for a moment fear rippled across my heart.
What if Fen was really Loki and testing me right now? I met Fen's gaze and he looked right back at me, his eyes clear and unaffected. I saw no sign of Loki in his face, and one thing I'd learned in the last few months was that I had the most uncanny knack of identifying Loki no matter what shape he took.
And that uncanny sense was telling me, in no uncertain terms, that Fen was good. I sighed and rubbed my forehead, deciding it was time to get down to business.
"Where are we at with the transfer of all the delegates?"
"We have them all in Muspell. Steinn is taking care of them at the moment so we have nothing to be concerned about regarding them. They've all been cleared, no Jotunn masquerading as humans." Fen nodded, seeming satisfied with the success of that mission. "Now, what we need to find out is Loki's next move."
Tapping my chin, I said, "I think it has something to do with the Vigrid Plains. When he came to me he said the battlefield is his choice. That he will take the battle to the battleground of his choosing. I can only assume that he means the Vigrid plains will not be the location of the great battle."
"Or he could be trying to lead you astray," said Joshua, pursing his lips as he stared out at the view of the crumbling walls of the palace. The wind had kicked up and brought an icy chill to the cliff-top. We hadn't been prepared for the cold but unprepared was a good thing.
I nodded, considering that option too. "We need to be prepared for both situations." I looked at Fen. "Can we notify all the gods who have already gone to the Vigrid Plains that there is a possibility that they'll need to relocate before the big fight happens?"
Fen nodded, rubbing his chin as a frigid breeze lifted a lock off his shoulder and tossed it at his bearded cheek. "Easy enough to do. They can be at attention and move if we give them the right message."
"Okay. I need to get the word out that I'm no longer involved in the investigations, or in the team's activities in Midgard." Everyone nodded and I continued, "Also, I need you all to be at Aidan's funeral tomorrow. His mother is having a small ceremony but since we were part of his team we should be present."
"We'll be there," Aimee said, her expression determined.
Turning, I took in the view of the valley and everything that had been destroyed in a matter of minutes. "We need to go over those plans again. Check if there's anything in there that could indicate a location for Loki's alternate battleground."
"I'll have a look and let you know, but I think you need to get some rest before you do anything else." Joshua came to me, and grasped my hand. "You don't look well, Bryn. Are you okay?"
I gave a shake of my head, as if the sharp jerk could thrust the tiredness and weakness off me. "I'm not sure what's wrong. Maybe I caught something. I just feel so tired and a little weak." Then I let out a soft laugh. "Maybe all the running around is getting to me."
"Joshua, you get her to bed," said Aimee. Then she realized what she'd said and grinned from ear to ear. Suri giggled at the implication and Fen failed to hide the twitch of his lips.
"So funny, you guys." I rolled my eyes and looked at Joshua who crooked his elbow.
I was about to grab hold of his arm when pain ripped into my abdomen, bringing my nausea to the surface. Spinning away from Joshua's grip, I bent over in time to throw up over the ledge. I spent a few moments retching, all the while feeling the burning, and embarrassing, attention of the group behind me. Joshua was crouched beside me when I looked up and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. I felt gross but I had little choice. This rocky crag didn't even contain a dead stalk of grass, let alone a patch large enough to wipe off vomit.
Making a disgusted face, as I slowly got to my feet, putting my hand to my head as the world began to tip and tilt.
He touched my forehead and hissed. "Bryn, you're burning up." He glanced back at Fen who gave him a