The wall closest to us is covered in runes depicting the story of Fenrir in beautiful drawings. A massive statue of a great wolf makes me gasp.
I study the drawings. “What is this place?”
“A temple to Fenrir.”
I stumble away, bumping into Fell. The Volva stands a few feet away.
“How did you get here?” Glancing around I look for another entrance.
She smiles. “I am always where I’m needed most. You’ve met my husband.”
I tilt my head toward her. “You’re what now?”
“I sent him to you. I couldn’t share information when I’m constantly being watched, so he had to come in disguise.”
He died. “Oh,” I cover my mouth. “I am so sorry”
She cackles. “They didn’t kill him. I made sure of that.” Her eyes flash with anger, and I wonder if we’ve underestimated her all this time.
“We’ve been here a long time. I watched this pack rise and fall. I stayed out of it until I was called to do otherwise.” She sounds weary.
“What do you mean?” I study her face, missing the message she’s trying to deliver.
“Let me show you.” She smiles gently, leading us further into the cave.
We stop at a statue of a female beautifully carved with a wolf at her side. “What is this?” I wait patiently for her to respond.
“Skadi. We’ve tried to keep the old ways alive down here. Having my gifts, I feel more connected to the magic that makes us possible. As the others in the pack looked to the future and modern ways, I held on to the old.”
“The goddess of skiing and the hunt. Also, a goddess who understands the need for revenge.” She brushes a hand over the wolf at Skadi’s feet, and studies me pointedly.
Passing more statues, we reach another opening. A small dwelling carved into the mountain greets us. “This is my home, but the place you seek is beyond.” Leaving her home, we enter a smaller cavern. She lights two scones. In the light I see a temple.
Intricately carved life-sized stone statues of Fenrir sit on either side of a large stone altar. Large pieces of Black Agate rest on either side of a brass bowl with sweet grass and the nine sacred herbs. The magic in this place sparks something inside me. My hands tingle and my ears ring. We’re in the presence of some serious power.
“I’ve heard Fenrir’s call my entire life, but I’ve never been one of his chosen children. Not like you. I’ve waited a long time for you to be revealed to me.”
“And now?” Cadoc’s voice is respectful, but firm.
“Now your clan has been chosen. I’ve fulfilled my task of keeping the hearth burning. This is your space to commune with him and receive the counsel you’re going to need.”
Kirk looks from me to the Volva. “Do we win?”
She turns to him. “The paths are great and varied. None of us is on a course already set.”
Bo’s shoulders slump. “You don’t know then?”
“The future lies with you,” she holds her hands out, palms facing us.
Bo hums. Forehead lined, and lips thinned, he looks thoughtful.
“Soon, you’ll believe in something more than yourself.”
Her peaceful knowing has Bo silently shifting his weight. That’s an impressive trick I want to learn.
She lifts her head, hearing something we can’t. “I’m needed elsewhere. This place has the answers you seek.”
She walks away leaving me more confused.
Fell scratches his head. “Did you get any of that?”
“I think—there’s something here we need,” Kirk says.
The scones flicker in the room and the temperature drops. I shiver. A deep cold settles into my spine. Prickling energy crawls over my skin like bugs. Clouds form from our breath.
Kirk presses closer, sharing his body heat. I glance around as my stomach cramps.
“Did you feel that?” I whisper.
“Yes.” Bo scans the area, as Cadoc sniffs.
Cadoc’s brow furrows. “Smells like rotting flesh.”
I cover my mouth with my hands, breathing shallowly.
The blood leaves Fell’s face, and his eyes grow haunted.
“Fell?”
