Dead Wrath (16 page)

It took all kinds.

He grinned at me, teeth flashing, then waved his hand at a vacant chair. "Welcome to London, Brynhildr," he said as he beamed at me, apparently thrilled to meet me. "Erik rang to say you were on your way."

His thick English accent brought back memories of my childhood, filled with the smell of the pipe-smoke, of shadowed libraries and stone fireplaces, of stories told to me while I snuggled on my father's lap and watched the flames flicker in our fireplace. A childhood long gone.

"And whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" I asked, a soft smile curling my lips.

"Ah, you have to excuse me, my dear. I have forgotten my manners. I must be getting old, I fear." He leaned forward and said, "I am Professor Iain Brosnan."

"Thank you for giving us such a pleasant welcome." I reached for my bag to dig inside for my file. "How soon can we get eyes on McClellan?"

"Ah, my dear. Your reputation precedes and it is accurate, might I add."

I laughed softly. "So what reputation is that?" I already had an idea what he meant.

"One of tenaciousness, my dear," he said cheerfully. He had a nice, kind demeanor, which seemed oddly placed in a man in charge of covert ops. I couldn't help but return that smile and then I waited patiently, deciding not to mention the Scottish lord again until Iain was ready to tell me. The last thing I wanted was to insult his hospitality. He watched me over the top of his wire rims, then let out a short laugh. "Very well, my dear. I do have some information for you, but I'm not entirely sure how you will take it."

"Why is that?" I asked, my eyes narrowing on the old man. I'd trusted someone once before and got burned for the effort and I've been wary ever since. These days it took a while to gain my trust. "It's only surveillance so far, isn't it?"

"I'm just not sure you will find the method of surveillance to your liking," he said as he reached into a file at his elbow to withdraw two gold engraved envelopes. "I have everything ready. Our Scottish lord is holding a ball at his castle and we are of the mind it would be the ideal place in which to observe your host and verify if he's being controlled or possessed. This is the invitation I have procured for you."

I was taken aback yet oddly impressed at how fast he'd worked. Super efficient. "How in the world did you manage to get an invitation so quickly?" I asked. "We didn't rob anyone, did we?"

He chuckled. "Should we have to rob someone, we have ways of doing it so well the victim would never know." That sounded ominous, and when I raised my eyebrows, he said, "Fortunately, nobody was robbed. This time. But everyone and everything is connected these days, including things like guest lists. If one has a hacker or two in one's employ, one can procure pretty much anything."

"Including deadly viruses?" I asked, my stomach suddenly hard.

His cheery disposition faded and he looked away and sighed. "Unfortunately, it does look like Loki may have a few very smart minds on his payroll. I wouldn't put it past him to have hired his own computer genius as well."

There was an uncomfortable moment in which I wished I'd kept my mouth shut. Then I cleared my throat and said, "So when is this party?"

"Tonight." That was the last thing I expected him to say, but he paid little attention to my startled expression. "It's being held at the castle. The invitations are for two couples. It was the best I could do on short notice. Who will you be taking with you?"

That one I had to think about. "Myself, Joshua, Edrik and Siri." My choice now firm in my mind.

Iain frowned. "You will take a warrior with you?" he asked, a worried look on his face. "He does not have glamor. How will he hide himself in case you fall into trouble?"

I smirked. My bag was not full of stuff for nothing. I'd brought Tarnkappe, the cloak of invisibility, with me and figured Joshua could use it if needed. I also had my little trump card. Or rather, trump spear. In an emergency, stamp three times. I stifled a giggle. "Leave that to me. Oh, and we'll need the hacker to come with us."

Iain nodded. "Already in the plan." He got to his feet, then clapped his hands together softly. "Now let's get started." He rounded his desk and hurried out the door, looking over his shoulder as he went, as if to ensure I was following.

I followed.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

While I'd been in with Iain, the rest of the team had procured seats at nearby desks while Aimee, Enya, and Siri had commandeered a sofa that sat conveniently beside a coffee machine.

As we neared the girls, Iain said, "Bring your agents who will be going with you."

"Siri, Edrik, Joshua. With me," I said as we passed them. They followed, giving me curious glances but saying nothing.

We went down the passage and to the left, when Iain stopped and opened a door that led into a room that looked more like a clothing boutique than a room in a basement somewhere in London. To to be more specific, it resembled an overstocked boutique. Floor-to-ceiling shelves contained hatboxes, handbags, and shoes, while the entire floor was lined with racks of clothing. A woman who'd been sitting at the desk just inside the door shot to her feet, pulled the sleeves of her pale-pink cardigan to her wrists primly, and gave me a cool once-over.

I bristled at the critical look. An expression that was likely to change if I unglamored my wings and let them shiver behind me.

Iain's voice broke through my thoughts. "Edna here will help you find something suitable." Then he glanced at Edna and said, "It's McClellan's ball, so go formal and elegant."

She gave him a respectful nod, then turned to me even before her boss looked away. He merely smiled and walked off as if she hadn't been in the least bit rude. She studied me again, so thoroughly I could have sworn I felt her sharp blues scraping across my skin. She was well put together, pearls at her neck, black slim-line skirt that reached her ankles, pale blond hair piled into a French knot at the back of her head. She looked like a snooty librarian, and I had to admit she scared me a little.

