9780141342566

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by Rick Rick Riordan Riordan Books Books by

by Rick Rick Riordan Riordan The The Percy Percy Jackson Jackson series series The Percy Jackson series

The series percy jackson and Jackson the lightning ** The Percy Percy series thief percy jackson jackson and Jackson the lightning lightning thief * percy and the thief percy jackson jackson and and the the sea lightning thief percy of monsters ** lightning thief * percy jackson and the sea of monsters percy jackson and the sea of monsters ** percy of monsters percyjackson jacksonand andthe thesea titan ’ s curse * * percy jackson and the sea of monsters percy jackson and the titan ’ s curse * percy jackson and the titan ’ s curse * jackson and the s ** percypercy jackson and the of ’’the labyrinth percy jackson andbattle the titan titan s curse curse percy percy jackson jackson and and the the battle battle of of the the labyrinth labyrinth percy jackson and the of the labyrinth jackson andbattle the last olympian percypercy jackson and the battle of the labyrinth percy jackson and and the the last last olympian olympian percy jackson percy jackson and and the the last last olympian olympian percy jackson the demigod files the demigod files the demigod files the files blood confidential camp half the -demigod demigod files half -- blood confidential camp camp half -- blood blood confidential confidential camp half half blood confidential camp percy jackson and the greek gods percy jackson jackson and and the the greek greek gods gods percy percy jackson and the greek gods percy percyjackson jacksonand andthe thegreek greekheroes gods jackson and the greek heroes percy jackson and the greek heroes percy jackson and the greek heroes percy percy jackson and the greek heroes The Heroes of Olympus series The Heroes of Olympus series The of Olympus series The Heroes of Olympus the lost hero * series The Heroes Heroes of Olympus series the lost hero * the lost lost hero hero * * the the son of neptune * the lost hero * the the son son of of neptune neptune * * the of neptune the son mark of athena* the son of neptune the mark of athena* the mark mark of of athena athena the houseof ofathena hades the mark house the house of of hades hades the house of hades the blood of olympus the house of hades the blood of of olympus olympus the blood the blood of olympus the the blood of olympus the demigod diaries the demigod diaries diaries the demigod the demigod diaries diaries the demigod

The Kane Chronicles series The Kane Chronicles series The Kane Chronicles series The Kane Chronicles red pyramidseries ** Thethe Kane Chronicles the red red pyramid pyramidseries the *** the red pyramid the throne of fire the red pyramid the THROnE throne OF of FiRE fire THE * the throne of fire the throne fire ’’ss of shadow the theserpent throne of fire serpent shadow the serpent ’ s shadow the serpent ’’ s s shadow shadow the the serpent The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Adventures The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Adventures The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Adventures The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Adventures demigods and magicians : the son of sobek , The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Adventures demigods and magicians : the son of demigods and and magicians magicians :: the the son son of of sobek sobek ,,, demigods sobek the staff of serapis & the crown demigods and magicians : the sonof ofptolemy sobek , the the staff staff of of serapis serapis & & the the crown crown of of ptolemy ptolemy the the staff staff of of serapis serapis & & the the crown crown of of ptolemy ptolemy

The The Magnus Magnus Chase Chase series series The Magnus Chase series

The Chase series magnus chase and the sword of summer The Magnus Magnus Chase series magnus chase chase and the the sword of summer summer magnus and sword of magnus chase and the sword of summer chase and the hammer thor magnus magnus chase and the sword ofof summer chase and the hammer of thor magnus chase and the hammer of magnus chase AnD and THE the sHiP hammer of thor thor magnus CHAsE MAGnUs OF THE DEAD chase and the hammer of thor magnus hotel valhalla : guide to the norse worlds hotel valhalla : guide to the norse worlds hotel valhalla valhalla :: guide guide to the the norse worlds worlds hotel hotel valhalla : guide to to the norse norse worlds The The Trials Trials of of Apollo Apollo series series The Trials of series the hidden oracle The Trials of Apollo Apollo series the hidden oracle the the the the the the the

hidden oracle hidden oracle dark prophecy hidden oracle dark prophecy dark prophecy dark dark prophecy prophecy

www.rickriordan.co.uk www.rickriordan.co.uk www.rickriordan.co.uk www.rickriordan.co.uk www.rickriordan.co.uk ** Also available as aa graphic novel available as graphic novel Also available as graphic novel *** Also Also Also available available as as aaa graphic graphic novel novel

BooksByRickRiordan NewBaskerville.indd 1 BooksByRickRiordan BooksByRickRiordan NewBaskerville.indd NewBaskerville.indd 1 1 9780141342566_MagnusChaseAndTheHammerOfThor_PRE.indd 2 BooksByRickRiordan BooksByRickRiordan NewBaskerville.indd NewBaskerville.indd 1 1

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978014

17 17 17 17 17

AND THE

HAMMER OF THOR

PUFFIN

11:13 11:13 11:13 11:13 11:13

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PUFFIN B O O K S UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia PUFFIN PUFFINBB OO OO KK SS India | New Zealand | South Africa PUFFIN B O O K S UK UK| USA | USA| Canada | Canada| Ireland | Ireland| Australia | Australia PUFFIN B O O K SHouse group of companies Puffin Books is part of the Penguin Random UK | USA | Canada | Ireland Australia India India | New | New Zealand Zealand | South | South|Africa Africa whose addresses can be| New found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

UKIndia | USA | Canada | Ireland Zealand | South| Australia Africa Puffin PuffinBooks Booksisispart partof ofthe the Penguin Random Random House House group groupofofcompanies companies India |Penguin New Zealand | South Africa www.penguin.co.uk Puffin Books is part ofbe the Penguin Random House group of companies whose whose addresses addresses can can befound found atatglobal.penguinrandomhouse.com. global.penguinrandomhouse.com. www.puffin.co.uk Puffin Books is partcan of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com. www.penguin.co.uk www.ladybird.co.uk whose addresses can bewww.penguin.co.uk found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com. www.penguin.co.uk www.puffin.co.uk www.puffin.co.uk www.penguin.co.uk www.puffin.co.uk www.ladybird.co.uk www.ladybird.co.uk www.puffin.co.uk www.ladybird.co.uk www.ladybird.co.uk

First published in the USA by Disney • Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group, and in Great Britain by Puffin Books 2016 Firstpublished publishedininthe theUSA USAbybyDisney Disney• •Hyperion, Hyperion,ananimprint imprint First 001 First published in the USA by Disney • Hyperion, imprint Disney BookGroup, Group, and Great Britain Puffinan Books 2016 ofofDisney Book and ininGreat Britain bybyPuffin Books 2016 published inThis theand USA Disney • Hyperion, imprint of First Disney Book Group, inby Great Britain

by PuffinanBooks 2016 edition published 2017 Copyright Rick 001 Riordan, of Disney Book Group, and©in001 Great Britain 2016

by Puffin Books 2016 001 Rune and symbol art byRick Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Copyright Riordan, 2016 Copyright ©©Rick Riordan, 2016 001 Magnus Chase icon based on an illustration Eamon O’Donoghue Copyright © Rick Riordan,by2016 Rune and symbol artby Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen and symbol Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Magnus ChaseRune and the Ship of the art Dead extract text copyright Copyright ©by Rick Riordan, 2016 © Rick Riordan, 2017 The moral ofbased the on author and illustrators has been asserted Rune and symbol artanan byillustration Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Magnus Chaseright iconbased on illustration Eamon O’Donoghue Magnus Chase icon bybyEamon O’Donoghue art an

by Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Magnus Rune Chaseand iconsymbol based on illustration

by Eamon O’Donoghue Typeset in an New Baskerville Themoral moral right theauthor author and illustrators hasbeen been asserted The right ofof the and illustrators has asserted Magnus Chase icon based on illustration byFS Eamon O’Donoghue The moral right of the author and illustrators has been asserted Printed in Great by Clays Ltd, Ives plcasserted Typeset inNew New Baskerville inBritain Baskerville FSFSSt The moral rightTypeset of the author and illustrators has been Typeset in New Baskerville FS A CIP catalogue record for this isClays available from the British Library Printed Great Britain ClaysLtd, Ltd,FS Ives plc Printed ininTypeset Great Britain byby StStIves plc inbook New Baskerville Printed in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc hardback CIPcatalogue catalogue record forthis this bookisby isavailable available from theBritish BritishLibrary Library AACIP record book from Printed infor Great Britain Clays Ltd, St the Ives plc 978–0–141–34254–2 A CIP catalogue recordisbn: for this book is available from the British Library hardback hardback A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library international paperback hardback isbn:978–0–141–34254–2 978–0–141–34254–2 isbn: 978–0–141–34255–9 isbn: 978–0–141–34254–2 978–0–141–34256–6 hardback isbn: international paperback international paperback isbn: 978–0–141–34254–2 All978–0–141–34255–9 correspondence to: international paperback isbn: 978–0–141–34255–9 isbn: Puffin Books international paperback isbn: 978–0–141–34255–9 Allcorrespondence correspondence to: All Penguin Random House to: Children’s isbn: 978–0–141–34255–9 All correspondence to:0rl Puffin Books Puffin Books 80 Strand, London wc2r www.greenpenguin.co.uk All correspondence to: PuffinHouse Books Penguin Random HouseChildren’s Children’s Penguin Random Puffin Books Penguin Random House Children’s Strand, London wc2r 0rl 8080Strand, London wc2r 0rl www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a Penguin Random House Children’s 80 Strand, London wc2r 0rl www.greenpenguin.co.uk sustainable future for our business, our readers 80 Strand, London and our planet wc2r book0rl is made from Forest www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed Stewardship Council® certified paper. to a sustainable future House for ourisbusiness, our to readers Penguin Random committed a and our planet is made from Forest sustainable future House forbook ourisbusiness, our to readers Penguin Random committed a Stewardship Council® certified paper. and our planet is made from Forest sustainable future forbook our business, our readers Stewardship Council®book certified paper. and our planet is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

MC Hammer of Thor UK.indd 4 9780141342542_MagnusChaseAndTheHammerOfThor_PRE.indd 4

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MC Ham

19/07/17 3:30 AM MC 04/07/2016 04/07/2016 13:24 13:24 MC Hamm Ham

2016 13:24

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To J. R. R. Tolkien, who opened upTo theJ.J.world Norse mythology for me To R. R.R. R.ofTolkien, Tolkien, To J. R. R. Tolkien, who whoopened openedup upthe theworld ofofNorse Norsemythology mythologyfor forme me To J.world R. R. Tolkien, who opened up the world of Norse mythology for me who opened up the world of Norse mythology for me

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ONE

Could You Please Stop Killing My Goat?

LESSON LEARNED: if you take a Valkyrie out for coffee, you’ll get stuck with the cheque and a dead body.

I hadn’t seen Samirah al-Abbas in almost six weeks, so when she called out of the blue and said we needed to talk about a matter of life and death, I agreed right away.

(Technically I’m already dead, which means the whole life-and-death thing didn’t apply, but still . . . Sam sounded anxious.)

She hadn’t yet arrived when I got to the Thinking Cup on Newbury Street. The place was packed as usual, so I queued up for coffee. A few seconds later, Sam flew in – literally – right over the heads of the café patrons.

Nobody batted an eye. Regular mortals aren’t good at processing magical stuff, which is fortunate, because otherwise Bostonians would spend most of their time running around in a panic from giants, trolls, ogres and einherjar with battleaxes and lattes.

Sam landed next to me in her school uniform – white sneakers, khaki slacks and a long-sleeve navy shirt with the King Academy logo. A green hijab covered her hair. An axe hung from her belt. I was pretty sure the axe wasn’t standard dress code.

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As Asglad glad asasI Iwas wasto tosee see her, I Inoted notedof that that the theskin skinunder underher her displays bloomed in theher, windows high-end boutiques. eyes eyeswas wasdarker darkerthan than usual. usual.She She was swaying swayingon onher herfeet. feet.

Tourists strolled by enjoying thewas sunshine.

‘Hey,’ ‘Hey,’I Isaid. said.‘You ‘You look lookterrible.’ terrible.’

Sitting outside, comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, ‘Nice ‘Nice totosee see you, you,too, too,Magnus.’

Magnus.’

T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first ‘No, ‘No,inI Ithree mean mean . . . . . that . not notIterrible terriblebeen like likehomeless. different different than than normal normal spring years hadn’t terrible. terrible.

Just terrible terrible like like exhausted.’ exhausted.’

LastJust March, I had been scrounging from dumpsters. I’d ‘Should ‘Should I Iget get you youaaashovel shovelsoso you candig digGarden, that thathole hole aalittle little been sleeping under bridge inyou thecan Public hanging deeper?’ deeper?’ out with my buddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding the cops and raised raisedto my my hands hands ininsurrender. surrender.‘Where ‘Wherehave haveyou youbeen beenthe the justI Itrying stay alive. last lastmonth monthand andamonths ahalf?’ half?’ ago, I died fighting a fire giant. I’d Then, two Her Hershoulders shoulders tightened.

‘My ‘Myworkload workload thisOdin’s semester semester has has woken up in thetightened.

Hotel Valhalla as one this of einherji been been killing killingme. me.I’m I’mtutoring tutoringkids kidsafter afterschool. school.Then, Then,asasyou you warriors. might might remember, remember, there’s there’s my mypart-time part-time jobreaping reaping souls the the Now I had clean clothes.

I took a job shower everysouls day.of Iofslept dead dead andrunning runningbed top-secret top-secret missions missions for forOdin.’

Odin.’ in a and comfortable every night.

I could sit at this café table, ‘You ‘You kids kids today today and andyour yourbusy busy schedules.’ schedules.’ eating food I’d actually paid for and not worry about when the ‘On ‘On top topof ofall allthat . . . that . . . there’s there’s flight flightschool.’ school.’ staff would force me to move along.

‘Flight ‘Flight school?’ school?’

We WeI’d shuffled shuffled forward forward with with theline. line.

‘Like ‘Like Since my rebirth, got used to a lot of the weird stuff.

I’d aeroplanes?’ aeroplanes?’ travelled the Nine Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves knew Sam’s goal goal was was become become aa professional professional pilot pilot andI Iaknew bunchSam’s of monsters withtoto names I couldn’t pronounce.

I’d someday, someday, but butI Ihadn’t hadn’t realized realized she shewas washung already already taking taking lessons. scored a magical sword that presently around mylessons. neck in ‘You ‘You can candoof dothat atatsixteen?’ sixteen?’ the form athat runestone pendant. I’d even had a mind-melting Her Her eyes eyes sparkled sparkled with excitement. excitement.

‘My grandparents grandparents conversation with my with cousin Annabeth‘My about the Greek could couldnever never have haveout afforded afforded it,it,but butthe the Fadlans Fadlans have this this friend friend gods who hung in New York and made have her life difficult. who whoruns runsaaflight flight school. school.

They They finally finally convinced convinced Jid Jidand and Bibi –’ Bibi –’ Apparently North America was lousy with ancient gods.

We ‘Ah.’ I Igrinned. grinned.

‘So ‘Sothe thelessons lessonswere wereaagift giftfrom fromAmir.’

Amir.’ had‘Ah.’ a full-blown infestation.

Sam Samof blushed. blushed.

She’sthe thetoonly only teenager teenagerI Iknow knowwho whohas hasaa All that I’dShe’s learned accept. betrothed, betrothed, and andit’s it’s cute cute how flustered flustered she shegets getswhen when she talks talks But being back inhow Boston on a nice spring day,she hanging about about Amir Amir Fadlan.

Fadlan. out like a regular mortal kid?

‘Those ‘Those lessons were the the most most thoughtful, thoughtful, the the most most That feltlessons strange.were considerate considerate . . . . .’the .’She She sighed sighed wistfully.

‘But ‘Butenough enoughof ofthat. that.

II I scanned crowd ofwistfully. pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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33

didn’t didn’tbring bringyou youhere heretototalk talkabout aboutmy myschedule. schedule.We Wehave havean an informant informanttotomeet.’ meet.’

‘An ‘Aninformant?’ informant?’

‘This ‘This could could be be the the break break I’ve I’ve been been waiting waiting for. for. IfIf his his information informationisisgood –’ good –’ Sam’s Sam’s phone phone buzzed. buzzed. She She fished fished itit out out ofof her her pocket, pocket, checked checkedthe thescreen screenand andcursed. cursed.‘I‘Ihave havetotogo.’ go.’

‘You ‘Youjust justgot gothere.’ here.’

‘Valkyrie ‘Valkyriebusiness. business.Possible Possiblecode codethree-eight-one: three-eight-one:heroic heroic death deathininprogress.’ progress.’

‘You’re ‘You’remaking makingthat thatup.’ up.’

‘I’m ‘I’mnot.’ not.’

‘So ‘So . . . . . .what, what,somebody somebodythinks thinksthey’re they’reabout abouttotodie dieand and they theytext textyou you“Going “Goingdown! down!Need NeedValkyrie ValkyrieASAP!” ASAP!”followed followedby byaa bunch bunchofofsad-face sad-faceemojis?’ emojis?’

