Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,18

‘Whatever you are, show yourself!’ he demanded. ‘Do it or I swear I’ll break his neck!’

Freya’s senses told her the threat was real. The bully was just a boy himself, but was prepared to do serious harm.

‘If you do that,’ she warned in her most threatening voice, ‘you will know terrors you never imagined possible. Release him now, or I will show you what I truly am.’

The bully’s voice faltered. ‘You’re, you’re just a dumb girl. I – I’m not scared of you. Even if I can’t see you.’ Still his wild eyes searched madly for her.

‘You should be,’ Freya warned darkly, stepping closer. ‘This is your last chance. Release the boy.’

The bully continued to scan the area. Freya stood at his left, and called, ‘Let him go.’ Then she darted to his right and did the same.

‘Last warning,’ she said from the other side of the bully again.

Just as he swung round to face her, Freya struck. With one swift kick she sent him flying several metres across the yard. His victim collapsed to the ground in a weak, bleeding heap at her feet.

Freya charged over to the bully. Placing a booted foot on his arm, she applied enough pressure to let him know she meant business. ‘If I ever hear of you hurting someone again, not even the Midgard Serpent could protect you from me!’

She applied more pressure.

‘Freya, stop,’ Orus warned in her ear. ‘You’ll break his arm. Leave him.’

Freya hesitated but then lifted her foot. ‘Get away from here!’

The bully climbed to his feet and turned quickly to attack. His fist impacted on Freya’s breastplate and she heard the bones in his wrist snap. He howled in pain and pulled his hand to his chest.

‘This ain’t over,’ the bully roared furiously as he turned to leave. ‘Whatever you are, I swear you’re gonna pay for this!’

‘Just go!’ Freya cried as she gave him a final kick in the backside.

Furious at his defeat, he kept looking back, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Even after he had disappeared from view, Freya could still feel him lingering in the area. After a time, she felt him move away.

Alone in the yard, Freya returned to the boy. He was on the ground, weeping softly.

‘Can we please leave now?’ Orus asked. ‘You saved the boy. Let’s go.’

‘Just a minute,’ Freya said.

She knelt beside him, just out of his reach. ‘Are you all right?’

The boy’s head lifted and darted around, searching for her. Fear was showing in his eyes as he scooted back to try to escape. ‘Where are you? Why can’t I see you?’

Freya rose and looked around. She closed her eyes and listened to her senses. No one was in the house behind them and the bullies had all gone. They were completely alone.

Kneeling again, she removed her helmet and became visible. ‘Do not fear me. I won’t hurt you.’

The boy’s eyes grew wide and his mouth opened and closed as though he was speaking, but no sounds came out. Finally he managed, ‘You – you – you’ve got wings!’

‘I know.’

He rose to a sitting position, his eyes darting all around.

‘They’re gone,’ Freya said.

‘Are – are you my guardian angel?’

Freya sighed and shook her head. ‘Why does everyone assume I’m an angel just because I have wings?’

‘What else can you be?’ the boy said breathlessly. ‘You protected me from them.’

‘Well, I’m not,’ Freya said.

The boy reached forward tentatively. ‘Can I touch your feathers?’

Freya pulled her wings back. ‘No! No one can!’

Her sudden movement made him back against the fence to get away.

Freya sighed tiredly. ‘There’s no need to be frightened of me. But you must understand. If I touch someone, or if they touch me, they will die.’

The boy frowned, not understanding. ‘But you touched the bullies when you pulled them away from me.’

‘Not with my bare hands. I used my foot, and that’s covered by my boot. If I’d touched their bare skin with my hands or feathers, they would have died.’

‘So you’re an angel of death?’

Freya sat back on her heels. ‘No, I’m not that either. I’m a Valkyrie.’

The confused expression on his face let her know he didn’t understand. Did no one here know what she was?

‘Is your name Daisy?’

‘No, it’s Archie,’ the boy answered. He pulled a tissue from his coat pocket and started to wipe the blood away from his nose and face.

Up close, Freya could see he was her age, maybe a bit older. He had pale-blue eyes and fine blond hair. His