like the idea? Want to explore it?
No sooner did he think it then, for a split second, caught in an inferno unlike any other, there was no need to explore because Trinity was right there. Standing across from him, engulfed in flames she could somehow withstand in human form. While brief, the sight of her was enough to bring him to attention. From her thick wavy dark brown hair with auburn highlights to her thickly lashed fiery amber eyes, she was stunning. Her lips were full, her skin flawless, and her features far too alluring. Though she wore bulky clothing, he sensed her body would cause trouble with his fellow male dragons. All of her would.
Especially the equally fiery spirit he sensed within when she narrowed her eyes at him.
When she dared him to come get her.
Regrettably, he found out it wouldn’t be quite that easy when the fire faded along with her, and he stood alone in front of the Maine chalet. Well, not completely alone. He homed in on the women standing on the deck. One was young with black hair, the other older and more full-figured.