‘I‘Iseem seemtotorecall recalltaking takingyour yoursoul soultotoValhalla.

Valhalla.You Youdidn’t didn’t text textme.’ me.’

‘No, ‘No,but butI’m I’mspecial.’ special.’

‘Just ‘Justget getaatable tableoutside,’ outside,’she shesaid. said.‘Meet ‘Meetmy myinformant. informant.I’ll I’ll be beback backasassoon soonasasI Ican.’ can.’

‘I‘Idon’t don’teven evenknow knowwhat whatyour yourinformant informantlooks lookslike.’ like.’

‘You’ll ‘You’llrecognize recognizehim himwhen whenyou yousee seehim,’ him,’Sam Sampromised. promised.

‘Be ‘Bebrave. brave.Also, Also,get getme meaascone.’ scone.’

She Sheflew flewout outofofthe theshop shoplike likeSuper SuperMuslima, Muslima,leaving leavingme metoto pay payfor forour ourorder. order.

I Igot gottwo twolarge largecoffees coffeesand andtwo twoscones sconesand andfound foundaatable tableoutside. outside.

Spring Springhad hadarrived arrivedearly earlyininBoston.

Boston.Patches Patchesofofdirty dirtysnow snow still stillclung clungtotothe thekerbs kerbslike likedental dentalplaque, plaque,but butthe thecherry cherrytrees trees popped popped with with white white and and red red buds. buds. Flowery Flowery pastel pastel clothing clothing

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displays displays bloomed bloomed inin the the windows windows ofof high-end high-end boutiques. boutiques.

Tourists Touristsstrolled strolledby byenjoying enjoyingthe thesunshine. sunshine.

Sitting Sittingoutside, outside,comfortable comfortableininmy myfreshly freshlylaundered launderedjeans, jeans, T-shirt T-shirtand anddenim denimjacket, jacket,I Irealized realizedthis thiswould wouldbe bethe thefirst first spring springininthree threeyears yearsthat thatI Ihadn’t hadn’tbeen beenhomeless. homeless.

Last LastMarch, March,I Ihad hadbeen beenscrounging scroungingfrom fromdumpsters. dumpsters.I’d I’d been beensleeping sleepingunder underaabridge bridgeininthe thePublic PublicGarden, Garden,hanging hanging out outwith withmy mybuddies buddiesHearth Hearthand andBlitz, Blitz,avoiding avoidingthe thecops copsand and just justtrying tryingtotostay stayalive. alive.

Then, Then,two twomonths monthsago, ago,I Idied diedfighting fightingaafire firegiant. giant.I’d I’d woken woken up up inin the the Hotel Hotel Valhalla Valhalla asas one one ofof Odin’s Odin’s einherji einherji warriors. warriors.

Now NowI Ihad hadclean cleanclothes. clothes.I Itook tookaashower showerevery everyday. day.I Islept slept ininaacomfortable comfortablebed bedevery everynight. night.I Icould couldsit sitatatthis thiscafé cafétable, table, eating eatingfood foodI’d I’dactually actuallypaid paidfor forand andnot notworry worryabout aboutwhen whenthe the staff staffwould wouldforce forceme metotomove movealong. along.

Since Sincemy myrebirth, rebirth,I’d I’dgot gotused usedtotoaalot lotofofweird weirdstuff. stuff.I’d I’d travelled travelledthe theNine NineWorlds Worldsmeeting meetingNorse Norsegods, gods,elves, elves,dwarves dwarves and andaabunch bunchofofmonsters monsterswith withnames namesI Icouldn’t couldn’tpronounce. pronounce.I’d I’d scored scoredaamagical magicalsword swordthat thatpresently presentlyhung hungaround aroundmy myneck neckinin the theform formofofaarunestone runestonependant. pendant.I’d I’deven evenhad hadaamind-melting mind-melting conversation conversation with with my my cousin cousin Annabeth Annabeth about about the the Greek Greek gods godswho whohung hungout outininNew NewYork Yorkand andmade madeher herlife lifedifficult. difficult.

Apparently ApparentlyNorth NorthAmerica Americawas waslousy lousywith withancient ancientgods. gods.We We had hadaafull-blown full-blowninfestation. infestation.

All Allofofthat thatI’d I’dlearned learnedtotoaccept. accept.

But Butbeing beingback backininBoston Bostonon onaanice nicespring springday, day,hanging hanging out outlike likeaaregular regularmortal mortalkid? kid?

That Thatfelt feltstrange. strange.

I I scanned scanned the the crowd crowd ofof pedestrians, pedestrians, looking looking for for Sam’s Sam’s

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informant. informant.You’ll You’llrecognize recognizehim himwhen whenyou yousee seehim, him,she’d she’dpromised. promised.

I Iwondered wonderedwhat whatkind kindofofinformation informationthis thisguy guyhad hadand andwhy why Sam Samconsidered consideredititlife-and-death. life-and-death.

My Mygaze gazefixed fixedon onaastorefront storefrontatatthe theend endofofthe theblock. block.Over Over the thedoorway, doorway,the thebrass-and-silver brass-and-silversign signstill stillgleamed gleamedproudly: proudly: blitzen blitzen ’s’sbest best––but butthe theshop shopwas wasshuttered. shuttered.The Thefront frontdoor door

window windowwas waspapered paperedover overon onthe theinside, inside,with withaamessage messagehastily hastily scrawled scrawledininred redmarker: marker:Closed Closedfor forremodelling. remodelling.Back Backsoon! soon!

I’d I’dbeen beenhoping hopingtotoask askSamirah Samirahabout aboutthat. that.I Ihad hadno noidea idea why whymy myold oldfriend friendBlitz Blitzhad hadabruptly abruptlydisappeared. disappeared.One Oneday dayaa few fewweeks weeksago, ago,I’d I’djust justwalked walkedby bythe theshop shopand andfound foundititclosed. closed.

Since Sincethen, then,there’d there’dbeen beenno noword wordfrom fromBlitzen Blitzenor orHearthstone, Hearthstone, which whichwasn’t wasn’tlike likethem. them.

Thinking Thinkingabout aboutthis thismade mademe mesosopreoccupied preoccupiedI Ialmost almost didn’t didn’tsee seeour ourinformant informantuntil untilhe hewas wasright righton ontop topofofme. me.But But Sam Samwas wascorrect: correct:he hekind kindofofstood stoodout. out.It’s It’snot notevery everyday dayyou you see seeaagoat goatininaatrench trenchcoat. coat.

AAporkpie porkpiehat hatwas waswedged wedgedbetween betweenhis hiscurly curlyhorns. horns.AApair pair ofofsunglasses sunglassesperched perchedon onhis hisnose. nose.His Histrench trenchcoat coatkept keptgetting getting tangled tangledininhis hisback backhooves. hooves.

Despite Despitehis hisclever cleverdisguise, disguise,I Irecognized recognizedhim. him.I’d I’dkilled killed and andeaten eatenthis thisparticular particulargoat goaton onanother anotherworld, world,which whichisisthe the sort sortofofbonding bondingexperience experienceyou youdon’t don’tforget. forget.

‘Otis,’ ‘Otis,’I Isaid. said.

‘Shhh,’ ‘Shhh,’he hesaid. said.‘I’m ‘I’mincognito. incognito.Call Callme . . . me . . .Otis.’

Otis.’

‘I’m ‘I’mnot notsure surethat’s that’show howincognito incognitoworks, works,but butokay.’ okay.’

Otis, Otis,aka akaOtis, Otis,climbed climbedonto ontothe thechair chairI’d I’dreserved reservedfor forSam. Sam. He Hesat saton onhis hisback backhaunches haunchesand andput puthis hisfront fronthooves hooveson onthe the table. table.‘Where ‘Whereisisthe theValkyrie?

Valkyrie?IsIsshe sheincognito, incognito,too?’ too?’He Hepeered peered atatthe thenearest nearestpastry pastrybag bagasasififSam Sammight mightbe behiding hidinginside. inside.

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‘Samirah ‘Samirah had hadtoto go reap reap aasoul,’ soul,’of I Isaid. said.

‘She’ll ‘She’ll be beback back displays bloomed ingo the windows high-end boutiques. soon.’ soon.’ strolled by enjoying the sunshine.

Tourists ‘ItSitting ‘Itmust mustoutside, be benice nice having havingaapurpose purpose ininlife.’ life.’

Otis Otissighed. sighed. comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, ‘Well, ‘Well,thank thank youfor forthe thefood.’ food.’

T-shirt and you denim jacket, I realized this would be the first ‘That’s ‘That’s not notfor –’ for –’ spring in three years that I hadn’t been homeless.

Otis Otis snapped snappedIup up Sam’s Sam’s scone bag bag and and began began toto eat eat it, it, Last March, had beenscone scrounging from dumpsters.

I’d paper paperand andall. all. under a bridge in the Public Garden, hanging been sleeping At the themy table table next nexttoto us, us,an anolder older couple couple glanced glanced atatcops my mygoat goat outAt with buddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding the and friend friend and andsmiled. smiled.

Maybetheir theirmortal mortalsenses sensesperceived perceivedhim himasas just trying to stay Maybe alive. aacute cute child childtwo or oraamonths funny funnypet pet dog. dog.

Then, ago, I died fighting a fire giant. I’d ‘So.’ ‘So.’up I Ihad had ahard hard time time watching watching Otis devour the thepastry, pastry, woken in athe Hotel Valhalla asOtis onedevour of Odin’s einherji spraying sprayingcrumbs crumbsacross acrossthe thelapels lapelsofofhis histrench trenchcoat. coat.‘You ‘Youhad had warriors. something something totell tell us?’ us?’clothes. I took a shower every day. I slept Now I to had clean Otis belched. belched.‘It’s ‘It’sabout aboutmy mymaster.’ master.’ in aOtis comfortable bed every night.

I could sit at this café table, ‘Thor.’

‘Thor.’ eating food I’d actually paid for and not worry about when the Otis Otis flinched. flinched.

‘Yes, him.’ staff would force ‘Yes, me tohim.’ move along.

IfSince IfI Iworked worked for forthe thethunder thunder god,I,to I,too, too, would would have haveflinched flinched my rebirth, I’d got god, used a lot of weird stuff.

I’d when when I I heard heard Thor’s Thor’s name. name.

Otis Otis and and his his brother, brother, Marvin, travelled the Nine Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves,Marvin, dwarves pulled pulled the the god’s god’s chariot. chariot.with They They also alsoIprovided providedpronounce.

Thor Thor with withI’d aa and a bunch of monsters names couldn’t never-ending never-ending supply supply ofofgoat goat meat.Each Each night, night, Thor Thorkilled killed and and scored a magical sword thatmeat. presently hung around my neck in ate atethem themfor foradinner. dinner.Each Each morning, morning, Thorhad resurrected resurrected them. them. the form of runestone pendant.

I’d Thor even a mind-melting This Thisisiswhy whyyou you should should gocousin totocollege, college, kids kids––soso when whenyou yougrow grow conversation with mygo Annabeth about the Greek up upyou you do donot nothave have totoin take take aajob jobasasaand amagical magical goat. gods who hung out New York madegoat. her life difficult.

‘I‘Ifinally finallyNorth have haveaaAmerica lead,’ lead,’Otis Otis said, said, ‘on ‘on that thatancient certain certainobject objectmy my Apparently was lousy with gods.

We master master isismissing.’ missing.’ had a full-blown infestation.

‘You ‘Youof mean mean hisham–?’ ham–?’ to accept.

All thathis I’d learned ‘Don’t ‘Don’t say sayititback aloud!’ aloud!’

Otiswarned. warned.

‘But,spring yes . . . yes . . .day, his hisham.’ ham.’

But being in Otis Boston on a ‘But, nice hanging flashed flashed back backto toJanuary, January, whenI’d I’dfirst firstmet metthe thethunder thunder outI Ilike a regular mortal kid? when god. god.That Good Good times times around aroundthe thecampfire, campfire,listening listeningtotoThor Thorfart, fart, felt strange.

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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talk talkabout abouthis hisfavourite favouriteTV TVshows, shows,fart, fart,complain complainabout abouthis his missing missinghammer, hammer,which whichhe heused usedtotokill killgiants giantsand andstream streamhis his favourite favouriteTV TVshows showsand andfart. fart.

‘It’s ‘It’sstill stillmissing?’ missing?’I Iasked. asked.

Otis Otisclacked clackedhis hisfront fronthooves hooveson onthe thetabletop. tabletop.‘Well, ‘Well,not not officially, officially,ofofcourse. course.IfIfthe thegiants giantsknew knewfor forcertain certainthat thatThor Thor was waswithout withouthis hisyou-know-what, you-know-what,they theywould wouldinvade invadethe themortal mortal worlds, worlds,destroy destroyeverything everythingand andsend sendme meinto intoaavery verydeep deepfunk. funk.

But Butunofficially unofficially . . . . . .yes. yes.We’ve We’vebeen beensearching searchingfor formonths months with withno noluck. luck.Thor’s Thor’senemies enemiesare aregetting gettingbolder. bolder.They Theysense sense weakness. weakness.I Itold toldmy mytherapist therapistititreminds remindsme meofofwhen whenI Iwas wasaa kid kidininthe thegoat goatpen penand andthe thebullies bullieswere weresizing sizingme meup.’ up.’Otis Otisgot got aafaraway farawaylook lookininhis hisyellow yellowslit-pupil slit-pupileyes. eyes.‘I‘Ithink thinkthat’s that’swhen when my mytraumatic traumaticstress stressstarted.’ started.’

This Thiswas wasmy mycue cuetotospend spendthe thenext nextseveral severalhours hourstalking talking totoOtis Otisabout abouthis hisfeelings. feelings.Being Beingaaterrible terribleperson, person,I Ijust justsaid said‘I‘I feel feelyour yourpain’ pain’and andmoved movedon. on.

‘Otis,’ ‘Otis,’I Isaid, said,‘the ‘thelast lasttime timewe wesaw sawyou, you,we wefound foundThor Thoraa nice niceiron ironstaff stafftotouse useasasaabackup backupweapon. weapon.He’s He’snot notexactly exactly defenceless.’ defenceless.’

‘No, ‘No,but butthe thestaff staffisisnot notasasgood goodasasthe . . . the . . .ham. ham.ItItdoesn’t doesn’t inspire inspirethe thesame samefear fearininthe thegiants. giants.Also, Also,Thor Thorgets getscranky cranky trying tryingtotowatch watchhis hisshows showson onthe thestaff. staff.The Thescreen screenisistiny, tiny,and and the theresolution resolutionisisterrible. terrible.I Idon’t don’tlike likeititwhen whenThor Thorisiscranky. cranky.ItIt makes makesitithard hardfor forme metotofind findmy myhappy happyspace.’ space.’

AAlot lotabout aboutthis thisdid didnot notmake makesense: sense:why whyThor Thorwould wouldhave have soso much much trouble trouble locating locating his his own own hammer; hammer; how how he he could could possibly possiblyhave havekept keptits itsloss lossaasecret secretfrom fromthe thegiants giantsfor forsosolong; long; and andthe theidea ideathat thatOtis Otisthe thegoat goatwould wouldhave haveaahappy happyspace. space.

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‘So ‘SoThor Thor wants wantsour ourhelp,’ help,’ I Iguessed. guessed. displays bloomed in the windows of high-end boutiques.

‘Not ‘Notofficially.’ officially.’

Tourists strolled by enjoying the sunshine.

‘Of ‘Ofcourse course not. not.comfortable We’ll We’llall allhave have totowear weartrench trench coats coatsjeans, and and Sitting outside, in my freshly laundered glasses.’ glasses.’and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first T-shirt ‘That’s ‘That’s an anexcellent excellent idea,’ idea,’ Otis Otisbeen said. said.

‘Anyway, ‘Anyway,I Itold toldthe the spring in three years that I hadn’t homeless.

Valkyrie Valkyrie Iwould wouldkeep herupdated updated since sincefrom she sheisis inincharge chargeof of LastIMarch, Ikeep hadher been scrounging dumpsters.

I’d Odin’s Odin’s . . . . . .you youunder know, know,aspecial special missions.

This Thisis isthe thefirst first good good been sleeping bridgemissions. in the Public Garden, hanging lead leadI’ve I’vegot gotto tothe thelocation location the theBlitz, certain certain object. object.My Mysource source isis out with my buddies Hearthofof and avoiding the cops and reliable. reliable.

He’s He’s another goat goatwho whogoes goestotothe thesame samepsychiatrist. psychiatrist. just trying toanother stay alive.

He Heoverheard overheard some some talk talkin inhis hisIbarnyard.’ barnyard.’

Then, two months ago, died fighting a fire giant. I’d ‘You ‘Youup want want us toto track trackValhalla down down aaas lead lead based based on on barnyard barnyard woken in us the Hotel one of Odin’s einherji gossip gossipyou youheard heardininyour yourpsychiatrist’s psychiatrist’swaiting waitingroom.’ room.’ warriors.

