Valkyrie Read Online Free PDF Page B

frustration and her wings fluttered in annoyance. ‘You are going to be the death of me!’ As she stormed off, she turned back to Freya. ‘Just keep it hidden.’
    Freya watched her sister go. Once again, she was overcome with emptiness. While Tyrone was with her, the feeling had stopped. Now it was back – even stronger.
    ‘What’s wrong with me, Orus? Why am I so unhappy? Why can’t I be satisfied like everyone else is here?’
    The raven pressed closer to Freya’s neck. ‘You are lonely. You’ve never had friends your own age. You are the youngest in all Asgard. Even Maya is much older than you.’
    ‘Then I am doomed,’ Freya said. ‘There will be no more Valkyries after me. I am cursed to be alone forever.’
    ‘That’s not true. You have me.’
    Freya smiled sadly at the raven. ‘You know what I mean. There will never be anyone here my age.’
    ‘You could give a soldier your name before he dies. Then when you reap him he will have to stay with you forever.’
    Freya shook her head. She knew the rules. If she had told Tyrone Johnson her name before he died, he would have belonged to her and would not have been allowed to ascend. He would have become her prisoner. Just like her father was to her mother and all the fathers to all the Valkyrie. This wasn’t the way she wanted to find friendship.
    ‘I’ll never give my name away. It’s not fair. Especially if soldiers wish to ascend. It would be too cruel. I will only give my name away to someone who really wants to stay with me. But that will never happen . . .’
    She pulled the phone from her pocket and stared wistfully at the photograph of Tyrone’s daughters. ‘Do you think Tamika is like her father? Would we be friends if we met?’
    ‘What are you saying?’ Orus said cautiously. ‘Your voice sounds strange. You’re not really considering going to help Tyrone’s family, are you?’
    ‘She is saying exactly that. She wants to go to Chicago to meet her soldier’s daughter.’
    Freya jumped at the voice behind her. She turned and saw a beaming face. It was Loki – Odin’s trickster blood-brother. ‘I don’t blame you. The World of Man can be a very exciting place. There is always a lot to see and do and there are millions of girls your own age. Boys too. Having human friends could be just the thing to ease your restlessness.’
    Orus fluttered his black wings. ‘Go away, Loki. This is a private conversation.’
    ‘Is it?’ Loki said, concentrating on Freya. ‘I’m sorry if I’m intruding, but I just wanted to let you know some of the wonders I have seen on Earth.’
    The raven cawed a warning. ‘Move away from him, Freya. He’s just telling you this to cause mischief. He wants to see you get into trouble with Odin.’
    Loki placed his hand on his chest and his face was all innocence. ‘You wound me! All I want is to help Freya end her loneliness.’ He focused on Freya. ‘I saw how troubled you looked at the First Day Ceremony and how you grieve over your soldier’s ascension. I know you can find happiness on Earth.’
    Orus cawed again. ‘You know Earth is forbidden to the Valkyries except on reaping missions.’ The raven nipped Freya’s ear. ‘Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to get you in trouble. Loki is jealous that your mother is in Odin’s favour. He will do anything to discredit her. Her youngest daughter disobeying the rules would do just that!’
    ‘Such lies.’ Loki’s dark eyes sparkled. ‘I want only the best for young Freya and a trip to Earth could be just what she needs.’
    Freya looked from Orus back to Loki. ‘What is Earth like? I mean, the parts of Earth that aren’t battlefields. Is it beautiful like Asgard?’
    ‘More!’ Loki said excitedly. ‘I have seen things there you wouldn’t believe. Animals beyond description and so many different people. It is a wonderland.’
    ‘Loki isn’t your friend,’ Orus warned. ‘He won’t help you. He’ll just lead you into trouble.’
    ‘Are