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  Hellish

  Tina Glasneck

  Hellish © 2017 Tina Glasneck.

  Cover created by Ravenborn Covers.

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental. No part of this work may be reproduced without the expressed permission from the author, Tina Glasneck.

  Created with Vellum

  Für denjenigen, der mein Herz beschützt

  For the one that keeps my heart safe!

  -Tina

  Contents

  Characters & Places

  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

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Also by Tina Glasneck

  Acknowledgments

  Author’s Notes

  About the Author

  Hellish

  Lady Hel has never had luck or use for love. She's the ruler of Hel! She doesn't need anyone... until a curse forces her to look for her one true love. For crossing Odin, she's stripped of her position and sent to an ostentatious estate until she is able to find love.

  * * *

  Harley Andersen is a seven-year college senior with no idea what to do with his life. So far all he's come up with is killing time. When his best friend dares him to hop the gate of what's supposed be a haunted house, he encounters a woman who steals a lot more than his breath. And what she's offering could give him the future he's missing.

  It'll just require a trip to the past.

  This is a standalone book in the HELL CHRONICLES. Fans will recognize characters from the DRAGON SERIES, but you don't need to read them first to enjoy this new adult fantasy that turns the Beauty and Beast tale on its head.

  Characters & Places

  Here is a list of important characters and places for the Hell Chronicles.

  * * *

  Asgard: One of the nine realms in Norse mythology; the location 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.

  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 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 the gods’ watchman. He resides at the entry to Asgard.

  Jörmungandr: Also called the Midgard Serpent, he is the son of Loki. 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.

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

  Thor: Norse god of thunder, and is considered to be the god who protects 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.

  Chapter 1

  Freyja: Asgard

  Unlike in the meeting room of the gods, where everyone would sit in a circle and discuss issues that pertained to all, today, one stood to accuse.

  Freyja stood on a platform at the head of the circle, overlooking the gathered deities, and Lady Hel, the goddess of Helheim, stood in the middle. Fury rested underneath her contrite smile.

  “Do you know why we have called this meeting?” Freyja asked.

  “I take it that you have called it and no one else. Why, is your dear husband finally allowing you to wear the pants now?” Lady Hel chuckled with a hint of distaste.

  “Enough,” Odin whispered, and the ground began to shake. "You have intervened in matters regarding the dragons, and therefore have begun an act of treason against us."

  “I don't know what you mean.”

  “The ring ... the ring that harmed your own son? Did you not think we'd find out?” Freyja asked.

  “He is my son. What business is it of yours what I do with my family. I was purely looking out for his best interest, and his messing around with that girl is not it.” Lady Hel crossed her arms and pushed back her shoulders to stand even straighter.

  Freyja stared at Lady Hel. The concern that she attempted to hide beneath her pride was self-evident. If Erich, her son, fell in love—was fated to be with someone—then who would be there for Lady Hel? She would be surrounded by people, yet alone; a guardian of the dead, and thus expected to be dead inside, too.

  “We have decided that because of your crime, there must be repercussions.”

  “Crime? What crime have I committed against Asgard and the gods, for I am one of you?”

  “But you endanger us all by your misplaced loyalties.”

  Freyja took a seat behind her platform, and Odin stood to pronounce judgment.

  “My dearest, Lady Hel, I sentence you to live among the mortals and learn their ways.”

  “You want me to do what?”

  Freyja walked down to where Lady Hel stood and placed her arms around her in a hug of friendship. “Only true love will allow you to again ascend to your throne. When you find your beloved, your great love, you will once again find home.”

  “How am I supposed to do that?” she scoffed.

  Freya smiled. “I suggest you get creative.”

  Chapter 2

  Harley: Present Day

  “They say that place is haunted,” Jake said. He tipped back his can of beer and emptied it in one long swig.

  The Gothic structure jutted upwards, supporting the urban myth that each nail and brick of it had been shipped over from Scandinavia in the fifteen hundreds, way before America had been settled.

  Under the night sky, seated on the bank of the river, the old Laufeyjarson Estate’s silhouette played upon the water’s ripples. The hint of summer hung in the air, and around the camp fire they sat—Jake, Tony, Paul, Graham, Graham’s girlfriend, Emili, and Harley.

  Harley crushed the beer can in his hand and watched it twinkle, as if the light from the fire caught it just right.

