And I want to think about anything but that night. The events of Lake Oneida had created more problems than solutions, and Hati’s death was the only worthwhile consequence of that confrontation. Perhaps Thorin sensed my reticence and sympathized because he softened his tone. “Tell me, Sunshine. You didn’t come back from the dead and call me for no reason. I can’t help you if I don’t know everything.”

I shook my head and chewed on my lip while I tried to think of something to say, but no words came to mind. I shook my head again, stopped, wobbled around on my heel, and lurched toward the bed. A great big ice ball had settled in my stomach, and it chilled my blood. I curled up on the comforter and hugged a pillow close. “I don’t know what happened. It defies my ability to explain. Nate was there, and he said—”

Thorin cut in. “Nate? What was he doing there?”

“Helen’s bidding, I assume. Being Helen’s lover must have its perks.”

“They’re not lovers.”

“But they were all over each other that night we met them in Juneau.”

“They’re family.”

I gagged. “Eww!”

“Nate was once better known as Nott, son of Narfi. Narfi’s father was Loki, and Loki, as you know, was Hela’s brother. That makes Nate Helen’s nephew.”

“Still,” I said. “Ew.”

“Who else was at the lake?” Thorin asked, ignoring my commentary.

“Hati and Skoll. Skoll was in wolf form, and Hati… Hati was a man.” Slowly, haltingly, I told him the story of that night, of how I’d killed Hati and transformed into a shooting star.

“Hati’s dead,” Thorin said. “You’re certain?”

“He was all but charcoal when I saw him last. Do the wolves recover from that kind of thing?”

“We found no wolf remains.”

Neither had I, but I wasn’t going to tell Thorin I had gone back to the lake, not unless my confession was utterly necessary. “Maybe Nate took his ashes. Better than thinking Hati regenerated.”

Thorin scoffed. “I assure you he’s a wolf, not a phoenix. You’re certain he died?”

“I didn’t stick around to take a second look, but yes. I turned him to ash and bone. I’m sure of it.”

A moment of silence filled the line before Thorin exhaled and said, “Unbelievable. The original Sol could do such things but no one since then.”

“I doubt there’s been a need for it. Seems the real sun has been getting along fine without my help.”

I put down my pillow, relieved by the catharsis of sharing my story. I could have made a life with friends like Nikka and Tre, but it would have been hollow, based on lies and misdirections. Living a common life would have meant ignoring an elemental part of myself. How can I be happy having to hide myself like that? I had spent only a few minutes on the phone with Thorin, someone with whom I didn’t have to pretend or lie, and I already felt more like my real self than I had in weeks.

“What about Val?” My heart danced a panicky beat at the thought of reuniting with my brother’s best friend and my former… something. “Where is he?”

“Looking for you. We parted ways after following your trail to Oneida Lake. He’s had his nose to the ground, sniffing for clues.”

“Did he find anything?”

Thorin grumbled again. “Not even a whisper.”

I pumped my fist in victory. Off-the-grid Solina—sign me up for black ops, and kiss my grits, James Bond. “Thorin, I think someone knows where I’ve been.” I told him about Rolf Lockhart.

Thorin put steel into his voice when he said, “Where are you right this moment?”

“At a hotel in Sacramento.” I gave him the street address and my room number.

“Sacramento? What the hell…?” He stopped and cleared his throat. “Never mind. Stay put. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” He paused and added a final warning. “And wherever we go from there, from now on, you won’t leave my side. I thought I could trust the Valkyries to protect you. I thought I could trust you to know better than to go out on your own.”

“You want something done right, you gotta do it yourself?” I asked, my words thick with derision. “I’m not going to run from you, Thorin. If I were, I wouldn’t have called you in the first place.”

“You could always change your mind.”

“I could, but I won’t. You’ll have to take a chance on me whether you like it or not. I’m guessing you will.” I thumbed the End button and cut off the call before Thorin replied. He would show up for no other reason than he couldn’t stand to let me have the last word. And because he liked to think he was in control.

I chuckled to myself. He’s going to be so disappointed.

Chapter Six

Was I glad for the impending reunion, or was I scared, or apprehensive? When the door of my motel room shuddered under the pounding of Thorin’s fist, I felt a little of all three at the same time. I inhaled a deep breath, drew open the door, and there he stood: God of Thunder with his hands shoved into the pockets of worn jeans. His pale hair hung loose, softening his austere expression—so surreal yet so unassuming. Even in scuffed boots and an old flannel shirt, Thorin’s magnificence made my heart dance an eager jig.

I stepped back, and Thorin crossed the threshold. His movement stirred the air and brought a whiff of late summer sun showers. Thorin and I faced each other in the small area between the foot of the bed and the dresser. Part of me wanted to scurry away, but I pushed the urge aside and met the full weight of his gaze. Darkness showed in his eyes, but not the depthless black of rage or other intense emotions. Maybe that meant he would be reasonable.

“So, Sunshine. I’ve reconstructed a timeline from what I already know, but I’d like to hear from you just exactly how long you’ve been hiding from me.”

“No ‘Good to see you. How’s it been?’” I asked. “Just straight to the inquisition.”

Thorin said nothing but glared at me.

I sighed and slumped down on the corner of the bed. “I wasn’t hiding.” Big fat lie number one.

“How long?” he growled.

“I wasn’t hiding, not from you, anyway.” Big fat lie number two.

“From who, then?”

I arched a brow in a meaningful way. “Do you really need me to make a list?”

Thorin grimaced and waved for me to continue.

“As far as anyone knew, I was dead. And regular dead is a way better alternative to being chewed up by a wolf to fulfill some cataclysmic prophecy, no?”

“You can see how well that worked out.”

“I made it five weeks,” I said. “I was on the road for one week and in San Diego for four before that Rolf guy showed up and started making threats. How can you not know who he is? Only so many of you survived Ragnarok.”

“Reincarnation, a Jötunn, or simply a well-connected human who has deep pockets and access to high-level technology—he could be anyone or no one.”

“He wasn’t no one. And he wasn’t simple.”