Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,85

But for how long? Freya put his still body gently aside and rose to face the Dark Searcher. Archie’s spirit stood at her side, looking just the same. He had a huge grin on his face. ‘Thanks, Gee,’ he whispered. ‘Thank you so much.’

‘It’s Freya,’ she corrected.

Archie grinned. ‘Nah, you will always be my Gee.’

Freya lifted her sword. She had to get Orus, Tamika and Leo Max away from the Dark Searcher before he hurt them. ‘Stay here, I must surrender to him.’

‘Child, wait,’ the angel said. He pointed up. ‘Look.’

The Dark Searcher was shrieking in fury as Angels of Death descended from the sky. Holding hands, they formed a tight circle around him, imprisoning him.

Shocked by their sudden appearance, Orus fled as both Leo Max and Tamika fell from the Dark Searcher’s wings. They landed on the ground in stunned silence.

‘This way, children,’ urged an angel as she opened the circle a fraction to allow them out.

The searchlights shining from the helicopters above illuminated the brilliant white of the angels’ open wings as they surrounded the midnight-black Dark Searcher. Around them, police were ordering everyone to remain where they were. Soldiers piled out of their trucks and, with their weapons held high, they surrounded the circle of angels. Others raised their weapons on Freya, but stayed back a safe distance, as if they already knew who or what she was.

Trapped within the angels’ ring, the Dark Searcher shrieked and charged furiously forward, but could not break through them.

Freya looked back at the angel in confusion. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘Just wait a bit and you will.’

‘Greta!’ Leo Max called as he and Tamika ran towards her. Soldiers tried to catch hold of them but they tore free of their grip. They approached Archie’s body.

‘Archie!’ Tamika shrieked as she knelt down beside their fallen friend.

‘He’s not there,’ Freya called. ‘He’s right here, beside me.’

‘Where?’ Leo Max said.

Freya offered her arm. ‘Touch me, but only where I’m covered.’

Both Leo Max and Tamika touched her arm. They gasped in shock when they saw Archie’s smiling face.

‘It is really you?’ Tamika sniffed.

Archie nodded. ‘Gee reaped me. That means I can stay with her. Please don’t be sad for me; I couldn’t be happier. We’re going to Asgard together.’

‘If we survive this!’ Orus cawed as he landed on Freya’s shoulder.

‘I don’t think we will,’ Freya said darkly. ‘Once he breaks free he’ll come after me. There is no escape from a Dark Searcher.’

‘Perhaps not,’ the angel said. ‘But he can be called off.’

As more soldiers surrounded them, they stood together and watched the circle of angels holding the trapped Dark Searcher. The creature’s enraged howls could be heard throughout the city.

Suddenly a sound Freya knew all too well filled the air around them. She looked back at the soldiers. ‘Please go! The Valkyries are coming. You can’t fight them – go now and save yourselves!’

The soldiers heard the sounds too and started to back away. ‘There!’ one cried fearfully. ‘What is that?’

Freya looked up. ‘Odin . . .

Odin, in full battle armour, was tearing through the night sky, riding Sylt. Thor was beside him on another Reaping Mare, wielding his hammer in his hand. On the other side of Odin flew the second Dark Searcher. In his arms he clutched Maya and Grul.

Behind them flew the Valkyries of Asgard, led by Freya’s mother.

Freya looked over to Archie in regret. ‘I’m so sorry it’s going to end like this. I shouldn’t have reaped you. It’s not fair.’

‘Whatever happens,’ Archie said, ‘we’ll face it together.’

Above them, Thor waved Mjölnir in the air. All the helicopters were driven away as though blown by a thousand winds. And when he touched down on the ground he slammed his hammer down so hard that all the windows in the buildings around them exploded and rained glass on to the street. The police cars and military vehicles were blown backwards and the men sent flying away.

Beneath the pressure of the hammer, the ground cracked and a large pit opened. Ferocious, deafening roars could be heard coming from the newly opened hole.

Freya put her hands to her mouth. ‘Oh no!’

‘What is it?’ Leo Max asked.

‘Thor has freed the Midgard Serpent!’ Freya cried. ‘Odin is going to destroy Chicago because of me!’

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

‘Valkyrie!’ Odin roared as he climbed down from Sylt.

A large eagle touched down beside him. Moments later it changed. Freya’s heart sank at the sight of Loki’s grinning face.

Freya turned back to Tamika and Leo Max. ‘Whatever happens, stay here with the