“But things will change,” Lokken said softly. “An alpha must manage the others. It’s a heavy responsibility.” I growled a low curse at him, and he raised his hands soothingly. “Again, I mean no disrespect. I wouldn’t want the responsibility myself. I just wanted to be sure you knew what might be coming.”
Dörr sighed out a long rumbling sigh. “We enjoy every moment we have. Especially while our numbers are so low. For it may change at any moment.”
“Exactly,” Lokken replied. “And if there’s anything Gunnarr or I can do to make the transition easier as more Blood come, please do not hesitate to call on us. We can be the buffer between you and other Aima until they understand your nature.”
“What if she Calls more dark alfar?” Svar whispered. “Is that possible? Could they hear her Call on the other side of Yggdrasil?”
“I would have heard it,” Dörr admitted with a shake of his head. “Though many others did not even while she was inHvergelmir. I would think if any other of our kind were meant to respond to the Call, they would have risen then.”
“Unless they were on this side of the tree,” Lokken said.
I snorted. “No dark alfar exist outside of Hel.”
“You do.”
“Only because she brought us here,” I retorted, lowering my voice when the others shushed me. “No other dark alfar exist in Miðgarðr.”
“That we know of,” Svar warned. “It’s certainly possible, though they’d be hampered by stone during the daylight hours. Are there any large stone gargoyle-like statues we should attempt to awaken?”
“I’ve seen countless stone gargoyles on buildings,” Lokken admitted. “Even in Minneapolis, the American Swedish Institute’s mansion has gargoyles on its roof. Of course in Europe there are many castles and buildings as far back as the twelfth century with gargoyles, many of which still exist today.”
“See?” Svar retorted in a low whisper, making me roll my eyes at him. “It’s possible.”
“I admit I find it more preferable to have dark alfar join us rather than Aima,” Dörr said. “Though I mean no disrespect to you either, Lokken. We’re simply not used to your ways. Having others like us would be easier. We didn’t even know we needed to eat food until the Isador Blood gave us a lesson in pizza.”
:Duuuuude,:Gunnarr gasped. :No way. I fucking love pizza. You’d never eaten any before? That’s a crime, my friend. A true crime.:
:Go back to stuffing your face,:I growled.
:Trust me, I am,:Gunnarr replied, not offended in the slightest.:Don’t worry. I can think and eat at the same time.:
:But you can’t fuck and talk,:I replied.
:Well, not the first time, granted. But now I’m sure I’ll be much more competent in that department, assuming she evenwants to invite me again. That’s something to consider, right? If there are more Blood, our time in her bed will certainly be limited.:
All of us scowled now.
:If someone can open the door, I’m bringing a tray from the kitchen.:
Svar was closest, so he went to open the heavy metal door. We all followed, though Dörr remained standing in the doorway to her chamber so he could easily check on her while she slept.
Lokken laughed. “Goddess, are you really going to be able to eat all of that?”
“It’s not all for me,” Gunnarr protested as he set the massive tray down on a low table in front of the soft looking long chair with many cushions. “Pàtair insisted I bring some down for everyone. It’s common for Blood to need food at all hours of the day and night.”
“There’s also a well-stocked closet just outside the queen’s chamber with dozens of sheet sets and blankets,” Lokken added. “Plus baskets for the soiled linens.”
I couldn’t help but let out a sour grunt. “There’s not much hope in saving human cloth from dark alfar essence.”
The man shrugged, arms loaded with bedding. “Everything else has been set up with impeccable detail for our queen. I’m sure the laundry staff are just as loyal as Clara and Pàtair. If not, the bear can snack on them.”
Gunnarr looked up from a chocolate cake he held in both hands, icing smeared on his face. “I’ve got plenty of snacks, but I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure I can put them somewhere.”
12
HELAYNA
Imust have slept for days. At least that’s what it felt like. I opened my eyes several times, quietly checking who was nearby. Dörr, always, but usually one of the others were slipping into bed with us. Holding me safe against my alpha.