  “You can't be buzzed yet?” Tony asked.

  Harley swayed. If he closed his eyes, he could swear that a small voice whispered in the winds. Thoughts of his mother and her telling him fairy tales from the old land nudged him.

  “Let’s get to the point of this little intervention,” Graham said. “Are you finally going to graduate this year, Harl? You’re a seventh year senior
and even my folks would be on my ass about them not having to pay tuition anymore.”

  Graham snapped his fingers in front of Harley’s face. “You still here with us, Harl?” Graham had a way about him, often abrasive. Dressed in his basketball jersey and his baseball cap on backwards, it covered his salon-fresh, brown hair; everything about him screamed college jock.

  He surely didn’t have to worry what would happen once he walked across that stage. His old man had already set up a position. Family connections and all, but Harley wasn’t that lucky.

  His eyes flashed open and he watched Graham pull Emili in for a tighter snuggle until their bodies were so close that Harley couldn’t tell where Graham’s torso ended, and where Emili’s began.

  “What was in that beer?” he questioned. “Don’t you all hear that?” The soft wind again whispered Harley’s name and he stretched. Harley nodded, pushing all thoughts of otherness away. Those thoughts seemed to plague him—a rabbit hole waiting for him to jump down.

  “I told you all we should have just gone to the mall,” Emili said.

  “Yeah,” Paul agreed, “but you can’t drink there.” Campus had a no alcohol rule, the same way that it didn’t tolerate what the powers that be considered immoral behavior.

  “What do you think is on the other side?” Harley asked and pointed at the house. It beckoned him just like a brightly lit beacon. Was the only one who could see the tiny flashes of light dancing in the warm breeze?

  “Instead of just talking about that place tonight, why don't you actually go and explore it? Maybe then you can get it out of your system,” Graham said.

  Harley didn't really care one way or another, but if there was a chance he could get a closer peek at what was on the other side of the wrought-iron gate, he was all in. After all, they’d been talking about it long enough. Now was the time for action.

  “Guys, do you really want to trespass?” Emili warned.

  The fellas laughed. “No one has heard from the last poor sod who decided to jump the fence,” Graham said.

  “Bet me fifty dollars and I'll go check it out,” Harley said. He needed the money. Text books for this semester had been a lot more expensive than he'd budgeted for, and with the semester ending soon, he’d need something to fall back on. He shook his head to be rid of these thoughts.

  “All right, you got it. But don't say we didn't warn you when the witch pops out and scares you.”

  “Why don’t you leave him alone?” Emili chided. She smiled up at him and elbowed Graham in the ribs. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Sorry, must have zoned out,” Harley said.

  “That’s your thing,” Graham teased.

  Harley stood up and walked toward the tree line, seeing nothing in the inky darkness. He pushed forward until he came to the ten-foot tall black wrought-iron fence.

  He loudly exhaled, inflating his cheeks quickly in and out, as if pumping himself up for some great feat. Then, with vigor, he hurled himself upwards and through the air, up and over the fence and solidly landed on the other side.

  “That was easy enough.”

  He didn’t question it. His heart thundered within his chest, and his vision adjusted to his surroundings. Darkness gave way to differing shades of gray and deep greens.

  The thicket was as lush as a forest. He wandered his way through, until he noticed the twinkle of fireflies that played in the night’s gentle wind. He trudged forward, led by the sound of giggling and a bright orange light, like that of burning embers, rich and red. When he moved, it did too, leading him further and further away from the gate, through the thick undergrowth. “Hello?” he called.

  No one answered. Instead, the feminine giggling grew louder, calling to him. He gave chase and burst through onto manicured grass dampened by a strange flowing mist.

  Harley would not be deterred.

  He stared upon the structure. It was more breathtaking up close than he ever imagined. Stealthily, he inched his way closer to the front door. A place like this should have had guard dogs, security patrolling the yards, or at the very least, a security camera. There was no sound, not even a dog’s bark or an alarm.

  “Get away from here, you rascal,” a burly man the size of a bull raced out of the front door and gave chase.

  Harley dashed away as fast as his long legs would take him, until he was once again by the fence.

  “If you come back out—” he heard Graham yell over the fence—“there won't be any money.”

  The boys chuckled again.

  “Harley will do anything for fifty dollars,” Graham said. “While you're running, we’ll meet you at the front.”

