Chapter 95: Loki's POV
I followed my ástvinur and her harem into their Council. Initially, I had no intention of going, but when she defended me, I felt I had to, if for no other reason than to see to her protection. Erebus had stepped up his attacks and still, there was no solution to her problem. The sight of her, blood-soaked and near death in that room had shaken me to my core. I've never been more thankful for Marc's plea than at that moment. Despite his best efforts, Sean was still too new to his healing skills to complete with the ferocity of that spell. Another few moments and she would have been lost, we would all have been lost.
Jace, her vampire friend, led us all into a large room with a domed ceiling. It reeked of magical wards that weren't nearly as strong as they imagined. If this is the stronghold of the supernatural, then I'm even more worried for her now. My skin prickled as I sensed a threat. I noticed Gabriel looking around as well. Good, he senses it as well. Odin chose well with him, his magic is innate and strong. Had he been raised in the practice, he would be a leader in the community by now. I could sense power in all of them, some stronger than others, and some still untapped.
"Who have you brought to us, Jace?" an elderly woman asked, eyeing the group suspiciously.
"Mistress Thrain, Eveleen has returned, and these are her chosen," Jace told the woman.
Her eyes fell on Eveleen and they softened, "Oh child, come." Eveleen ran to the woman, wrapping her arms around her. A soft golden light surrounded them as the old woman covered her in soothing magic. Well at least someone is capable around here. Her eyes landed on me and she squinted.
You shouldn't be here, Trickster. It does not bode well. I heard the witch in my mind.
Nodding my head, I will not stay long. Two of her men are my chosen and I have sworn my oath to them and theirs. I will not shirk my responsibility.
I understand, then let us speak freely. She turned to the group, letting her magic subside. "Jace will show you to your chambers. Please refresh yourselves and we will meet in the council chambers in an hour." With that, she turned and left.
The vampire led us down the hall to a series of rooms. I went with Luke and Marc, as I noticed Eveleen went with Gabriel and Victor - a wise choice. I pondered the group dynamic. Even without her presence, they seemed to have strong connections. They all considered each other family, and some had even developed romantic involvements, some were still denying their attractions. I laughed to myself, that won't last much longer. Her effect on them will bring out their true natures for better or worse. Of course, that impacted me as well, and something tells me she suspects it too.
"So, care to explain?" Luke asked as I closed the door. I merely raised my eyebrows. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, deny all you want, man. You are so whipped."
I scoffed, shaking my head, "What I am is cosmically screwed."
"She cares, so how can you be screwed?" Marc asked.
"Something about rules with Gods," Luke responded, "Pixie said even Loki wouldn't break those rules." So my love already knows, damn.
Marc gave me a confused look. "I thought you didn't give a damn about rules?"
I sighed. My head rested in my hands. "If only it were just about rules," I groaned. "Please do not let this conversation leave this room." I looked up, giving each of them a pleading look. They nodded and I continued. "You've each read countless stories of Gods or Goddesses having children with mortals - both consensual and not. Those situations are frowned upon but often overlooked as a 'rash' decision that doesn't alter the cosmic balance. However, for a deity to be mated or bonded to a non-deity, especially a Fae, well that is something that can unravel the very strings of Fate." They looked more confused than when I started speaking. "By being bonded to Eveleen, I would throw off the balance of the Fates. She is not even of my pantheon, nor is she human. I'm not even in good standing most of the time with the Aesir because I am too vocal in my beliefs."
"Okay, but what could really happen?" Marc asked.
I laughed sharply. "Re-writing the very mythology we are. If I bond with her, then what of the woman I am foretold to have children with? What of Ragnarok? What of the Fae line? The variables are unfathomable and the Council of the Gods would never allow either of us to bond. I have an assigned role, but her, no, she would be put to death surely. Her life means nothing to the Council or the Fates compared to their fucking cosmic plan." I was shaking when I finished speaking. The gravity of my words hung in the air around us.
"Fuck," Luke's voice was a low whisper. "That's why you won't touch her," his gaze met mine. "Better to never confirm the connection than to suffer both of you knowing."
I nodded. "I won't risk her life. Not now, not ever." The conversation was dropped.
Less than an hour later, we found ourselves in a large chamber room sitting around an ornate table with high-back chairs. Mistress Thrain stood as all eyes focused on her. "Eveleen, I know you have already met most of the council, but let me introduce the rest of your group to them as well. Gentlemen, our council has representatives from the major supernatural communities. As you know, I'm Mistress Thrain and I represent the witch community, I go from my far left: Alpha Doran stands for the werewolves, you already know Jace who is the vampire representative, Master Orak is the wizard representative, Zura is an elder Fae, Ninura is an elemental spirit that represents several elemental groups, and of course, Quin represents the demon factions. Would you be so kind as to introduce your bonded?"
