Aleksandra Read online

  A few hours later, he pushed himself away from the wall and leaned over and shook Bernard awake. His friend rubbed his eyes and glanced at his watch then glared up at Jakob. "You're a stubborn ass—you didn't wake either of us to relieve you." He reached over and touched Mikhail's arm, but the tall man was alert, his gray eyes staring at Jakob.

  Bernard stood and walked over to the woman and woke her then turned to face Jakob. "Now, how are we going to get out of here without making too much noise?"

  Jakob gave him a rare lopsided grin. "The farmer is a genius. The stones are fake. He's created a false wall. He made the wall out of plaster and painted to look real. It's an amazing replica. Once I got to looking closer, I found a hidden panel in one of the stones. There's a locking mechanism inside. I only hope he's kept it well-oiled so there's no sound when it unlatches." He opened the false panel and showed them.

  After a moment of studying the contraption, Bernard nodded. "It's now or never. Let's get moving. My goal is to make it into the tree line without being caught."

  "I think we all have that goal, Bernard," Mikhail said. "And if we should get separated?"

  "My handlers and I had a prearranged meeting spot not too far from here. I will head that way so don't worry about me," Halyna said, putting on an overly large jacket and pulling out a black beret from the pocket. Surprisingly, after she put it on, it was hard to tell what color her hair was, or even that she was female.

  Jakob unlatched the mechanism, and the door silently slid open. They listened a few minutes, letting their eyes adjust to the moonless night. Jakob crept out of the basement first and made his way to the end of the house. Peering around the corner, he studied the area but couldn't see any guards. If they were lucky, the soldiers had grown lazy and weren't patrolling like they should.

  Turning to the others, he rested his finger against his mouth for a moment then motioned for them to move out. One by one, they moved across the lawn's expanse with Jakob bringing up the rear. Just as they reached the tree line, he heard a shout from behind, yelling at him in German to stop. He didn't.

  Several bullets peppered the surrounding trees, all thankfully missing, but one last shot struck the trunk next to him, slicing off a chunk of bark, which hit him in the face. He kept running until he caught up to the others. After a quick thank you and goodbye to Halyna, the three jogged off to their rendezvous point with a few of Bernard's Resistance contacts here in Lithuania.

  They made it to the agreed-upon place, out in the middle of nowhere, and jumped into the back of the stolen German transport. Bernard tapped on the back glass and slid open the small window. He said something to the driver before turning back to them and dropping onto the hard bench seat.

  "Well, boys, we're off to Kursk. The Germans have gathered a much larger army than the Russians planned for, which seems to be Stalin's modus operandi since Operation Barbarossa began."

  Jakob met Bernard's weary gaze and forced one corner of his mouth up. "Good thing I brought my sniper rifle with me then, isn't it?"

  3

  Asgard

  Aleksandra studied the three women staring back at her, trying to gauge if this was a hallucination or not. How could a supposed dead person be standing in front of her talking? What was happening to her—was she going crazy?

  "You are not crazy, Aleksandra," Freyja said with a slight chuckle. "No more than anyone else anyway. The worlds are dying—your world faster than others—and you have been offered a gift beyond any other, just as we gave Natalya."

  "Please explain it to me." Aleksandra crossed her arms, never taking her gaze from the two women. "From what you just said, I'm assuming you can read my thoughts?"

  "Sometimes," Idunn answered. "When they are broadcasted loudly, which yours are doing right now. I understand your doubts and fears, sweet one. More than you realize. You have been taken from what you've known your entire life and thrust into a war you never asked for. Although I doubted my friend's intentions in the beginning, I have come to understand her quest—our quest—is an honorable one."

  "What exactly is this quest?" Aleksandra asked.

  "As I told Natalya, you are a warrior, just as she is. Like her, you valiantly fought for your friends and loved ones—repeatedly drawing the enemy's fire to protect them. You gave your life for your navigator, even when you didn't like or trust her. That is the mark of a true warrior and a pure heart. You put others before your own wants and needs. I need someone like you to help me. I have seen much sadness in your world and wish to alleviate some of it."

