Chapter Text
It might sound strange, but being dead was a lot more fun than being alive. You didn’t have to worry about where your next meal would come from, where you’d sleep, or whether you’d freeze under a bridge.
Because that’s what life used to be like for Alex. Of course, she didn’t complain about her past life—it could have been worse.
Like, staying with her jerk of a dad and becoming a “normal” person. Ew.
At least on the streets, she was free, even if not happy.
But ever since Sam brought her to Valhalla, a lot had changed. First, she had a cool room—with a nice pottery wheel. Friends who accepted her. And a meaningful purpose in her life (or death?)—to stop Loki.
Plus, today was Dragon Day in Valhalla. Bloodshed times a thousand. There’s nothing better than heading to the battlefield early in the morning and soaking in the smell of blood and sweat. At least, Alex liked it that way.
“Woman, I swear, if you attack me again, you’ll regret it!” Halfborn’s voice rang out. Great, he and Mallory were arguing again.
“Don’t be such a baby! Where’s your fighting spirit?” Mallory challenged.
“Guys, we’re teammates!” TJ rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Alex listened to them with a smile. Her friends. Her wonderful team. Except…
“Where’s Magnus?” Alex asked casually. Not that she really missed the boy. Annoyingly curious and kind—that’s the kind of person Alex tried to avoid. And he wasn’t much of a fighter, and his healing powers weren’t always helpful, since the other Valhallan warriors always killed the healer first.
Still, it would be good to know where he was. After all, he was her teammate or something.
“I think he’s alre—” TJ began, but a medium-sized (well, huge) lindworm suddenly appeared and ate him. So much for TJ. Magnus was still missing, so only Alex and the lovebirds remained.
Or so she thought, until she turned and saw Mallory stab Halfborn.
“Oh, Mal, come on!” she groaned. “We needed him to win.”
Mallory shrugged.
“He annoyed me.”
Fair enough, Alex thought—she’d probably kill Magnus too if he got on her nerves. Then she frowned. How did Magnus even sneak into her thoughts now? Never mind.
“You know Fierro, we girls actually have a better shot together ” Mallory grinned and moved toward the lindworm with her two dagger. Well, the monster could probably use them as toothpicks.
But then Alex herself stepped forward toward the lindworm. After all, she couldn’t just let Mallory run into death alone—even if it didn’t matter, because she’d resurrect.
While the lindworm was distracted with Mallory, Alex jumped onto its back with a practiced move and looped her garrote around its neck.
“Nice one, shield sister!” Mallory called from below, right before the dragon stepped on her.
Well…now Alex was alone. No matter how hard she tried to choke the lindworm, it didn’t give in. It tossed its body around, trying to slam Alex to the ground. She couldn’t hold on any longer (and besides, the massive creature would’ve crushed her sooner or later), so she transformed into an eagle and flew down.
Or at least, she tried—but the monster swiped at her with its tail and slammed her into the ground.
Alex immediately changed back into her human form and lost consciousness.
When she woke up golden light surrounded her. Strange—usually when she resurrected, she woke up in her room. Then she realized she hadn’t actually died. And that Magnus Chase had placed his hands on her shoulders, healing her. She pushed his hands off.
“Thanks,” she said. “But you know healing’s off-limits for me.”
“I didn’t look into your head,” the boy said. Right… one of the most annoying things about Magnus was his healing. If he used it, he could see other people’s memories. And Alex didn’t want to share that kind of stuff with Magnus Chase.
“Anyway, where were you?” she asked.
“Someone set a trap on the 63rd floor. I stepped on some weird thing and suddenly ended up in a net. Must’ve been some magical binding because my sword couldn’t cut it right away. Wish Jack was with me.
Alex didn’t know whether to roll her eyes or laugh. Typical Magnus—to get caught in a trap. But she couldn’t stay mad. He was kind of cute when he fumbled.
“So? Feel like slashing dragons and people?” Magnus asked, holding out his hand to help her up.
Alex rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand.
“Let’s go, I bet I can stay alive longer than you, Chase.”