Fates by C. Gockel

Author:C. Gockel [Gockel, C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: lok, norse mythology, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy
Publisher: C. Gockel
Published: 2015-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Garbage blows through the underpass beneath Congress Parkway and Des Plaines Avenue. Beside Steve, Beatrice says, “This isn’t a gate to Nornheim. We’re wasting our time.”

Steve can’t look at her. His attention is riveted to Gerðr. She’s not wearing any magic-blocking helmet or cuffs. In her heavy down jacket, borrowed boots, and ill-fitting jeans, she shouldn’t be so alluring.

Standing facing him, Gerðr’s eyes are closed and she’s whispering words he can’t hear. Steve can almost imagine her… He turns around and finds himself staring at the backs of Brett and Bryant. Besides Beatrice, Stodgill, Brett, and Bryant are the only members of ADUO Steve trusts for this little assignment. They all have the dubious distinction of believing that Loki was being controlled by Cera when he attacked Chicago. Stodgill because, “If he was so intent on conquering the world, why would he disappear right when he was about to win?” Beatrice, Brett, and Bryant because, “Loki was an ass, just not that kind of ass.”

“Is she done yet?” says Brett, snapping Steve from his reverie.

“Can she put the hat back on?” says Bryant.

“Mmmm…” is all Steve can manage to say. Forcing himself not to turn around, Steve looks up Des Plaines Avenue. There are no ravens in sight; they’d managed to give Steve’s minders the slip. It’s close to dusk and lights are coming on in the homes of the high-rise condo buildings. Most of the homes will stay dark. Magic is still in this town, and it brings only destruction; they haven’t learned to harness it. Hell, the scientists he’s talked to say they don’t even know what it is.

From behind them, Laura Stodgill says, “She’s back!”

Steve turns around. Gerðr is standing exactly where she was a moment before. But her light blue eyes are wide, and her lashes are thick with snow. More flakes dust her hair and shoulders. Trails of ice sparkle down her cheeks. She looks exactly like the illustration of a snow fairy that Claire has in one of her picture books, a magical vision that steals Steve’s breath away.

Beatrice comes forward and puts a pink crocheted cap on Gerðr’s head. Steve blinks. The pink crocheted cap hides Promethean Wire. Ice still sparkles on Gerðr’s cheeks, but he finds he can speak again…and he realizes the ice trails are from tears.

Clearing his throat he says, “Gerðr?”

Gerðr looks down. “It is a path to Jotunheim.”

She puts her hand to her mouth. Laura puts a hand on her shoulder, and Gerðr chokes out, “But…leads to South Wastes.”

Steve stands at a safe distance, waiting to hear more.

Sounding like she’s biting back a sob, Gerðr says, “Cannot go home this way. Even in summer, I don’t know way…and there is South Sea to cross.”

“Well, we’ll keep looking,” Steve says. He has to make magic, and magical World Gates, an advantage for this town. Trade with creatures that might want human technology and can clean up the messes human technology causes could help with that. But first, they need to make contact.

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