ANA

Feeling conflicted when one's life is potentially on the line isn't an auspicious way to start the day. After a heavy breakfast of sausage gravy over biscuits, Fergus and I hopped into the Mule and he took me on a tour of the battlefield to come. Took us about forty minutes to reach the Three Pines. It marked the boundary between his property and a gravel lane simply known as the service road. Turning to me he, he scratched his hairy chin and asked, "Do you want to stay at the house tonight? Or do you want to see him?"

I swallowed, knowing I couldn't just hide away forever. I'd have to see him again, if only once to tell him to go visit Hell for an extended stay. "I don't want to see him, but I cannot stay at the house, not knowing what's happening and waiting for you guys to come back. No, I want to participate tonight. I have to, got no real choice."

He put a hand on my shoulder and stared intently into my eyes. "Very well. Weapon choice? You can't see him if you're not protected."

Giving him half a smile, I replied, "The Sig Sauer .357 and the spear you made me."

"I likes. Loki stays by your side, as well. Going to need a Valkyrie helm?" Fergus stretched his arms high into the air before rolling his shoulders to relax them.

That elicited a giggle. "No, not up to Valkyrie level quite yet." And I found out that the typical horned helmet associated with Vikings is a falsehood. They didn't have horned headgear, although the Valkyries had wings on their helmets. Ah, things the Viking had to teach me.

Fergus got out, hung up a green canvas rucksack in one of the pine trees. "Ah, the welcome gift for your Taylor. Water balloons of stinky stuff."

I wrinkled my nose as I stepped down from the Mule's cab. "I don't want to know what kind of stinky stuff."

"That is correct, you don't. But Taylor gets a little revenge." He found a long, fairly straight branch, tossed it to me. He found one for himself and we began to spar with our makeshift spears. He twirled his like a helicopter propeller over his head before lunging the shaft toward my face. I brought my stick up in a sweeping motion, blocking his blow. I faked with the tip, as if I aimed for his face, but used the butt-end to almost hit his crotch. He laughed. "Mercy is a good thing in certain circumstances. You're learning well."

He swung his stick around his back, only for it to come over a shoulder, aimed for my stomach. I side-stepped and brought my spear around to thwack! him across the back. "Sorry for the cheapshot."

Fergus was done playing and used his makeshift spear to knock me in the knees, then attack my ankles, causing me to plop onto my ass. "Remember, last man standing is usually the winner." He gloated. I grabbed a handful of the forest duff and chucked it at his face. Being light, it didn't even make it chest high. "Oh, that's sad, lass. Rocks are better, got more oomph. Dirt is only effective if it gets in the eyes." He reached a hand out. I grasped it and he lifted me to my feet. "If you aren't staying in the house, you'll need to be fierce. I suggest using the infrared setting on the night vision goggles. It's spiffy."

"Duly noted." I brushed the decomposing leaf litter from my rump.

He crossed his muscular arms over his broad and chest. "What's up with you and O'Malley? I don't like that hand-condom thing. You guys getting worried for each other rather than focusing on the task at hand could potentially be an issue tonight."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I like him, Fergus. But I told him I didn't want to get involved until after things are settled with Christian. He was okay with that."

The Viking shook his head. "I don't like it. Not one bit. But you are both adults and fuck if anyone ever listens to me." He pulled out his cigarette case and lit a joint, inhaling deeply before slowly releasing the smoke. "There's billions of people on the planet and he has to declare his intentions on you, Shieldmaiden. I don't like it."

"Why don't you like the idea of O'Malley and I together?" I couldn't resist asking him, surprised by his strong opinion.

It was his turn to shrug shoulders. "I don't want my cousin to be a rebound. He's a good guy, but he's not the average gent. I don't want the man hurt."

I frowned. "I can understand that, and I already told him I needed to get things right in my own head before he and I explore anything together."

Fergus sighed. "Well, at least one of you is using your head."

Scoffing, I replied, "Well, I come equipped with only one. Don't have the auxiliary brain issue like guys." Smirk.

He laughed. "True enough. Well, wench, time for us to head inland." We piled back into the Mule and meandered toward the house, every now and again Fergus would point out a tree stand where sniper shots could be made or trail cams hung from branches. Some just took photos, others remotely transmitted live-video to Fergus' TV. That's how The Viking planned on keeping tabs on who is where. He cut notches in the tree at hip height to mark the best path to the brambles. The idea was to wander in the dark with Loki, making noise and giving him the heeby-jeebies. Pelt with a tainted paintball, try to get more animals in on the action.

I could do that. With more glee than necessary. Felt at war with myself, though. I knew without a doubt I needed my freedom. Wasn't sure how I'd react when I see Christian, and not knowing bothered me quite a bit. Also, Fergus' views on Alistair and myself. What will I do when tonight is over? Can't stay with Fergus forever. Could I leave Alistair in the past as I forge my future? Or was he willing to come along for the ride? So many things took up the space in my mind that that I felt pensive about the coming night.

The day crept toward afternoon. We reached the house, and Alistair had lunch ready. My appetite seemed to fade with each hour as the summer sky began to darken into twilight. After dinner, I dressed in dark jeans, a black and blue flannel shirt over a white tee, and hiking books. Fergus and Alistair both wore camouflage and black boots, balaclavas that showed only their eyes.

"Wow. I feel underdressed." Couldn't keep the comment to myself.

The Viking handed me the shoulder holster, which I buckled into place before sliding the .357 pistol into place. My spear leaned next to the front door, the ash handle burnished with beeswax to a golden glow. Fergus tossed me a black knit cap, which I used to help bundle my hair from sight and keep it contained.

Fergus turned the television to a channel which displayed ten trail cam feeds. One was aimed at the three pines, others at various trees splashed with game attractant, the path to the brambles.

At ten-thirteen, headlights shown on the TV as a black SUV drove slowly down the gravel road. My heart leapt to my throat and anger burned through me.

Tonight is my revolution, the one time Christian and I are fairly even. He may have strength, but I was taught to be quick. He hated guns, so odds are he's not carrying any weapon. I wanted out in the hills, to stalk him like an animal. To make him feel fear, to know he wasn't in control here.

I didn't know how tonight would play out. But I did know with all my being that there's no way in Hell that Christian would manage to drag me home.

Not alive, anyhow.