  "What do you know about the Norse legends?" Idunn clasped her hands in front of her and waited for Aleksandra's answer.

  "Just what's taught in schools and told to us by our elders. My father told me fantastical tales of men and women who fought beasts and carried fallen warriors to a place of glory named Valhalla. My mother would get a bit irritated at them because they weren't the legends from her culture, but she let him tell them and after, she would tell me stories from her people."

  "Your parents loved you very much," Idunn whispered.

  Aleksandra's heart clenched and her throat tightened. She blinked away unshed tears, refusing to give in to the grief of losing them. "They did."

  "As I said before, I am offering you life or death, Aleksandra. Compared to the people of my world, the humans are only in their youth and still have so much to learn. Unfortunately, they are too intelligent and quick to anger for their own good," Freyja said. "In time, they will adopt temperance, humility, and tolerance but not for hundreds of years to come. We, Idunn and I, need your cunning and ability to hide in plain sight to succeed in our goal." The goddess's purple gaze held her motionless. "What say you, Aleksandra Rybakov? Will you take a chance and help us fight against not one but many megalomaniacs, or will your spirit fade as you welcome death?"

  "I..." Aleksandra hesitated, not sure what to do and debated whether she should ask the goddess for time to think about her decision.

  Freyja stepped closer and held out her hand. "To help you make up your mind, I have something I would like for you to see in the Glass."

  Natalya linked her arms through Aleksandra's. "You're going to love this."

  Aleksandra fell into step with the three women as they drew her to stand in front of the fireplace and the bronze mirror hanging above it.

  "This is the God's Glass. It sees the past, present, and possible future of the Nine Worlds. It is how we can see both the good and bad things happening around us, so we can be prepared," Freyja explained and waved her hand in front of her.

  Aleksandra frowned as a dark mist formed in the center of the mirror, billowing and roiling like an inferno...or a cauldron filled with boiling water. Pressing her hand to her abdomen, she inhaled slow and deep, willing her churning stomach to settle. "Why do you have this and not Odin? Isn't he the leader here? I would think he needed this in order to prepare his army."

  Freyja threw Idunn a quick glance before turning her beautiful gaze on Aleksandra. "Spoken like a true warrior. Yes, Odin would normally have the glass, but I stole it from him after discovering he was abusing the knowledge given to him by fueling the humans' war on Earth. He still has his throne, which also allows him to see into other worlds, but not like the Glass." She motioned to the mirror. "Now, look."

  Aleksandra pulled her gaze away and noticed the billowing clouds in the mirror's center had dissipated. In its place, a battle raged. She recognized the city she'd flown over before the accident. Kursk. She watched as her people fell back, the German army advancing through the city with strength and purpose. The glass's perspective changed, focusing outward and showing the battle's outside perimeters. There, too, the Red Army retreated as massive German tanks mowed down the soldiers in front of them. Huge puffs of gray smoke ballooned out around the monstrous guns as their cannons shot into the Russian army, the loud explosions destroying both men and tanks in all directions.

  Her hand went to her throat in a protective gesture. "We were w
inning—pushing the Germans out of town. How could things go bad so fast?"

  Natalya's hand squeezed her arm in sympathy. "The same thing happened to me at Stalingrad before my plane crashed. I discovered just how important even one person can be. Without me air bombing the Wehrmacht, it allowed the wrong people to live. Those people changed the course of the war. Once I accepted Freyja's offer, Mikhail and I fought back, turning the tide of the battle and fixing what went haywire." She pointed to the mirror. "Freyja can see what is currently happening, but with a single command, she can see what went wrong—how it should have happened."

  The scene changed, and Aleksandra recognized her plane as she tilted the PO-2 to the right then dropped the nose. She lowered her hand to her leg where she'd felt the burning pain after being shot. Instead of the bullets cutting through the canvas, the Focke-Wulf banked left, joined by the second, as they rose higher and flew away. She frowned. "That's not what happened. Why didn't they shoot at us?"

