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“It just is.”
I narrow my eyes. “Is this about that job at the museum in Ireland?”
Every few years, the museum hires one doctoral graduate from the United States to work for them on special projects. The position is always temporary, but it’s the perfect way to start using a degree and get experience. This year just happens to be the year they’re hiring, and the project is on Valhalla.
“Maybe.”
“Look, they’re going to hire the best person for the job. Maybe instead of harassing me to change my topic, you could spend your time putting in the work and make yourself the best person.”
What I don’t tell him is I’m not his competition. I’d love the job, but I can’t leave my dad to move to a new country. Not so soon after losing Mom.
“Why are you being such a bitch about this?”
“I’m not, Jeff. I’m doing what’s best for me. Nothing you can say will change my mind.”
Jeff stomps away, muttering under his breath as he goes. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but I have no doubt it’s nothing kind.
That didn’t last long.
7
Viking
“Wakey, wakey.”
Groaning, I roll over and open my eyes to see Acid leaning against a wall with his arms
crossed over his chest and a smirk on his face. I flip him off as I glance around at my surroundings.
“Was I sleeping?” I ask.
Acid pushes away from the wall and crosses the small room toward me. “We all slept. I don’t remember a fucking thing after the Valkyries shimmered us down here.”
“So we made it? To Ohio?”
A short woman with gray hair bustles into the room carrying a stack of clothes. “You made it, indeed,” she comments as she drops the bundle on the bed at my feet. “Now get up and get dressed. We have a lot to do.”
Before I can react, she’s gone, and I’m left to stare at Acid.
“Ms. Steinbeck,” he supplies.
“Right, well…”
“Breakfast is on the table. I suggest you do what she says and get down there if you’re wanting any food. Everyone else is up and chowing down.”
Acid leaves, and I drop back down onto the pillow with a grunt. It figures that the first time I’ve slept in many, many years would also be the one time I don’t have the luxury of enjoying it.
I climb out of bed and rifle through the clothes Ms. Steinbeck provided. I’m naked, as it’s easier to transition that way, so I pull on a pair of boxer briefs. Next, I grab a pair of jeans, a soft black shirt, and the cut with the Valhalla Rising MC patch on the back. Feeling a bit more normal, I go in search of the others.
It takes me less than a minute to find the kitchen where Acid, Inferno, Reaper, and Demo are sitting around a table shoveling food into their mouths. Ms. Steinbeck is flitting around the room and making sure that my brothers have any and everything they need.
“Sit, sit,” she says when she sees me. “I’ll fill a plate for you.”
I stare at her for a moment, not used to being told what to do by anyone other than Odin, but she doesn’t seem the least bit phased by my hesitation. After setting my breakfast in front of the only remaining chair, Ms. Steinbeck returns to the counter and busies herself cleaning up.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” I ask her.
“Don’t you worry about me,” she replies absently.
