“She knew your mother.”
“Why did she lie?”
“At the time, I thought she was protecting us. Now, I think she was protecting her own self-interests. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you with this sooner. I could have helped you so you wouldn’t feel the need to sneak around.”
Val sighed and rolled his eyes. “I told them to just ask in the first place. But, no, they wanted to be a couple of Charlie’s Angels.”
Skyla pouted. “No one would talk to me, Embla. If I brought it up, people changed the subject or flat out told me to mind my own business. Besides, we didn’t know who to trust. Some members of the Aerie have shown questionable loyalties.”
Embla chuckled. “We are an elite bunch of snobs, aren’t we?”
Skyla dropped her gaze and shrugged.
How diplomatic of her, I thought.
“You were right not to trust anyone. With Tori gone, there’s a vacuum of power. Who or what will fill it has yet to be seen. Some of the sisters may be willing to look for the Aerie’s next leader outside the Valkyries as easily as they would look inside.”
“Outside the Valkyries?” Skyla asked. “Like Helen?”
Embla’s mouth twisted as if she’d swallowed something distasteful. “Yes. Like Helen.”
“What about you?” Val asked. “Where do your loyalties lie?”
Embla blanked her face and said, “With the order of the Valkyries, of course. Always and forever, my sisters come first.”
While I made brunch for us all—omelets and toast—Embla told us about the memorial service the sisters had planned for after sundown to remember the women lost in the fire. Embla asked if I would arrange a reception with snacks and hot drinks for when the service ended, and I agreed.
After they cleaned their plates, Skyla and Embla went to look through the collection of photographs Embla kept under her bed. I stayed in the kitchen to wash dishes and start on the list of items Embla had requested. Val left to find his own entertainment, giving me the time I needed to give Thorin a private call.
I dashed upstairs to dig my phone from my bag. When I dialed Thorin’s number, it rang and rang, but he never answered, and the call never switched to voice mail. I gave up and called Thorin’s store.
Val’s roommate answered. “Thorin Adventure Outfitters, Hugh speaking.”
“Hugh, it’s Solina.”
“Solina. We have to stop meeting like this… over the phone. I’m much sexier in person.”
I rolled my eyes. “Right. So sexy. It’s the reason I have to stay away from you all the time. Couldn’t keep my hands off you otherwise.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“So, besides wanting to hear your stimulating voice, the reason I’m calling is that I’ve sort of lost contact with Thorin. Have you heard from him lately?”
“The last I knew, he was with you.”
“Something came up, and I had to take a side trip without him. Skyla and Val are with me, though. Thorin’s not answering his cell, so if you hear from him, tell him I called and that I’m okay.”
“Um, sure. Anything else?”
“I guess that’s all… No, wait a minute. Does the term grim mean anything to you? You ever hear anyone mention it in relation to Thorin and Corvallis?” Bringing up Ariel’s words was impulsive, but Hugh was far enough removed from the whole ordeal to be a safe contact. I hoped.
“Sure. It’s the Boss Man’s brother.”
“It is?” My voice went high with surprise. “He has a brother named Grim?”
“Yes. Modi Grimr Thorin.”
“Why have I never heard of him?”
“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?”
