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  Hellbent

  Tina Glasneck

  Contents

  Blurb

  Characters & Places

  Part I

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Part 2: Welcome to the Apocalypse

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Epilogue

  Also by Tina Glasneck

  About the Author

  Hellbent © 2017 Tina Glasneck

  Cover by Ravenborn Covers

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  Blurb

  When the Gods get upset, Lady Hel has a way of breaking loose!

  * * *

  Sif is a struggling college student caught in between the Gods for an epic battle. All is well until both Lady Hel, the goddess of death, and Thor show up to pay her a visit.

  * * *

  Lady Hel has not been restored to her kingdom, as promised. Instead she is still exiled on Earth. With time on her hands, she’s stuck on the idea of family and her discarded kin, when inspiration hits. She doesn’t need to wait for Ragnarok to come for the Gods to receive their comeuppance. No, there is no time like the present to hit them where it hurts—their champion Thor.

  * * *

  Thor’s in trouble with Odin, the All-Father, for disobeying his orders—close to treason. And, he’s also found his way to Midgard just in time.

  * * *

  All roads lead to Sif, and she’ll have to choose sides, heart or honor, carefully, or mankind will pay the ultimate price.

  * * *

  Broken promises spark enmity. And when stuck between two Gods, how’s a woman to choose?

  Characters & Places

  Alfheim: The realm of the elves (Light Elves).

  Asgard: One of the nine realms in Norse Mythology; the location of where the Aesir (the gods) live.

  Baldr: The god of light, previously killed by a mistletoe arrow. He now resides in Helheim with his wife, Nanna.

  Dark Elves: Reside in the realm of Svartalfheim, invaders of Earth; also called Dökkálfar. The Dark Elves live underground and are often mistaken for dwarves.

  Dwarves: Dwarves are known as master smiths and the creators of many of the gods most cherished items, such as Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. They are believed to live within stones or boulders; they are humanoid, but unlike the current understanding, dwarves were not considered to be short.

  Dis (plural disir): An ancestral spirit.

  Elves: There are two different types of elves—light and dark elves. Light elves are connected to the gods, and are considered by many to be demigods, and extremely beautiful.

  Fenrir: Known as the “great” wolf, is the son of Loki, and the brother of Lady Hel.

  Freyja: Norse goddess, married to Odin, stepmother to Thor. She lives in Asgard.

  Garmr: Lady Hel’s faithful dog.

  Harley: The reincarnated Erlking, and Lady Hel’s mate.

  Helheim: Also called Hel, is the one of the places the dead are received. It is ruled by Lady Hel. Helheim means covered, and cannot be compared with the Christian Hell of torture, fire or brimstone. Instead, some sources reference Helheim as a cold place, but still where feasts are held (such as is the case for the god Baldr, who is now there).

  Heimdall: He is a Norse god, who is considered to be the gods’ watchman. He resides at the entry to Asgard.

  Jötunn (plural Jötnar): The race of giants who fight against the Norse gods.

  Jörmungandr: Also called the Midgard Serpent, he is the son of Loki and brother of Lady Hel. It is prophesied that at Ragnarok, he will kill Thor.

  Lady Hel: The ruler of Helheim, a final resting place for the sick, elderly, and those who have not died with honor.

  Loki: Loki is the god of mischief, the mother of Sleipnir, and the father of Lady Hel, Fenrir and Jörmungandr, as well as Vali and Nari/Narfi.

  Midgard: Earth, is referenced as the term Midgard in Norse mythology.

  Naglfar: The ship made of the dead’s nails and hair.

  Norns: The three goddesses of fate.

  Odin: He is called the All-Father, king and ruler of Asgard. He is married to Freyja, and the father to Thor and Baldr.

  Ragnarok: The final battle of the gods, prophesied to be the end of everything.

  Svartalfheim: The realm of the Dark Elves.

  Siegfried: Lady Hel’s faithful servant.

  Sif: The incarnate celestial key; she is a college student trying to find her way in this brave new world, accompanied by her friends: Ola, Kristen, Chi and Emily.

  Sleipnir: Odin’s eight-legged horse, and the stallion son of Loki (who Loki bore as a mare).

  Sparkle Fyre: She is Sif’s dis and only around six inches tall.

  Thor: Norse god of Thunder, and is considered to be the god who protests mankind. He fights with his hammer, Mjolnir.

  Verdandi: She is one of the three Norns (sisters). She is said to be responsible for the present.