‘That ‘ThatIwould would be begreat.’ great.’

Otis Otis leaned leaned sosofar far forward forward was Now had clean clothes.

I took a shower every day. IIIwas slept afraid afraid he hemight mightfall fall out out ofofhis his chair. chair.

‘But ‘Butyou’re you’re going totohave have in a comfortable bed every night.

I could sit at going this café table, toeating tobe becareful.’ careful.’ food I’d actually paid for and not worry about when the ItItwould took tookall allmy myme effort effort not notto tolaugh. laugh.I’d I’dplayed playedcatch-thecatch-thestaff force to move along. lava-ball lava-ball with with firegiants. giants.

I’d eagle-skied over the rooftops rooftops of Since my fire rebirth, I’dI’d goteagle-skied used to a over lot ofthe weird stuff. of I’d Boston.

Boston.I’d I’d pulled pulled the World World Serpent Serpent out outofof Massachusetts Massachusetts Bay Bay travelled the Ninethe Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves and Fenris Fenris Wolf Wolfwith with with aaball ballIof ofyarn. yarn.Now Nowthis thisgoat goat anddefeated adefeated bunch of monsters names couldn’t pronounce.

I’d was wastelling telling me metotobe becareful. careful. scored a magical sword that presently hung around my neck in ‘So where where isis the the ham?’ ham?’

I I asked. asked.

‘Jotunheim?

‘Jotunheim?

Niflheim?

Niflheim? the‘So form of a runestone pendant.

I’d even had a mind-melting Thorfartheim?’

Thorfartheim?’with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek conversation ‘You’re ‘You’re teasing.’ teasing.’

Otis’s sunglasses sunglasses slipped slipped sideways on onhis his gods who hung outOtis’s in New York and made sideways her life difficult. snout. snout.‘But ‘Butthe the ham hamis isininaadifferent different dangerous dangerous location. location.

It’s It’sWe inin Apparently North America was lousy with ancient gods.

Provincetown.’

Provincetown.’ had a full-blown infestation.

‘Provincetown,’ ‘Provincetown,’ I Irepeated. repeated.

‘On ‘Onthe thetip tipofofCape CapeCod.’ Cod.’ All of that I’d learned to accept.

I But Ihad hadbeing vague vague memories memories ofofthe the Mymom mom had had taken taken back in Boston on place. aplace. niceMy spring day, hanging me methere there for aaweekend weekend one one summer summerwhen whenI Iwas wasabout abouteight. eight.I I out like afor regular mortal kid? remembered remembered beaches,saltwater saltwatertaffy, taffy,lobster lobsterrolls rollsand andaabunch bunch That feltbeaches, strange.

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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ofofart artgalleries. galleries.The Themost mostdangerous dangerousthing thingwe’d we’dencountered encountered was wasaaseagull seagullwith withirritable irritablebowel bowelsyndrome. syndrome.

Otis Otislowered loweredhis hisvoice. voice.‘There ‘Thereisisaabarrow barrowininProvincetown Provincetown–– aawight’s wight’sbarrow.’ barrow.’

‘Is ‘Isthat thatlike likeaawheelbarrow?’ wheelbarrow?’

‘No, ‘No,no. no.AAwight wight . . . . .’.’Otis Otisshuddered. shuddered.‘Well, ‘Well,aawight wightisis aa powerful powerful undead undead creature creature that that likes likes toto collect collect magical magical weapons. weapons.AAwight’s wight’stomb tombisiscalled calledaa––aabarrow. barrow.Sorry, Sorry,I Ihave haveaa hard hardtime timetalking talkingabout aboutwights. wights.They Theyremind remindme meofofmy myfather.’ father.’

That That raised raised another another batch batch ofof questions questions about about Otis’s Otis’s childhood, childhood,but butI Idecided decidedtotoleave leavethem themfor forhis histherapist. therapist.

‘Are ‘Arethere thereaalot lotofoflairs lairsofofundead undeadVikings VikingsininProvincetown?’

Provincetown?’

I Iasked. asked.

‘Only ‘Onlyone, one,asasfar farasasI Iknow. know.But Butthat’s that’senough. enough.IfIfthe thecertain certain object objectisisthere, there,ititwill willbe bedifficult difficulttotoretrieve retrieve––underground underground and andguarded guardedby bypowerful powerfulmagic. magic.You’ll You’llneed needyour yourfriends friends–– the thedwarf dwarfand andthe theelf.’ elf.’

That Thatwould wouldhave havebeen beengreat, great,ififI Ihad hadany anyidea ideawhere wherethose those friends friendswere. were.I Ihoped hopedSam Samknew knewmore morethan thanI Idid. did.

‘Why ‘Whydoesn’t doesn’tThor Thorgo goand andcheck checkthis thisbarrow barrowhimself?’ himself?’

I Iasked. asked.‘Wait ‘Wait . . . . . .let letme meguess. guess.He Hedoesn’t doesn’twant wanttotodraw draw attention. attention.Or Orhe hewants wantsus ustotohave haveaachance chancetotobe beheroes. heroes.Or Orit’s it’s hard hardwork workand andhe hehas hassome someshows showstotocatch catchup upon.’ on.’

‘To ‘Tobe befair,’ fair,’Otis Otissaid, said,‘the ‘thenew newseason seasonofofJessica JessicaJones Jonesdid did just juststart startstreaming.’ streaming.’

It’s It’snot notthe thegoat’s goat’sfault, fault,I Itold toldmyself. myself.He Hedoes doesnot notdeserve deservetotobebe punched. punched.

‘Fine,’ ‘Fine,’I Isaid. said.‘When ‘WhenSam Samgets getshere, here,we’ll we’lltalk talkstrategy.’ strategy.’

‘I’m ‘I’mnot notsure sureI Ishould shouldwait waitwith withyou.’ you.’Otis Otislicked lickedaacrumb crumb

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off offhis hislapel. lapel.

‘I‘Ishould should havewindows mentioned mentioned this earlier, earlier,boutiques. but, but,you you displays bloomed in have the of this high-end see, see,someone . . . someone . . . orsomething . . . something . . . hasbeen beenstalking stalkingme.’ me.’

Tourists strolled or by enjoying the has sunshine.

The Thehairs hairs on onmy my neck necktingled. tingled.

‘You ‘You think think they theyfollowed followed Sitting outside, comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, you youhere?’ here?’

T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first ‘I’m ‘I’min not not sure,’ sure,’ Otis Otis said. said.

‘Hopefully ‘Hopefully my my disguise disguise threw threw spring three years that I hadn’t been homeless. them them off.’ off.’March, I had been scrounging from dumpsters. I’d Last Oh, Oh, great, great,I Ithought. thought. been sleeping under a bridge in the Public Garden, hanging scanned scanned the thestreet street but butsaw saw no obvious obvious lurkers. lurkers.

‘Didyou you outI Iwith my buddies Hearth andno Blitz, avoiding the ‘Did cops and get getaatrying good goodlook look atatthis thissomeone/something?’ someone/something?’ just to stay alive.

‘No,’ ‘No,’Otis Otis admitted. admitted.

‘But Thor has hasfighting all allsorts sortsof enemies enemies who who Then, two months‘But ago,Thor I died aoffire giant.

I’d would wouldwant want stopus usfrom from getting gettingas his hisone ––his his ham back. back.

They They woken up to intostop the Hotel Valhalla ofham Odin’s einherji would wouldnot notwant wantme mesharing sharinginformation informationwith withyou, you,especially especially warriors. this thislast lastpart. part.

You You have have totowarn warn Samirah Samirah that –’ that –’ Now I had clean clothes.

I took a shower every day. I slept THUNK. in aTHUNK. comfortable bed every night. I could sit at this café table, Living Living inin Valhalla, Valhalla, Iwas wasfor used used deadly deadly weapons flying flying eating food I’d actuallyIpaid andtoto not worryweapons about when the out outofofwould nowhere, nowhere, but but I Iwas was still stillsurprised surprisedwhen whenan anaxe axesprouted sprouted staff force me to move along. from fromSince Otis’s Otis’smy furry furry chest. chest.I’d got used to a lot of weird stuff. I’d rebirth, I Ilunged lunged across the thetable table totohelp help him. him.As Asthe the son sonof ofFrey, Frey, travelled theacross Nine Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves god godofaoffertility fertility and health, health, I Ican can do dosome some pretty prettyawesome awesomefirstfirstand bunch ofand monsters with names I couldn’t pronounce.

I’d aid aidmagic magic given givenenough enough time.

But, But,asassoon soon I Itouched touched Otis,in II scored a magical sword time. that presently hungasas around my Otis, neck sensed sensed that that wastoo toolate. late.

The Theaxe axe had had pierced pierced his heart. heart. the form ofitaitwas runestone pendant.

I’d even had ahis mind-melting ‘Oh, ‘Oh,dear.’ dear.’Otis Otiscoughed coughed blood. blood.

‘I’ll ‘I’lljust . . . just . . . die . . . die . . . now.’ conversation with my cousin Annabeth about thenow.’

Greek His His head head lolled lolled backwards.

His His porkpie porkpie hat rolled across across gods who hung outbackwards. in New York and madehat herrolled life difficult. the thepavement. pavement.

The Thelady ladysitting sitting behind behind usscreamed screamed asififjust just Apparently North America was lousy us with ancient as gods.

We now nownoticing that thatinfestation.

Otis Otiswas wasnot notaacute cutepuppy puppydog. dog.He Hewas, was,inin had anoticing full-blown fact, fact,All aadead dead goat. goat. of that I’d learned to accept.

I But Iscanned scanned the rooftops rooftops across across the street. street.

Judging Judging from the the beingthe back in Boston onthe a nice spring day,from hanging angle angle ofofthe axe, axe,itmortal itmust musthave havebeen beenthrown thrownfrom fromsomewhere somewhere out like athe regular kid? up upthere there . . . . .strange. yes. yes.I Icaught caughtaaflicker flickerofofmovement movementjust justasasthe the That. felt I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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attacker attackerducked duckedout outofofsight sight––aafigure figureininblack blackwearing wearingsome some sort sortofofmetal metalhelmet. helmet.

So Somuch muchfor foraaleisurely leisurelycup cupofofcoffee. coffee.I Iyanked yankedthe themagical magical pendant pendantfrom frommy myneck neckchain chainand andraced racedafter afterthe thegoat-assassin. goat-assassin.

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Your YourStandard StandardRooftop RooftopChase ChaseScene Scene with withTalking TalkingSwords Swordsand andNinjas Ninjas I ISHOULD SHOULDintroduce introducemy mysword. sword.

Jack, Jack,these theseare arethe thepeeps. peeps.Peeps, Peeps,this thisisisJack.

Jack.

His His real real name name isis Sumarbrander, Sumarbrander, the the Sword Sword ofof Summer, Summer, but butJack Jackprefers prefersJack Jackbecause becausereasons. reasons.When WhenJack Jackfeels feelslike like snoozing, snoozing,which whichisismost mostofofthe thetime, time,he hehangs hangsout outon onaachain chain around aroundmy myneck neckininthe theform formofofaapendant pendantmarked markedwith withfehu, fehu, the therune runeofofFrey: Frey:

When WhenI Ineed needhis hishelp, help,he heturns turnsinto intoaasword swordand andkills kills things. things. Sometimes Sometimes he he does does this this while while I I wield wield him. him. Other Other times timeshe hedoes doesthis thiswhile whileflying flyingaround aroundon onhis hisown ownand andsinging singing annoying annoyingpop popsongs. songs.He Heisismagical magicalthat thatway. way.

As AsI Ibounded boundedacross acrossNewbury NewburyStreet, Street,Jack Jacksprang sprangtotofull full form formininmy myhand. hand.His Hisblade blade––thirty thirtyinches inchesofofdouble-edged double-edged bone-forged bone-forgedsteel steel––was wasemblazoned emblazonedwith withrunes runesthat thatpulsed pulsedinin different differentcolours colourswhen whenJack Jacktalked. talked.

‘What’s ‘What’sgoing goingon?’ on?’he heasked. asked.‘Who ‘Whoare arewe wekilling?’ killing?’

Jack Jackclaims claimshe hedoesn’t doesn’tpay payattention attentiontotomy myconversations conversations when when he he isis inin pendant pendant form. form. He He says says he he usually usually has has his his headphones headphoneson. on.I Idon’t don’tbelieve believethis, this,because becauseJack Jackdoesn’t doesn’thave have headphones. headphones.Or Orears. ears.

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‘Chasing ‘Chasingassassin,’ assassin,’I Iblurted blurtedout, out,dodging dodgingaataxi. taxi.‘Killed ‘Killed goat.’ goat.’

‘Right,’ ‘Right,’Jack Jacksaid. said.‘Same ‘Sameold, old,same sameold, old,then.’ then.’

I Ileaped leapedup upthe theside sideofofthe thePearson PearsonPublishing Publishingbuilding. building.

I’d I’dspent spentthe thelast lasttwo twomonths monthslearning learningtotouse usemy myeinherji einherji powers, powers,sosoone onejump jumptook tookme metotoaaledge ledgethree threestoreys storeysabove above the themain mainentrance entrance––no noproblem, problem,even evenwith withaasword swordininone one hand. hand.Then ThenI Ihop-climbed hop-climbedfrom fromwindow windowledge ledgetotocornice corniceup up the thewhite whitemarble marblefacade, facade,channelling channellingmy myinner innerHulk Hulkuntil untilI I reached reachedthe thetop. top.

On Onthe thefar farside sideofofthe theroof, roof,aadark darkbipedal bipedalshape shapewas was just justdisappearing disappearingbehind behindaarow rowofofchimneys. chimneys.The Thegoat-killer goat-killer looked lookedhumanoid, humanoid,which whichruled ruledout outgoat-on-goat goat-on-goathomicide, homicide, but but I’d I’d seen seen enough enough ofof the the Nine Nine Worlds Worlds toto know know that that humanoid humanoiddidn’t didn’tmean meanhuman. human.He Hecould couldbe bean anelf, elf,aadwarf, dwarf, aasmall smallgiant giantor oreven evenan anaxe-murderer axe-murderergod. god.(Please, (Please,not notan an axe-murderer axe-murderergod.) god.)

By By the the time time I I reached reached the the chimneys, chimneys, my my quarry quarry had had jumped jumpedtotothe theroof roofofofthe thenext nextbuilding. building.That Thatmight mightnot notsound sound impressive, impressive,but butthe thenext nextbuilding buildingwas wasaabrownstone brownstonemansion mansion about aboutfifty fiftyfeet feetaway awayacross acrossaasmall smallparking parkinglot. lot.The Thegoat-killer goat-killer didn’t didn’teven evenhave havethe thedecency decencytotobreak breakhis hisankles ankleson onimpact. impact.

He Hesomersaulted somersaultedon onthe thetar tarand andcame cameup uprunning. running.Then Thenhe he leaped leapedback backacross acrossNewbury NewburyStreet Streetand andlanded landedon onthe thesteeple steeple ofofthe theChurch Churchofofthe theCovenant.

Covenant.

‘I‘Ihate hatethis thisguy,’ guy,’I Isaid. said.

‘How ‘Howdo doyou youknow knowit’s it’saaguy?’ guy?’Jack Jackasked. asked.

The Thesword swordhad hadaapoint. point.(Sorry, (Sorry,I Ikeep keepstumbling stumblinginto intothat that pun.) pun.)The Thegoat-killer’s goat-killer’sloose looseblack blackclothes clothesand andmetal metalwar warhelmet helmet made madeititimpossible impossibletotoguess guesshis hisor orher hergender, gender,but butI Idecided decidedtoto

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keep keepthinking thinking ofofhim him male male for fornow. now.of Not Not sure surewhy. why.

I Iguess guessI I displays bloomed inasasthe windows high-end boutiques. found foundthe thestrolled idea ideaofofaby abro bro goat-assassin goat-assassin more moreannoying. annoying.

Tourists enjoying the sunshine.

I Sitting Ibacked backed up, up,took took aarunning runningstart andleaped leaped towards towards the the outside, comfortable instart myand freshly laundered jeans, church. church. and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first T-shirt I’d I’dlove love tototell tell you you I Ilanded landed on onbeen the thesteeple, steeple,slapped slappedsome some spring in three years that I hadn’t homeless. handcuffs handcuffs on onthe theIkiller killer andannounced, announced, You’regoing goingaway awayfor for Last March, had and been scrounging You’re from dumpsters.

I’d livestock livestock murder! murder!under a bridge in the Public Garden, hanging been sleeping Instead . . .well, well,the theChurch Church ofthe the Covenant Covenant has these these outInstead with my. . . buddies Hearth and of Blitz, avoiding thehas cops and beautiful beautiful stained-glass stained-glass windows windowsmade madeby byTiffany Tiffanyininthe the1890s.

1890s. just trying to stay alive.

On Onthe theleft leftside sideof ofthe thesanctuary, sanctuary, one onefighting window windowahas has aabig bigcrack crack Then, two months ago, I died fire giant.

I’d atwoken atthe thetop. top.

