A Dragon's Witch

By Tina Glasneck

She’s an assassin for the gods, and he’s her mark.
Granted immortality by the gods, Tink’s assignment is simple: eliminate all threats to the Dragon Queen.
When the Vampire, Leif, attacks the queen, his deed can’t go unpunished.
Given the assignment to end him, Tink hesitates.
Unable to slay him, Tink instead opens a portal to her original home in 16th Century Scandinavia. What was intended as an act to protect him from other Chosen turns out to be a nightmare with a change in the timeline.
In this reality, on the brink of war, the supernatural is out in the open and shifters abound. A dragon shifter is demanding fealty, as an army of werewolves wreak havoc along the coast, and vampires are enemies of the crown.
Caught between that of honor and duty, love and power, and trying to protect her family from the invading scourge that seeks to force the kingdom to fall, Tink must choose.
She is the god’s chosen. Is she willing to risk time and place to save the vampire she loves, or will her duty and honor be a death sentence for them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vie La Publishing House, LLC
• Release date: Mar 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781949004083

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.

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CHARACTERS & PLACES

Abele: Also known as Tink. She is a witch and the assassin as implemented by the goddess Freyja. She pretends to be the sister of Erich, and has a mother-daughter relationship with Lady Hel due to her spending years with the family.

Asgard: One of the nine realms in Norse mythology; the location where the Aesir (the gods) live.

Baldr: The god of light, previously killed by a mistletoe arrow. He now resides in Helheim with his wife, Nanna.

Eir: Valkyrie of healing, travels with the other Valkyrie to determine who shall live and be healed on the battlefield.

Erich Naldoson: Present day medical examiner, necromancer, and son of Lady Hel.

Father Cyril: The priest that seeks to exterminate the Norse religion.

Freyja: Norse goddess, married to Odin, stepmother to Thor. She lives in Asgard.

Greyson: A dragon-shifter, and the brother of Jasmine.

Helheim: Also called Hel, is one of the places the dead are received. Lady Hel rules it. Helheim means covered, and cannot be compared with the Christian Hell of torture, fire, or brimstone. Instead, some sources reference Helheim as a cold place where feasts are held.

Heimdall: Considered the watchman of the gods and Norse in origin, he resides at the entry to Asgard.

Jasmine: Also known as Jaz. She is the foretold dragon-shifter of importance, and later the dragon queen. She is the daughter of the Norse gods Baldr and Nanna; and the blood mother of the vampire Leif.

Jörmungandr: Also called the Midgard Serpent, he is the son of Loki. It is prophesied that at Ragnarok, he will kill Thor.

Kara: Valkyrie, shieldmaiden of Freyja.

Lady Hel: The ruler of Helheim, a final resting place for the sick, elderly, and those who have not died with honor.

Leif: Vampire, and the Prince of the kingdom of Thule; son of King Frederick IX, adopted brother of Erich.

Loki: Loki is the god of mischief, the mother of Sleipnir, and the father of Lady Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr, as well as Vali and Nari/Narfi.

Madam Petulia: The wise sage and tarot carder reader that has a shop in Richmond.

Mia: The librarian and the fated mate of Greyson.

Midgard: Earth, is referenced as the term Midgard in Norse mythology.

Norns: The three goddesses of fate. They are named Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld.

Odin: He is called the All-Father, king and ruler of Asgard. He is married to Freyja, and the father to Thor and Baldr.

Ragnarok: The final battle of the gods, prophesied to be the end of everything.

Skuld: She is one of the three Norns (sisters). She is said to be responsible for the future.

Sleipnir: Odin’s eight-legged horse, and the stallion son of Loki (who Loki bore as a mare).

Thor: Norse god of thunder, and is considered to be the god who protects humankind. He fights with his hammer, Mjolnir.

Urd: She is one of the three Norns (sisters). She is said to be responsible for the past.

