Before I could finish my portal, cold magic raced down my arm, freezing it in place.
We stay here, Ganglati hissed. We need the wand.
I froze. Ganglati was right. If I were going to take on the entire Vanir realm, and if I were going to help stop the slaughter of the Night Elves, I would need Loki’s wand. I’d be taking on not one, but two kingdoms, by myself. And that required serious magic indeed.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I just needed to make sure I got it fast, before anything happened to her.
Chapter 41
Galin
It was late afternoon and I sat, alone, in the derelict Prudential Tower. Closing my eyes, I allowed my soul to slip away, into the astral plane. I needed to check on Ali—to see where the Vanir had taken her.
I’d never ascended to the astral plane from the top of the tower. At first, I saw only darkness, but as my psychic eye focused, I saw thousands of tiny, shimmering souls spread out below me. Now, I just had to find Ali’s.
I began by swooping out towards the Citadel. Immediately, I spotted King Gorm and Revna. Gorm’s soul glowed brightly, but Revna’s seemed off, flickering slightly. I was surprised at how little I felt for her and Sune, but maybe that thousand years I’d spent in the dungeon with no heartbeat while they taunted me had soured me on them.
As I floated closer, I saw that Revna’s light had faded, as if her soul was slipping out of Midgard. I’d only seen that a few times, and only when people were near death. That was Ali’s doing.
But I could see no sign of Ali here.
“Where is she?” I muttered.
I hadn’t expected an answer, but Ganglati spoke. Well, she’s not in Midgard. And she hasn’t been executed, or she would be in Helheim with me.
My chest unclenched. It hadn’t occurred to me that Ganglati would be able to tell me she was alive. “So, she’s in Vanaheim.”
That would be my interpretation.
“Okay. My father is alive, but my sister is injured.” I slid back into my body, my muscles flexing.
That is also what I see. The shade paused. So, we steal the wand now?
“Now or never,” I said quietly.
Rising, I assessed my gear. I had an old dagger and a pair of thick leather pants. Not exactly a full suit of armor, but it would have to do.
I drew in a deep breath as I prepared to draw a portal. My plan was a good one, but that didn’t mean it would be easy to pull off.
I will help you, said Ganglati, his voice once again a whisper in my subconscious. Though that wasn’t particularly reassuring.
I drew the portal and stepped through, the magic crackling over my skin.
I appeared in the hall before King Gorm’s quarters. The usual pair of guards stood on either side of the towering golden doors.
I stalked closer to them, a cold anger chilling my blood. I wanted vengeance, now. “I am here to speak with the king.”
The guards stared, mouths open in shock. They looked pale as milk, like they’d seen a ghost. “We thought you died,” one of them stammered.
“Did you honestly think the Well of Wyrd can kill me?” I narrowed my eyes.
He was shaking as he answered. “No one visits the king without prior approval.”
“Are you sure you want to annoy me? I seem to survive no matter what you people do to me. Do you think the same is true for Gorm? In a battle between us, which one do you think will end up as king? You might want to start reconsidering your loyalty.”
The guard on the right’s eyes twitched, and he glanced to the other for help.
“You don’t have to let me inside,” I offered. “Just go in and tell him that I’m here.”
The guard on the right nodded, then pushed open the doors and disappeared. Only one guard remained.
In two strides, I was at his side. I slammed my fist so hard into his head that it snapped back against the door with a crack. Unconscious, he began to fall, but I caught him. The main doors were locked with runes, and his hands were the keys to opening them. Grabbing one of his wrists, I pressed his palm against the door. It swung open.
The curtains were drawn, and it was dark in the main room. But behind a door to my right, I could hear my father talking to the other