  To my wonderful street team, Sleuths and Slayers, who lets me talk about the Gods and enjoys the story magic!

  Part I

  A spark was sent down to Midgard to be forgotten.

  It burrowed in deep, cared for by the land spirits, until it could be gifted and placed into the womb of Embla’s daughter at the prophesied time.

  And the day shall come when the sky child will walk in Midgard.

  When the goddess of the sky would be born, and she would be the key to salvation, and the catalyst to destruction.

  Kiss of Ymir, Stanza 1509

  Chapter 1

  Lady Hel, Richmond, VA

  Only a lover of death could appreciate her, and he just happened to be such, the Erlking.

  Lady Hel sat in her designer kitchen, sighed in contemplation, and watched as her lover Harley prepared their meal. He’d sent the staff away, and she now tapped her fingers against the marble countertop, staring at the man she was free to love.

  She placed her blackened hand to her blackened face and didn’t think about it anymore. There was no more use in glamour, in making herself beautiful according to beauty’s standards. Instead, she’d allowed her real person to show—that of her which was half white, half black and decomposing.

  Of cours
e, when leaving the grounds, she’d put on her magic visage. No need to frighten the locals, not just yet anyway.

  “I thought your exile would be over after true love was restored,” Harley said. He tossed the peppers and onions into the skillet. A sizzle hit the air.

  “As did I.” She stood and walked over to him. Placing her arms around his fit torso, she pulled him to her, delighting in his warmth. “And why are you asking?”

  “I was hoping we might take a few days away once the curse is finally lifted.”

  “Are you trying to seduce me with a fabulous vacation before we head back to Helheim?”

  “Well, we haven’t been back to the old country in a long time.”

  Returning home was her first priority. She missed her throne, family, and responsibilities. She didn’t think she could love Harley any more than she already did. Her heart swelled in that knowledge. Yet, it brought along with it a foreign emotion: guilt. How could she be happy when her siblings were still not free—but bound, exiled, enslaved? Even she had been cast out of Helheim, dethroned because Odin was offended by her decisions. Family had to have meaning. Guilt weighed upon her, and in her mind, this great gap between them grew stronger. The gods sought to drive them all to insanity, but she couldn’t let that happen despite this overwhelming shifting. If she had happiness, they—her family—deserved it, too.

  “Now that I’m aware who I am, I am wondering about our children.”

  It’s only been a few short weeks since Harley has received the knowledge of his reincarnation. He’d been stripped from her so many years ago, and she’d been cursed in trying to find him.

  Their love had conquered distance. She would always love him.

  Yet, she pulled away. The mention of their children was not a simple conversation, nor one she was ready to have. “There is much that I still have to update you on.” She’d still not told him everything about her son, Erich, a necromancer, but she’d ease into it all.

  “Lady Hel doesn’t hedge.” He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes.

  “That is true. It is just that since we regained the happiness that was stripped from us, I have started to worry about my siblings. They have not been given such a chance.”

  He sighed. “You’re worrying about Fenrir, who has always been able to take care of himself, and Jörmungandr, who’s been quiet for so long, many doubt his existence?”

  “I am just thinking.”

  “More like concocting… a plan.”

  She missed the warmth of his embrace and moved back into the circle of his arms. “What if we could give them a chance, too?”

  “A chance at what?”

  “Freedom.” The words were barely a whisper.

  Harley shook his head. She could tell from his breathing that he didn’t like her plan. Each breath was too heavy, as if the weight of his decision brought with it life or death consequences.

  “Let’s change the subject. If you want me to take this trip with you, then you will need to find someone who can watch the house and take care of Garmr.” She pulled away.

  Garmr, at the sound of his name, pranced into the kitchen. His black and brown fur shone, his tail wagged, and if it weren’t for his bright blue eyes that flickered with magic, he might have appeared like any other Doberman Pinscher.

  “I have a couple of friends I can ask from the college. Most college kids need money.” That was a statement Harley was familiar with after having studied himself for seven years in hopes of completing a four-year degree.

  A knock on the door caught their attention. No one usually knocked, for no one was allowed to cross the grounds to get to the door, due to their warding.

  Before they could grant access, in walked Kara, a Valkyrie. Her brown hair was pulled tightly behind her head, and her metal armor shone too brightly, even in the dimly lit kitchen.

  “Lady Hel, I have come to escort you to the throne room, as the All-Father has requested your presence,” Kara said.