Verdandi: She is one of the three Norns (sisters). She is said to be responsible for the present.

PROLOGUE

LEIF

Keel, 1520

First dead, but when Leif’s eyes reopened, he found himself covered in layers of dirt and rocks. Forsaken in the grave, his senses were overwhelmed by the aromas around him: the dark, musty, damp and cold cave. Even more, its emptiness. Nothing moved or scurried nearby. Only a colony of bats hung on the cave’s ceiling.

Pushing the rocks and rubble back, his hands slammed into sacks of gold, trays with rotten food, his sword, and armor, and a Haglaz rune with a note: Rub Me. How much time had passed? How much time had he been in the darkness?

Knocking the dust away, he found Odin’s amulet around his neck. Had the blessing of Odin revitalized him?

Pain gripped his body. His hands shook. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, it disappeared, and instead, everything shown crystal clear, like a torch of light had been lit.

A hunger gnawed.

Something as foreign as fear caressed his shoulder.

His throat burned, and unable to create saliva, his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. His skin, dried out, mummified.

Hell’s bells and buckets of blood!

With a shaking hand, he reached out and grabbed the rune and rubbed it.

The air shifted, creating a whirlwind of movement. Bats in the cave screeched and angrily flapped their wings, creating a dust cloud. Out of the dust, a woman and her large hound appeared.

Her hair was as black as night, and her dress made his eyes widen, due to her lack of modesty. She was only half turned to him. Her shoulders appeared bare, and she wore a crimson leather corset that fastened with silver. His eyes continued to roam, taking in her full skirt. On her head rested a headpiece of bones carved with knotwork and braided with more silver.

Have you had your fill in staring at me, Leif? she asked. Her voice was melodic. I see those who created you have left you to your own devices. Tsk, tsk. What a shame. Clearly, one as you deserves much better than this. She moved forward and palmed the amulet he wore in her darkened palm, and yanked.

Who, who are you? he asked, and fell to the ground, too weak to stand any longer.

I’m your redeemer. She tossed the amulet over her shoulder and smiled. She turned fully toward him. He gasped. With her directly across from him, he saw half of her face was utter beauty, while the other side was blackened and rotted by death. He knew it to be true. She was Lady Hel, the goddess of death.

The goddess who answered his prayers was indeed a woman. He gulped. His father taught him how to be honorable, but his mother taught him to care.

Since you are indeed dead, you’ve come under my purview. But this is not the end of you. Right now, you are hungry, and luckily, I’ve brought you help. From behind her stepped another woman. He couldn’t have been more shocked to see Lady Abele there. She appeared quite a bit older from the last time he’d seen her, but her cheeks were full, her hair long and golden. And still flawless. He’d been a fool not to have her then.

But now, she appeared asleep, or in a daze.

Your first time eating is important. This bond is needed. Rise. She raised her hand, and he stood. His legs were no longer weak. You are to drink until I tell you to stop. You must call her to you.

He obeyed and whispered her name, Lady Abele, come to me. His stomach tightened. This will not hurt her, will it?

You care? That is a good thing. Now eat.

Lady Abele stood before him, and he could smell the appealing aroma of her skin as if she bathed in lavender. He moved the wisp of hair away from her neck, and she shivered and leaned to the side, granting him full access.

His expectation, his need, grew with every passing moment, and he stared at her pulse. Abele’s heartbeat beckoned him, as the skin just below her ear drew him in.

He pulled her to him, feeling her warmth through their clothes. He breathed on her skin, and felt the rising goosebumps, and pulled away.

I can’t do this without her consent, Leif said.

She is my adopted daughter, and in my care. She is here willingly, my dear.

Then why does she not speak for herself?

For the monster you are now is not one anyone should see. The grave does a bit to a person. But time is of the essence. Should you not wish my help, then I will take her back with me.

He stepped further back.

Always the honorable prince. Lady Hel sighed. Fine. She turned to Lady Abele. Awaken. She snapped her fingers and the glaze in Abele’s eyes disappeared.

