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“How did you find me?”

“One of your men betrayed you. But this was one place I should have checked first.”

“You should have. I guess you are not as wise as some people think you are. Not as wise as a true Odin’s descendant would be.”

“I guess not,” Einar said. “But at least, I do not smell like a troll’s turd, and keep my home clean.”

Thorir’s face fell. “Enough jokes. Disarm him.”

Holly watched with horror as one of Thorir’s men approached Einar, who willingly gave up his sword and his shield.

“Will Solver bring back Harald’s army?” Thorir said. “Your women refuse to tell me.”

Einar’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Did you do that to Holly?”

“She did not want to be friendly.”

“You will pay for this. Do you want Odin to notice you? I will make him notice. A bloody eagle will fly you to him.”

The smug smile fell off Thorir’s face, and he frowned. “You do not threaten me. I have your daughter and your wife here.”

He pushed the blade a little harder into Svanhild’s neck, and Holly’s fist clenched around the needle. She wasn’t standing close enough to do anything without attracting his attention.

Einar’s face was a mask of fear and fury. He jerked forward, helpless, but was stopped by one of the men in the shieldwall with a hard shield hit to the chest.

Holly moved forward instinctively, her wounded side hurting.

The door opened and Gunnar returned. “There is no gold, Lord,” he said.

Thorir’s face distorted into a red mask of fury. “Where is that gold, Einar?” he yelled.

“Needle,” Svanhild whispered, and her hand searched Holly’s.

The blood drained from Holly’s face. Svanhild? Was she ready to do this?

“Now,” Svanhild whispered.

Holly passed her the needle, her hands shaking. Oh, you brave, brave little girl. You little Viking.

“The gold is hidden.” Einar took a step forward, almost pressing into the shieldwall.

“You fucking liar!” Thorir yelled and pulled Svanhild closer to him, the edge of his sword pressing against her face now.

That was when it happened. In one swift movement, Svanhild turned towards him. She pulled back her arm and stabbed him in the forearm with the needle, sinking it deep into his flesh. He dropped the sword, clutching at his bleeding arm. The girl must have punctured an artery. He pressed his other hand against the wound, disoriented, shocked.

This was it. Now or never. Holly grabbed the short sword he had dropped and swung it, planting the edge in his neck. The man’s face distorted in enraged surprise, blood flowing from the wound like a small waterfall. Then he fell, unmoving.

Thorir’s men eyed their dead leader as though they were witnessing the end of the world.

“Lofarr!” Einar yelled and kicked the shield of one of Thorir’s warriors. “Inside!”

The door flew open, and Einar’s men spilled inside the room. The skirmish began, filling the space with yelling and the thumping of shields, swords, and axes.

The outlaws had lost the will to fight, though, and quickly gave up, asking for mercy.

Holly’s hands shook as she stared at the dead body, still astonished at what she had done. She felt as if she were looking at herself from the side. She had just killed a man.

Well, he’d had it coming. She’d never let anyone hurt her baby, Svanhild, or Einar.