"Why the hell shouldn't I believe? How else can I explain what's happened to me? There's no way someone could make up a story like this."
The guy leaned forward, invading Fox's personal space looking in his face.
"Dude, back the fuck up." Fox pushed him back.
"Sorry, I could have sworn I felt something familiar coming off you."
"There's nothing familiar about me. I've never met you before in my past life. I don't even know your name."
"Yeah, I forgot you have a thing about names. I’m Nafri, son of the former god of tricks, Loki, grandson to the all-powerful god, Odin." He bowed after such an elaborate introduction. Fox’s past and present didn't believe in gods. He wasn't ruling out that he was hallucinating everything he heard and saw.
"So, Nafri, are you here to collect my soul now that you've found me?"
"Nope, this is your new life now. So, I'm not here for you at all."
"Then why are you here?"
"To ask for your help."
"Huh?"
Nafri grabbed his hands and went to his knees. "Please, please...please don't tell my sister I fucked up. If she found out I lost your soul for two years, she'll kill me."
"I thought you were a god."
"I am, but if my sister finds out, she'll punish me so bad I'd wish I was dead. You don't understand how fragile my position is right now. First, my dad loses his power for trying to kill Scott's mate and let's not talk about my brother Fenrir who doesn't seem like he's ever going to forgive me for all the shit I did to him over the years. But it wasn't my fault, you know. I was just doing what my mom wanted. I was trying to please her." He started crying on Fox's hand. "I'm such a fuck up."
"Um..."
What the hell is happening? And why does he look familiar?
"Promise me you won't tell her." Before Fox could think of a way to answer Nafri, he stood quickly. "Oh, I know. How about I help you out for real?"
"Help me out?"
"Yes. I can tell you a few things about Fox Hannigan's life and about Vale Valley. I can’t tell you everything, some of it you’ll have to figure out on your own."
"Wait, Vale Valley?"
"Yeah, that's where you live now. I forgot your new family was trying to give you information a little at a time so that you won't freak out."
"And you don't care if I don't freak out?"
"Nope, because the way I do it will only take a minute. So, do we have a deal? You don't let my sister know I fucked up, and I help you get to know your new life."
Fox stared at Nafri, taking some time to think about what the hell he was going to agree to. He had to admit...even though Aria and Barret calmed him, Nafri didn't scare him. He felt as if they were old friends in his past life.
What would it be like to have him as a friend?
"I'll agree to it under one more condition."
"What's that?" Nafri looked a bit apprehensive, and Fox couldn't blame him.
"You have to promise to stay around just in case I need your help."
"Why?"
"Cause I think we could be friends."