  They’d parked a ways away to get down to the river. To make it to the property, he knew they’d have to meander through parts of the city, and cross a bridge or two.

  By then it would be too late.

  Instead of lying low and waiting until the groundskeeper said something to him, or called the police, he needed to get inside and prove to his friends, and himself, that he could truly accomplish something. Anything.

  Everyone had a calling, and thus far, he was the smallest on the totem pole. Jake would head into finance; Paul was going into teaching; heck, even Emili was up for a graduate fellowship. But him, he was the runt of his litter of friends.

  As the groundskeeper headed left, he headed right, inching closer and closer to the house.

  “Didn't I tell you that you should leave?” The groundskeeper came upon him silently and picked him up one-handed by the collar. His feet dangled.

  “I'm sorry. I'm just curious about this place, and since it’s abandoned—”

  “Does it really look abandoned to you? What you've done is trespassed, and for all I know, with criminal intent.”

  “No, no, you got to believe me,” Harley said. Sweat began to run down his back, and his already rumbling heart began to throttle in his ears. “It was just a bet. I needed the money, and my friends dared me to jump the fence here, and—”

  The groundskeeper shook his head.

  “It is okay, Siegfried,” a sexy female voice said, and Harley turned his head to regard the woman. Tall, slender and encased pretty much in leather; she gave off sex-itude. A hint of a smile played across her ruby red lips.

  “Hmm.” She walked over to him. “Come inside, for I believe we have arrangements that need to be made. Something that could benefit us both.”

  The only thoughts he had were Fifty Shades sort of thoughts, and he wondered if this woman was indeed in possession of a red room of pleasure. He cocked his head to the side and his eyes slowly trailed the length of her body. Images of their bodies wrapped around each other, her fingernails scratching his back, and her body in every position possible flooded his mind. His mouth went dry.

  What was happening? Harley frowned.

  “Ma'am, I apologize—”

  “Ma'am? Come now. Surely, you do not believe me to be that old? I am Lady Hel. But you can call me Helena. I have a proposition for you that will ensure you the greatest of wealth, but also utter and complete happiness.” She moved closer to him and trailed one red painted nail down the side of his cheek. The faint scent of sweet roses mixed with the bitterness of failed dreams wafted from her skin.

  “You will become my lover and I will forget this whole trespass thing. I will take care of your every need.”

  She wasn’t what he’d expected. She had a svelte figure, over which his hands could glide, long legs made for wrapping around his waist, and perky breasts he’d enjoy kissing. She’d tantalize him with her tongue.

  Promises of ecstasy hung in her smile, but it was her eyes that seemed not to convince him.

  “Benefit?” he questioned. At twenty-four, he was expected to have it all done—all of his life planned, out and living the dream. But right now, that plan had more to do with figuring out how to pay off his student loans, maybe find a job. If he was really lucky, he'd not have to move in with his mom and dad after he tossed his graduation cap
in the air.

  This woman could be his option.

  He wasn't sure where that thought came from, but he liked what he saw. Images of her in Kamasutra-like positions swirled in his mind. He shook his head to be rid of them.

  That wasn't what he was about.

  “Uh…” He took a step back, putting space between them.

  “What are you studying at college?"

  Her voice was heady and smooth.

  “History." He cleared his throat. The back of his neck began to tingle.

  “Which time period?"

  “The Viking age."

  She hesitated and then smiled, but it failed to light up her eyes—eyes that swirled flecks of gold and silver in an ocean of cobalt blue.

  “Good, then I can tell and show you everything about that. But you must willingly travel with me, and when our trip is over, you will be rewarded beyond all measure."

  “Can I think about it?"

  She shrugged. “If you wish, but this offer is only available for twenty-four hours. Tomorrow night I will need your answer. For when the moon rises, the offer expires.” She turned as if to go. “Oh, and tell your friends that this house is not abandoned. You can take this to prove it.” She placed a black and red business card in his hand. Lady Helena: Life Coach.

  Chapter 3

  Harley

  Harley stared at the ceiling of his dorm room as lights from the party outside his door cast weird shapes and shadows upon it. Loud music thudded against the walls like someone was beating an empty bucket off-beat. Techno music combined with the loud carousing of drunk new adults. He could hear the girls talking too loudly, some making high pitched squeals, akin to someone torturing a pig, while the running up and down the corridor could only compare to a stampede of wild horses.