Exton

"So we can't die because we're warriors, and if we died - barring some unforgivable act of cowardice or treachery, something like that - we'd end up in Valhalla." I think for a minute, my brow furrowing. "But wait a minute here... we've all been hurt, wounded in battle. We all have the scars to prove it. I've always assumed that meant I could die. Are you telling me that nothing can kill me - us? "

Tannr looks as confused as I feel, and Raina's expressions are flickering like Star's eyes - hurt, betrayal, dawning comprehension and back to hurt again.

"I don't know, big brother," Tannr says finally. "I do know I sure as Hel wouldn't want to put it to the test.

Look, you know what gods are like. They're a lot like the Sidhe; they give you exactly what you ask for, even when you don't know you've asked for it. They can see all the loopholes, all the time; humans can't, at least not without a lot of thought and consideration - and odds are, you'd still forget something important. There's a guy in Greek myth, I forget the name - who asked to be immortal, but he forgot to ask for everlasting youth, so now he's just getting older and older and older, but he can never die." He shrugs helplessly. "Man, that would suck."

"Oh, yeah."

"Besides, Minghan didn't just curse us by the Aesir gods; she cursed us by her gods, too, and who knows what that could mean? For my part, I'm just going to assume I can die, and be damn careful not to."