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“Valkyrie,” she repeats. “And as such, I command respect.” Her eyes narrow as she keeps her gaze focused on me. “As for what I meant… Do you like it when someone assumes you’re a Viking because of your name? Or that you’re a Neanderthal because you carry an ax?”
“I… No.”
She turns to take in the others. “Never make assumptions. Do I make myself clear?” Murmurs of agreement fill the room. “Good. Now, as Odin explained, albeit poorly, your task is to ensure that the information Ms. Ashbridge includes in her final research paper is accurate.”
“How are we supposed to do that?” Demo asks.
Ms. Steinbeck moves away from me so she can clearly face all of us at once. “How you do it is up to you, but there are a few rules you must adhere to.”
“The Warrior Code,” I supply.
“Yes, that,” she agrees. “Remember, you are not to tell anyone, including Ms. Ashbridge, who you really are. She must not know that the lot of you are really dead.” Ms. Steinbeck takes a breath. “In order to aid you with that, you’ve been given atune-up,shall we say, so that you now sleep. I will provide each of you with a cell phone, as well as cash and credit cards so that you can buy whatever it is you may need while you’re here.”
“What about our bikes?” Reaper asks.
Ms. Steinbeck grins. “Ah, yes, the motorcycles. You’ll find five Harleys parked in the garage for your use here in the human world. They’ve been customized to fit each of you, and I have no doubt you’ll be able to sort out which one belongs to whom.”
“That’s all fine and dandy,” Inferno begins. “But simply giving us the basics isn’t going to help us blend in. What’s our story? Whatcanwe tell her?”
“The VRMC is already in place in the United States, so use that. Make contact with them, see what they’ve got their hands in, and join them. I’ve already purchased a building that will act as your clubhouse while you’re in Indiana, and I’ve put out a call to have the US chapter join you there in a few days. Working with them will help you blend into society beyond Ms. Ashbridge.”
“Wait a second,” I demand. “This sounded like a simple mission, but joining the other VRMC, getting involved in human affairs… I figured we’d be here for a few days, not weeks or even months.”
Ms. Steinbeck chuckles. “Assumptions, my dear. They’ll get you into trouble.”
What the actual fuck?
“It wasn’t that big a leap,” Inferno snaps. “Why do I get the feeling that there’s more at play here than this Makayla bitch?”
“The five of you will leave tomorrow,” Ms. Steinbeck says, ignoring Inferno’s question. “In your folders, you’ll find the address of the clubhouse, as well as all other pertinent information about Makayla Elizabeth Ashbridge. You should use the rest of the day to study the info, memorize it, and get your heads on straight because I will be burning the packets before you leave. It wouldn’t do anyone any good for dossiers about a woman to be found.” Ms. Steinbeck turns to leave, but halts with a snap of her fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot… You must remember, if you should come into contact with a Legacy, do not engage them or attempt any sort of revenge. And never,ever, use your gifts in front of humans.”
With that, she bustles from the room, leaving my brothers and me alone. Silence fills the air for a moment, but it’s quickly broken by all of us talking at once.
“Shut up!” I bellow, raising my hand to quiet them. They press their lips together and stare at me expectantly. “One at a time.” I turn to Inferno. “VP, you first.”
“This is total bullshit,” he barks.
“You think I don’t know that?” Running my hand through my hair, I heave a sigh. “Look, the sooner we get through this, the sooner we can go home. I’m just as thrilled as the rest of you, but we’re here to do a job, so let’s do it.”
“Pres, why would she warn us about engaging a Legacy?” Acid asks. “I know that’s part of our code, but it’s like she’s expecting us to come in contact with one.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the code,” Reaper spits out. “If I see a descendant of the person who ended my life, I’m going to engage.”
“I thought you were glad to die?” I ask sarcastically.
Reaper smirks. “I didn’t say I was gonna hurt them. Shit, I’ll thank the poor bastard and shake his hand.” He shrugs. “Or her. Yeah, that could be interesting.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about the whole Legacy thing,” I say, despite doing exactly that. “The chances of running into one are extremely low.”
“Famous last words,” Acid mutters.
“Let’s just get this over with, shall we?”
“Sure thing, Pres,” Demo says.
“Take the day and study,” I order. “I don’t want any of you fucking this up or dragging the mission out.”
“You got it.”
