Page 49 of Heart of Mischief

Just great, thought Charlie.He’s about to give us a solution that requires me to be the child of a god. But I’m not.

They were never going to find Rattatosk’s master.

“You already know which realms the joturri holding the leash is located in, but not their exact location. You need more precise data. Well. As you both undoubtedly know, Loki possesses a plethora of powerful magic. Though he’s best known for his abilities to shape-shift, conjure, and levitate, the god of mischief has another, often-overlooked power that could prove essential here.”

“What’s that?” Elias asked.

“Some call it dredging, others detection, but it all means the same thing: Loki, son of Laufey, possesses the ability to trace the signatures of magical objects. To seek them out with only his mind and determine their approximate location.”

Yep, Charlie thought.Definitely doomed.

“Has the girl begun training her magical abilities?”

“Oh yes,” Elias said, jumping in before Charlie could say anything. “We’ve been practicing since she learned of her true heritage. She’s made excellent progress so far.”

“I certainly hope so,” said Thrym. “Because dredging is no easy skill to master. She’ll need a solid magical foundation before she can even attempt it.”

“We’re well on our way to creating that foundation.”

“Once she’s ready, you’ll need to collect something related to either the leash or Rattatosk. That object will serve as the core of the dredging spell.”

“Not a problem,” said Elias.

Huge problem, thought Charlie.

“Good. I’ll see you when it’s done.” The giant began to lie back down—his head falling toward the northernmost part of the beach as his legs extended south, beginning to resettle into the shape of the dunes they’d been when Charlie first arrived—but he paused halfway. “Oh, and mare?”

“Yes?” Elias asked.

“This is your last chance to repay your debt. If you don’t bringme Thor’s hammer within the month, I’ll find you and kill you myself.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “Understood?”

Elias saluted with one hand. “Very much, sir.”

“Excellent.” Thrym yawned as he sunk all the way back down onto the earth. Huge hands raked sand up and over his body, re-creating his cocoon of soft quartz and silica. “I’m ready to take… my throne back,” he said, the words slurring as if he were already half asleep. “I’m ready to… see my family again.”

16

They trekked all the wayback tothe parking lot before they dared to discuss what just went down.

“Right,” Charlie said. “So, you’re headed to Helheim, then?”

Elias shot her a confused look. “To Helheim? What for?”

“To ask Loki to dredge the location of the leash, obviously. We both knowIcan’t do it. So, just skip on down to Helheim and ask your boss to do it for us.”

“Loki is… busy at the moment.” Elias glanced away, clearing his throat. “This mission is mine, and my boss made it very clear that I’m to complete it on my own. He won’t be happy if we go to him for help.”

Busy with what,Charlie wanted to ask. Instead, she said, “Then we’re screwed.”

Henry squawked in agreement.

“Nonsense,” said Elias. “All we have to do is teach you to access your powers.”

If Charlie had a mouthful of water, she would have spat it out. “My powers,” she repeated. “That’s hilarious. You’re hilarious.”

“You’re the child of a god, Charlotte. Of course you have powers.”

“For the thousandth time, Elias. Loki isnotmy father. It isn’t possible. He’s been locked away in Helheim for gods only know how many eons. How could he have met my mother? How could he have fatheredonechild with her, let alone three?”