My bad. upMy inbad. the Hotel Valhalla as one of Odin’s einherji I I hit hit the the church’s church’s slanted slanted roof roof and and slid slid back, back, grabbing grabbing warriors. the thegutter gutter withclean my myright righthand. hand.

Spikes Spikes ofofpain pain shot shot up my my Now I with had clothes.

I took a shower every day.up I slept fingernails. fingernails.

I Idangled dangled fromthe theledge, ledge, my mylegs legs flailing, flailing, kicking kicking in a comfortable bed from every night.

I could sit at this café table, the thebeautiful beautiful stained-glass stained-glass window window right right inthe theBaby BabyJesus.

Jesus. eating food I’d actually paid for and notin worry about when the On On the thebright brightme side, side, swinging precariously precariouslyfrom fromthe theroof roof staff would force to swinging move along. saved saved my mylife. life.rebirth, Just JustasasII’d Itwisted, twisted, an anto axe axe hurtled from from above, above, Since my got used a hurtled lot of weird stuff.

I’d slicing slicingthe thethe buttons buttons offmy mydenim denimjacket. jacket.

AAgods, fraction fraction ofofan aninch inch travelled Nine off Worlds meeting Norse elves, dwarves closer closer andititwould’ve would’ve opened opened upmy mychest. and aand bunch of monsters withup names Ichest. couldn’t pronounce. I’d ‘Hey!’ ‘Hey!’ I Iyelled. yelled. scored a magical sword that presently hung around my neck in Itend tendof toto complainwhen whenpeople people try trytoto kill kill me.Sure, Sure,inin theI form acomplain runestone pendant.

I’d even had a me. mind-melting Valhalla Valhallawe weeinherjar einherjar are areconstantly constantly killing killingeach each other other and and we we conversation with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek get getresurrected resurrected time time fordinner. dinner.

But Butoutside outside Valhalla Valhalla I Iwas was gods who hunginin out in for New York and made her life difficult. very verymuch muchkillable. killable.

IfI Idied diedinwas inBoston, Boston, Iwould would not notbe be getting getting Apparently North If America lousy Iwith ancient gods.

We ahad acosmic cosmic do-over. do-over.infestation. a full-blown The Thegoat-assassin peered peered downatatme mefrom fromthe thepeak peakofofthe the All ofgoat-assassin that I’d learned todown accept. roof. roof.But Thank Thank the theback gods, gods, he appeared appeared be beout out ofofthrowing throwing axes. axes. being inhe Boston on to atonice spring day, hanging Unfortunately, Unfortunately, he hestill stillhad hadkid? aasword swordatathis hisside. side.His Hisleggings leggingsand and out like a regular mortal tunic tunic were were stitched stitched from fromblack blackfur. fur.AAsoot-smeared soot-smearedchain-mail chain-mail That felt strange. coat coatIhung hung loosely loosely on his hischest. chest.

His Hisblack blackiron iron helmet helmet had aa scanned theon crowd of pedestrians, looking forhad Sam’s

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chain-mail chain-mailcurtain curtainaround aroundthe thebase base––what whatwe weininthe theViking Viking business businesscall callan anaventail aventail––completely completelycovering coveringhis hisneck neckand and throat. throat.His Hisfeatures featureswere wereobscured obscuredby byaafaceplate faceplatefashioned fashionedtoto resemble resembleaasnarling snarlingwolf. wolf.

Of Of course course aa wolf. wolf. Everybody Everybody inin the the Nine Nine Worlds Worlds loves loves wolves. wolves. They They have have wolf wolf shields, shields, wolf wolf helmets, helmets, wolf wolf screen screen savers, savers,wolf wolfpyjamas pyjamasand andwolf-themed wolf-themedbirthday birthdayparties. parties.

Me, Me,not notsosomuch muchloving lovingthe thewolves. wolves.

‘Take ‘Takeaahint, hint,Magnus MagnusChase.’

Chase.’The Theassassin’s assassin’svoice voicewarbled, warbled, modulating modulatingfrom fromsoprano sopranototobaritone baritoneasasififgoing goingthrough throughaa special-effects special-effectsmachine. machine.‘Stay ‘Stayaway awayfrom fromProvincetown.’

Provincetown.’

The Thefingers fingersofofmy myleft lefthand handtightened tightenedon onthe thehilt hiltofofmy my sword. sword.‘Jack, ‘Jack,do doyour yourthing.’ thing.’

‘You ‘Yousure sureabout aboutthat?’ that?’Jack Jackasked. asked.

The Theassassin assassinhissed. hissed.For Forsome somereason, reason,people peopleare areoften often shocked shockedwhen whenthey theyfind findout outmy mysword swordcan cantalk. talk.

‘I‘I mean,’ mean,’ Jack Jack continued, continued, ‘I‘I know know this this guy guy killed killed Otis, Otis, but but everybody everybody kills kills Otis.

Otis. Getting Getting killed killed isis part part ofof Otis’s Otis’s job job description.’ description.’

‘Just ‘Justchop chopoff offhis hishead heador orsomething!’ something!’I Iyelled. yelled.

The Theassassin, assassin,not notbeing beingan anidiot, idiot,turned turnedand andfled. fled.

‘Get ‘Gethim!’ him!’I Itold toldJack.

Jack.

‘Why ‘Whydo doI Ihave havetotodo doall allthe thehard hardwork?’ work?’Jack Jackcomplained. complained.

‘Because ‘BecauseI’m I’mdangling danglinghere hereand andyou youcan’t can’tbe bekilled!’ killed!’

‘Just ‘Justbecause becauseyou’re you’reright rightdoesn’t doesn’tmake makethis thiscool.’ cool.’

I Iflung flunghim himoverhead. overhead.Jack Jackspiralled spiralledout outofofview, view,flying flying after afterthe thegoat-killer goat-killerwhile whilesinging singinghis hisown ownversion versionofof‘Shake ‘ShakeItIt Off’.

Off’.(I(Ihave havenever neverbeen beenable abletotoconvince convincehim himthat thatthe theline lineisn’t isn’t cheese cheesegraters gratersgonna gonnagrate, grate,grate, grate,grate, grate,grate, grate,grate.) grate.)

Even Evenwith withmy myleft lefthand handfree, free,itittook tookme meaafew fewseconds seconds

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todisplays tohaul haulmyself myself up uptoto the roof.

Somewhere Somewhere totothe thenorth, north, the the bloomed inthe theroof. windows of high-end boutiques. clanging clangingof ofblades blades echoed off offthe brick brick buildings. buildings.I Iraced racedininthat that Tourists strolled byechoed enjoying sunshine. direction, direction, leaping over over the thechurch’s church’s turrets, turrets, launching launching myself myself Sittingleaping outside, comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, across across Berkeley Berkeley Street.

Street.

I I bounced bounced from from rooftop to rooftop rooftop T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized thisrooftop would to be the first until until I Iheard heard Jack Jack yell yellin inthe the distance, distance, ‘OW!’ ‘OW!’ spring in three years that I hadn’t been homeless.

Most Mostpeople peoplemight not notrun run into intobattle battle totodumpsters. check checkon onthe the Last March, Imight had been scrounging from I’d welfare welfare ofoftheir theirunder swords, swords, butthat’s that’s what I Idid. did.At Atthe thecorner corner ofof been sleeping a but bridge in what the Public Garden, hanging Boylston, Boylston, Iscrambled scrambled up upthe theside sideof ofaaparking parking garage, garage, got gotand toto out with Imy buddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding the cops the theroof roof level level andfound foundJack Jackfighting fightingfor forhis . . . his . . .well, well,maybe maybe just trying to and stay alive. not nothis hislife, life,but butatmonths atleast leasthis his dignity. dignity.

Then, two ago, I died fighting a fire giant. I’d Jack Jackup often often bragged that that he hewas wasthe theone sharpest sharpest blade bladein inthe the woken in bragged the Hotel Valhalla as of Odin’s einherji Nine NineWorlds.

Worlds.He Hecould couldcut cutthrough throughanything anythingand andfight fightaadozen dozen warriors. enemies enemies once.

I Itended tended totobelieve him, since since I’d I’dpersonally personally Nowatat I once. had clean clothes.

Ibelieve took ahim, shower every day.

I slept seen seen himtake takeout outbed giants giants the the size sizeofof skyscrapers.

Yet Yetcafé the thegoatgoatin a him comfortable every night.

I skyscrapers. could sit at this table, killer killerwas was having having no notrouble trouble forcing himback backacross across theroof. roof. eating food I’d actually paidforcing for andhim not worry aboutthe when the The Theassassin assassin might might have been beenalong. small, small,but buthe hewas wasstrong strongand and staff would force mehave to move quick. quick.

His Hismy dark dark iron ironsword sword sparked sparked against against Jack.

Jack.

Every Every time time Since rebirth, I’d got used to a lot of weird stuff.

I’d the thetwo twoblades blades connected, connected, Jackyelped, yelped, ‘Ow! ‘Ow! Ow!’ Ow!’ travelled the Nine WorldsJack meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves know know ififJack Jackwas was ininnames real realdanger, danger, but butpronounce.

I Ihad hadtotohelp. help. andI Ididn’t adidn’t bunch of monsters with I couldn’t I’d Since Since I Iadidn’t didn’t have have another another weapon weaponhung and and around I I didn’t didn’tmy feel feel like like scored magical sword that presently neck in fighting fighting empty-handed, I ran ran toto the theeven nearest nearest post post and and the formempty-handed, of a runestoneIpendant.

I’d hadlamp alamp mind-melting ripped rippedititout outofofwith the thecement. cement. conversation my cousin Annabeth about the Greek That That sounds sounds likeIin Iwas was showing showing off.Honestly, Honestly, wasn’t. wasn’t.

The The gods who hunglike out New York off. and made herI Ilife difficult. pole polewas wasjust just the thehandiest handiest weapon-like object object I Icould could find findWe –– Apparently North Americaweapon-like was lousy with ancient gods. except except foraaparked parked Lexus, Lexus,and andI Iwasn’t wasn’tquite quitestrong strongenough enoughtoto had a for full-blown infestation. wield wield aaluxury luxury automobile.

All of thatautomobile.

I’d learned to accept.

I But Icharged charged the goat-killer goat-killer with with my my twenty-foot-long jousting beingthe back in Boston on a twenty-foot-long nice spring day, jousting hanging light lightlike fixture. fixture.

That Thatgot gothis hisattention. attention.As Ashe heturned turnedtowards towardsme, me, out a regular mortal kid?

Jack Jacklashed lashed out, out, opening openingaadeep deepcut cutininthe theassassin’s assassin’sthigh. thigh.The The That felt strange. goat-killer goat-killer grunted grunted and stumbled. stumbled.

I scanned theand crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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That Thatwas wasmy mychance. chance.I Icould couldhave havetaken takenhim himdown. down.Instead, Instead, when whenI Iwas wasten tenfeet feetaway, away,aadistant distanthowl howlcut cutthrough throughthe theair air and andfroze frozeme meininmy mytracks. tracks.

Jeez, Jeez,Magnus, Magnus,you’re you’rethinking, thinking,ititwas wasonly onlyaadistant distanthowl. howl.

What’s What’sthe thebig bigdeal? deal?

I Imay mayhave havementioned mentionedI Idon’t don’tlike likewolves. wolves.When WhenI Iwas was fourteen, fourteen,two twoofofthem themwith withglowing glowingblue blueeyes eyeskilled killedmy mymother. mother.

My My recent recent encounter encounter with with Fenris Fenris hadn’t hadn’t done done anything anything toto increase increasemy myappreciation appreciationfor forthe thespecies. species.

This Thisparticular particularhowl howlwas wasdefinitely definitelythat thatofofaawolf. wolf.ItItcame came from fromsomewhere somewhereacross acrossthe theBoston BostonCommon, Common,reverberating reverberating off offthe thehigh-rises, high-rises,turning turningmy myblood bloodtotocoolant. coolant.ItItwas wasexactly exactly the thesame samesound soundI’d I’dheard heardthe thenight nightofofmy mymother’s mother’sdeath death–– hungry hungryand andtriumphant, triumphant,the thebaying bayingofofaamonster monsterthat thathad had found foundits itsprey. prey.

The Thelamp lamppost postslipped slippedfrom frommy mygrip, grip,clanging clangingagainst againstthe the ground. ground.

Jack Jackfloated floatedtotomy myside. side.‘Uh, ‘Uh,señor señor. . .. .are arewe westill stillfighting fighting this thisguy guyor orwhat?’ what?’

The Theassassin assassinstaggered staggeredbackwards. backwards.The Theblack blackfur furofofhis his leggings leggingsglistened glistenedwith withblood. blood.‘And ‘Andsosoititbegins.’ begins.’His Hisvoice voice sounded soundedeven evenmore moregarbled. garbled.‘Beware, ‘Beware,Magnus.

Magnus.IfIfyou yougo gototo Provincetown, Provincetown,you youwill willplay playinto intoyour yourenemy’s enemy’shands.’ hands.’

I Istared staredatatthat thatsnarling snarlingface facemask. mask.I Ifelt feltlike likeI Iwas wasfourteen fourteen again, again,alone aloneininthe thealley alleybehind behindmy myapartment apartmentthe thenight nightmy my mother motherdied. died.I Iremembered rememberedgazing gazingup upatatthe thefire fireescape escapefrom from which whichI Ihad hadjust justdropped, dropped,hearing hearingthe thewolves wolveshowl howlfrom fromour our living livingroom. room.Then Thenflames flamesexploded explodedfrom fromthe thewindows. windows.

‘Who ‘Who––who whoare areyou?’ you?’I Imanaged. managed.

The Theassassin assassinlet letout outaaguttural gutturallaugh. laugh.‘Wrong ‘Wrongquestion. question.

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The Theright displays rightbloomed question: question:are in arethe you youwindows prepared preparedto oftolose high-end loseyour yourfriends? boutiques. friends?IfIf not, not,you Tourists youshould strolled shouldleave leave by enjoying Thor’s Thor’shammer hammer the sunshine. lost.’ lost.’

He Hebacked Sitting backed outside, totothe the comfortable edge edgeofofthe thein roof roof myand freshly andtoppled toppled laundered over. over. jeans, T-shirt I Iran ranand totothe the denim ledge ledgejacket, just justasasaIaflock realized flockofofpigeons pigeons this would surged surged be upward, the upward, first rising risinginin spring inaathree blue-grey blue-grey yearscloud, cloud, that I swirling hadn’t swirling been away away homeless. over overthe theBack BackBay’s Bay’s forest forest Last ofofchimneys.

March, chimneys.

I had Down Down been below: below: scrounging no nomovement, movement, from dumpsters. no nobody, body,no I’d no sign signofofsleeping been the theassassin. assassin. under a bridge in the Public Garden, hanging outJack Jack withhovered hovered my buddies next nextto Hearth to me. me.

‘I’ve and ‘I could’ve Blitz, avoiding taken taken him. him. the You cops Youjust and just caught caught just trying me meunprepared. to unprepared. stay alive.I Ididn’t didn’thave havetime timetotodo domy mystretches.’ stretches.’

‘Swords ‘Swordstwo Then, don’t don’t months stretch,’ stretch,’ ago, I Isaid. said.

I died fighting a fire giant. I’d woken ‘Oh, ‘Oh,excuse up excuse in me, the me,Mr Hotel MrExpert Expert Valhalla on onProper Proper as one Warm-up Warm-up of Odin’s Techniques!’

Techniques!’ einherji warriors.

AAtuft tuftofofpigeon pigeondown downhelicoptered helicopteredtotothe theledge ledgeand andstuck stuck ininaasmear Now smear I of had ofthe the clean assassin’s assassin’s clothes. blood. blood.

I took I Ipicked apicked shower up upevery the thetiny tiny day. feather feather I slept and andawatched in watched comfortable red redliquid bed liquid every soak soaknight. into intoit.it.

I could sit at this café table, eating ‘So ‘Sowhat food whatI’d now?’ now?’ actually Jack Jackasked. paid asked. for ‘And ‘And andwhat what not worry was wasthat that about wolf wolf when howl?’ howl?’ the staff Ice Ice would water water force trickled trickled me todown down movemy along. myeustachian eustachiantubes, tubes,leaving leavingaa cold, cold,Since bitter bittermy taste taste rebirth, ininmy mymouth.

I’d mouth. got ‘Iused ‘Idon’t don’t toknow,’ know,’ a lot of I Isaid. said. weird ‘Whatever ‘Whatever stuff. I’d ittravelled itwas, was,it’s it’sstopped the stopped Ninenow.’

Worlds now.’ meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves and‘Should ‘Should a bunch we we ofgo go monsters check checkititwith out?’ out?’ names I couldn’t pronounce. I’d scored ‘No! ‘No!aImagical Imean mean . sword . . . . .by bythat the thepresently time timewe wehung figured figured around out outwhere my where neck the the in sound sound the form came came of afrom, from, runestone we’d we’dbe pendant. betoo toolate late I’dtoto even do dohad anything anything a mind-melting about aboutit.it.

