Read Online Runes #03 - Grimnirs by Ednah Walters - Free Book Online Page B

must be dead,” I said.
    “No, he’s not.”
    “Yes, he is.”
    “He can’t be.”
    I wiggled out of his arms. When he moved closer and I didn’t have anywhere else to go, I pressed both hands against his chest. “Stop and listen.”
    “But I like holding you.”
    I threw him an annoyed glance. “Don’t say things like that. He was trying to tell me something. Then he disappeared.”
    Echo shook his head, covering my hands with his. “That’s impossible. I would have known if a reaper came for him. I was supposed to reap his soul, but I gave him a free pass a couple of months ago. No reaper can touch him now.”
    I shook my head. “What?”
    “He was in some village in Central America dying, but I didn’t reap his soul as a favor to a certain Valkyrie, who now owes me.” He stroked my hands, distracting me again.
    I yanked my hands from his chest and raised them. “Okay, stop. You can’t keep throwing words at me without explaining what they mean. It’s driving me crazy. What are Valkyries? Norns? Hel’s Hall? You can’t explain right now, so don’t say another word. I’m going to class and after school I’m coming straight home. Be there to explain everything, or else.”
    He grinned.
    “What?”
    “I like this bossy side of you. It’s very… exciting.” His grin turned wicked.
    I shook my head. I’d never met a man with a one-track mind. “Just when I’m beginning to see something redeemable in you, you open your mouth and spoil it.” I reached for the door, but he pressed on it. “Echo—”
    “You can’t just step out of the closet into a hallway full of Mortals. They’re not only ignorant, they spook easily, like a school of fish. Until you learn to engage your runes and become invisible, I’ll help. Come closer.”
    “Didn’t you just say a moment ago that you didn’t care what they thought?”
    “I don’t, but you do.” He slipped his arm around my waist, pulled me to his side, and smirked when I stiffened. “Trust me.”
    That was one thing I couldn’t afford to do. “For now.”
    He chuckled, the sound dark and full of mischief. Runes inked his skin. He took the blade from the back of his pocket and sketched on the door so fast his hand was a blur. When he stopped, the door shifted and moved until a portal formed. I could see students hurrying past, some walking toward the cafeteria for second lunch, while the others headed toward the classrooms. No one appeared to notice us.
    “They can’t see us?” I asked.
    “Mortals can’t see a lot of things, including portals. Which way are we going?” Echo asked.
    “I am going right. You? I don’t know.”
    “I’m going reaping, but first, I’ll check on Raine’s father. Someone might be playing games. Enjoy the ride.” He stepped into the hallway, moving so fast nearby students were a blur. He must have carried me because my feet didn’t touch the ground. When he slowed down, none of the students even looked at us.
    “Later, sweet-cheeks.” He kissed me and was gone. My lips were still tingling when I reached my class.
    The rest of the day was a blur. My last class of the day was P.E., and I spied Torin by the entrance of the gym, watching us play basketball.
    Something shifted in my stomach. Could Raine’s father be dead and he’d come to tell me? I excused myself to go talk to him, but by the time I turned around, he was gone.
    Weird guy.
    I changed out of my gym clothes then reached for my cell phone as I left the gym. My call to Raine went unanswered. Echo was waiting for me at home with answers, but I couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling in my stomach.
    I threw my backpack in the passenger seat and started my car. Instead of going home, I headed east toward Raine’s house.

    ***

    It was November and most trees were leafless. Thanksgiving was around the corner, yet some people still had their spooky figurines and lawn decorations out. Orange Halloween garbage bags filled with leaves lined lawns and