Chapter 97

Cassandra’s heart was racing as she stepped onto the basketball court, still simmering over the argument she and Thomas had had on the drive home. She’d been certain he was back—after all, his car sat parked in the driveway—but the moment she opened the door, they’d begun bickering about something trivial, and neither of them had backed down. Now, caught in the tension of half-finished words and unspoken apologies, she frowned and lifted her chin, determined to confront him when—without warning—two hidden speakers crackled to life. A warm, melodic orchestration spilled into the open air, lifting upwards and swirling around her. Cassandra froze in place, startled.

She glanced wildly from side to side. The gentle strains rose, then softened, and suddenly a group of women appeared at the far end of the court. One by one, the Valkyries strode into view, each of them radiant and smiling, bouquets of freshly picked flowers cradled in their arms. Behind them, their husbands followed—