Her eyes opened. They focused on me. “They…can’t tell you what the prophecy really says. Or they won’t. I don’t know, but I know what I can tell you.”

It seemed to be a huge effort for her to talk, and the ravens were waiting. Watching.

“Just say what you need to say.” I felt tears start in my eyes.

“You are fire. You are more fire than any of them. Don’t forget that. And don’t forget that your love is as valid as any other.”

At that I smiled a little. But fire? I felt it respond to her words, felt it rise within me. Held it back so all it did was warm me. “How do I…Monica, how do I get him to leave me alone?”

“He never will while he lives.”

I was afraid of that answer. Afraid of it, but expecting it. “I…”

“You are not the one who will end his life.”

I felt relief at that. “Good.”

“But when the time comes you have to accept who you were meant to be.”

“I might find that easier if somebody would tell me who that was.”

“I…” She coughed. “Can’t. Yet. I’ll be there, though.”

I didn’t say that was impossible. Because the ravens were watching and Thruor was watching, and the suggestion of wings around the valkyrie were becoming stronger and stronger.

She was dropping her mask, and I made sure I had no vestige of glamor myself. Seb looked between us as if finally seeing our reality, but to his credit he didn’t run.

“Any hints? Any hints on how to keep everyone safe?”

“Find allies. You have them on Midgaard. Find them in Muspelheim and Jotunheim.”

I thought of Angrboda and nodded. Angrboda of the Iron Forest, when Jotunheim had few such. “And…”

“And a better weapon. You both need better weapons.”

“Both?”

A weak smile from her. “You and Kanesha.”

“I’ll work on that.”

Loki had, I recalled gotten the Aesir all of their good weapons. And I still had the horn of truth, at least, but I rather thought she meant weapon rather more literally.

“And when the time comes…you’ve learned to protect them. Learn to understand the cycles. Learn that there is…no true ending.”

“Even Ragnarok?”

She smiled at me. “Especially Ragnarok.” Then she fell back a little.

No true ending…and the ravens still watching.