Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,62
went red with embarrassment. ‘It was never proven that Loki stole Mjölnir and gave it to the frost giants. And it wasn’t just Loki who convinced Thor to dress as a woman, we all did. It was the only way to get his hammer back without going to war.’
‘No, it was Loki!’ Maya insisted. She looked desperately to her three sisters for support, but they said nothing. They were too frightened of Odin to speak.
‘Stop!’ Odin boomed. ‘If it is true that Loki is causing trouble, prove it. Bring your sister to me. However, if she has fled Asgard, it is she who is in a great deal of trouble.’
Loki grinned, knowing he had won. ‘Yes, Maya, prove me a liar and trickster. Produce your little sister, Freya.’
Maya was trapped. She didn’t know what she could say to protect Freya. She cursed Loki with her eyes. But if she said more and told Odin it was Loki who had helped Freya cross Bifröst, that wouldn’t help her sister.
‘She’s not here,’ Maya finally admitted, trying to sound casual. She looked at her mother. ‘You know how Freya loves to go flying with Orus at night? Especially before a reaping? Do you remember the First Day Ceremony?’
Her mother nodded. ‘Yes, of course! Odin, Freya was nearly late for her own First Day Ceremony. Maya found her halfway across Asgard. My youngest daughter has a wandering spirit. She often goes out flying alone.’
‘I told you she’s not here,’ Loki teased as he clung to Odin’s arm. ‘She’s gone to Midgard to be with the humans.’
‘She wouldn’t do that,’ Maya’s mother cried. ‘She knows the penalty for leaving without permission! Please, Odin, give us some time to find her. She and her sister are very close. If anyone can find her, it will be Maya. Please let her go. You’ll see. Freya is just out for a short flight.’
The smile on Loki’s face broadened. ‘Yes, Odin, why don’t we let Maya go? I am sure she can lead us straight to Freya – in Midgard!’
Maya felt the noose tightening around her neck. ‘I can only find her by flight.’ She turned hate-filled eyes on Loki. ‘And you don’t have wings, you’re grounded. You can’t follow where I go.’
Loki used his shape-changing abilities to turn himself into an eagle, then a hawk and finally a large black insect. When he returned to his normal shape he smiled again. ‘I can follow you anywhere you go, Valkyrie. But I don’t have to. Freya is not in Asgard. She has gone to the human world to live among them. She hates it here and she hates Odin!’
‘Enough!’ Odin shouted.
He approached Maya and his eyes were as red as his hair. He raised a threatening finger to her. ‘Go now. Fly. Find your sister. But if you do not return with her before the Valkyries gather for the reaping at sunrise, you know what I will do.’
Maya’s mother brought her hands to her lips. Her wings were quivering in fear. ‘No,’ she whispered softly.
Odin nodded. ‘You have but a short time, Maya. Find your sister, bring her to me or, I swear by my sword, I will send out a Dark Searcher to find her and unleash the Midgard Serpent on Earth.’
Maya was frantic. She dashed to her bedroom, picked up her winged helmet and flew out the window. Checking that Loki wasn’t following her, she headed straight for Bifröst.
Heimdall was at his post and his face showed alarm when she landed before him. ‘Maya? What brings you back here so soon and dressed like this?’
Maya realized she was still dressed in her nightgown. ‘It’s Loki,’ she cried. ‘He’s betrayed us and told Odin that you were asleep on duty and allowed Freya to cross Bifröst. I have been commanded to bring her back before the Valkyries leave for the reaping, or he’ll send out a Dark Searcher to find her and release the Midgard Serpent!’
‘No!’ Heimdall cried. ‘This is my fault. Freya will be punished when the crime was mine. I must tell Odin.’
‘It was Loki, not you!’ Maya insisted. ‘But all is not lost yet. I have until dawn to find her. Please, I beg you, let me cross Bifröst. I will go to Midgard and bring her right back. Then we can go to Odin together and tell him of Loki’s treachery.’
Heimdall nodded and stepped aside. ‘Go, find your sister. I will do what I can from here.’