Within seconds the four of them were in Valhalla. Tamsin hurried and grabbed the vial Kara had, placing the liquid on the lips of Dyson and Hale. It took a minute but the two of them sputtered awake and shielded their eyes instantly.
"Damn, can someone turn off the floodlights?" Hale said as he got up.
"Why is it so bright here?" Dyson said as he shifted into a sitting position.
"It's just right. Earth is too dull if you ask me," Tamsin said admiring the bright sky.
The field Kara zapped them into was alive with beautiful flowers of every hue. The grass was a bright healthy green and the trees were majestic and loomed large over them.
"Even the smell is the same. That freshness, as if a lawn has just been mowed. Wow, I didn't realize how much I missed this place until now," Tamsin said circling as she tried to take in everything.
"It hasn't been the same since you've been gone but yeah it's still pretty awesome," Kara said as she took Tamsin's hand. "Come on, we don't have much time before the other Valkyrie's awaken."
Dyson and Hale followed as Kara and Tamsin walked towards a small cottage nestled among the trees.
"So who is this we're going to see?" Hale asked.
"Her name is Brunhilde. She is one of Odin's main advisors. She helps train Valkyrie's but also keeps a close eye on us. She is a seer but she doesn't predict the future as much as she observes it," Tamsin said pushing aside some brush.
"What's the difference? Asked Dyson.
"Well events are fluid and can change for many reasons. Think of it as many different colored threads leading to various alternate endings. She can see all of these threads or possibilities but the choices we make decide what actually happens. Nothing is set in stone."
"She can also see the past and present which makes it alot harder to sneak around," Kara said giving Tamsin a knowing glance.
"I remember. But she never used her knowledge against us. It was always to guide us and try to make us better Valkyries," Tamsin said, her voice taking on a nostalgic tone.
"Oh really, and here I always thought you resented me," a woman's voice said from behind them.
The group all jumped as they turned around but then Kara and Tamsin smiled so the two guys relaxed.
"My child you have returned as I always knew you would," Brunhilde said holding out her arms.
Tamsin embraced the woman, reveling in the warmth of the hug and her presence.
"Of course you knew," Tamsin said as she stepped back,
Brunhilde was just as she remembered. At almost six feet tall she struck an imposing figure. Her blonde hair was almost white in its brightness and her eyes were an ice blue. The only other person Tamsin had met with such piercing eyes was Kenzi. She also had a very stocky build and had been known to battle more than her share of men, often besting them. As a young Valkyrie while most others yearned to be like Ein or Trima, two Valkyrie elders, Tamsin had always wanted the fortitude and strength of Brunhilde.
"So, shall we go inside?" Brunhilde said after introductions were made with Dyson and Hale.
They all entered the cottage that while small on the outside was quite large inside.
"Should we keep watch at the windows?" Hale asked as he peeked around a curtain.
"Might be a good idea. I don't normally have visitors this early but one never knows," Brunhilde said with a sparkle in her eye.
"But you would, of anyone I suppose," Hale said sheepishly, backing away from the window.
Brunhilde removed her jacket and walked over to a table. She lifted up a medium sized crystal and placed it on the floor. She asked everyone to pull up chairs and closed her eyes in concentration.
"I'm curious. Why did we have to come to Valhalla to find out what's going on with you?" Dyson said to Tamsin in a whisper.
"Because a regular seer cannot divine or see the life of a Valkyrie. This can only be done by another of our kind," Tamsin replied.
She was going to say more but she noticed the crystal starting to shake. Suddenly Brunhilde opened her eyes and an image was projected from the crystal. It showed them in the room.
"So my child, what do you want to know?" Brunhilde said closing her eyes once again.
"I was in an accident several months ago. I need to know what happened directly after. Everything from that time is unclear in my mind."
Brunhilde smiled but it was one of sadness, "Someone has gone to great lengths to make sure you did not remember. What about you wolf, do you have any memories?"
Dyson shifted in his seat, "No, only vague things like being rehabilitated."
Brunhilde nodded as if she expected that answer then opened her eyes again staring at Tamsin," Look and see what was and what may be." She gestured for Tamsin to step forward.
The Valkyrie rose from her seat and stepped into the image the crystal was projecting. She closed her eyes and when she reopened them she was in a hospital. She looked down at herself and realized she was inside of Brunhilde's projection. She was laying on a hospital bed attached to an IV drip. Her eyes scanned the room and she was startled to see Bo standing in a corner pushing the door closed. She crept over to Tamsin and stepped forward to give her a kiss. It was obvious that while the Valkyrie was aware of her surroundings, Bo couldn't tell she was awake. She saw the chi the succubus was attempting to pass into her body but it kept floating away from Tamsin's mouth.
"Damn it," Bo said standing up.
A figure appeared in the room coming from the same corner Bo had been in. It was Odin and Tamsin stilled herself even though she knew he couldn't see her.
"My child, her injuries are quite severe. And with her at the end of her life cycle it will be that much harder for her to heal."
"Father, why can't I give her chi. I tried once before and the same thing happened," Bo said sadly. Tamsin's heart ached at the sorrow in her voice. "What good is this power if I can't use it to save the people I care about?"
Odin stepped up to Bo and placed his hand on her shoulder," You will learn soon enough, your powers will know no bounds. In this case, the girl has reached the end of her life cycle and giving her chi is like extending her life. It goes against the universal plan for a Valkyrie therefore you cannot do it. But there is a caveat in this situation."
"What? I'll do anything," Bo said, her voice filled with joy at the thought.
"Your blood is very powerful because of your grandfather but it takes on different properties due to your succubus side. In this case you can actually give the Valkyrie some of your strength by transfusing your blood into her and thereby be granted the ability to share chi."
