“They’re not close.”

“So, how did you know about him?”

“Me and Boss Man go way back.”

That made me pause. “How far back? Like… ancient?”

“Is that what you’re really calling about?”

I huffed. “Do you know where this brother lives?”

“Corvallis, I think. Why are you asking?”

Bingo! I had a new lead on Tori, but I wasn’t about to share that news with a guy I barely knew. Think fast, Solina. “I overhead Thorin mention it, but didn’t think anything of it at the time. Maybe that’s where Thorin was going when we lost touch. If I could call Grim, I could find out if Thorin is with him. It’s pretty important.”

“His contact info is probably in the store’s database.”

“Could you check?”

“I don’t want to piss Thorin off, handing out information about his family.”

“Hugh,” I said. “This is important. Give me the number. I’ll take all the heat, I swear.”

“Have you ever seen Thorin when he’s pissed?”

I almost choked on laughter. “I’ve seen it, been the cause of it, and lived to tell the tale. Now, Hugh, please.”

“Okay, but don’t tell him I told you.”

“I owe you one.”

“How ’bout a beer next time you’re in town?”

“Hugh, if I make it back to Siqiniq, I will buy you a whole damn keg.”

I dialed the number Hugh gave me, reeling at the possibility of the existence of yet another Aesir. In the desert, I had asked Thorin if he had siblings, but he changed the subject. Hugh had said they weren’t on good terms, which might have explained Thorin’s reticence.

I expected to get a voice mail and was not surprised when an automated voice told me to leave a message. I stated my name and reason for calling but doubted anyone would really call me back. I was wrong, though. Moments after I left the message, my phone trilled to life. Caller ID displayed the number I had just dialed, and I stared, eyes bugging wide, as if witnessing a miracle.

The phone rang again. I shook off my stupor and answered. “Hello?”

“Solina?” asked the caller.

“Wha—Tori? Is that you? Where are you?”

“I will ask the questions. I am no longer free to trust anyone.”

“You don’t trust me?” I said. “Um, daughter of Sol here, next step on Helen’s road to eternal damnation. Or did you forget?”

“I haven’t forgotten. If you’re the second step, then the third step is the sword, which I have.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“You’re still alive because Helen wants the sword and she knows you’re tracking it.”

“I have drawn a similar conclusion, but what does that have to do with whether or not you trust me?”

“She could be using you to get to me. So could the Valkyries. They want it just as much as Helen.”

I waved in a dismissive gesture even though Tori couldn’t see it. “No one knows I’m talking to you.”

“You’re calling me from the Aerie. You do realize the Valkyries are compromised? They have ears and eyes everywhere.”

“How do you know I’m at the Aerie?”

“They’re not the only ones with surreptitious allies.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means be careful in all you do and say in that place.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Why isn’t Alek with you?”

“Now that’s just creepy.” I looked around the room as if I might find a camera spying on me somewhere. “Thorin is out looking for Baldur while I came here to look for Surtalogi. Skyla spoke with Ariel’s ghost—seems Skyla’s really Valkyrie after all, which you knew and lied about. Ariel said you fought with the sisters over the future direction of the Valkyries.”

“They wanted us to forsake the Aesir and serve ourselves. The foundations of the Valkyries are crumbling. I blame myself.”

“You can discuss that with your shrink,” I said. “I’m only interested in that sword and keeping it out of Helen’s hands. I have more support and more resources than you. What makes you think you’re the best one to protect it?”

“I’m not alone. I am quite safe and capable of defending myself.”

“You’re with Grim. How do you know he can be trusted?”

“He is Aesir, and he was… is the Valkyries’ patron. He is sworn to protect us and provide for us.”

“Mm-hmm, and I see how much promises mean in your world.”

“He is also my lover.”

Eww. I wrinkled my nose. Too much information.

“The sword is safe,” Tori said. “I will keep it from Helen’s hands. You can focus on keeping yourself alive.”

“Oh, well… Okay, then.”