Besides . . .’

Besides . . .’ with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek conversation gods I Istudied studied who hung the theout bloody bloody in New pigeon pigeon York feather. feather. and made I Iwondered wondered her life how difficult. howthe the goat-killer goat-killerhad Apparently had North disappeared disappeared America so was soeffectively effectively lousy with and and ancient what whathe gods. heknew knew We about about had aThor’s Thor’s full-blown missing missing infestation. hammer. hammer.His Hisdistorted distortedvoice voicereverberated reverberated ininmy my All mind: mind: of that Are Are I’d you you learned prepared prepared tototo accept. lose loseyour yourfriends? friends?

Something Something But being about back aboutin the the Boston assassin assassin onhad had a nice seemed seemed spring very very day, wrong . . . wrong . . . hanging yet yetvery out very likefamiliar. afamiliar. regular mortal kid?

‘We ‘Wehave That have felt strange. totoget getback backtotoSam.’ Sam.’I Igrabbed grabbedJack’s Jack’shilt hiltand and exhaustion exhaustion I scanned washed washed the over over crowd me. me. of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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The Thedownside downsideofofhaving havingaasword swordwho whofights fightson onhis hisown: own: whatever whateverJack Jackdid, did,I Ipaid paidthe theprice priceasassoon soonasashe hereturned returnedtoto my myhand. hand.I Ifelt feltbruises bruisesspreading spreadingacross acrossmy myarms arms––one onefor for each eachtime timeJack Jackhad hadbeen beenstruck struckby bythe theother othersword. sword.My Mylegs legs trembled trembledlike likethey’d they’dbeen beendoing doinglunges lungesall allmorning. morning.AAlump lump ofofemotion emotionformed formedininmy mythroat throat––Jack’s Jack’sshame shamefor forletting lettingthe the goat-killer goat-killerfight fighthim himtotoaastandstill. standstill.

‘Hey, ‘Hey,man,’ man,’I Itold toldhim, him,‘at ‘atleast leastyou youcut cuthim. him.That’s That’smore more than thanI Idid.’ did.’

‘Yeah, ‘Yeah, well well . . . . .’.’ Jack Jack sounded sounded embarrassed. embarrassed. I I knew knew he he didn’t didn’tlike likesharing sharingthe thebad badstuff stuffwith withme. me.‘Maybe ‘Maybeyou youshould should rest restfor foraaminute, minute,señor. señor.You’re You’reininno noshape –’ shape –’ ‘I’m ‘I’mall allright,’ right,’I Isaid. said.‘Thanks, ‘Thanks,Jack.

Jack.You Youdid didgood.’ good.’

I Iwilled willedhim himtotoreturn returntotopendant pendantform, form,then thenreattached reattached the therunestone runestonetotomy myneck neckchain. chain.

Jack Jackwas wasright rightabout aboutone onething: thing:I Ineeded neededrest. rest.I Ifelt feltlike like crawling crawlinginside insidethat thatnice niceLexus Lexusand andtaking takingaanap, nap,but butififthe the goat-assassin goat-assassindecided decidedtotodouble doubleback backtotothe theThinking ThinkingCup, Cup,ifif he hecaught caughtSam Samunaware . . . unaware . . .

I Itook tookoff offacross acrossthe therooftops, rooftops,hoping hopingI Iwasn’t wasn’ttoo toolate. late.

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TTHHRREEEE

My MyFriends FriendsProtect ProtectMe Me by byTelling TellingMe MeAbsolutely Absolutely Nothing.

Nothing.Thanks, Thanks,Friends Friends BACK BACKAT ATthe thecafé, café,Sam Samwas wasstanding standingover overOtis’s Otis’sbody. body.

Customers Customerswalked walkedininand andout outofofthe theThinking ThinkingCup, Cup,making making aawide widearc arcaround aroundthe thedead deadgoat. goat.They Theydidn’t didn’tseem seemalarmed. alarmed.

Maybe Maybethey theysaw sawOtis Otisasasaapassed-out passed-outhomeless homelessguy. guy.Some Someofofmy my best bestfriends friendswere werepassed-out passed-outhomeless homelessguys. guys.I Iknew knewhow howwell well they theycould couldrepel repelaacrowd. crowd.

Sam Samfrowned frownedatatme. me.Under Underher herleft lefteye eyewas wasaanew neworange orange bruise. bruise.‘Why ‘Whyisisour ourinformant informantdead?’ dead?’

‘Long ‘Longstory,’ story,’I Isaid. said.‘Who ‘Whohit hityou?’ you?’

‘Also ‘Alsoaalong longstory.’ story.’

‘Sam –’ ‘Sam –’ She Shewaved wavedaside asidemy myconcern. concern.‘I’m ‘I’mfine. fine.Just Justplease pleasetell tellme me you youdidn’t didn’tkill killOtis Otisbecause becausehe heate atemy myscone.’ scone.’

‘No. ‘No.Now Nowififhe’d he’deaten eatenmy myscone –’ scone –’ ‘Ha, ‘Ha,ha. ha.What Whathappened?’ happened?’

I Iwas wasstill stillworried worriedabout aboutSam’s Sam’seye, eye,but butI Idid didmy mybest besttoto explain explainabout aboutthe thegoat-killer. goat-killer.Meanwhile, Meanwhile,Otis’s Otis’sform formbegan begantoto dissolve, dissolve,melting meltinginto intocurls curlsofofwhite whitevapour vapourlike likedry dryice. ice.Soon Soon there therewas wasnothing nothingleft leftbut butthe thetrench trenchcoat, coat,the theglasses, glasses,the the porkpie porkpiehat hatand andthe theaxe axethat thathad hadkilled killedhim. him.

Sam Sampicked pickedup upthe theassassin’s assassin’sweapon. weapon.The Theblade bladewas wasno no

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larger largerthan thanaasmartphone, smartphone,but butthe theedge edgelooked lookedsharp. sharp.The The dark darkmetal metalwas wasetched etchedwith withsoot-black soot-blackrunes. runes.

‘Giant-forged ‘Giant-forged iron,’ iron,’ Sam Sam said. said. ‘Enchanted.

‘Enchanted. Perfectly Perfectly weighted. weighted.This Thisisisaavaluable valuableweapon weapontotoleave leavebehind.’ behind.’

‘That’s ‘That’snice. nice.I’d I’dhate hatefor forOtis Otistotobe bekilled killedwith withaashoddy shoddy weapon.’ weapon.’

Sam Samignored ignoredme. me.She’d She’dgot gotpretty prettygood goodatatthat. that.‘You ‘Yousay say the thekiller killerwore woreaawolf wolfhelm?’ helm?’

‘Which ‘Whichnarrows narrowsititdown downtotohalf halfthe thebaddies baddiesininthe theNine Nine Worlds.’

Worlds.’ I I gestured gestured atat Otis’s Otis’s empty empty coat. coat. ‘Where ‘Where did did his his body go?’ body go?’

‘Otis?

‘Otis?He’ll He’llbe befine. fine.Magic Magiccreatures creaturesform formfrom fromthe themist mistofof Ginnungagap.

Ginnungagap.When Whenthey theydie, die,their theirbodies bodieseventually eventuallydissolve dissolve back backinto intothat thatmist. mist.Otis Otisshould shouldre-form re-formsomewhere somewhereclose closetoto his hismaster, master,hopefully hopefullyinintime timefor forThor Thortotokill killhim himagain againfor for dinner.’ dinner.’

That Thatstruck struckme measasaastrange strangething thingtotohope hopefor, for,but butnot notany any stranger strangerthan thanthe themorning morningI’d I’djust justhad. had.Before Beforemy myknees kneescould could buckle, buckle,I Isat. sat.I Isipped sippedmy mynow-cold now-coldcoffee. coffee.

‘The ‘Thegoat-killer goat-killerknew knewthe thehammer hammerisismissing,’ missing,’I Isaid. said.‘He ‘He told toldme meififwe wewent wenttotoProvincetown Provincetownwe’d we’dbe beplaying playinginto intoour our enemy’s enemy’shands. hands.You Youdon’t don’tthink thinkhe hemeant –’ meant –’ ‘Loki?’

‘Loki?’Sam Samsat satacross acrossfrom fromme. me.She Shetossed tossedthe theaxe axeon onthe the table. table.‘I’m ‘I’msure surehe’s he’sinvolved involvedininthis thissomehow. somehow.He Healways alwaysis.’ is.’

I Icouldn’t couldn’tblame blameher herfor forsounding soundingbitter. bitter.Sam Samdidn’t didn’tlike like talking talkingabout aboutthe thegod godofofdeceit deceitand andtrickery. trickery.Aside Asidefrom fromthe the fact facthe hewas wasevil, evil,he hewas wasalso alsoher herdad. dad.

‘You ‘Youheard heardfrom fromhim himrecently?’ recently?’I Iasked. asked.

‘Just ‘Justaafew fewdreams.’ dreams.’Sam Samrotated rotatedher hercoffee coffeecup cupthis thisway way

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and andthat thatlike like the thedial dial ofofathe asafe. safe.

‘Whispers, ‘Whispers, warnings.He’s He’sbeen been displays bloomed in windows of warnings. high-end boutiques. mostly mostlyinterested interested in . . .

Never Neverthe mind. mind.

Nothing.’

Nothing.’

Tourists strolled in . . . by enjoying sunshine.

‘That ‘Thatdoesn’t doesn’t sound sound like likenothing.’ nothing.’

Sitting outside, comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, Sam’s Sam’s gaze gaze was was intense intenseIand and full full of of heat, heat, like like logs aa T-shirt and denim jacket, realized this would belogs theinin first fireplace fireplace just before before they they ignite.

‘My ‘My dad dadis istrying tryingtotowreck wreckmy my spring injust three years thatignite.

I hadn’t been homeless. personal personal life,’she sheIsaid. said.

‘That’s nothing nothingnew. new.

He Hewants wantstotokeep keep Last life,’ March, had‘That’s been scrounging from dumpsters.

I’d me medistracted. distracted.

Mygrandparents, grandparents, Amir . . .’

Her voice voicecaught. caught. been sleeping My under a bridge inAmir . . .’ the PublicHer Garden, hanging ‘It’s ‘It’snothing nothing can’t can’thandle. handle.

ItItdoesn’t doesn’t have have anything anything totocops do dowith with out with myI Ibuddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding the and our ourhammer hammer problem.’ just trying toproblem.’ stay alive.

‘You ‘Yousure?’ sure?’

Then, two months ago, I died fighting a fire giant. I’d Her Herup expression expression told toldme me totoback back off.

In times past, past, ififI I woken in the Hotel Valhalla asoff. oneIn oftimes Odin’s einherji pressed pressedher hertoo toofar, far,she shewould wouldslam slamme meagainst againstaawall walland andput put warriors. her herarm armacross across mythroat. throat.

The The factthat that she shehadn’t hadn’t yetchoked choked Now I had my clean clothes.

I fact took a shower everyyet day.

I slept me meunconscious was signofof our ourdeepening friendship. in aunconscious comfortablewas bedaasign every night.

Ideepening could sit friendship. at this café table, ‘Anyway,’ ‘Anyway,’ Sam Sam said, said,‘Loki ‘Lokifor couldn’t couldn’t be be your yourgoat-killer. goat-killer.

He eating food I’d actually paid and not worry about whenHe the couldn’t couldn’t wield wield an anaxe axelike like that.’ that.’ staff would force me to move along.

‘Why ‘Why not?

I Imean, mean,I’d I Iknow know he’s he’stechnically technically chained up upin in Sincenot? my rebirth, got used to a lot of chained weird stuff.

I’d Asgardian Asgardianthe supermax supermax for formurder murder or orNorse whatever, whatever, but he hedoesn’t doesn’t travelled Nine Worlds meeting gods,but elves, dwarves seem seematoto have haveany any problem problemwith showing showing up upIincouldn’t inmy myface face whenever wheneverhe he and bunch of monsters names pronounce.

I’d feels feelslike like it.’ scored a it.’ magical sword that presently hung around my neck in ‘Myfather father can canproject project his hisimage image or orappear appear inaadream,’ dream,’ the‘My form of a runestone pendant.

I’d even had a in mind-melting Sam Samsaid. said.‘With ‘With extreme extreme concentration, for foraaabout limited limited time, time, he he conversation with my concentration, cousin Annabeth the Greek can caneven even send out out enough enough ofofYork his hispower power tototake take on aaphysical physical gods whosend hung out in New and made heron life difficult. form.’ form.’

Apparently North America was lousy with ancient gods. We ‘Like when whenhe heinfestation. dated datedyour yourmom.’ mom.’ had‘Like a full-blown Sam Samofagain again demonstrated demonstrated her her affection affection for for me me by by not not All that I’d learned to accept. clubbing clubbing mybrains brains out.

We Wewere were having having friendship fest here here But my being backout. in Boston on a niceaafriendship spring day,fest hanging atout atthe the Thinking Thinking Cup. Cup. like a regular mortal kid?

‘Yes,’ ‘Yes,’she shesaid. said.‘He ‘Hecan canget getaround aroundhis hisimprisonment imprisonmentinin That felt strange.

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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those thoseways, ways,but buthe hecan’t can’tmanifest manifestsolidly solidlyenough enoughtotowield wieldmagic magic weapons. weapons.The Thegods godsmade madesure sureofofthat thatwhen whenthey theyput putaaspell spellon on his hisbindings. bindings.IfIfhe hecould couldpick pickup upan anenchanted enchantedblade, blade,he hecould could eventually eventuallyfree freehimself.’ himself.’

I Isupposed supposedthat thatmade madesense senseininaanonsensical nonsensicalNorse-myth Norse-myth kind kindofofway. way.I Ipictured picturedLoki Lokilying lyingspread-eagled spread-eagledininsome somecave, cave, his hishands handsand andfeet feettied tiedwith withbonds bondsmade madefrom from––ugh, ugh,I Icould could hardly hardlythink thinkabout aboutitit––the theintestines intestinesofofhis hisown ownmurdered murdered sons. sons.The Thegods godshad hadarranged arrangedthat. that.They’d They’dalso alsosupposedly supposedly set setaasnake snakeover overLoki’s Loki’shead headtotodrip dripvenom venomininhis hisface facefor forall all eternity. eternity.Asgardian Asgardianjustice justicewasn’t wasn’tbig bigon onmercy. mercy.

‘The ‘Thegoat-killer goat-killercould couldstill stillbe beworking workingfor forLoki,’ Loki,’I Isaid. said.‘He ‘He could couldbe beaagiant. giant.He Hecould couldbe –’ be –’ ‘He ‘Hecould couldbe beanyone,’ anyone,’Sam Samsaid. said.‘The ‘Theway wayyou youdescribe describe him him––how howhe hefought foughtand andmoved moved––he hesounds soundslike likean aneinherji. einherji.

Perhaps Perhapseven evenaaValkyrie.’

Valkyrie.’

My My stomach stomach dropped. dropped. I I imagined imagined itit rolling rolling across across the the pavement pavement and and coming coming toto rest rest next next toto Otis’s Otis’s porkpie porkpie hat. hat.

‘Somebody ‘Somebodyfrom fromValhalla.

Valhalla.Why Whywould wouldanyone anyone–?’

–?’

‘I‘Idon’t don’tknow,’ know,’Sam Samsaid. said.‘Whoever ‘Whoeverititis,is,he heor orshe shedoesn’t doesn’t want wantus usfollowing followingthis thislead leadon onThor’s Thor’shammer. hammer.But ButI Idon’t don’tsee see that thatwe wehave haveany anychoice. choice.We Weneed needtotoact actquickly.’ quickly.’

‘Why ‘Whythe therush?’ rush?’I Iasked. asked.‘The ‘Thehammer’s hammer’sbeen beenmissing missingfor for months. months.The Thegiants giantshaven’t haven’tattacked attackedyet.’ yet.’

Something Something inin Sam’s Sam’s eyes eyes reminded reminded me me ofof Ran Ran the the sea sea goddess’s goddess’snets, nets,the theway waythey theyswirled swirledininthe thewaves, waves,stirring stirringup up drowned drownedspirits. spirits.ItItwasn’t wasn’taahappy happymemory. memory.

‘Magnus,’ ‘Magnus,’she shesaid, said,‘events ‘eventsare areaccelerating. accelerating.My Mylast lastfew few missions missionsinto intoJotunheim Jotunheim . . . . . .the thegiants giantsare arerestless. restless.They’ve They’ve

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summoned summoned huge hugeglamours glamours tohide hidewhatever whatever ititisisthey’re they’reup up displays bloomed in the to windows of high-end boutiques. to, to,but butI’m I’m pretty prettysure sure whole wholearmies armies are areon onthe themove. move.They’re They’re Tourists strolled by enjoying the sunshine. preparing preparing invade.’ invade.’

Sittingtoto outside, comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, ‘Invade . . .

‘Invade . . . where?’ where?’

