The Odin Inheritance (The Pessarine Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  Directly behind the desk was a heavy oak table that served as some sort of altar, with an oblong stone that had the carved image of a horned and bound god upon it, kneeling in agony. A silver bowl sat in front of the stone, its interior and edges brown with dried blood. A bone-handled silver knife, also brown with blood, lay next to the bowl. A grey silk cushion sat on the floor in the center of the steps in front of the altar. Hypatia had told me the Obscurati had power because they worshipped the pagan gods they served. Apparently the Son of Loki took his worship very seriously.

  Laufeson looked up from his papers, stood and walked around the desk, looking us over. Toby pushed me down to my knees. Silas moved Andrew so he knelt awkwardly to my right.

  Laufeson smirked down at me. “Welcome to my sanctum, Lady Ariana,” he said. Then he spoke a word I didn’t understand and I felt the black tendrils of his magic seep into my mind. I grit my teeth, clenched my fists and fought the impulse to prostrate myself before him.

  “Still so stubborn?” he mused. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle of brown powder. Pulling out the stopper he licked the top of his index finger before tilting the bottle and inserting it into the bottle. The brown powder sifted over the digit, and when he pulled his finger out, a small patch of brown sat on the end of it. He stuck the end of the finger in his mouth and ate the powder. I grimaced, revulsion filling me.

  The German spoke again in the language I didn’t know, and the black tendrils I’d been keeping at bay overwhelmed my mind. Any idea I had about resisting his influence shattered under the onslaught. I looked up at the man adoringly and showed my obeisance by lowering my forehead to the carpet in abject submission.

  “Better,” Laufeson said. “I told you your blood had power,” he said, “and the one it has the most power over is you. You may rise.” I sat up and basked in my proximity to Laufeson, eager to follow any command he chose to make.

  He turned his attention to Andrew, waving a hand to indicate Silas should release him. The silver slithered off his neck and Andrew collapsed to the carpet. “Using the ancient dark tongue, Laufeson? I don’t know where you learned it, but God help you when the reckoning comes.”

  Laufeson smirked. “Ah, yes. The foolish belief that use of dark magic rebounds on the user. You know nothing about the true nature of power. You’ll suffer because of your ignorance.”

  “What happened to the others,” Andrew croaked, ignoring the threat. “On the Bosch? What did you do to them?”

  Andrew’s words floated in slow motion as my mind tried to comprehend what he’d said. Understanding came in a rush, breaking Laufeson’s hold for a few seconds. Mother? Max and the others? What had he done to them?

  Laufeson laughed, a harsh sound in the stone room. “I had no use for them. Once my friends got us off the ship,” he gave a shrug, “I blew it up.”

  I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. I gasped and tears sprung to my eyes but didn’t fall as the spell Laufeson had cast reasserted its hold on my mind. The anguish floated away to a distant place.

  Andrew clutched the carpet and cried “No!”

  Our captor sniffed, unmoved and unconcerned. “Ja, Son of Khonshu. I cannot believe you thought traveling with bags full of hydrogen as your primary method of buoyancy was safe,” he admonished. “The explosion was very impressive – it lit up the sky like the sun for a moment, leaving only small pieces falling to the ground after. All in all it was very tidy – nothing remained to merit any kind of burial.”

  “You’ll pay for this, Laufeson. The other Facti will come after you with a vengeance and end your life,” Andrew said angrily, his cheeks tear-stained.

  The German looked unimpressed. “You’re among the last of the Pessarines. Soon you’ll serve my interests, just like Ariana.”

  My mind suffused with pleasure at being so close to my master and hearing him say my name. I struggled to understand why Andrew was so upset and why my eyes were full of tears. Serving Laufeson was our destiny.

  Andrew reached over quickly. He grabbed my hand and the deceptive bubble of complacency and adoration popped. His grief poured into me, washing out the spell. My mother, dead – my Bosch crewmates, dead – Lady Sato dead… and we sat in the heart of their killer’s stronghold, fodder for his infernal devices and unable to stop him. I sobbed, letting the first tears run down my cheeks.