At last she huffed. "Turn around," she instructed, her voice clipped and cool. Although I was tempted to walk off and look for something myself, I controlled the urge and obeyed, reluctant to tempt fate without knowing what the punishment would be if I didn't. After few moments of silent inspection, in which she studied the proportions of my back, and in which I squirmed uncomfortably, she sucked in a breath. It whistled as if she'd pulled air in through the gap in her front teeth. Then she stalked to the far end of the room, pointing a finger at rack after rack, mouthing words I couldn't hear.

I met Joshua's gaze, but all he did was roll his eyes and stare at the now empty aisle. From within the densely packed aisle I heard her say, "That will do," her voice actually sounding pleased.

Okay,
I thought.
It will merely do?
I began to worry now, hoping she was planning on dressing me in something decent. Maybe one level up from a brown paper bag.

Her heels tapped the linoleum floor as she returned bearing a silver plastic suit-bag. Attached to it was a sheet of paper probably describing the garment. Stapled onto the paper was a photograph of the dress. One I didn't get a chance to see because Edna swept past me, leaving a trail of her perfume behind. Something elegant and expensive and, of course, perfect. I made a face. "Come," she instructed, crooking her finger at me. I gritted my teeth and followed as she led me to a set of change rooms at the back. "Put this on. I am pretty certain it will fit perfectly."

She hung the bag on the hook inside the little room, then turned on her heel and left. I stared after her for a moment, taken aback at her lack of courtesy. Slightly annoyed, I entered the room and shut the door. I removed my coat, armor, pants, and boots, then grabbed the zipper, suddenly terrified I'd catch the garment up and damage the fabric. That was my kind of luck so I made sure to be extra careful. I breathed deeply. Unzipped the bag slowly.

And almost fell over.

It was truly the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life. And nothing like anything I'd ever owned or worn. Navy beaded silk shimmered in the weak light of the dressing room, like the midnight sky peppered with diamond stars. I stared, mouth hanging open. Then I stared more, a hand covering my mouth.

A knock startled me out of my dreamy haze and I cleared my throat and said, "Yes?"

Edna's voice filtered through the closed door. "I have found a pair of shoes to match. I'll just slide the box under the door." I looked down and seconds later a shoebox came zooming past my feet so fast I had to step aside so it wouldn't hit me in the ankles. I was still so filled with amazement that I couldn't summon up even an eye roll at Edna's behavior.

I bent to the box and gasped as I opened the lid. Nestled in sheets of white tissue paper, a pair of navy-blue high-heeled court shoes shimmered with a silver sparkle. They looked to be made to go with the dress. Perfect.

Slipping my feet into them, I had to give Edna credit for having a damned good eye. The shoes fit perfectly, making feet I'd always thought to be too long and crooked look beautiful.

Then I admired the length of the dress before slipping it off the hanger. I unzipped it, then slid into the folds of fabric, shimmying the silk-lined dress down my hips. It settled on my body and fell in waves to the floor, the rich satin of the lining teasing my skin softly.

I zipped the dress up the back and faced the mirror. The neckline plunged in a deep V ending between my boobs, showing more than I normally did, but right now I didn't care. If I thought about it too long, I'd probably be wishing for bigger boobs. Instead, I turned to the side and studied my reflection. The straps of the dress curved around my neck in a halter fashion. I glittered from top to toe every time I moved, the dress luxuriously beaded and as a result incredible heavy.

I'd tied my hair at the back of my neck before the start of the mission and could just imagine how it would look all curled and teased for the evening.

Amazing.

At last, I took a deep breath and opened the door. The trip back to the front of the room was a little shaky considering the last time I'd worn heels this high was prom a year and a half ago. That evening hadn't gone very well, but I was determined tonight I would just enjoy the dress. It was work, but I could enjoy it if I allowed myself to.

Even a Valkyrie deserved a night on the town.

When I reached Edna and the group, I didn't miss the shock on their faces when they turned to me. Must have been some transformation, but I paid them little attention. I'd noticed Joshua was missing and was a little disappointed he hadn't been there for the big reveal.

Siri caught me searching for him and whispered, "Changing," when I sent her a questioning glance.

Footsteps behind me made me turn around, and I sucked in a breath. Joshua looked amazing. Black tux, bow tie, and hair ruffled from changing. "Wow, you look pretty dashing," I said, giving him a soft, sexy stare.

He didn't answer, just stood there staring at me, his mouth hanging open. I walked to him, placed a finger under his chin, and closed his mouth, then asked, "Like it?"

He swallowed hard then sucked in a breath, his gaze traveling from my face to my shoes and back again. "Wow, yourself. You look incredible," he said, giving me that signature Joshua grin.

I glanced over my shoulder at Edna. "Happy?" I asked, interested to see her reaction."

She gave me a curt nod. "Perfect. You're done for now. I'll get back to you to do your hair and makeup."

Then she faced Siri and Edrik, who both looked a little scared of the diminutive woman. "Right, your turn."

She gave them instructions--turn, stop, face me--then stalked off to rifle amongst the sea of racks. Joshua and I moved to the wall across from Edna's desk where two armchairs and coffee table were arranged to face the room. We took a seat and waited while Edna searched then found then hurried back, arms heavy bearing two silver bags. As she watched Siri and the Ulfr walk off to the dressing rooms, I was sure I'd seen a small smile of satisfaction at her lips. Maybe Edna was actually guilty of having a heart after all.

The pair returned soon enough, Edrik in a charming black tuxedo similar to Joshua's, while Siri wore a gold crushed silk sheath high at the neck and low in the back. It matched her golden hair so beautifully I had to stop and stare.

I was now forced to admit Edna had flawless taste.