Leif? Lady Abele asked, and frowned. She quickly placed her warm hands on his chest.

He wanted to die. The concern and horror on her face confirmed he’d been turned into a monster for sure. A coldness he’d not understood seized him up.

Lady Abele, Leif requires your blood to again find his strength, Lady Hel stated. Can we get on with this? There are other things that must be done after this little love bite.

Lady Abele ducked her head, and Leif saw the heat rush to her face. She inclined her head to the side, moving away the strands of hair on her neck. This is the least I can do to help.

He trailed his index finger along her neck, where the carotid artery ran. The blood rushed beneath the surface. He gently pulled her to him, crushing her breasts to his chest, and her heart beat like a bass drum calling to him. Breathing her in, his canines descended, readying to puncture. He opened his mouth wide.

Before you bite, you must prepare her. Warm her up so she will not be injured, Lady Hel warned. She scrutinized his every move.

He leaned forward and smelled her hair. His lips slowly traced along her neck.

Do you feel it? I think you are sparking desire in her.

He nibbled along Abele’s neck, until her heart galloped. Unable to hold back any longer, he pierced her.

She moaned and squirmed against his bite. The blood gushed into his mouth, and each drop awakened him further.

His muscles grew stronger, his bones lost all bowing. Stronger, and she was like rain from heaven.

Lady Hel looked over his shoulder. She helps you retain some of your humanity, dear Leif. Drink slowly. For you cannot drain her. That would ruin everything.

To him, this was better than the greatest of sex. His body vibrated.

Enough! Hel ordered.

But he was unable to stop.

I said enough. She ripped them apart, and Leif crashed to the ground.

Lady Hel created a blue ball of light in her hand, and suddenly he felt deep roots wrap around his legs.

Should you wish my help, then you are to remain here until your guide arrives. Someone who shall help you acclimate in this new world. Remember, the first rule, dear Leif, is obedience. This is the only time you shall come close to your beloved, as you have sealed the fate of your mate. Now she indeed carries a bit of death with her.

Lady Hel lifted Lady Abele with the flick of her wrist, and in a cloud of dust, he watched them disappear.

Once filled with desire, now only anger remained.

The world would rue the day he was created.

Leif broke free from the roots, picked up his satchel of gold coins, and his sword.

It was time to shuck that oyster.

He ducked out of the cave, and into the darkness of night. The castle’s turrets jutted ominously upward in the distance, ripe for the pickings.

Lady Abele (Tink)

Thoughts of regret whirled in my mind as the charges of treason thundered across the courtyard. All choices were deadly, and when the gods had taken all of your free will away, could you truly decide your place?

Treason didn’t invoke any pity from the throngs of men, women, and children who’d come out to watch the king’s sentence be dealt. Death. Death by the edge of the executioner’s blade.

Led out with Father Cyril, my brother Philip and I, with our hands bound behind us, marched to the gallows.

Those present booed in a loud chorus. Who would forgive us for what we’d done? We’d caused the bloodiest of wars, and no news had been recovered as to either Leif, his Royal Highness, the Prince of Thule’s, or Erich, the Prince Regent’s whereabouts.

They’d both left with the truth of the matter. All King Frederick knew was, Philip had created an army and rose against him. He was a traitor, and his philosophy was supported by a holy man of the cloth, the king’s own religious leader, Father Cyril.

Today was the day the executioner had arrived to dispense justice. We dragged our feet, moving ever closer to the raised wooden platform, where a large man stood. He was as big and broad as an oak tree, but it was the shiny two-handed sword he held that made my heart thunder ever louder.

Philip and I hung back, as Father Cyril in his tattered robes, was dragged toward the waiting chopping block, and then forced to his knees.

The jailer leered at me. Don’t you two worry now. The executioner today is one of the best in the kingdom. It’s said that he could slice the wings off of a fly. Look, watch his swing.