  You are Randgríðr, beloved of Fjölnir, he thrust into my mind. Consecrated heir, call on Odin! Claim your inheritance or everything is lost! Ariana-please!

  Annoyed, Laufeson motioned and Silas pulled Andrew away from me. “None o’ that foolishness, Moon Boy,” Silas said, throwing him to the floor and stepping between the two of us.

  ‘Randgríðr, beloved of Fjölnir’ reverberated in my thoughts like an echo doubling and redoubling on itself. It blazed like a warm light in my consciousness, banishing the hold Laufeson’s spell had on me. I recognized the name, oddly, but it was a memory that came from the deepest recesses of my mind. It was a secret, magical name, not to be used lightly. Father’s watch chain on my right wrist warmed and tightened. I recognized the feel of the power as Odin’s and welcomed it though I’d no idea why the watch chain seemed to be its source. Andrew had said Odin was very protective of me. He was the only card I had to play to get us out of this mess though the consequences of my asking for his help were completely unknown.

  Please, I thought at the watch chain, All-Father, help me. Randgríðr, beloved of Fjölnir calls for your aid. Please!

  I felt a stirring in my mind and the presence of something ancient and wise made itself known to me with far more force than I’d experienced before. It – he—asked a question in a Germanic-sounding language I didn’t understand.

  Yes! I’ll do whatever you wish, I thought frantically. Just help me. Help me save Andrew and stop the Son of Loki!

  I had the sense of agreement from Odin, but I had no idea what form his assistance would take. The watch chain on my right wrist pulsed and warmed reassuringly as if in reaction to my agreement, then melted into me, disappearing from view.

  I looked up at the son of Loki and now saw the decay and darkness behind his tailored façade. He rotted from the inside, tainted with death. That was the ‘reckoning’ Andrew had spoken of, though I hoped there would be worse to come for the fiend. Unfortunately, Laufeson noticed I was no longer enthralled.

  “You’ve broken my spell, Andrew,” he said with a sigh, “though it will avail you nothing. She’s still mine. Making her obey will just require more forceful methods.” He looked at me pityingly. “The deaths of your mother and friends will seem a mercy.”

  I wiped my tear-streaked cheeks and pushed myself to a standing position. “You’re a monster,” I spat, “and I’ll do nothing to help you hurt anyone else.”

  The villain sighed. “Verkur,” he whispered, and my bones exploded with anguish, dropping me in a heap at his feet. I panted, trying to draw air around the pain, stars flashing in my vision. A sob escaped my throat.

  “Will you serve me, Ariana?” Laufeson asked.

  “Never,” I ground out.

  “Aukning,” he said, and the pain doubled on itself. I writhed at his feet, lost to torment.

  Andrew lunged forward, swearing, but Silas caught him easily. “Leave her be, you bastard,” he ground out, struggling in Silas’ grip.

  “Nægilega,” Laufeson whispered, and the pain ceased abruptly. I pulled in a shuddering breath and pushed myself to a kneeling position, panting on hands and knees. Andrew continued to struggle in Silas’ iron grasp.

  “So stubborn,” he said with a shrug. “I don’t have the luxury of patience. Mr. Toby,” he said, turning his attention to his servant, “I need one of my special gears. Can you procure one for me?”

  Toby bowed slightly. “Right away, Boss,” he said, and left the office.

  “Mr. Silas,” he said, “Mr. Michaelson’s movements and commentary are tiresome. Make them stop.” Silas grinned. The silver snake undulate
d out of the sleeve again. Andrew increased his struggles.

  “No!” he said, and then the silver collar settled back into place. His body stiffened and settled into the disconcerting parade rest stance. Silas’ hands dropped to his sides, the silver snake in his sleeve lengthening to accommodate the movement.

  “How’s that, Boss?” he asked, pleased.

  Laufeson nodded. “That will do, Mr. Silas,” he said, then looked down at me. “This would be much easier if you just agreed to work for me, you know.” He ran his eyes up and down my body with a significant, loaded look. “We’re more alike than you think. There are many benefits to cooperation.”