  "That's what bothers me. That particular moment is clouded from my vision, and no matter how many times I go over it, trying to see, it remains hidden." Freyja's gold-painted nails tapped out a steady rhythm on her arm. Her gaze narrowed as she studied the unfolding battle inside the glass. "I've known for some time the events have been subtly changing but have no idea why. I believe someone else is manipulating things on Earth. My guess would be Odin trying to fuel the fight. His addiction to power is now uncontrollable, and he needs the growing chaos to feed the craving."

  Aleksandra stared at the mirror, watching as her Russians lost even more ground to the German Panzers. Night had fallen, turning deadly, as they overran soldier after soldier and mowed them down as if they were stems of grass. A dark host appeared around the fringes, growing as they advanced behind the tanks. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. "What in the name of all that's holy are those?" The darkness expanded and bursting from its core were beasts, the like she'd only seen in her nightmares. They descend on the Russian line, devastation in their wake. Bullets seemed to have no effect, and, in desperation, the soldiers began blasting them with fire balls, which the monsters dodged with ease. Pulling her gaze away from the horrific scene, she squinted, trying to make out two golden specks moving at a fast pace from one fallen soldier to another.

  "Did you see that—the gold things?"

  Freyja scowled at the mirror. "Well, we know what made the difference this time. Natalya and Mikhail discovered the beasts' existence—now we know what Himmler created them for. I believe we have just uncovered why the outcome of this battle changed."

  "It seems Odin's Valkyries are changing events as they harvest the warriors' souls for the Allfather."

  "Allfather?" Aleksandra and Natalya asked in unison.

  "That is what we here in Asgard call Odin,” Idunn absently answered, her blue gaze darkening the longer she stared at the mirror. Finally, she faced Freyja. "This new army, created by his emissary in the name of the German führer, is stronger than ever. As each day passes, we have noticed more and more soldiers are abducted and converted to do their master's will—to win and conquer the world. Could Odin be behind this as well or are we thinking too deeply?"

  Freyja shrugged. "We could be reading too much into it, but seeing the Valkyries harvesting souls almost side by side with the beasts, I think you may be onto something."

  Idunn's expression paled. "Something horrible. If Odin is behind this, our job has just been rendered almost impossible. Odin commands hosts of the best warriors throughout all time. We can't go up against that and win."

  Freyja spun around, her sharp gaze piercing Aleksandra's. "Natalya and Mikhail can no longer do this alone. They need your help, as do we. Do you value life, my child?"

  Without hesitation, Aleksandra nodded. "Yes."

  "Tell me why you want to live, young one." Freyja's face was devoid of expression, but her purple eyes seemed to see into Aleksandra's soul.

  "I want to experience true love," she said with a small sigh. "I loved being a Night Witch. As a collective, we are brave...strong. Me alone? Not so much. I would like to change this part of me."

  "You are so much braver than you think, Aleksandra, but this decision must be yours."

  Aleksandra exhaled, her gaze once again drawn to the mirror. She knew what she had to do, to appease her own conscience as well as the honor of her people, both Russian and Japanese. "I accept your offer and a new life."

  Freyja smiled and Aleksandra sucked in a quick breath. She'd thought the goddess beautiful before, but the smile transformed her face into something even more wondrous to behold. Self-consciously, she tucked several wayward strands of her thick black hair, very straight, uncontrollable hair most times, behind her ears and wished she had a bit of makeup on or one of her pretty dresses. She always felt best when she was dressed to the nines.

  "Don't worry, sweetie, you'll get used to it. I thought the same thing when I first met them," Natalya whispered in her ear. Aleksandra couldn't help but smile. Making those around her feel better was Natalya's magic—her personality was so nurturing when it came to those she cared for. Aleksandra counted herself lucky to be included in that special group. Growing up, she'd always felt lonely. It had only been her mother and father. She had no siblings to confide in or close relatives to enjoy. Her mother's family had stayed in Japan, so she knew she had relations there but didn't remember them from any of their short trips to visit.

  Idunn stepped closer to her, holding a gold goblet between her hands. With a serious expression on her face, she extended the cup to Aleksandra. "Drink to discover your new life, sweet one."

