Page 48 of Heart of Mischief

Plus, Rattatosk had killed four people already. Even if Elias was wrong and his true targetwasn’ther and Mason, the monster needed to be stopped before he could kill anyone else. And Thrym was their best chance at getting the info they needed to stop him.

She would play along. But she would do so while keeping her guard up. Always.

Looking up into Thrym’s SUV-size eyes, Charlie smiled. “That’s right.”

“Excellent,” said Thrym. “Stand, child of Loki.”

She did as she was told, not correcting him as to her lineage. Her “divine” blood was clearly an essential piece of this story.

The giant surveyed her for a few seconds, mossy eyes unblinking. “How soon can you get into Thrudheim and steal the hammer for me? I am ready to take back my throne and bring the few remaining joturri home to Jotunheim.”

Charlie started to respond, but Elias jumped in on her behalf.

“In no time at all,” he said. “There’s just one small obstacle standing in our way.”

Thrym’s expression soured. “What now?”

“It’s Rattatosk. The messenger squirrel.”

The joturri growled. “Oh, I’m familiar with Rattatosk. Nasty little rodent. Running up and down Yggdrasil, spreading lies on behalf of the gods.”

“Yes, well. That nasty little rodent is currently on a murder rampage a few miles from here. We don’t know who’s holding his leash; we only know that it’s a joturri.”

“A joturri?” Thrym asked, wrinkling his brow—a gesture that caused a small landslide of dirt down his face. “Why would one of my kind waste their time killing creatures as insignificant as humans?”

“That’s what we don’t know,” said Elias. Oh, he was good. He’d thought through every detail. “We only know that they’re targeting teenagers—one boy and one girl—and that their two selves are split between Asgard and Muspelheim.”

“Muspelheim?” Thrym shook his head, dislodging a few stones from his forehead that tumbled down to the ground. “No joturri would set foot on Muspelheim. It is a wasteland of fire and rock. No soil to bathe in. No roots to keep us grounded.”

“You can’t think of a single reason for a joturri to visit Muspelheim?” Elias asked. “Not even to aid Surtur in the destruction of the Asgardian gods?”

“I would dance for seven moon cycles straight if I saw the Asgardians done away with. But I would never go anywhere near Muspelheim. Not even for that.”

Charlie’s shoulders slumped. This whole morning had been a waste of time. Thrym knew nothing.

“What does Rattatosk have to do with the half human’s ability to fetch Mjollnir?” the giant asked. “If anything, I would think it good news that the beast is running around killing humans. Thegods must be distracted, trying to put their old errand boy down. They always did like to pretend to care about mortals.”

“That’s exactly the problem,” said Elias. “Odin has all the gods working around-the-clock to try and catch Rattatosk. Thor hasn’t gone to bed in weeks.”

“Mmm. Thatisa problem,” Thrym agreed. His head whipped suddenly to the left, sending a fountain of dirt flying. “Notnow, Edward,” he yelled. “I told you: raspberry tarts for the appetizer, apple crumble for dessert. I don’t want any of our guests leaving hungry. Now, where’s my apron?”

Charlie and Elias exchanged a wide-eyed look.

The dune shook as Thrym’s head rumbled back into place. “Where was I?” His mossy eyes blinked several times. “Ah, yes. Rattatosk.”

“Can you think of any way to find out who’s controlling him?” Elias asked, quickly morphing the amusement on his face into concern. “Do the joturri maintain some sort of communication network?”

“Not formally,” said Thrym. “It’s too risky, when the giants want us extinct.” He paused, lifting a gigantic hand for the first time since he’d sat up. He scratched the trees on his head as his eyes drifted off toward the horizon. “However…”

Elias and Charlie exchanged hopeful glances.

“Yes,” the joturri said after several long moments lost in thought. “Yes, there is one thing you can do.”

“Tell us,” Charlie said.

“Please,” Elias added, shooting her a look that said,Be polite or you’ll be breakfast instead.

“You’re in luck,” said Thrym as his eyes refocused on Elias and Charlie. “It is a great boon that you found a child of Loki. If you hadn’t, what I’m about to explain would not be possible.”