  I didn’t hate many people. In fact, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d ever hated in my life before that moment. This decaying, dark man standing over me had killed my mother and my friends as an afterthought, and now his servant gloated as he held Andrew in thrall. Loathing for him filled me: sharp and acrid like bile in my throat. I hated him with everything I had and swore I would make him pay, even if it killed me. I sat back on my haunches and glared at him.

  “No,” I said through gritted teeth. “You killed my friends. I’ll not serve someone who worships an evil pagan god and wants to hurt people. We’re nothing alike. Get stuffed.”

  Laufeson tsked at me reprovingly. “Such language… and you, the daughter of a duke. As to our being nothing alike, I beg to differ. You make mechanical devices, as I do. In fact, your fascination with mechanicals probably came from me.” He tapped his left wrist, then pointed at me.

  “I refuse to believe that,” I said, feeling a little sick.

  “You’ve killed people, as have I,” he pointed out, as if killing people were a commonplace activity.

  I closed my eyes for a moment, cursing him. I didn’t want to think about that, and it wasn’t commonplace for me. The more involved I became in the conflict between the Facti and the Obscurati, the more killing in self-defense was becoming a necessity. That didn’t make me like the Son of Loki. I killed to protect myself and my friends. Laufeson killed for fun and personal gain.

  “You have a connection to an ancient Norse god who provides you with power, as do I.” Laufeson pulled up the right leg of his trousers, revealing his bare ankle and calf above a stylish black leather shoe. A thick silver band wound around the ankle, and silver swirls and curls that reminded me, oddly, of some sort of decorative chain snaked up from the band on his ankle.

  “My connection is an ankle cuff—an appropriate symbol for a god bound and sentenced to eternal torment, don’t you think?”

  I shook my head. “Odin gave me no artifacts.”

  Laufeson gave me a pitying look. “Odin accepted you as a sacrifice and adopted you as a daughter. He tasted your blood, granted you his favor and protection, and consecrated you to his service and power. Part of him lives in your mind. Artifacts would strengthen that connection immensely, of course, but without them the connection is still very strong. Luckily it isn’t strong enough to prevent me from using it to my advantage.”

  “I’ll never work for you,” I swore.

  “Never is a long time,” he responded, unconcerned.

  “Why did you blow up the Bosch?” I asked, venom in the question.

  “For someone so closely associated with Odin, you don’t have a very strategic mind. I couldn’t turn down a chance to kill a Facti of the Pessarines, not to mention capturing their second in command. These actions weaken your ancient Great Aunt Miranda, which means I can push forward in my plans without her interference, at least.”

  “What plans?”

  Laufeson smiled, which served only to make him look menacing rather than friendly. “I intend to make everyone on this planet Enhanced with my…” he paused, “...unique method of mechanical alteration. Everyone will be mechanically and magically linked to me, and we’ll work together to make Earth a paradise devoid of famine and war. Poverty and want will be things of the past, as will political upheaval and free will.” He made a gesture that took in the room we stood in.

  “Even now, my magically Enhanced servants generate chaos in the cities of England. Haven’t you wondered why the remaining Pessarines haven’t come to your aid? Surely someone as powerful as your Great Aunt would find and rescue you, hmmmm?”

  I said nothing, in part because I wasn’t sure if that was true.

  “I have no doubt Mr. Michaelson has been trying to contact his Seneschal for hours, to no avail.” He shot a pitying look at Andrew. “Isn’t that so?” The look in Andrew’s eyes confirmed the truth of Laufeson’s words.

  Damn and blast! I thought, now very worried. We’ll have to get out of this on our own.

  “Don’t take it personally,” our captor advised. “She’s too busy dealing with the riots and destruction across England caused by my followers. Rest assured, those attacks will increase in frequency and intensity until your role in my plan begins in earnest. Then everyone will do my bidding.”

  I was far from being an expert on societal change, but nothing about that plan sounded good to me. “I don’t see how you can end poverty and want by eliminating free will and encouraging your minions to hurt innocent people and destroy property,” I said. “You intend to use your black magic to enslave the world, with you as its tyrannical leader. It’s barbaric.”

