Heroes (Eirik Book 2) by Ednah Walters Read Free Book Online Page B

and dark on the other. I missed her runes. I couldn’t see them now that I was here as me, not my soul. They had a weird effect on me. Like the magic I’d felt by the cave.
    I reached inside the pocket of the coat and grabbed the artavus Echo had given me. As soon as I connected with it, the runes on her body became visible—the glowing ones on her left and the non-glowing black ones on her right. Eirik had mentioned that some of her runes were black, but I hadn’t seen them when I was a soul. The black ones had glowed too. Now that I was no longer a soul, they didn’t.
    Interesting. The weird pull she’d had on me was still there, just not as strong. I guess her pull worked more on souls than people. A little disappointed, I let go of the runic blade. It didn’t really matter though. The woman could be any or all colors of the rainbow and still be mesmerizing.
    Echo smiled and bowed to her, then glanced at me.
    “Like the goddess said, I’ll escort you back when you are done,” he said.
    Done with what? What had I missed while gawking at her?
    “Okay.” I gave Echo his coat. “Thank you.”
    “It was my pleasure.” He opened a portal and disappeared.
    Left with the goddess, I smiled and tried not to act nervous. Easier said than done. She studied me from head to toe with a gleam in her eyes, but didn’t say a word. My mouth went dry, and I found myself rubbing my hands against my pants. I missed the little cover Echo’s duster had given me. Or maybe the disapproval on the goddess’ face was the reason I was feeling underdressed.
    Not sure what to do, I curtsied.
    “There’s no need for that, Celestia,” she said firmly, her voice neither cold nor warm. “Your hair is nice. Your makeup’s not bad either, but this appalling attire”—she waved to indicate my jeans and jacket—“will not do.”
    My jeans and jacket were hip and edgy. Annoyance gave me back my voice. “Excuse me?”
    “You are excused. Trudy,” she called and snapped her fingers. “Help her get ready, and then bring her to me.” She turned and disappeared through a portal before I could speak. I hadn’t even known Trudy was already in the hall.
    Wow. She was still domineering and not nice. I stuck out my tongue as the portal closed behind her. Trudy laughed.
    “What’s going on, Trudy?”
    “Didn’t you hear what she told Echo? We are going to a ball.” She tilted her head and gave me a once-over. “She’s right. I love your outfit and want to try on that jacket, but you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. You definitely have to change. Lucky for you, Mama knew Echo might haul you here without giving you a chance to change, so she made an outfit for you. He’s impatient.”
    “Whoa. What ball?”
    “The one we will be attending. You can represent Midgard, just like the goddess said.” Trudy slipped an arm around mine and opened a portal to the majestic rotunda by the family’s hall. As usual, there were guards by the hallways leading to individual quarters, but I didn’t recognize them. They bowed too.
    “About this ball—”
    “I have everything arranged, so don’t worry about a thing. You’ll fit right in. But before we start on your transformation, the Golden One wants to talk to you.”
    “Why?”
    “I don’t know. So how have you been? I begged Eirik to take me with him every single time, but he said no. He always says no. Horrible, mean young god, that one.”
    “Take you where? And why do I need to represent Earth at this ball?”
    “Because you are the only Mortal Witch left in your world.” I glared at her and she laughed. “I’m kidding. This is Eirik’s ball. Thanks for the chocolate and the paints, by the way. They made up for not seeing you, but I won’t forgive him until he brings me with him.”
    Understanding finally kicked in. I wanted to tell her Eirik had never come to visit me, except for the one time at the hospital, but the guards leading us to Baldur and the goddess’ chambers