You have all made a grave mistake, as there is a witch in our midst, and she has unleashed havoc and betrayal, Father Cyril shouted and turned toward the king, who sat off to the side watching and waiting for the execution of his decree.

I focused on the king’s slightest of movements. He sternly stared, unblinkingly, at Father Cyril, with his jaw set, he nodded. The executioner pushed Father Cyril’s head down onto the block, to where his head rested over the deepened stone bowl, already red from the prior executions of the day.

Men, women, and children looked on. Some sold their wares, apples, and such, while others tried to lighten things up with a bawdy joke or two. But all activity ceased once Father Cyril took his position.

May God curse your souls, the priest said, and the executioner raised his sword.

I clenched my eyes shut only hearing the loud thud as his head must have rolled and dropped into the waiting basket.

At least this one seems skilled, dear sister, Philip said, and I gazed upon him. Ever the proud aristocrat, but now stripped from everything, he was still just as prideful as ever. Torn between sisterly love and complete hate and blame, I cast him a look of sorrow. It was all I had to give. Until we meet again in the next life. Sorry for this debacle.

A loud cheer went up, and my entire body trembled. I hated to see Philip perish like this. I watched him follow the path of Father Cyril, but Philip did not cower. Instead, he pulled his shoulders back and stared straight at me, unflinching.

This would be our moment of goodbye and there would be no grace, no mercy. Tears welled, blurring my vision, and my chin wobbled.

The executioner raised his blood-soaked sword and slashed it once through the air. It was almost like slow motion. But this time, the crowd, those in the front rows, rushed forward with raised mugs and their mouths open as if to catch droplets of rain.

My god, what have these people become? I sighed to the jailer.

Nothing, you bonny lass, need to worry about. The blood blesses, it does. Plus, sure many can get a pretty penny for it.

To sell?

He isn’t no regular man, but one who sought something for the people.

A long groan passed over the crowd, all gaiety long gone.

The jailer pushed my shoulder and led me up to the scaffold, and I watched the men hurriedly pull Philip’s body away, place it into a coffin, while the executioner raised his head.

There was no cheer from the crowd.

Be thankful John is here today. He is quite quick, exactly one swift blow. Plus, it is the king’s pleasure for you not to suffer too much. Mind you, think of the other options.

I didn’t wish to consider what those options might be. Death by any other name is still death.

On my knees, I placed my head where Philip’s neck had rested and gritted my teeth.

Try not to move, the executioner said, and I gulped down the large wad of mucus stuck in my throat. It wasn’t enough to tremble in fear. No one would understand if I told them Leif wasn’t alive, but undead, a draugr, a vampire. Nor would they believe the Prince Regent had physically raised the second army from the dead. They definitely wouldn’t accept that a dragon, who’d nicknamed me Tink, had soared in the open skies and burnt the revolting army to a crisp. No…those were the words of a madwoman, what they had made me out to be.

I tensed, waiting for the signal to be given, holding my breath, when I felt the air move.

Off with her head, someone yelled and careened a cabbage at me. Someone else threw an apple core. When the booing then picked up to quickly end.

The thunderous gallop of two men entering the square, with their horses neighing loudly, and time seemed to cease, along with what felt like the beating of my heart. Do her no harm. Prince Leif sat there proudly atop a white steed. For she is innocent of these crimes, Papa.

The king rose from his seat. Leif, son?

A life for a life, and she is innocent.

The crowd gasped, as the sword had just sliced the back of my neck.

CHAPTER ONE

TINK

1570, Thule

No one wished to marry a traitor…or rather, the traitor’s sister.

With neither husband, nor children, neither wealth nor land, only an idea of penance remained.

Personal happiness, I left at the altar of disdain.

Tears watered the chalices of the deceased, but did nothing to release me from the weight of the invisible bonds placed on me by the gods. Neither the number of