  Aleksandra took the goblet and stared into the ruby red liquid. She raised it to her face and sniffed at it, the subtle scent of something fruity filling her nostrils. Before she could change her mind, she tilted the goblet and drank. The drink exploded in her mouth, and she could taste the slight bitterness of cherries on her tongue. A few more swallows, and she was able to pick out the taste of strawberry, boysenberry, and even a hint of chocolate. Her favorite sweet of all.

  She licked her lips and smiled. "That was delicious. I especially liked the added chocolate."

  Natalya scowled. "Chocolate! So not fair. I didn't get chocolate."

  Idunn gave a little shrug. "I didn't like how bitter it tasted, so instead of adding sugar, which isn't good for you, I sweetened it with just a hint of chocolate. I think it's the perfect blend."

  "Still not fair," Natalya grumbled.

  "Will this make up for it?" Idunn held out her hand again. In the center of her palm lay a large chunk of what looked like chocolate.

  Natalya's expression brightened, and with a wide grin, she bit off a corner and immediately moaned. "So delicious."

  Aleksandra handed the goblet back to Idunn. "Am I supposed to feel any different because I don't."

  "I didn't either." Natalya bit off another piece of chocolate. Swallowing, she waved the candy chunk in front of the goddesses a few times. "Tell her about the benefits...you know, the magic? I don't want her blindsided like I was."

  Aleksandra's gaze moved from one woman to the next, landing lastly on Freyja. "Magic? What is she talking about?"

  “Every person is born with gifts, but humans refuse to open their eyes and see them. Instead, they go through life believing in only those things they come to know through their senses. Natalya has a strong will power and a gift for languages. As she grew up, she used those abilities without realizing it. Now that she's been reborn, those gifts have amplified."

  Natalya nodded, her blonde hair slightly bouncing on her shoulders. "I seem to know what people are saying no matter what language they speak. By choosing the right words, I can get people to change their minds or do things. Controlling events was a new one though. When I went back to Stalingrad, one of the German planes dropped a bomb that would have killed Misha and the two orphans who were with him. Out of sheer desperation, I stopped the blast and redirected it, even containing the fire as it hurtled toward us."
She popped the last bite of chocolate into her mouth and chewed. "It was frightening and amazing at the same time."

  "Don't talk with food in your mouth. It's quite disgusting," Freyja reprimanded. "You, too, Aleksandra, have a gift for languages, as do quite a few Night Witches, so this is a bonus since you will be going to many countries. I believe your second talent, and maybe your most powerful, is your ability to disappear. I have witnessed you moving out of the way to disappear into a corner or against a far wall and watch those around you. You never stand out in a crowd and no one sees you if you do not wish it. It is truly remarkable to observe."

  "It's just me being shy. I stay out of people's way and study them, how they act and what they say. My mother's family is one of the more powerful Japanese families, so when we went for visits, there were always large parties that were attended by important people. Hiding in plain sight became a game for me, to see how many times no one saw me." She pinched her lips together to hide her small grin. "I won every time."

  "Will she have any new abilities?" Natalya asked.

  "I honestly don't know." Freyja shot a quick glance at Idunn whose cheeks turned a light pink. "I just learned Idunn played with the drink and the added ingredient throws a bit of unknown into the equation. Now, Natalya's going to join Mikhail in the Ukraine to keep a close watch on the Fuhrerhauptquartiers there and keep us appraised of any new developments with the werewolves. You, Aleksandra, will return to Kursk."

  "Aren't I dead?" Aleksandra frowned. "Won't that cause problems if I am seen?"

  "No. Using your ability as a sniper, you will be helping the Red Army break through the northern forces. Time passes differently here than on Earth. While you have been here healing, the Russians are fighting what they call Operation Kutuzov to retake Kursk, but they will continue to lose ground to the German Panzers. The Tiger tank all but annihilates the Russian T-34, and the Panzer Vs follow, taking out everyone left alive." She waved her hand and a goblet appeared. She daintily wrapped her fingers around the bottom and took several drinks. "My plan is to send you back to the fifteenth to turn the tide of war to what it should have been and thwart whoever is behind the recent changes."