T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first The Thein breeze breeze madeher herhijab flutter flutter around around her herface. face.‘Here, ‘Here, spring threemade years that Ihijab hadn’t been homeless.

Magnus.

Magnus.

Andififthey they come come totodestroy destroyMidgard . . .’

Midgard . . .’

LastAnd March, I had been scrounging from dumpsters. I’d Despite Despite the theunder warm warmasunlight, sunlight, chill chill settled settled over overme. me.

Sam Sam been sleeping bridge inaathe Public Garden, hanging had had explained how howBoston Boston sat sat atatthe thenexus nexus ofofYggdrasil, Yggdrasil, the out explained with my buddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding the cops the and World World Tree.

Tree.to ItItstay was wasalive. the theeasiest easiestplace placetotopass passbetween betweenthe theNine Nine just trying Worlds.

Worlds.

I Iimagined imagined the theshadows shadows ofgiants giants falling falling overNewbury Newbury Then, two months ago, I of died fighting a over fire giant.

I’d Street, Street, the ground shaking under underiron-shod iron-shod boots boots the thesize sizeofof wokenthe upground in the shaking Hotel Valhalla as one of Odin’s einherji panzer panzer tanks. tanks. warriors.

‘The ‘The thing holdingthem Sam Sam said, said, ‘is ‘isItheir their Nowonly Ionly hadthing cleanholding clothes.

Ithem tookback,’ aback,’ shower every day. slept fear fear of Thor.

Thor. That’s That’s been beennight. true true for centuries. centuries.

They They won’t in a of comfortable bed every Ifor could sit at this caféwon’t table, launch launch afull-scale full-scale invasion invasion unless they’re absolutely absolutely sure surehe he eating afood I’d actually paidunless for andthey’re not worry about when the isis vulnerable. vulnerable.

But Butme they’re they’re getting getting bolder. bolder.They’re They’restarting startingtoto staff would force to move along. suspect suspect the themy time time might mightI’d be beright –’ right –’ Since rebirth, got used to a lot of weird stuff. I’d ‘Thor’s ‘Thor’s only only one one god,’ god,’Imeeting Isaid. said.‘What ‘What about about Odin?

OrTyr? Tyr? travelled the Nine Worlds Norse gods,Odin? elves,Or dwarves Or Or my my dad, dad,Frey?

Frey?

Can’t Can’tthey they fight fight giants?’ giants?’ and a bunch of monsters with names I couldn’t pronounce. I’d As Assoon soon asasI Isaid said it,it,the theidea idea sounded sounded ridiculous. ridiculous.

Odin Odin was was scored a magical sword that presently hung around my neck in unpredictable. unpredictable.

When Whenhe hependant. showed showedup, up,he hewas was more more interested interested the form of a runestone I’d even had a mind-melting inin giving givingmotivational motivational PowerPoint PowerPoint presentations presentations than than fighting. fighting. conversation with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek I’d I’d never never even met met Tyr, the theYork god godand ofof bravery bravery and and personal gods whoeven hung out Tyr, in New made her lifepersonal difficult. combat. combat.

As Asfor for Frey . . .

Frey . . . my mydad dadwas wasthe the god god ofofsummer summer and Apparently North America was lousy with ancient gods.and We fertility. fertility.

IfIfyou youwanted wanted flowers flowerstotobloom, bloom,crops cropstotogrow, grow,or oraa had a full-blown infestation. paper paper cut cut heal, heal, he was wasyour your guy. guy.Scaring Scaringaway awaythe thehordes hordesofof All oftoto that I’dhe learned to accept.

Jotunheim?

Jotunheim?

Maybe Maybe not. not.

But being back in Boston on a nice spring day, hanging ‘We totostop stop the theinvasion invasion before beforeitithappens,’ happens,’Sam Samsaid. said. out‘We likehave ahave regular mortal kid?

‘Which ‘Which means means finding findingthe thehammer hammerMjolnir.

Mjolnir.You’re You’resure sureOtis Otis That felt strange. said saidProvincetown?’

IProvincetown?’ scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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‘Yeah.

‘Yeah.AAwight’s wight’sbarrow. barrow.That’s That’sbad?’ bad?’

‘On ‘Onaascale scaleofofone onetototen, ten,it’s it’sup upthere thereininthe thehigh hightwenties. twenties.

We’ll We’llneed needHearthstone Hearthstoneand andBlitzen.’

Blitzen.’

Despite Despitethe thecircumstances, circumstances,the thepossibility possibilityofofseeing seeingmy myold old buddies buddieslifted liftedmy myspirits. spirits.

‘You ‘Youknow knowwhere wherethey theyare?’ are?’

Sam Samhesitated. hesitated.‘I‘Iknow knowhow howtotoget getinincontact. contact.They’ve They’vebeen been hiding hidingininone oneofofMimir’s Mimir’ssafe safehouses.’ houses.’

I I tried tried toto process process that. that. Mimir, Mimir, the the disembodied disembodied god’s god’s head headwho whotraded tradeddrinks drinksfrom fromthe thewell wellofofknowledge knowledgefor foryears years ofofservitude, servitude,who whohad hadordered orderedBlitz Blitzand andHearth Hearthtotokeep keepan an eye eyeon onme mewhile whileI Iwas washomeless homelessbecause becauseI Iwas was‘important ‘important totothe thefate fateofofthe theworlds’, worlds’,who whoran ranan aninter-world inter-worldpachinko pachinko racket racketand andother othershady shadyenterprises enterprises––Mimir Mimirhad hadaacollection collection ofofsafe safehouses. houses.I Iwondered wonderedwhat whathe hewas wascharging chargingmy myfriends friends for forrent. rent.

‘Why ‘Whyare areBlitz Blitzand andHearth Hearthininhiding?’ hiding?’

‘I‘Ishould shouldlet letthem themexplain,’ explain,’Sam Samsaid. said.‘They ‘Theydidn’t didn’twant wanttoto worry worryyou.’ you.’

That That was was soso not not funny funny I I laughed. laughed. ‘They ‘They disappeared disappeared without withoutaaword wordbecause becausethey theydidn’t didn’twant wanttotoworry worryme?’ me?’

‘Look, ‘Look,Magnus, Magnus,you youneeded neededtime timetototrain train––totosettle settleinto into Valhalla Valhallaand andget getused usedtotoyour youreinherji einherjipowers. powers.Hearthstone Hearthstoneand and Blitzen Blitzenjust justgot gotaabad badomen omenininthe therunes. runes.They’ve They’vebeen beentaking taking precautions, precautions,staying stayingout outofofsight. sight.For Forthis thisquest, quest,though –’ though –’ ‘A‘Abad badomen. omen.Sam, Sam,the theassassin assassinsaid saidI Ishould shouldbe beprepared prepared totolose losemy myfriends.’ friends.’

‘I‘Iknow.’ know.’She Shepicked pickedup upher hercoffee. coffee.Her Herfingers fingerstrembled. trembled.

‘We’ll ‘We’llbe becareful, careful,Magnus.

Magnus.But Butfor foraawight’s wight’stomb tomb . . . . . .rune rune magic magicand andunderground undergroundskills skillscould couldmake makeall allthe thedifference. difference.

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We’ll We’llneed needbloomed Hearth Hearthand and Blitz.windows I’ll I’llcontact contact them this thisafternoon. afternoon. displays in Blitz. the of them high-end boutiques.

Then, Then,I Ipromise, promise, I’llfill fillyou youinin on onsunshine. everything.’ everything.’

Tourists strolledI’ll by enjoying the ‘There’s ‘There’soutside, more?’ more?’Suddenly Suddenly I Ifelt felt likefreshly I’d I’dbeen been sitting sittingatat the the Sitting comfortable inlike my laundered jeans, Thanksgiving Thanksgiving kiddie kiddiejacket, table tablefor the thepast past six sixweeks. weeks.be I’d I’dthe missed missed T-shirt and denim Iforrealized this would first out out on onall the theimportant important among amongthe theadults. adults.I I spring inallthree years that conversations Iconversations hadn’t been homeless. didn’t didn’t like likeMarch, the thekiddie kiddie table. table.

Last I had been scrounging from dumpsters. I’d ‘Sam, ‘Sam, you youdon’t don’tneed need totoprotect protect me,’I Isaid. said.

‘I’m ‘I’malready already been sleeping under a bridge in theme,’ Public Garden, hanging dead. dead.

I’m I’mamy afreaking freaking warrior warrior Odin Odin who who lives livesininValhalla.

Valhalla.

Let out with buddies Hearthofof and Blitz, avoiding the cops Let and me me help.’ justhelp.’ trying to stay alive.

‘You ‘You will,’ will,’ she promised. promised.

‘But you needed neededatraining training time, time, Then, twoshe months ago, I‘But diedyou fighting fire giant.

I’d Magnus.

Magnus.

When When we wewent wentafter after the theSword Sword ofofof Summer, Summer, wegot got woken up in the Hotel Valhalla as one Odin’s we einherji lucky. lucky.

For Forwhat whatcomes comesnext . . . next . . .you’ll you’llneed needall allyour yourskill.’ skill.’ warriors.

The The current ofoffear fear ininher herIvoice voice me meshiver. shiver.day. I slept Nowcurrent I had clean clothes. tookmade amade shower every hadn’tconsidered considered us uslucky lucky when when we weretrieved retrieved theSword Sword in aI Ihadn’t comfortable bed every night.

I could sit at thisthe café table, ofof Summer.

Summer.

We’d come comeclose closeto todying dying multiple multiple times.Three Threethe ofof eating foodWe’d I’d actually paid for and not worrytimes. about when our our comrades comrades had hadme sacrificed sacrificed their lives. lives.We’d We’dbarely barelymanaged managed staff would force to movetheir along. totostop stop Fenris Fenris Wolfand andI’d aahost host offire fireto giants giants from ravaging ravaging the Since my Wolf rebirth, got of used a lotfrom of weird stuff.the I’d Nine Nine Worlds.

Worlds.

Ifthat that was waslucky, lucky, I Idid didNorse not notwant want totosee seeunlucky. unlucky. travelled the If Nine Worlds meeting gods, elves, dwarves Sam reached reached across across the the table. table. She took took my my cranberry cranberry andSam a bunch of monsters with names IShe couldn’t pronounce.

I’d orange orange and and nibbled nibbled offthe theedge. edge.

The icing icing was was the the scored scone ascone magical sword thatoff presently hungThe around my neck in same same colour colour her herbruised bruised eye. eye.‘I‘II’d should should getback back totoschool. school. the form of aasas runestone pendant. evenget had a mind-melting I Iconversation can’t can’tmiss missanother another AP APphysics physicsclass. class.This Thisafternoon afternoon have with my cousin Annabeth about theI Ihave Greek some some firesto toput putout outat athome.’ home.’ gods fires who hung in New York and made her life difficult.

I Iremembered remembered whatshe’d she’d said said about about Loki Loki trying tryinggods. totomess mess Apparently Northwhat America was lousy with ancient We up up her her personal personallife lifeand andthat thatlittle littlehitch hitchofofdoubt doubtwhen whenshe’d she’d had a full-blown infestation. said saidAmir’s Amir’s name. name.

‘Anything can canhelp helpwith? with?Maybe MaybeI Ican canstop stop All of that I’d‘Anything learned toI Iaccept. by byFadlan’s Fadlan’s Falafel Falafel and and talktotoAmir?’

Amir?’

But being back intalk Boston on a nice spring day, hanging ‘No!’ Her cheeks cheeks flushed. flushed.

‘No,thank thankyou. you.But Butdefinitely definitely out‘No!’ like aHer regular mortal kid? ‘No, not. not.No.’ No.’ felt strange.

That ‘So ‘So that’s that’saano nothen.’ then.’

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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‘Magnus, ‘Magnus,I Iknow knowyou youmean meanwell. well.There’s There’saalot loton onmy myplate, plate, but butI Ican canhandle handleit.it.I’ll I’llsee seeyou youtonight tonightatatthe thefeast feastfor forthe . . .’ the . . .’

Her Herexpression expressionsoured. soured.‘You ‘Youknow, know,the thenewcomer.’ newcomer.’

She Shemeant meantthe thesoul soulshe shehad hadgone gonetotoreap. reap.As Asthe theresponsible responsible Valkyrie, Valkyrie,Sam Samwould wouldhave havetotobe bethere thereatatthe thenightly nightlyfeast feasttoto introduce introducethe thenewest newesteinherji. einherji.

I Istudied studiedthe thebruise bruiseunder underher hereye eyeand andsomething somethingdawned dawned on onme. me.

‘This ‘Thissoul soulyou youpicked pickedup,’ up,’I Isaid, said,‘this ‘thisnew neweinherji einherjipunched punched you?’ you?’

Sam Samscowled. scowled.‘It’s ‘It’scomplicated.’ complicated.’

I’d I’dmet metsome someviolent violenteinherjar, einherjar,but butnever neverone onewho whowould would dare darepunch punchaaValkyrie.

Valkyrie.That Thatwas wassuicidal suicidalbehaviour, behaviour,even evenfor for someone someonewho whowas wasalready alreadydead. dead.‘What ‘Whatkind kindofofidiot . . . idiot . . .Wait.

Wait.

Did Didthis thishave haveanything anythingtotodo dowith withthat thatwolf wolfhowl howlI Iheard heardfrom from across acrossthe theCommon?’

Common?’

Sam’s Sam’sdark darkbrown browneyes eyessmouldered, smouldered,right righton onthe theedge edgeofof combustion. combustion.

‘You’ll ‘You’llhear hearabout aboutitittonight.’ tonight.’She Sherose roseand andpicked pickedup upthe the assassin’s assassin’saxe. axe.‘Now ‘Nowgo goback backtotoValhalla.

Valhalla.Tonight Tonightyou’ll you’llhave have the the pleasure pleasure ofof meeting meeting . . . . .’.’ She She paused, paused, considering considering her her words. words.‘My ‘Mybrother.’ brother.’

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AACheetah CheetahRuns RunsMe MeOver Over WHEN WHENCHOOSING CHOOSINGan anafterlife, afterlife,it’s it’simportant importanttotoconsider consider location. location.

Suburban Suburbanafterlives, afterlives,asasininFolkvanger Folkvangerand andNiflheim, Niflheim,may may offer offerlower lowercosts-of-not-living, costs-of-not-living,but butValhalla’s Valhalla’sMidgard Midgardentrance entrance isisright rightininthe theheart heartofofthe thecity, city,on onBeacon BeaconStreet Streetacross acrossfrom from the theBoston BostonCommon.

Common.You’ll You’llbe bewithin withineasy easywalking walkingdistance distance ofofthe thebest bestshops shopsand andrestaurants, restaurants,and andless lessthan thanaaminute minutefrom from the thePark ParkStreet StreetTTstation! station!

Yes, Yes,Valhalla.

Valhalla.For Forall allyour yourViking Vikingparadise paradiseneeds. needs.

(Okay, (Okay,sorry. sorry.I Itold toldthe thehotel hotelmanagement managementI’d I’dput putininaaplug. plug.

But Butititwas waspretty prettyeasy easygetting gettingback backhome.) home.)

After Afterbuying buyingaabag bagofofchocolate-covered chocolate-coveredespresso espressobeans beansatat the thecoffee coffeeshop, shop,I Imade mademy myway waythrough throughthe thePublic PublicGarden, Garden, passing passingmy myold oldcamping campingspot spotunder underthe thefootbridge. footbridge.AAcouple coupleofof grizzled grizzleddudes dudessat satininaanest nestofofsleeping sleepingbags, bags,sharing sharinggarbagegarbagebin binleftovers leftoverswith withaalittle littlerat ratterrier. terrier.

‘Hey, ‘Hey, guys.’ guys.’ I I handed handed them them Otis’s Otis’s trench trench coat coat and and hat, hat, along alongwith withall allthe themortal mortalmoney moneyI Ihad hadon onme me––about abouttwentytwentyfour fourbucks. bucks.‘Have ‘Haveaagood goodday.’ day.’

The Theguys guyswere weretoo toostartled startledtotorespond. respond.I Ikept keptwalking, walking, feeling feelinglike likeI Ihad hadan anaxe axesticking stickingout outofofmy mysternum. sternum.

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Just Justbecause becauseI’d I’dbeen beenkilled killedby byaafire firegiant gianttwo twomonths monthsago, ago, I Igot gottotolive liveininluxury. luxury.Meanwhile, Meanwhile,these theseguys guysand andtheir theirterrier terrier ate atefrom frombins. bins.ItItwasn’t wasn’tfair. fair.

I Iwished wishedI Icould couldround roundup upevery everyhomeless homelessperson personininBoston Boston and andsay, say,Hey, Hey,there’s there’saabig bigmansion mansionright rightover overhere herewith withthousands thousandsofof comfy comfysuites suitesand andfree freefood foodforever. forever.Follow Followme! me!

But Butthat thatwouldn’t wouldn’twork. work.

You Youcouldn’t couldn’tbring bringmortals mortalsinto intoValhalla.

