Hellbent

By Tina Glasneck and Ravenborn Covers

What happens when Thor, the Norse god of Thunder, pulls me out of my mundane life by claiming me as the Chosen One?
When Sif was 18, her parents tossed her into the adult world, unprepared for the day-to-day. They disagreed with her life choices in believing in the Norse gods.
Told to make her own way by her parents, Sif is now a struggling college student, just trying to get by. But now, she's diving into her Nordic studies, finding footing and comfort in the myths of old. She's DIY'ed a close network of friends who've become like family—until one day, a brawny Norse god swinging a mighty hammer arrives and tells her that the world needs her for the pending epic battle of good versus evil.
Lady Hel, the goddess of death, now seeks revenge, and Thor is placing Sif on the frontlines.
All roads lead to Sif, and she'll have to choose sides carefully, or mankind will pay the ultimate price.
And when stuck between two gods, how's a woman to choose?

Enjoy all of the books in The Hell Chronicles series:

·Hell for the Holidays, Book 0
·Hellish, Book 1
·Hellbent, Book 2
·Helltown, Book 3
·Hellbound, Book 4
·Hellraiser, Book 5

This series is best enjoyed when read in order.

Readers who enjoy dystopian fantasy fiction with Norse mythology, rising romantic tensions, and action and adventure will adore this fascinating series of gods, monsters and heroes by USA Today bestselling author Tina Glasneck.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vie La Publishing House, LLC
• Release date: Apr 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949004007

Tina Glasneck

TINA GLASNECK can't imagine a world without books. Her works have been classified in several genres, including mystery, suspense, fantasy and paranormal romance, and new adult.Yet for Tina, it is all about the characters and their journeys. An avid reader with a love of traveling, meeting new people and exploring her world, her interest in law, religion, history, fantasy, and dragons, made writing about it an “easy” choice. Give her a castle to enchant her, and tell her a funny story to make her snort with laughter, but please don’t serve her cake with red icing. Tina takes joy in beautiful architecture, lively cities and world travel. She enjoys creating make-believe worlds where she sometimes resides, and is often thinking about and tinkering on her next story. Sometimes she feels like a real life Cinderella, without the ashes or the fairy godmother; and, at other times, she is just a girl, looking for a chance to tell that next great story.

Book preview

Part I

A spark was sent down to Midgard to be forgotten.

It burrowed in deep, cared for by the land spirits, until it could be gifted and placed into the womb of Embla’s daughter at the prophesied time.

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And the day shall come when the sky child will walk in Midgard.

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When the goddess of the sky would be born, and she would be the key to salvation, and the catalyst to destruction.

Kiss of Ymir, Stanza 1509

Chapter 1

Lady Hel, Richmond, VA

Only a lover of death could appreciate her, and he just happened to be such, the Erlking.

Lady Hel sat in her designer kitchen, sighed in contemplation, and watched as her lover Harley prepared their meal. He’d sent the staff away, and she now tapped her fingers against the marble countertop, staring at the man she was free to love.

She placed her blackened hand to her two-toned face and didn’t think about it anymore. There was no more use in glamour, in making herself beautiful according to beauty’s standards. Instead, she’d allowed her real person to show—that of her which was half white, half black and decomposing.

Of course, when leaving the grounds, she’d put on her magic visage. No need to frighten the locals, not just yet anyway.

I thought your exile would be over after true love was restored, Harley said. He tossed the peppers and onions into the skillet. A sizzle hit the air and it had nothing to do with the food. Harley waggled his eyebrows.

As did I.

First comes love.

She stood and walked over to him. Placing her arms around his fit torso, she pulled him to her, delighting in his warmth. She gently tugged on his earlobe with her teeth. Love? This is so much more than that.

Since his awakening, they’d christened every room, and even taken the fun outside to the gardens. Nothing could keep them apart. Where she was, he found a way to be at her side, and vice versa. After so much time apart, every moment counted.

And why are you asking? Hel continued.

I was hoping we might take a few days away once the curse is finally lifted.

Are you trying to seduce me with a fabulous vacation before we head back to Helheim?

Well, we haven’t been back to the old country in a long time.

Returning home was her first priority. She missed her throne, family, and responsibilities. She didn’t think she could love Harley any more than she already did. Her heart swelled in that knowledge. Yet, it brought along with it a foreign emotion: guilt. How could she be happy when her siblings were still not free—but bound, exiled, enslaved? Even she had been cast out of Helheim, dethroned because Odin was offended by her decisions. Family had to have meaning. Guilt weighed upon her, and in her mind, this great gap between them grew stronger. The gods sought to drive them all to insanity, but she couldn’t let that happen despite this overwhelming shifting. If she had happiness, they—her family—deserved it, too.

Now that I’m aware who I am, I am wondering about our children.

It’s only been a few short weeks since Harley has received the knowledge of his reincarnation. He’d been stripped from her so many years ago, and she’d been cursed in trying to find him.

Their love had conquered distance. She would always love him.

Yet, she pulled away. The mention of their children was not a simple conversation, nor one she was ready to have. There is much that I still have to update you on. She’d still not told him everything about her son, Erich, a necromancer, but she’d ease into it all.

Lady Hel doesn’t hedge. He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes.

That is true. It is just that since we regained the happiness that was stripped from us, I have started to worry about my siblings. They have not been given such a chance.