Eveleen stood, "From the far right: North Taylor, Luke Taylor, Axel Toma, Marc Weiland, Brandon Henshaw, Corey Henshaw, Raven Ravenstahl, Silas Korba, Victor Morgan, Gabriel Coleman, Owen Blackbourne, Dr. Sean Greene, Kota Lee, Nathan Griffen, and Loki Laufeyson, but I have no doubt each of you are already familiar with Loki." Fuck, did she just include me in her bonded or was she just listing our names? She held my gaze for only a moment before turning back to the council.
"Why is he here?" Master Orak demanded, pointing to me. I had a sudden urge to punch the old wizard.
"I was their cosmic taxi if you will," I replied before she could. "Due to the intensity of the attack on Eveleen, I felt it imperative to get her to the safety of your Council immediately." I didn't make an effort to hide my sarcasm at the term safety.
He continued to eye me suspiciously. "Child, how was he able to attack you so viciously?" Zura asked
I watched as she steeled her shoulders, "Phineas. He pulled me into a dream realm," she pulled down the front of her blouse showing the black tendrils that were once again threatening to spread, and continued, "he plunged his hand into my chest and cracked the ruby, then pushed me into the Shadow abyss."
"The abyss," Quin hissed, "how did you survive? A mere witch?" Curious, not all of them know her identity. I wonder who does?
She turned to me, her eyes filled with emotions that tugged at my heart and soul, then spoke, "Loki. He allowed Sean to channel his magic to save me, and I thank him for it." I bowed my head to her, fighting the urge to wrap her in my arms and take her far away.
"Then we owe you our thanks as well, Loki," Zura said with a knowing glint in her eyes.
"Humph, still sounds suspicious to me," Orak gruffed.
"What exactly sounds suspicious?" Owen asked in his diplomatic tone. For a human, he was quite astute.
"All this fuss over a witch, it just seems far-fetched for a creature like Erebus to go to such links," the wizard scoffed. I watched as Eveleen seemed to have a silent conversation with Mistress Thrain before nodding.
"Zura, see to the wards. Doran, secure the doors," the old witch began to chant, sealing the room. Her eyes met mine - keep an eye on the room, Trickster. I nodded slightly. Eveleen stood at full height, closed her eyes, and dropped her human glamour. I felt my heart skip. If I thought she was beautiful before, I was mistaken. Her chestnut hair swayed when her wings moved, and her eyes were a vibrant purple as she met the gaze of the wizard.
"This is why he is so interested, Master Orak. He was promised the Princess of Faire by Phineas without my knowledge" Her voice was soft but carried across the room easily.
Zura, Ninura, and even Quin gasped audibly and fell to their knees murmuring - your highness. "How? We thought you dead after the Queen died," Zura whispered.
"I was kidnapped by the Daghishat and raised within their walls until Mistress Thrain and Alpha Doran rescued me." She turned her focus back to Orak, "I too wondered why I was so special, Master Orak. I did not learn of my parents' true identities until just recently. Apparently, Phineas and the coven made a deal with Erebus for power if they gave me to him. He wants a way to claim rights to Faire and its magic."
Quin stepped closer and I saw all fourteen men tense, ready to attack. "Your Highness, may I see the site of the infection?" He held his head slightly bowed as he waited for her response. She nodded and unbuttoned her blouse a bit. He did not touch her skin but hovered his hand over the area. There was a feeling of static electricity in the air around them. His eyes grew wide, "It's calling out to the shadows and demons. They are near."
She met his gaze, "I know Quin. It will get stronger every day. Will it harm you?" She's facing death or enslavement, and she's asking a demon if he's okay. Damn this woman is beyond belief.
He shook his head slowly, "For now, I am fine, but I will admit that if I remain in your presence too long it might sway me. It will affect anyone who is demon or shadow-influenced. Those of weaker strength will show themselves sooner rather than later." He walked towards Victor, "You will be at risk soon as well. Typhon's dark nature will draw you to claim her." He turned back to the other council members, "That's what it wants. It wants to claim her, infect her with darkness and lead him to her." He shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts.
We were all so focused on Quin that we had not noticed Orak coming closer to her until Kota growled and shifted. He stood before her, jaws snapping as the wizard's eyes turned blood red, and lunged. In an instant, I along with several others lunged for him, "Get her out of here," I yelled. The large Russian grabbed her and busted out of the room to where I didn't know.
Orak tried to follow him, his form becoming almost non-corporeal, black tendrils that looked like those on her chest swirled around him. Our spells and fire had no effect on him as he began to move past us. The twins moved in front of the door and knelt as their bodies began to glow with the light of the sun. When they stood, their eyes were burning and they held their hands out as sunlight filled the chamber, causing the creature to turn to ash before our eyes. Brandon and Corey stood for a moment, returning to normal then swayed, and fell to the floor unconscious. Sean and Axel ran to Corey, checking him for injuries, while North cradled Brandon in his arms speaking softly to him.
Even here she isn't safe. Damned be the consequences. I've had enough. It's time to end this.
Author's Notes: Ohhh....Loki's pissed off now!