"But what if I give her my blood...I don't want to hurt her," Bo said.
Tamsin could feel she was being pulled out of the projection as she was only able to catch pieces of the conversation.
"...ultimately you will save her," Odin said.
Tamsin closed her eyes and when she reopened them she was back inside of the room. She looked at her friends and while Kara looked confused, Hale and Dyson both had shocked expressions.
"Brunhilde, why couldn't I see everything that occurred?"
"Whatever Odin did to block the memory also affected how I see it. Seems to me he was determined for you to remain ignorant about what took place," Brunhilde said, her voice sounding concerned.
"There is obviously more to this than it seems. Why do you two have those looks on your faces?" Tamsin said nervously.
The two men looked at each other and Hale indicated that Dyson should talk.
"Tamsin, Trick is the Blood King."
"What? That would make him one of the most powerful fae alive. Nobody thought it important to share that?"
"Wasn't ours to share, "Hale said quietly.
"That's not what's really important here. The fact that Bo infused her blood inside of you is," Dyson said motioning for Tamsin to sit down. "A couple of years ago during sex Bo accidentally got blood on some scratches of the guy she was fooling around with. He became obsessed with her and almost married her. In essence, Bo's blood can enthrall people."
"You mean she can control them?"
"It's something like that. Control, entice, and make the person feel like there is no one else they would rather have. Do whatever the enthraller asks," Dyson said sitting back.
"So the two would feel connected, mentally and physically?"
Brunhilde spoke up, "Yes, the two would feel a strong connection. Could communicate unconsciously, even in dreams."
Tamsin turned at the mention of dreams and felt herself go cold.
"And Bo knew this?" Tamsin said turning back to Dyson. He shook his head yes. "Brunhilde, Odin had to know what would happen. Why would he want her to do this, what could he gain from it?"
"My child, He is a very powerful man. I can only assume this is part of something much greater."
"I know Odin has a shield against you being able to see things as it pertains to him, but could you see something that has happened to Bo?"
Brunhilde tilted her head in thought, "Perhaps, give me a moment." The elder Valkyrie walked over to a cabinet and began rifling through her things. She found what she was looking for and placed it beside the original crystal. Once again she closed her eyes and this time an image was projected from both crystals.
Everyone leaned in to see what they were looking at. It was Bo lying down on what looked like a stone pillar. She was dressed in what Tamsin recognized as the robes of the royal court. Her hair was spread like a halo above her and her eyes were closed. A man stood at the top of the pillar, his hand massaging her temple. The succubus was writhing on the pillar but not in pleasure, the pain was evident on her face. Tamsin could hear Dyson growling in anger beside her.
Something about the man looked familiar so Tamsin moved in closer to the projection and gasped. She recognized the man standing over Bo. He lifted his face as if looking above the succubus's body and stared right at the Valkyrie. His bright green eyes seared into her causing her heart to skip a beat.
"Brunhilde, what is Danelius doing alive let alone with Bo?" Tamsin said walking to the woman and kneeling in front of her. "He shouldn't even be in this realm."
The elder stared down at Tamsin and sighed, "He was forgiven for his trespasses and allowed back into His court..."
"Why? What he did with his power is unforgivable."
"It is not our place to question Him Tamsin."
"Then whose place is it? I always thought you strong but this..."Tamsin said as she stood up and pointed to the dissipating image. "Someone needs to challenge Odin; it's obvious He's gone mad."
"And who will do this? You child? She who has been cast out because she was foolhardy and did not know her place?" Brunhilde rose from her chair and towered over the young Valkyrie.
"Sister come, lest you say something in anger you cannot take back," Kara said grabbing Tamsin's arm.
Tamsin pulled her arm back and stood her ground before the elder Valkyrie.
"You're right, I was foolhardy and young but at least I made a choice that was not dictated by another. If Odin is attempting what I think and plans on using Bo I won't rest until this world has gone up in flames."
She waited for Brunhilde to strike out at her for her insolence; instead she pulled Tamsin in for a hug. "Oh my temptuous girl, may the fire in your spirit never die. And if anyone can save His daughter, I believe it is you," she said releasing her.
"Brunhilde, is there any way to know what's going to happen?" Tamsin said hoping for anything to go on.
Brunhilde held her face in her hands, "When it comes to Him, impossible. But I know this; your life and your death are tied up in this woman. Tread carefully my love."
Tamsin nodded her head. She hugged Brunhilde again and promised to be safe. The group went back outside, once again blinded by the brightness. Kara pulled Tamsin back before they went ahead.
"Are you going to be okay? This sounds like something really serious. From what I can tell He may have been using this as a punishment."
"Instead of killing me, he wanted to make me his daughter's slave. Gotta love the ingenuity," Tamsin said bitterly.
"We still don't know her role in this, it seems she was trying to protect you," Kara said trying to be reassuring.
"And if she really knew me she would know I'd rather die than be enslaved...again," Tamsin said, angered by the weakness in her voice.
Kara grabbed ahold of Tamsin's arms, "Sister, if you really love this woman and want to keep her safe you must tell her who you really are. There can be no secrets because as we've seen there is no limit to what he will do to ensure whatever his future plans are."
"But what if telling her changes how she sees me?" Tamsin asked, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Then she doesn't deserve you. But from what you've told me I don't think she will judge you as harshly as you have judged yourself," Kara said pulling her into a hug.
Eventually breaking their embrace, Tamsin gathered herself and they rejoined Hale and Dyson to leave Valhalla. As they prepared to return to earth, all that echoed in the Valkyrie's mind were Brunhilde's last words, Your life and your death are tangled up in this woman. Tread carefully my love...