Valhalla.You Youcouldn’t couldn’teven even die dieon onpurpose purposetotoget getin. in.Your Yourdeath deathhad hadtotobe bean anunplanned unplanned selfless selflessact, act,and andyou youhad hadtotohope hopethere therewas wasaaValkyrie Valkyriearound around totosee seeit.it.

Of Ofcourse, course,that thatstill stillmade madeValhalla Valhallabetter betterthan thanthe thehigh-rise high-rise condos condossprouting sproutingup upall allaround arounddowntown. downtown.Most Mostofofthem themwere were full fullofofempty emptyluxury luxuryapartments, apartments,too too––shiny shinyfourth fourthor orfifth fifth homes homesfor forbillionaires. billionaires.You Youdidn’t didn’tneed needaabrave bravedeath deathtotoget get in, in,just justaalot lotofofmoney. money.IfIfthe thegiants giantsdid didinvade invadeBoston, Boston,maybe maybe I Icould couldconvince convincethem themtotodo dosome somestrategic strategiccondo-stomping. condo-stomping.

Finally, Finally,I Ireached reachedthe theMidgard Midgardfacade facadeofofthe theHotel HotelValhalla.

Valhalla.

From Fromthe theoutside, outside,ititlooked lookedlike likean aneight-storey eight-storeymansion mansionofof white-and-grey white-and-greystone stone––just justanother anotherpiece pieceofofsuper-expensive super-expensive real real estate estate inin aa row row ofof Colonial Colonial town town houses. houses. The The only only difference: difference:the thehotel’s hotel’sfront frontgarden gardenwas wascompletely completelyenclosed enclosed by byaafifteen-foot-tall fifteen-foot-talllimestone limestonewall wallwith withno noentryway entryway––the thefirst first ofofmany manydefences defencestotokeep keepnon-einherjar non-einherjarfrom fromtrespassing. trespassing.

I Ijumped jumpedstraight straightover overand andinto intothe theGrove GroveofofGlasir.

Glasir.

AAcouple coupleofofValkyries Valkyrieshovered hoveredininthe thebranches branchesofofthe thewhite white birch birchtree, tree,collecting collectingits itstwenty-four-carat-gold twenty-four-carat-goldfoliage. foliage.They They waved wavedtotome, me,but butI Ididn’t didn’tstop stoptotochat. chat.I Imarched marchedup upthe thefront front steps stepsand andpushed pushedopen openthe theheavy heavydouble doubledoors. doors.

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In Inthe thebloomed cathedral-size cathedral-size lobby, lobby, the theusual usual scenewas wasgoing goingon. on. displays in the windows of scene high-end boutiques.

In Infront frontofstrolled ofthe theroaring roaring fireplace, fireplace, teenage teenageeinherjar einherjarhung hungout out Tourists by enjoying the sunshine. playing playing board board games games or orjust justchillaxing chillaxing (which (whichlaundered isislike likechilling, chilling, Sitting outside, comfortable in my freshly jeans, except exceptwith with battleaxes).

Other Other einherjar einherjar ininwould fuzzy fuzzygreen green hotel T-shirt andbattleaxes). denim jacket, I realized this be thehotel first bathrobes bathrobes chased chased each each other other around around the the rough-hewn rough-hewnpillars pillars spring in three years that I hadn’t been homeless. that thatLast lined lined the the hall, playing hide-and-seek-and-kill. hide-and-seek-and-kill.

Their Their March, Ihall, hadplaying been scrounging from dumpsters.

I’d laughter laughter echoed echoed off offthe the ceiling ceilingin high high above, where the thehanging rafters rafters been sleeping under a bridge theabove, Publicwhere Garden, gleamed gleamed with the thepoints points ofofthousands thousands ofofavoiding bundled bundledthe spears. spears. out withwith my buddies Hearth and Blitz, cops and glanced glanced overalive. atatthe thereception receptiondesk, desk,wondering wonderingififSam’s Sam’s justI Itrying to over stay mysterious mysterious eye-punching brother brother might might be bechecking checking in. in.The The Then, eye-punching two months ago, I died fighting a fire giant.

I’d only onlyperson person there there wasthe theValhalla manager, manager, Helgi, glowering glowering atathis his woken up in the was Hotel asHelgi, one of Odin’s einherji computer computerscreen. screen.One Onesleeve sleeveofofhis hisgreen greensuit suithad hadbeen beenripped ripped warriors. off. off.Chunks Chunks ofofhis hisepic-size epic-size beard had been beenevery pulled pulled out. out.

His His Now I had clean clothes.beard I tookhad a shower day.

I slept hair hair lookedeven evenmore moreevery like likeaanight. dead deadbuzzard than than usual. usual. in alooked comfortable bed Ibuzzard could sit at this café table, ‘Don’t ‘Don’t go goI’d over over there,’ there,’ warned warned aafamiliar familiar voice. voice. eating food actually paid for and not worry about when the Hunding Hunding the thebellhop bellhop sidled sidled up upnext nexttotome, me,his hiswarty wartyred red staff would force me to move along. face faceSince covered covered with fresh fresh scratches.

His His beard, beard, like likestuff.

Helgi’s, Helgi’s, my with rebirth, I’dscratches. got used to a lot of weird I’d looked lookedlike like itithad hadrecently recently beencaught caught iningods, aachicken-plucking chicken-plucking travelled the Nine Worlds been meeting Norse elves, dwarves machine. machine.

‘Boss ‘Boss isininaafoul foulmood,’ mood,’ he hesaid. said.

‘Like, ‘Like,beat-you-withbeat-you-withand a bunch ofismonsters with names I couldn’t pronounce.

I’d a-stick a-stickfoul foul mood.’ mood.’ scored a magical sword that presently hung around my neck in ‘You don’t don’t look look sosopendant. happy happy yourself,’ yourself,’ I I noted.

‘What ‘What the‘You form of a runestone I’d even had anoted. mind-melting happened?’ happened?’ with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek conversation Hunding’s Hunding’s beard beard with with anger. anger.

‘Our ‘Our newest guest guest gods who hung out quivered inquivered New York and made hernewest life difficult. happened.’ happened.’ North America was lousy with ancient gods. We Apparently ‘Samirah’s brother?’ brother?’ had‘Samirah’s a full-blown infestation.

‘Hmph.

‘Hmph.

IfIfyou youlearned want wanttototo call call him himthat. that.I Idon’t don’tknow knowwhat what All of that I’d accept.

Samirah Samirah wasthinking, thinking, bringingon that that monster totoValhalla.’

Valhalla.’

But was being back inbringing Boston a monster nice spring day, hanging ‘Monster?’

I Ihad had aaflashback flashback X,the thehalf-troll half-trollSamirah Samirah out‘Monster?’ like a regular mortal kid? totoX, had hadonce oncefelt admitted admitted totoValhalla.

Valhalla.She’d She’dgot gotflak flakfor forthat, that,too, too, That strange. though though XXhad hadlater later turnedout outpedestrians, totobe beOdin Odininlooking indisguise. disguise.

(Long I scanned the turned crowd of for(Long Sam’s

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story.) story.)‘You ‘Youmean meanthis thisnewcomer newcomerisisan anactual actualmonster, monster,like like Fenris Fenrisor –’ or –’ ‘Worse, ‘Worse,ififyou youask askme.’ me.’Hunding Hundingbrushed brushedaatuft tuftofofwhiskers whiskers off offhis hisuniform uniformname nametag. tag.‘Cursed ‘Cursedargr argrnearly nearlytore toremy myface faceoff off when whenhe hesaw sawhis hisaccommodations. accommodations.Not Nottotomention mentionthe thecomplete complete lack lackofofaaproper propertip –’ tip –’ ‘Bellhop!’

‘Bellhop!’the themanager managershouted shoutedfrom fromthe thereception receptiondesk. desk.

‘Stop ‘Stopfraternizing fraternizingand andget getover overhere! here!You Youhave havedragon dragonteeth teeth totofloss!’ floss!’

I Ilooked lookedatatHunding.

Hunding.‘He ‘Hemakes makesyou youfloss flossthe thedragons’ dragons’ teeth?’ teeth?’

Hunding Hundingsighed. sighed.‘Takes ‘Takesforever, forever,too. too.I Igotta gottago.’ go.’

‘Hey, ‘Hey,man.’ man.’I Ihanded handedhim himthe thebag bagofofchocolate-covered chocolate-covered espresso espresso beans beans I’d I’d bought bought atat the the Thinking Thinking Cup. Cup. ‘Hang ‘Hang inin there.’ there.’

The Theold oldViking’s Viking’seyes eyesturned turnedmisty. misty.‘Magnus ‘MagnusChase, Chase,you’re you’re aafine finelad. lad.I Icould couldhug hugyou youtotodeath –’ death –’ ‘BELLHOP!’ ‘BELLHOP!’Helgi Helgishouted shoutedagain. again.

‘ALL ‘ALLRIGHT! RIGHT!HOLD HOLDYOUR YOUREIGHT-LEGGED EIGHT-LEGGEDHORSES!’ HORSES!’ Hunding Hundingscurried scurriedtowards towardsthe thefront frontdesk, desk,which whichspared sparedme me from fromaahug hugtotothe thedeath. death.

As As low low asas I I felt, felt, atat least least I I didn’t didn’t have have Hunding’s Hunding’s job. job.

The The poor poor guy guy had had reached reached Valhalla Valhalla only only toto be be forced forced into intoservitude servitudeby byHelgi, Helgi,his hisarchenemy archenemyfrom frommortal mortallife. life.I I figured figuredhe hedeserved deservedsome somechocolate chocolatenow nowand andthen. then.Also, Also,his his friendship friendshiphad hadalready alreadyproved provedinvaluable invaluabletotome meseveral severaltimes. times.

Hunding Hundingknew knewhis hisway wayaround aroundthe thehotel hotelbetter betterthan thananybody, anybody, and andhe hehad hadall allthe thejuicy juicygossip. gossip.

I I headed headed for for the the elevators, elevators, wondering wondering what what an an ‘argr’ ‘argr’ was wasand andwhy whySam Samwould wouldbring bringone oneinto intoValhalla.

Valhalla.Mostly MostlyI I

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wondered wonderedbloomed ifif I I had hadin time time for lunch lunch and andhigh-end aa nap nap before before this this displays thefor windows of boutiques. afternoon’s afternoon’s battle. battle. was wasimportant important totobe bewell wellfed fedand andwell well Tourists strolled byItIt enjoying the sunshine. rested rested when when dying dyinginin combat. combat. in my freshly laundered jeans, Sitting outside, comfortable In Inthe the corridors, corridors, afew feweinherjar einherjar gave gave me me sidelong sidelong glances.

T-shirt and denim ajacket, I realized this would be glances. the first Most Most ignored ignored me. me.

Sure, Sure, I’d I’dretrieved the theSword SwordofofSummer Summerand and spring in three years that Iretrieved hadn’t been homeless. defeated defeated FenrisWolf, Wolf, but the thescrounging majority majorityofoffrom my myfellow fellow warriors warriors Last Fenris March, I hadbut been dumpsters.

I’d just justsaw saw me measasunder the thekid kid who’dgot gotthe three three Valkyries Valkyries killed killed and and been sleeping a who’d bridge in Public Garden, hanging almost almost started started Ragnarok.

Ragnarok.

The The fact fact that thatavoiding I Iwas wasaason soncops ofofFrey, Frey, out with my buddies Hearth and Blitz, the and the the Vanir Vanir summer summer god, god, didn’t didn’t help. help. His His offspring offspring weren’t weren’t just trying to stay alive. usually usually found found Valhalla.

Valhalla.

I Iwasn’t wasn’t cool cool enough enough tohang hang with with Then, twoininmonths ago, I died fighting a to fire giant.

I’d the thepopular popular crowd crowd –the thechildren children war gods gods likeThor, Thor, Tyr Tyr woken up in the –Hotel Valhallaofof aswar one of like Odin’s einherji and andOdin.

Odin. warriors.

Yes, Yes,Valhalla Valhalla had hadclothes. cliques cliquesjust like like highschool. school.

Andwhile Now I had clean Ijust took a high shower everyAnd day.

Iwhile slept high high schoolseemed seemed totoevery last lastfor for eternity, eternity, Valhalla Valhalla actually actually did. did. in a school comfortable bed night.

I could sit at this café table, The Theonly only einherjar einherjar who whotruly trulyfor accepted accepted me me were were my myhallmates hallmates eating food I’d actually paid and not worry about when the on onfloor floor nineteen, nineteen, and and wasanxious anxious getback backtotothem. them. staff would force me toI Iwas move along. totoget In In the themy elevator, elevator, the the Viking easy-listening easy-listening musicstuff. did didnot not Since rebirth, I’dViking got used to a lot of music weird I’d help helpmy mymood. mood.

Questions Questions swam around around iningods, my mybrain: brain: who had had travelled the Nine Worldsswam meeting Norse elves,who dwarves killed killed Otis?What What had hadthe the goat goat wanted wanted totowarn warn me meabout? about? and a Otis? bunch of monsters with names I couldn’t pronounce.

I’d Who Whowas was Sam’s Sam’sbrother? brother?

What What were wereBlitz Blitz and Hearth Hearth hiding scored a magical sword that presently hungand around my hiding neck in from? from?

And And who inintheir theirright rightmind mind would would wantatomind-melting torecord record‘Fly ‘Fly the form ofwho a runestone pendant.

I’d even want had Me Metotothe theMoon’ Moon’ ininOld Old Norse? conversation with my Norse? cousin Annabeth about the Greek The The elevator elevator doors opened atatfloor floor nineteen. stepped out out gods who hung doors out inopened New York andnineteen. made herI Istepped life difficult. and andpromptly promptly got gotsideswiped sideswiped byaalousy large largeanimal. animal.

ItItwas was moving moving Apparently North America by was with ancient gods.

We sohad sofast fast Ionly onlyregistered registered aablur blurofoftan tanand andblack blackbefore beforeititturned turned a Ifull-blown infestation. aacorner corner and and was was gone.Then Then I Inoticed noticedholes holesininmy mysneakers sneakers All of that I’dgone. learned to accept. where where the the animal animal had had runover over them.

Tiny geysers geysers ofpain pain But being back in run Boston onthem. a niceTiny spring day, of hanging erupted erupted the thetops topsofofmy myfeet. feet. out likefrom afrom regular mortal kid?

‘Ow,’ ‘Ow,’Ifelt Isaid, said, belatedly. belatedly.

That strange.

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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‘Stop ‘Stopthat thatcheetah!’ cheetah!’Thomas ThomasJefferson, Jefferson,Jr.Jr.came camecharging charging down downthe thecorridor corridorwith withhis hisbayonet bayonetfixed, fixed,my myother otherhallmates hallmates Mallory MalloryKeen Keenand andHalfborn HalfbornGunderson Gundersonclose closebehind behindhim. him.

They Theystumbled stumbledtotoaastop stopininfront frontofofme, me,all allthree threepanting pantingand and sweating. sweating.

‘Did ‘Didyou yousee seeit?’ it?’T.J. T.J.demanded. demanded.‘Where’d ‘Where’dititgo?’ go?’

‘Um . . .’

‘Um . . .’I Ipointed pointedtotothe theright. right.‘Why ‘Whydo dowe wehave haveaacheetah?’ cheetah?’

‘It‘Itwasn’t wasn’tour ouridea, idea,believe believeme.’ me.’T.J. T.J.shouldered shoulderedhis hisrifle. rifle.

As Asusual, usual,he hewore worehis hisblue blueUnion UnionArmy Armyuniform, uniform,his hisjacket jacket unbuttoned unbuttoned over over aa green green Hotel Hotel Valhalla Valhalla T-shirt.

T-shirt. ‘Our ‘Our new new hallmate hallmateisn’t isn’thappy happytotobe behere.’ here.’

‘New ‘Newhallmate,’ hallmate,’I Isaid. said.‘A‘Acheetah. cheetah.You Youmean . . . mean . . .the thesoul soul Sam Sambrought broughtin. in.AAchild childofofLoki.

Loki.He’s He’saashape-shifter?’ shape-shifter?’

‘Among ‘Amongother otherthings,’ things,’said saidHalfborn HalfbornGunderson.

Gunderson.Being Beingaa berserker, berserker,he hehad hadthe thephysique physiqueofofSasquatch Sasquatchand andwore woreonly only hide hidebreeches. breeches.Runic Runictattoos tattoosswirled swirledacross acrosshis hismassive massivechest. chest.

He Hebanged bangedhis hisbattleaxe battleaxeon onthe thefloor. floor.‘I‘Ialmost almostgot gotmy myface face smashed smashedininby bythat thatmeinfretr!’ meinfretr!’

Since Sincemoving movingtotoValhalla, Valhalla,I’d I’dlearned learnedan animpressive impressivenumber number ofofOld OldNorse Norsecusswords. cusswords.Meinfretr Meinfretrtranslated translatedasassomething somethinglike like stinkfart, stinkfart,which whichwas, was,naturally, naturally,the theworst worstkind kindofoffart. fart.

