Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,32

Drop your weapons now and leave these people be or you will feel my sword.’

In the dimly lit street and with heavy rain pouring down, Freya was confident they couldn’t see her clearly. But even if the attackers couldn’t see her wings, she was certain that the victims cowering behind her could.

She heard their sharp intake of breath and felt their fear change. They were now more frightened of her than the men. Freya turned quickly to them. ‘Say nothing – and, for your lives, don’t touch me!’

‘Are you suicidal?’ one of the attackers asked as he turned his weapon on Freya and took a step closer. ‘Or just plain stupid?’

‘Neither,’ Freya answered calmly. ‘But I am sick and tired of you humans hurting each other for no other reason than personal gain. These people have done nothing wrong, and yet you intend to kill them to steal their possessions.’

‘Us humans?’ the leader called as he laughed and nudged his friends. ‘And what does that make you then?’

Freya could clearly feel his thoughts. He was preparing to use his weapon against her. ‘What does that make me?’ she repeated as her temper flared. ‘Not human!’

Freya’s wings flashed open as she charged the men. Stealing a quick look back at the couple, she cried, ‘Get down and stay down!’

The loud, sharp sounds of gunfire filled the air. Bullets pinged as they struck her breastplate and fell harmlessly to the ground. Odin had been right. As long as she wore the armour, nothing could harm her – no matter where it struck.

The rules of Asgard said that if she, a Valkyrie, touched a human with her bare skin, or wings, they would die instantly and be sent to Valhalla. But in all her training, she was never told what would happen if she killed a human with her sword.

Not wanting to risk Odin’s wrath, Freya would do no more than wound. She wielded her sword with precision and she sliced the guns out of the attackers’ hands and left the men on the wet ground, moaning and crying as they clutched their wounds. Freya leaped at the leader and pressed down on his chest with her black leather boot and placed the tip of her sword at his throat.

‘Your reign of terror in this neighbourhood ends tonight, human. If I learn of you or your men attacking anyone ever again, I will not be so generous and spare your lives.’

‘What are you?’ the leader cried as his frightened eyes lingered on her open wings. ‘I shot you, I know I did.’

‘Your weapons are powerless against me. Remember my warning. Bring peace to these streets or you will face me again. There will be no second chances.’

Freya turned and left the man. She approached the two victims. ‘Come,’ she commanded as she walked further down the street.

Too frightened not to obey, the couple dashed past the attackers on the ground and followed Freya.

‘Thank you, thank you,’ cried the man. ‘I don’t know who or what you are, but you saved our lives.’

They were only young – not very much older than her, by Earth standards. He was handsome with sparkling eyes and pale, smooth skin, apart from a spread of stubble around his chin. The young woman was pretty and held an air of gentleness. She reminded Freya of a delicate little fawn in the woods. She could feel that they cared deeply for each other.

In that moment, Freya realized she’d never felt more alive or happy. She shared in their pure joy of existence. They all knew something amazing had just happened – even if the couple didn’t know that she was a Valkyrie: a reaper of souls. But there had been no reaping tonight. Freya had saved lives, not taken them. The feeling was more intense than she could imagine.

The Angels of Death drew near. The older-looking angel spoke in a grave tone. ‘Azrael will hear of this, Valkyrie. He will not be pleased. You have broken the rules and intervened where you had no right. These streets are ours.’

‘Tell Azrael if you must,’ Freya said softly. ‘But I meant no disrespect. I just couldn’t let this happen when it is within my power to stop it.’

The angel shook his head. ‘You have changed their destiny tonight. They were meant to come with us. Tell them they have new lives and to make the best of them. We will be watching. If they do badly in their new lives, or if