  “The mighty Odin does many things, but requesting is not one of them.” Lady Hel rose from her kitchen chair like it was her old throne in Helheim and nodded at Harley. “I shall see you soon, my love.”

  In a flicker of light and motion, Kara and Lady Hel moved from Midgard, crossing the Bifrost Bridge, to the gates of Asgard, where Heimdell stood.

  “Lady Hel,” he nodded.

  “It is good to see you, too,” she smiled.

  Pleasantries. That was one thing she’d learned from Harley over the months. No more could she simply bitch-slap people to get them to do her bidding; she needed to put on a sugary glow while doing it.

  Her anger hummed under her skin. She’d been made to wait, to stew in the mortal world.

  “Heimdell, with your keen sight, have you by chance seen my siblings?” Heimdell watched over everything from his position: those who ventured out of Asgard and through the nine realms. It was not that he had the gift of prophecy, but that he had the power to see the comings and goings of those throughout, or at least that was the rumor. He’d never actually shared with her what his talents were—all the gods had a talent.

  “Sleipnir is in the royal stall,” he answered.

  “Sleipnir is not the one I was asking about.” She’d never gotten along with the steed. Not that anything was wrong with him, but there was never a way for them to communicate, especially since he was so easily accepted into the Asgardian realm, while all her other siblings were not.

  They crossed over into the City of Gold, as Lady Hel called it. It reflected light with its tall windows, refracting it to make the streets made of red granite appear golden. Passing through the commerce district, they saw Dwarven tradesmen bartering their wares, while the city’s dwellers walked the streets, visited the different shops, and chatted as though they didn’t have a care in the world.

  In the distance, she could hear the soldiers of old practicing the art of dying and being resurrected in the great hall of Valhalla.

  “Kara, have you heard from my siblings?” Lady Hel asked.

  “Do I detect worry in the voice of the goddess of Hel? What oddness is this?”

  Lady Hel pushed down her wish to pick Kara up by her neck and see if it was still as breakable as she remembered.

  “I am only concerned, as any sibling would be, but you wouldn’t understand anything about that from your position here.” Lady Hel cast Kara a half-smile. “Oh, how great! Asgard, and the decorating is coming along quite nicely. How much more of a gilded shrine shall be needed for the All-Father’s ego to be placated?”

  She headed onward, paying Kara no mind now, and once they reached the throne room, where Odin sat, his spear in hand, his one eye menacing, and Freyja sat next to him, her golden hair flowing like fields of wheat, a sense of anger again hit her. Whatever they wished to tell her was not going to be good news.

  “Lady Hel,” Odin said.

  “That is only for close friends and family. You can call me Helen.”

  “Oh, does that mean you’ve also aligned yourself with the Greek pantheon?” Freyja asked.

  “No, it simply means that in the modern Midgard, the name Hel is looked down upon.”

  “Not a proper way for a queen to be treated,” Odin said matter-of-factly.

  “I’m glad you agree, sir.”

  “All-Father.”

  Hel bit back her retort. He was not her All-Father, as she was descended from the giants, who were still the enemies of the gods of Asgard.

  “That is not why I have brought you here,” Odin continued. “Although, you have properly served your sentence, Freyja’s intrusion into the matter has created a kink of sorts. I find that you are to remain in Midgard.”

  “What?” Hel walloped the word down on to the granite pavement at Odin’s feet. “And what of Helheim, my kingdom. I am its ruler and you seek to take it away from me?”

  “It is not because of what you’ve done but because of what you might do.”

  You wish to punish me for someth
ing that has not yet occurred, just like you did my brothers, all except the mighty steed you set your arse on? And here I was thinking things in the grand pantheon had changed. But you and your kind are just as asinine as ever. Callous, and only out for blood because of your own fear. Those were the words she wished to say, but instead the magic of Hel washed over her.

  “Even if you remove me from Helheim, the magic thereof is still in me.”

  “Enough,” Odin growled. “You rule because I have allowed you to. You are nothing more than a misbegotten monster too grotesque to stare upon. Just as your siblings have been locked away, I can do the same to you.”

  “What do you mean? Fenrir is still just as powerful—”

  “No, he is still bound, his arms cuffed with enchanted arm rings to keep the little pup trained. And Jörmungandr is imprisoned at the edge of Midgard, unable to venture into the area until his watery cell is unlocked.”

  “And Sleipnir, does he also understand that he is held captive?”

  “Sleipnir is my steed and not as sentient as you want me to believe him to be. But he is well taken care of. Now, out of my sight before I make it that your days are completely over.”