Mallory Mallorysheathed sheathedher hertwo twoknives. knives.‘Halfborn, ‘Halfborn,your yourface face could coulduse usean anoccasional occasionalsmashing.’ smashing.’Her Herbrogue broguegot gotthicker thicker whenever whenever she she was was angry. angry. With With her her red red hair hair and and flushed flushed cheeks, cheeks,she shecould couldhave havepassed passedfor foraasmall smallfire firegiant, giant,except except fire fire giants giants were were not not asas intimidating. intimidating. ‘I’m ‘I’m more more concerned concerned about aboutthat thatdemon demondestroying destroyingthe thehotel! hotel!Did Didyou yousee seewhat whathe he did didtotoX’s X’sroom?’ room?’

‘He ‘Hetook tookover overX’s X’sold oldroom?’ room?’I Iasked. asked.

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‘And ‘Andproceeded proceededin tototear tearitwindows itup.’ up.’Mallory Mallory made madeaaVV with withher her displays bloomed the of high-end boutiques. fingers fingersand and flicked flicked them under under her chin chinininthe thedirection directionthe the Tourists strolled bythem enjoying theher sunshine. cheetah cheetah had had fled. fled.Miss Miss Keen Keenwas wasin Irish, Irish, sosoher herV Vdid didnot notmean mean Sitting outside, comfortable my freshly laundered jeans, peace peaceor orvictory victory ––ititmeant meant something something much much ruder.

‘We camefirst by by T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized thisruder. would‘We be came the tospring towelcome welcome him, him,years found found the theIplace placeininbeen ruins. ruins.

No Norespect!’ respect!’ in three that hadn’t homeless.

I Last Iremembered remembered myown own first first day dayininValhalla.

Valhalla.

I Ihad hadthrown thrown March, I my had been scrounging from dumpsters.

I’d abeen asofa sofasleeping across acrossthe the living living room roomin and and put my myfist fistthrough through the the under a bridge theput Public Garden, hanging bathroom bathroom wall. wall.

‘Well . . .

‘Well . . . adjusting adjusting can canbe be tough.’ tough.’the cops and out with my buddies Hearth and Blitz, avoiding T.J. shook shook hishead. head.‘Not ‘Notlike likethis. this.The Thekid kidtried triedtotokill killus us justT.J. trying to his stay alive. on onsight. sight.

Some Some the thestuff stuff he hesaid –’ Then, twoofof months ago, Isaid –’ died fighting a fire giant. I’d ‘First-rate ‘First-rate insults,’ Halfborn Halfborn conceded. conceded.

‘I’ll give him himeinherji credit credit woken up ininsults,’ the Hotel Valhalla as one‘I’ll ofgive Odin’s for forthat. that.But ButI’ve I’venever neverseen seenone oneperson persondo dososomuch muchdamage . . . damage . . . warriors.

Come Come have have aalook, look, Magnus.

Magnus.

See See for foryourself.’

Now I had clean clothes.

I took ayourself.’ shower every day. I slept They led ledme medown down totoX’s X’s old oldroom. room.

I’d I’dsit never never been been inside, inside, in aThey comfortable bed every night.

I could at this café table, but butnow now the theI’d door door was waswide wide open.

The The interior looked looked like likethe itit eating food actually paidopen. for and notinterior worry about when had hadbeen been redecorated redecorated by bymove aaCategory Category Fivehurricane. hurricane. staff would force me to along. Five ‘Holy ‘HolyFrigg.’

Frigg.’

I Istepped stepped overused aapile pile busted furniture furniture into into Since my rebirth, I’d over got toofof abusted lot of weird stuff.

I’d the thefoyer. foyer.the Nine Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves travelled The layout layout was was aalot lotlike like my myown ownsuite suite ––four foursquare square sections sections andThe a bunch of monsters with names I couldn’t pronounce.

I’d jutting juttingout from fromasword acentral central atrium atrium like likehung aagiant giant plus plusmy sign. sign.

The The scored aout magical that presently around neck in foyer foyer had hadof once once been beenaasitting sitting area area with with sofa, sofa, bookshelves, the form a runestone pendant.

I’d evenaahad a bookshelves, mind-melting aconversation aTV TVand andaafireplace. fireplace.

Now ititwas was aadisaster disasterabout zone. zone.Only OnlyGreek the the with myNow cousin Annabeth the fireplace fireplace was was still stillout intact, intact, and andgouge gougeand marks marks scarred scarred the thedifficult. mantel mantel gods who hung in New York made her life asApparently asififour ournew newNorth neighbour neighbour had hadtaken taken aabroadsword broadsword totoit.it.

America was lousy with ancient gods. We From what what Iinfestation.

I could could see, see, the the bedroom, bedroom, kitchen kitchen and and hadFrom a full-blown bathroom bathroom wings had been beentosimilarly similarly destroyed.In Inaadaze, daze,I I All of wings that I’dhad learned accept. destroyed. moved moved towards towards theatrium. atrium.

But being the back in Boston on a nice spring day, hanging Just like mine, mine,itmortal ithad hadaakid? huge hugetree treeininthe themiddle. middle.The Thelowest lowest outJust likelike a regular branches branches spread across acrossthe theapartment’s apartment’sceiling, ceiling,interweaving interweaving That spread felt strange.

I scanned the crowd of pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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with withthe therafters. rafters.The Theupper upperbranches branchesstretched stretchedinto intoaacloudless cloudless blue bluesky. sky.My Myfeet feetsank sankinto intogreen greengrass. grass.The Thebreeze breezefrom fromabove above smelled smelledlike likemountain mountainlaurel laurel––aasort sortofofgrape grapeKool-Aid Kool-Aidscent. scent.

I’d I’dbeen beenininseveral severalofofmy myfriends’ friends’rooms, rooms,but butnone noneofofthem themhad had an anopen-air open-airatrium. atrium.

‘Was ‘Wasititlike likethis thisfor forX?’ X?’I Iasked. asked.

Mallory Mallorysnorted. snorted.‘Hardly.

‘Hardly.X’s X’satrium atriumwas wasaabig bigpool pool––aa natural naturalhot hotspring. spring.His Hisplace placewas wasalways alwaysasashot, hot,humid humidand and sulphurous sulphurousasasaatroll’s troll’sarmpit.’ armpit.’

‘I‘Imiss missX.’ X.’Halfborn Halfbornsighed. sighed.‘But, ‘But,yes, yes,all allthis thisisiscompletely completely new. new.Each Eachsuite suitearranges arrangesitself itselftotofitfitits itsowner’s owner’sstyle.’ style.’

I Iwondered wonderedwhat whatititmeant meantthat thatmy myatrium atriumwas wasexactly exactlylike like the thenewcomer’s. newcomer’s.I Ididn’t didn’twant wanttotoshare sharestyles styleswith withaamurderous murderous wildcat wildcatson sonofofLoki Lokiwho whoran ranover overpeople’s people’sfeet. feet.

At Atthe theedge edgeofofthe theatrium atriumlay layanother anotherpile pileofofwreckage. wreckage.

Freestanding Freestanding shelves shelves had had been been overturned. overturned. The The grass grass was was littered littered with with ceramic ceramic bowls bowls and and cups cups –– some some colourfully colourfully glazed, glazed,others othersunfired unfiredclay. clay.

I Iknelt kneltand andpicked pickedup upthe thebase baseofofaabroken brokenflowerpot. flowerpot.‘You ‘You think thinkCheetah CheetahBoy Boymade madeall allthese?’ these?’

‘Yep.’ ‘Yep.’T.J. T.J.gestured gesturedwith withhis hisbayonet. bayonet.‘There ‘Thereare areaakiln kilnand and aapotter’s potter’swheel wheelininthe thekitchen, kitchen,too.’ too.’

‘Good ‘Goodquality qualitystuff,’ stuff,’Halfborn Halfbornsaid. said.‘The ‘Thevase vasehe hethrew threwatat my myface facewas wasbeautiful beautifuland anddeadly. deadly.Just Justlike likeMiss MissKeen, Keen,here.’ here.’

Mallory’s Mallory’s face face went went from from strawberry strawberry red red toto habanero habanero orange. orange.‘You’re ‘You’rean anidiot.’ idiot.’Which Whichwas washer herway wayofofexpressing expressing affection affectionfor forher herboyfriend. boyfriend.

I Iturned turnedover overthe theshard. shard.On Onthe thebase, base,the theinitials initialsaa.f..f.were were etched etchedininthe theclay. clay.I Idid didnot notwant wanttotospeculate speculatewhat whatthey theymight might

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stand standfor. for.Under Underthe theinitials initials was aadecorative decorative stamp: stamp:two two snakes snakes displays bloomed in the was windows of high-end boutiques. curled curledininstrolled an anelaborate elaborate SSpattern, pattern, their theirtails tailslooped loopedaround around Tourists by enjoying the sunshine. each eachSitting other’s other’soutside, heads. heads. comfortable in my freshly laundered jeans, T-shirt and denim jacket, I realized this would be the first spring in three years that I hadn’t been homeless.

Last March, I had been scrounging from dumpsters. I’d been sleeping under a bridge in the Public Garden, hanging My fingertips feltnumb. numb.I Iand dropped theshard shardthe and picked fingertips felt dropped and picked outMy with my buddies Hearth Blitz, the avoiding cops and upanother another broken pot:same sameinitials initialson onthe thebottom, bottom,same same up broken pot: just trying to stay alive. serpentine stamp. serpentine Then, stamp. two months ago, I died fighting a fire giant. I’d ‘It’s up symbol of Loki,’ Loki,’ Halfborn offered.

‘Flexibility, ‘It’s aa symbol Halfborn offered.

‘Flexibility, woken in the of Hotel Valhalla as one of Odin’s einherji change,slipperiness.’ slipperiness.’ change, warriors.

Myears ears buzzed.

I’d seenthis this symbol before . . . recently, My buzzed. seen symbol before . . . inin Now I had cleanI’d clothes.

I took a shower everyrecently, day. I slept myown room.‘How ‘How howdo do youknow?’ my room. how you in aown comfortable bed––every night.

Iknow?’ could sit at this café table, Halfborn puffed out hisalready already puffed-out chest.

‘AsI’ve I’ve Halfborn puffed out his chest.

‘As eating food I’d actually paid for and puffed-out not worry about when the toldyou, you, I’ve spent my time well Valhalla.I Ihave haveaaPhD PhDinin told I’ve spent my ininValhalla. staff would force me totime movewell along.

Germanic literature.’

Germanic Since literature.’ my rebirth, I’d got used to a lot of weird stuff. I’d ‘Which he only mentions several times day,’ Mallory Mallory ‘Which he only mentions several times aa day,’ travelled the Nine Worlds meeting Norse gods, elves, dwarves added. added. and a bunch of monsters with names I couldn’t pronounce. I’d ‘Hey, guys,’ T.J. T.J. called from the thehung bedroom.

He speared ‘Hey, guys,’ called bedroom.

He scored a magical sword thatfrom presently around myspeared neck in hisbayonet bayonet pileofof clothingI’d and held up adark darkgreen green his aapile clothing and held up the form ofinto ainto runestone pendant. even had aamind-melting sleevelesssilk silkdress. dress. sleeveless conversation with my cousin Annabeth about the Greek ‘Posh,’ Mallory said.

‘That’s Stella McCartney.’

‘Posh,’ said. aaStella gods who Mallory hung out in ‘That’s New York and McCartney.’ made her life difficult.

Halfborn frowned.

‘Howcan canyou yoube be sure?’

Halfborn frowned.

‘How sure?’

Apparently North America was lousy with ancient gods. We ‘I’ve spentmy myinfestation. timewell wellininValhalla.’

Valhalla.’Mallory Mallorydid didaadecent decent spent time had‘I’ve a full-blown imitation Halfborn’s gruff voice.‘I‘Ihave haveaaPhD PhDininfashion.’ fashion.’ imitation Halfborn’s gruff All ofofof that I’d learned to voice. accept.

‘Oh,shut shutup, up, woman,’ Halfborn muttered.

‘Oh, woman,’ Halfborn But being back in Boston on amuttered. nice spring day, hanging ‘And look this.’

T.J.kid? heldup upaatuxedo tuxedojacket, jacket,also alsodark dark atatthis.’

T.J. held out‘And like alook regular mortal green, with pink lapels. green, with pink lapels.

That felt strange. admitmy my brain wasfuzzy.

AllI Icould could thinkabout about was I’ll admit brain was All think was II’llscanned the crowd offuzzy. pedestrians, looking for Sam’s

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the thesymbol symbolofofLoki Lokion onthe thepottery potteryand andwhere whereI’d I’dseen seenthe the snake snakedesign designbefore. before.The Thewhirlwind whirlwindofofclothes clothesininthis thisroom room didn’t didn’tmake makesense sensetotome me––jeans, jeans,skirts, skirts,jackets, jackets,ties tiesand andparty party gowns, gowns,most mostininshades shadesofofpink pinkand andgreen. green.

‘How ‘Howmany manypeople peoplelive livehere?’ here?’I Iasked. asked.‘Does ‘Doeshe hehave haveaa sister?’ sister?’

Halfborn Halfbornsnorted. snorted.‘T.J., ‘T.J.,should shouldyou youexplain, explain,or orshould shouldI?’ I?’ FLOOOOOOOM. FLOOOOOOOM.The Thesound soundofofaaram’s ram’shorn hornechoed echoeddown down the thecorridor. corridor.

‘Lunchtime,’ ‘Lunchtime,’T.J. T.J.announced. announced.‘We ‘Wecan cantalk talkthen.’ then.’

My Myfriends friendsheaded headedfor forthe thedoor. door.I Iremained remainedcrouched crouchedover over the thepile pileofofpottery potteryshards, shards,staring staringatatthe theinitials initialsaa.f..f.and andthe the entwined entwinedserpents. serpents.

‘Magnus?’

‘Magnus?’T.J. T.J.called. called.‘You ‘Youcoming?’ coming?’

My Myappetite appetitewas wasgone. gone.So Sowas wasany anydesire desiretototake takeaanap. nap.

Adrenaline Adrenalinescreamed screamedthrough throughmy mysystem systemlike likeaahigh highnote noteon on an anelectric electricguitar. guitar.

‘You ‘Youguys guysgo goahead.’ ahead.’My Myfingers fingerscurled curledaround aroundthe thebroken broken pot potwith withthe thesymbol symbolofofLoki.

Loki.‘There’s ‘There’ssomething somethingI Ineed needtoto check checkfirst.’ first.’

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FFI IVVEE

My MySword SwordHas HasaaBetter Better Social SocialLife LifeThan ThanIIDo Do IT’S IT’SAAGOOD GOODTHING THINGI Ididn’t didn’tgo gototolunch. lunch.

The The buffet buffet was was usually usually fought fought toto the the death, death, and, and, asas distracted distractedasasI Ifelt, felt,I Iwould’ve would’vegotten gottenimpaled impaledby byaafondue fonduefork fork before beforeI Ifilled filledmy myplate. plate.

Most Mostactivities activitiesininValhalla Valhallawere weredone donetotothe thedeath: death:Scrabble, Scrabble, whitewater whitewaterrafting, rafting,pancake pancakeeating, eating,croquet. croquet.(Tip: (Tip:don’t don’tever ever play playViking Vikingcroquet.) croquet.)

I Igot gottotomy myroom roomand andtook tookaafew fewdeep deepbreaths. breaths.I Ihalf halfexpected expected the theplace placetotobe beasastrashed trashedasasA.F.’s A.F.’sroom room––like likemaybe maybethe thesuites suites were weresososimilar similarthat thatmine minewould woulddecide decidetotomess messitself itselfup upinin solidarity. solidarity.Instead, Instead,ititwas wasjust justthe theway wayI’d I’dleft leftit,it,only onlycleaner. cleaner.

I’d I’d never never seen seen the the housekeeping housekeeping staff. staff. Somehow, Somehow, they they always alwaysmanaged managedtototidy tidyup upwhen whenI Iwas wasgone. gone.They Theymade madethe the bed bedwhether whetherI’d I’dslept sleptininititor ornot. not.They Theyscrubbed scrubbedthe thebathroom bathroom even evenififI’d I’djust justdone donethat thatmyself. myself.They Theypressed pressedand andfolded foldedmy my laundry, laundry,though thoughI Iwas wascareful carefulnever nevertotoleave leavemy myclothes clotheslying lying around. around.Seriously, Seriously,who whoirons ironsand andstarches starchesunderwear? underwear?

I Ifelt feltguilty guiltyenough enoughhaving havingthis thishuge hugesuite suitetotomyself; myself;the the idea ideaofofhousekeepers housekeeperspicking pickingup upafter afterme meonly onlymade madeititworse. worse.

My Mymom momhad hadraised raisedme metototake takecare careofofmy myown ownmesses. messes.Still, Still, asasmuch muchasasI Itried triedtotodo dothat thathere, here,the thehotel hotelstaff staffswooped swoopedinin daily dailyand andsanitized sanitizedeverything everythingwithout withoutmercy. mercy.

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