  The German tilted his head in acknowledgement. “Who better than I to run the world?” he asked rhetorically. “In some instances there will be barbarism. Not everyone will transition successfully and some will survive the process with only minimal intellect.”

  I thought about the anguished cry of the man from the Diabolical and the gunshot that had echoed through the great hall to end his torment. I shuddered.

  “In others, the Enhanced will be much more useful, like Mr. Silas and Mr. Toby. They will be absolutely loyal to me, and in some cases, as with Mr. Silas’ unique skills, super-human. That’s the beauty of my plan. I’ll Enhance everyone – even those without artificial limbs – to whatever level of ability and complexity they can survive. It will be efficient in the extreme.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. The audacity and ambition of his plan astonished and repulsed me. “You’re mad. I’m willing to bet that…” I pulled a number from the air, hoping I was close, “...a billion people inhabit this planet,” I pointed out, “and even if you Enhanced one a second, it would require...” I did a quick calculation, “…nearly four hundred years for you to take over everyone, and that’s without taking variables like birth and death rates into account.” I shook my head.

  “I don’t know a lot about magic, but that seems an impossible task on its face. On top of that, you may have weakened the Pessarines, but there are other Facti who’ll work against you, slowing down or even stopping your plan entirely.”

  Laufeson nodded. “You see the problem immediately, liebchen,” he said, moving back around his desk. He sat down and tented his fingers thoughtfully as I pushed myself to a standing position.

  “Such a precise and mathematically engaging argument,” he said, watching me with interest. “Thank the gods for a university education. You’re right, of course. It would take far too long. That’s why you’re here. That’s why I spent thirteen years waiting for this moment.”

  “Oh?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “You know how to make small mechanical devices. Your dragonflies, navigational instruments, those Ladies’ Helpers… even that spider-like device you used in Dr. Sanburne’s office… very effective, complex and impressive.” He indicated my left wrist and I felt the thing within it twitch. “I did it first, of course, but compared to your efforts, mine are crude and unwieldy.”

  I covered my left wrist with my right hand as if I could hide the joint from Laufeson. “So?” I asked, trying not to think about the device in my body.

  “My Diabolicals are effective, but far too cumbersome for the conversion of the Earth’s population, as you have so succinctly pointed out. But, miniature Diabolicals would speed up the pr
ocess considerably. For instance, a swarm of your little Diabolical dragonflies could be released into a crowded area and convert those they latched onto before the people knew what was happening.” He smiled, obviously imagining what he described. “Every person in Victoria Station would become my Enhanced follower in the course of an afternoon. From there, if the small devices made it on to the trains, they could spread out and convert more people in other places. They could be easily carried and hidden,” he pointed out, “and with thousands under my control doing just that, the number of my followers would increase exponentially.”

  I shuddered, revolted by the idea that something I’d designed would be used as a blueprint for such an unholy purpose. “It would still take decades to accomplish,” I said. “You’ll be dead before it’s half finished, assuming the Facti don’t stop you first.”

  Laufeson beamed. “Oh, I’ve made arrangements to ensure I’ll live long enough to see my goal achieved,” my captor continued. “Hades has been most accommodating. As for the Facti? They can barely stop the chaos now. Against countless thousands of my followers, they’ll have no chance. Eventually, they’ll become my most powerful slaves – Enhanced beings with supernatural abilities in addition to the magical devices I’ll implant in them? They’ll do my bidding like puppets on strings. Your devices working to my purpose will make that possible.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t have the power to create magical mechanicals like that – no matter my connection to Odin. Besides, I have no intention of helping you.” Laufeson’s expression darkened.

  Toby entered the office holding a silver gear device about the diameter of a teacup saucer that was about an inch and a half thick. He stood near the door waiting for his next order from Laufeson.

  “That thing won’t change my mind,” I said defiantly though I had no idea what it was.

  Laufeson indicated Toby should move over to Silas and Andrew. “It isn’t for you,” he said. “Toby, rip open the Facti’s worksuit and shirt and stick the device on his stomach,” he ordered.