Page 8 of Thorulf

Both Thorulf and Loki narrowed their eyes at the way she said it. Had Jade already done something with Thor?Lainwith him? Thorulf did his best to keep his near-violent internal response to that hidden. And who could fault him? Though rarely mentioned, Thor was his grandfather thrice removed. Kin that had never made contact before now. Gods rarely did that sort of thing with their demi-god offspring, anyway, let alone generations removed, but still.ThorwithJade? It felt all wrong. An outright betrayal somehow.

Best to remain unaffected, though. Focus on motive rather than emotions. Could it be one of these sisters wasn’t meant for Thorulf and his kin? Because if Thor intended to claim Jade, there would be no way around it. She’d be lost to them.

Following Thorulf's thoughts far too easily already, Jade’s brows swept up. “You’re related to Thor?”

“Ja,”he muttered absently. “Distantly.”

He'd never shown signs of inheriting any Norse godliness, so he rarely gave it much thought. His gift, however sporadic, was in his Celtic godliness.

Though Jade offered no response to his related-to-Thor-confirmation, her eyes grazed over him with fleeting but telling speculation. Almost like she was willing to concede why shemightfind him attractive after all. Because he knew full well her dragon was already circling his in a way he guaranteed her human half wouldn't like.

“How good a friend is Thor, Jade? How—” Elsie began but stopped short when thunder crashed, and lightning struck the ocean close enough that the house filled with white light for a moment.

“Very good, it seems.” Loki half scowled, half grinned if such a thing were possible, and nodded once at Thorulf. “I’d say that’s your cue to get moving, dragon.” He looked at Jade. “Both of you.”

“This has something to do with your infatuation with Norse comic book movies lately, doesn’t it?” Elsie asked Jade, unsettled, even a little saddened when she seemed to catch something telepathically she hadn’t before. “It was never about the onscreen Thor but the real deal.” Her brows pulled together. “You’ve been meeting with him and never told me.”

“Because I didn’t want to worry you.” Jade clasped her aunt’s shoulders, genuinely concerned by Elsie's worry. Concern Thorulf might have questioned a mere day ago. “Yes, I’ve been getting to know Thor, and he’s outstanding, Auntie. You would like him a lot. So know when I go, he’s got my back. No matter what happens, things will work out the way they’re supposed to. He’ll keep me level.”

Thorwould keep her level? Thorulf could tell by the mix of intrigue and wariness that flashed in Loki’s eyes, he was equally caught off guard by that statement. By the role Thor had taken in all this. One, based on Jade’s expression, that could truly interfere with his Forged in Fire plans.

Thunder cracked again, and the house shook.

“Keep you level, eh?” Elsie frowned. “That sounds anything but level to me. And you lying to me about this? Not sharing with me?” She shook her head. “Definitely doesn’t ease my worry.”

“Nonetheless,” Loki narrowed his eyes at the horizon when unnatural blue lightning mixed with white lightning, “Thor is telling Jade to leave.” When the blue lightning zigzagged across the black ocean toward the chalet, fire flared in his eyes. He looked between Thorulf and Jade. His voice turned deep and echo-like, reminding them exactly who he was. “Leavenow.”

With that, he vanished in a puff of black smoke that whipped out the door and headed for the ocean. He was going to assist Thor.

Or at least he had been.

Regrettably, what happened next, very well meant he was one lightning flash too late.