Hellraiser, page 14
“The children were bait?”
“Aye. I can help you avenge the one who has bled for her cause.”
“You are her child?” I asked.
“And the reason I trust you is that you bare my grandfather’s seal. Here in your midst are already my siblings—Erich and Suzy. It would be only right for me to join in your cause. My mother has lost her way.”
“What is the point of all of this if not to cause delay?”
“The powers you need are within you.” She leaned over me. “Now stretch out your hand and demand the weapon’s return, and this time, think of him, find the fury of his loss.”
I’d waited all my life to find one who loved me despite my scars, my pain, my disturbing past. Loki alone loved me as I was, and now he was dead.
My hands burned, first orange, and the more upset I became, the flame changed to almost resemble the blue of Loki’s eyes. I stretched out my hand, and my battle-ax came to me as if summoned.
“We shall free the children, but you can step through the portal to Alfheim, and there you will find your vengeance.”
The best way of manipulating someone was by weaving in truth with lies. Whoever she was, she had no intention of helping me or freeing the kids. I’d played the nonsense game, won stupid prizes. How long would it take me to wake up and see that not everyone who came to my side had my best interest at heart?
I didn’t wait.
Without pause, I quickly raised my ax, and the image of the woman disappeared.
“You’ve wised up, have you Sif?” Lady Hel’s voice rang out. “And here I thought you’d fall for the same threats again.”
“A missed opportunity.”
The doors swung open again, and although nothing else moved, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her approaching—Chi. My first genuine smile found itself, until she spoke.
“Oh, I didn’t think you’d have the gall to show up on your own. You will stop this nonsense.” Although it was Chi’s body, it was Freyja’s voice.
“How are you here?” Lady Hel stammered.
“You have tried to take everything from me, but you will not succeed,” Freyja began, “And now, I shall take something from you.”
Freyja cupped the air, and the room glowed and sizzled. Lightning mixed with red orbs. She raised her hands, and the concrete building cracked, shook, and out from beneath rushed a mighty dragon. Its scales were black, tinged with an undercoat of rich emerald. It came forth, snapping its powerful jaws inching closer to Lady Hel.
“A male dragon?” Lady Hel focused on Freyja and laughed. “Is that supposed to impress me?”
“No, but this will.” I swung my arm, and with all the pent-up rage, pain, and loss I felt, I released it, throwing my battle-ax, willing it to stick.
It did.
As if on cue, Lady Hel cried out to then disappear in a thick fog. Her soldiers quickly retreated, too.
“Chi?” I asked.
“Sorry, Sif, but I knew you’d need my help,” Freyja said. “Chi remains in Asgard with Heimdall, until we can get things straightened out.”
“Like your crazy husband.”
“There is enough madness in the tree for these men to share. Come, we must collect the children. All of that here is mind-altering, but the children are in the back of the compound.”
“What was this then?” I asked.
“Lady Hel entertaining herself.”
I allowed Freyja to take the lead, and for them to bask in the idea of liberating this compound from the Dark Elven hold, but my thoughts drifted to Loki, and as the others wandered forward, I did as he asked.
A small tremor moved under my feet. The earth shaking as if it, too, mourned with me.
I silently wept.
29
Lady Hel
“Pull this ax out of me,” Hel ordered from Harley.
Lady Hel barely winced.
“You’re the one who had to pop in. I warned you.” Harley pulled on the battle-ax’s’ handle. “Sif is not one who is weakened by adversity, but it makes her laser-focused. All you did was rile her up.”
“Well, she cut me, and I cut her, but this little surprise is even deeper.” Smoothing her hand over her wound, it quickly stitched itself back together, and they descended to the caverns deep beneath her castle, where stretched out on a cold rock, Loki fought against his binds.
“Release me at once,” Loki ordered.
“Why, dear father? We are just getting started.” Lady Hel snapped her fingers, and a large venomous snake slithered on the rock above him.
“You plan to have this dastardly creature eat me?”
“No, just change your mind a bit.”
The snake opened its mouth, and the first drop of venom fell on Loki’s forehead, burning it. He withered in pain. Another drop hit, and again, he spasmed.
“Cry for mercy, Father, as she has bewitched you, but she will never find you. You will remain my little secret until her spell leaves you.”
Loki screamed out as drop after drop fell from the snake’s mouth onto him.
Lady Hel turned on her heel.
He’d left her and her brothers to be tortured.
Now it was his turn.
***This is not the End***
Don’t miss the next story the next story in the Hell Chronicles.
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Want the next book in the Hell Chronicles? Check out more in the series.
Hell for the Holidays
Hellish
Hellbent
Helltown
Hellbound
Hellraiser
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Other story in the Hell Chronicles World:
Hunting the Undead
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Other books with Lady Her:
A Dragon’s Destiny
A Dragon’s Desire
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Acknowledgments
So much of my soul, I pour into my stories. It is my being inspired by the world around me, including those things that spark my interest. My world is based on Norse myth, and I love spending hours diving into the research, including watching videos on Youtube, reading books, scholarly articles, and even that of the old cultures.
My stories are written from a point of cultural appreciation, as well. Sure, according to my DNA results, I have some Scottish/Scandinavian ancestors (and maybe it is their blood that pulls me towards this passion), but it is a passion nevertheless.
With my time in living in Germany, much of that presented is based on my hometown of Goettingen, Germany, which still acts as a beacon. I so appreciate the cultures that have helped form and shape me. At the time, I was just a lost American girl trying to find my way, but when I left, I surely left a part of my heart there.
You’ll notice a mixture of German references, as well in my works, as the people there helped me to become the woman I am today.
It takes so much to craft a book, and that is not including just the production. With that said, I’d like to acknowledge some special people, who have been amazing in their generosity, time, encouragement, and friendship (this list is in no order): Mary, Christian, Ursula, Klaus, Gerda, Alex, Penny, Treny, Melissa, Meme, Will, Melanie, Angela, Madeline, Lamont, Bunny, Mollie, Michele C., Anika, Eliza, Rima, Darcy S., Laura H., Joanna, Amy J., Amy C. Ola, Laura D., Patricia K., Kanyon, Katherine T., Charles, Frankie, Sandy, Maya, Tera, Norma, Kristen B., Fiona, Margaret, Judith L., Kara V., Sandi B., Sally H., Aisha, Elaine, Andrea, Cortnie, Deborah L., Jeanette H., Shawnee, Roselyn, Nacobi, L.T.H., Lori, Candice, Siobhan, Elly, Therese, Kettle, the Goal Girls, and my wonderful patreon supporters like Johnetta, Megan and Annette.
A special thanks to my editors, proofreaders, beta and ARC readers, and especially my readers, who continue to support my work.
Thank you, everyone!
About the Author
TINA GLASNECK is a USA Today bestselling author of crime fiction and fantasy.
When it comes to fantasy romance and the paranormal, she enjoys magic, mythology and happy-ever-afters. Inspired by the likes of Karen Marie Moning, Jeanine Frost and Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tina’s taken her unique approach to create a world where the Norse pantheon exists, magic is real, and the threat of Ragnarok is looming.
Tina collects castles, enjoys painting and creating jewelry, and singing in the shower. When she is not working on her next work-in-progress, she is online chatting with readers, laughing at herself, and enjoying what it means to be on this journey of a life time.
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Tina Glasneck, Hellraiser
