Empty Altars by Judith Post

bidding. Show respect, or I'll teach you some."
    "We thank you, Roman." The chieftain refused to call her goddess. His thanks were forced, at best. She'd heard her share of empty prayers and flattery. Griswold's was no different. "I'm only thinking about the people in my care," he stated. "I'm concerned about their safety."
    Gudrun laughed. "Our chieftain is always conscious of his duty."
    Griswold snarled, but didn't dare insult the seer. Instead, he forced a smile. "We have strong magic to protect our village now. We have nothing to defeat giants or hellhounds. I fear we won't be able to defend ourselves against them."
    Freya held up a wolfbane plant. "Your guards can hang these from your fence. Hellhounds won't pass them."
    "Is this true?" The chieftain turned to Gudrun for an answer.
    The old seer nodded.
    "And for giants?"
    "You have me." Tyr glowered. "Donar will come, too, when I call."
    Griswold made little effort to hide his discontent. He wanted miracles, she could tell, but he knew better than to push too hard. "Your presence is more than we could hope for. I thank you, my lord."
    Tyr's lips pressed into a thin line. With a growl, he turned to Diana. "You've done more than we expected…again. Thank you."
    " No one destroys a rowan tree in Greece." Diana curled her fingers into balls. She dug her nails into her palms.
    Tyr watched her clench and unclench her fists. An odd expression settled on his face, and he smiled.
    She narrowed her eyes. He looked like a man about to get in trouble.
    "You're still upset. Your eyes are blazing, your cheeks are pink." He winked. "You look especially lovely."
    "What?" She felt heat surge to her face. How could he? Everyone was listening! Was he trying to embarrass her?
    Tyr grinned. "Thank the gods the runes sent you!"
    She raised a brow, angrier than before, when Gudrun chimed in. "I'm glad I lived to see you. You're more than I hoped for."
    Diana shifted from one foot to the other. She didn't enjoy public praise. That was for her fellow gods and goddesses. "Enough!" she said. "We need to work as a team. We each have our strengths. It's time I teach Inga how to plug into hers."
    "A Roman with no ego. Who knew?" Tyr's eyes lingered on her. Would he knock it off? This was no time to flirt.
    "A Norse who's more than swords and ale," she retorted. "A miracle!"
    Tyr's grin widened, but Inga shook her head. "I don't feel any magic. I'm not sure I have any."
    "Gudrun's runes said I should teach you," Diana insisted. "You must."
    Gudrun squirmed. She dropped her eyes. Diana frowned, about to question her when Tyr said, "We'd better get cracking. Time's a wasting."
    Diana's jaw dropped. "Where did you hear that?"
    "We Norse aren't as backward as you suppose us to be."
    "Or as backward as you pretend. Do you go to modern times?"
    He laughed. "I hit nightclubs once in a while in Oslo. Noisier than battle, and just as scary."
    She shook her head. Tyr had a way of keeping her off-balance. "We'd better go. The rowan will protect the village from black magic. You have to figure out how to protect them from giants."
    "Yes, ma'am." He saluted with his handless arm.
    Griswold grimaced and turned on his heel. He and the young warrior stalked back to the village. Tyr looked immensely pleased with himself. Had he flirted just to annoy the chieftain? A whisper of disappointment flitted through Diana.
    She turned to leave too. "Goodbye, Gudrun," she muttered.
    "Take care, goddess." The seer's voice hinted of satisfaction, and Diana, once again, suspected the old woman knew more than she was telling.

Chapter 9
     
    Diana ran her fingers through her hair. Six days of constant training. Six, long, hard days—with no visible results. Today was no different. "Dear Zeus, give me patience!"
    Noir padded to Inga and sat at her feet. He glared at Diana.
    "What are you mad about?" Gods, her cat could be annoying.
    The beast turned his head, snubbing her. He'd been in a foul mood ever since he got here.
    "No