He sighed. You’re worrying about Fenrir, who has always been able to take care of himself, and Jörmungandr, who’s been quiet for so long, many doubt his existence?

She’d heard the rumors: Odin had horrible dreams of Loki’s children rising up against the gods and had punished them as children. To them, the gods, we looked like monsters and they treated us as such. But, I am thinking…

More like concocting a plan.

She missed the warmth of his embrace and moved back into the circle of his arms. What if we could give them a chance, too?

A chance at what?

Freedom. The words were barely a whisper. My brother Jörmungandr would surely enjoy being free. No one should suffer alone.

Harley shook his head. This could prove daunting, she knew.

She could tell from Harley’s breathing that he didn’t like her plan. Each breath was too heavy, as if the weight of his decision brought with it life or death consequences.

Let’s change the subject. If you want me to take this trip with you, then you will need to find someone who can watch the house and take care of Garmr. She pulled away.

Garmr, at the sound of his name, pranced into the kitchen. His black and brown fur shone, his tail wagged, and if it weren’t for his bright blue eyes that flickered with magic, he might have appeared like any other Doberman Pinscher.

I have a couple of friends I can ask from the college. Most college kids need money. That was a statement Harley was familiar with after having studied himself for seven years in hopes of completing a four-year degree.

A knock on the door caught their attention. No one usually knocked, for no one was allowed to cross the grounds to get to the door, due to their warding.

Before they could grant access, in walked Kara, a Valkyrie. Her brown hair was pulled tightly behind her head, and her metal armor shone too brightly, even in the dimly lit kitchen.

Lady Hel, I have come to escort you to the throne room, as the All-Father has requested your presence, Kara said.

The mighty Odin does many things, but requesting is not one of them. Lady Hel rose from her kitchen chair like it was her old throne in Helheim and nodded at Harley. I shall see you soon, my love.

In a flicker of light and motion, Kara and Lady Hel moved from Midgard, crossing the Bifrost Bridge, to the gates of Asgard, where Heimdall stood.

Lady Hel, he nodded.

It is good to see you, too, she smiled.

Pleasantries. That was one thing she’d learned from Harley over the months. No more could she simply bitch-slap people to get them to do her bidding; she needed to put on a sugary glow while doing it.

Her anger hummed under her skin. She’d been made to wait, to stew in the mortal world.

Heimdall, with your keen sight, have you by chance seen my siblings? Heimdall watched over everything from his position: those who ventured out of Asgard and through the nine realms. It was not that he had the gift of prophecy, but that he had the power to see the comings and goings of those throughout, or at least that was the rumor. He’d never actually shared with her what his talents were—all the gods had a talent.

Sleipnir is in the royal stall, he answered.

Sleipnir is not the one I was asking about. She’d never gotten along with the steed. Not that anything was wrong with him, but there was never a way for them to communicate, especially since he was so easily accepted into the Asgardian realm, while all her other siblings were not.

They crossed over into the City of Gold, as Lady Hel called it. It reflected light with its tall windows, refracting it to make the streets made of red granite appear golden. Passing through the commerce district, they saw Dwarven tradesmen bartering their wares, while the city’s dwellers walked the streets, visited the different shops, and chatted as though they didn’t have a care in the world.

In the distance, she could hear the soldiers of old practicing the art of dying and being resurrected in the great hall of Valhalla.

Kara, have you heard from my siblings? Lady Hel asked.

Do I detect worry in the voice of the goddess of Hel? What oddness is this?

Lady Hel pushed down her wish to pick Kara up by her neck and see if it was still as breakable as she remembered.

I am only concerned, as any sibling would be, but you wouldn’t understand anything about that from your position here. Lady Hel cast Kara a half-smile. Oh, how great! Asgard, and the decorating is coming along quite nicely. How much more of a gilded shrine shall be needed for the All-Father’s ego to be placated?

She headed onward, paying Kara no mind now, and once they reached the throne room, where Odin sat, his spear in hand, his one eye menacing, and Freyja sat next to him, her golden hair flowing like fields of wheat, a sense of anger again hit her. Whatever they wished to tell her was not going to be good news.

Lady Hel, Odin said.

That is only for close friends and family. You can call me Helen.

Oh, does that mean you’ve also aligned yourself with the Greek pantheon? Freyja asked.

No, it simply means that in the modern Midgard, the name Hel is looked down upon.

Not a proper way for a queen to be treated, Odin said matter-of-factly.

I’m glad you agree, sir.

All-Father.

Hel bit back her retort. He was not her All-Father, as she was descended from the giants, who were still the enemies of the gods of Asgard.

That is not why I have brought you here, Odin continued. Although, you have properly served your sentence, Freyja’s intrusion into the matter has created a kink of sorts. I find that you are to remain in Midgard.

What? Hel walloped the word down on to the granite pavement at Odin’s feet. And what of Helheim, my kingdom. I am its ruler and you seek to take it away from me?

It is not because of what you’ve done but because of what you might do.

You wish to punish me for something that has not yet occurred, just like you did my brothers, all except the mighty steed you set your arse on? And here I was thinking things in the grand pantheon had changed. But you and your kind are just as asinine as ever. Callous, and only out for blood because of your own fear. Those were the words she wished to say, but instead the magic of Hel washed over her.

Even if you remove me from Helheim, the magic thereof is still in me.

Enough, Odin growled. "You rule because I have allowed you to. You