Page 5 of Valkyrie Renewed
The officer nodded. “It’s one of the safer spots, but we still don’t like it on account of safety.”
“I apologize. I’ll get moving right away.”
The officer glanced into the cab of the truck. “Anyone in here with you?”
My gaze flicked to the passenger seat, where paper maps sprawled instead of where Baldur should have been sitting.
“No, just me,” I mumbled. It was always only me. My one goal kept me focused. I needed no distractions from other gods, immortals, or even mortals. I’d lost track of most of those I knew. I didn’t keep in contact with anyone, not even Freya these days. She would be bound by the oath, and since she could sense out most immortals, she’d come find me if she located Astrid. So, these days, I was a lone wolf, so to speak.
No, that’s not quite right.I also had contact with Davyn. Astrid and I’d had a positive past with the immortal berserker; he’d sided with us against Odin way back when. And just a few months ago, I helped him with an issue. It was one of the few times I’d deviated from my search for a prolonged period, and it was one I knew Astrid would expect of me. In return, Davyn promised to keep me in the loop about Loki—he was a common enemy of ours.
The officer nodded, his eyes sympathetic. “I know that feeling, son.”
I doubted he did, but I didn’t voice it.
“Where you headed?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Don’t know. Just wandering, really. I’m nomadic these days.”
Wasn’t a stretch from the truth. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone home to Norway. Too many memories. Too much pain. It made more sense to follow the feel of battle, however that conflict manifested itself and in whichever country, and then drive from there.
That’s how I got here. Jumped to some trouble in Albany and then traveled north. Why, I wasn’t sure. But I felt a tug to go this direction, so I followed my gut. And as far as my map said, or when I last checked, I was somewhere in the Adirondacks now.
“You lost?”
I shook my head. “No.”
He gazed at me for a moment. “Sure seem it to me.”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “I know where I am on this map.”
The officer shook his head. “That’s not what I mean.”
Then what did he mean? What other kind of lost could I be?
The gentleman pointed up the road. “Five miles up this road on the left is a secluded drive. I recommend following that path.”
My eyebrow raised. Miles. Americans and their archaic measurement system. “What’s there?”
“We call it the Retreat. That’s not the name of it anymore, but we locals are used to calling it that. Good place for people who are lost like yourself. Astrid will take good care of you.”
Everything in me froze. “What was that name again?”
“Astrid. Nice gal.” The officer smiled, something warm and friendly, like a father or good friend. “She’s got a good heart, always doing what she can to help others. She and that family have done a lot of good here.”
Astrid… It couldn’t be. Could it?
We’d learned that whatever magic Freya had used in her ritual had resulted in Astrid always being bestowed the same name, much like Kirby with her curse. However, it also wasn’t that uncommon of a name.
I’d run across it many times, but it was never my Astrid. And yet, when this man spoke this woman’s name, something reacted in me, a similar feeling to that tug that told me to drive all this way.Could it be…
“You said five miles?”
The officer nodded. “It’ll be the first left you can take. They put up a big sign recently, so it shouldn’t be too hard to tell if you’ve taken a wrong turn.”
“Alright, I’ll check this place out.” I didn’t care what the purpose of the place was. I just needed to check. It could be another false lead, but I didn’t care. I hadn’t had any leads in years.
“Drive safe, and keep your eyes peeled,” the officer said. “People hike and ride horses along these roads.”