Chapter 9 #2
Val dove to the ground and pulled her knives from her belt. She spun and slashed the throat of one of the demons before plunging her other knife deep into its neck, taking the thing's head clean off.
“Looks like you got your wish,” Loki teased.
She growled. "Stop playing around. I told you I am tired."
Loki threw his blade, and it stuck in the side of one of the demon's neck. He leaped onto the demon and pulled the blade from its neck before stabbing it through the chest.
“Sorry, love. I didn’t get to fight last night as you did. I wanted a bit of a challenge.”
“I’ll give you a challenge if you don’t stop messing around.” She rushed and retrieved her sword before strapping it to her back again.
The last of the demons stopped and scanned the already spreading carnage. It backed up a pace and looked at the male leader, who hadn't moved from his spot in the road.
"Well," said Val. "Are you going to come get me, or are we going to keep dicking around looking at each other?"
The male looked at the female and then at the demon who had backed up to his side.
"Okay then, I guess I'll come to you." Val flew at them, and the three demons scattered.
The female went right, and the male went left. The stupid one ran straight at her. But before she stabbed it, Loki appeared in front of her and cut off the demon's head.
"I’m anxious for your challenge." Loki winked at her before taking off toward the male.
Val flew down the street after the female.
She caught up with her and kicked the female in the back.
The demon tumbled to the ground and rolled over several times.
Val landed on top of her and dropped on the demon's chest. The female gasped but couldn't get up.
Val knelt on her throat and held her knife up.
"Where did you hear about me?" she demanded.
The demon shook her head. "I... didn't. Canax did."
See.. There was that stupid ending in ‘ax’ name again. “Who told him?"
The woman shook her head again. "I don't know. I swear."
"Then who put the bounty on me?" Val pressed harder against the woman's neck.
"Someone outside of Helheim in a different part of the Underworld. I don't know who. Canax never told me. He just said you were worth a lot of money, and if we brought you and the girl in, we could get enough to move up to a better realm."
"Did they say who the girl was?"
She shook her head. "They said you would lead us to her."
Like hel she would. "How long have you been following me?"
"Tonight. You were spotted going into Valhalla’s Throne."
"Anything else?" Val asked.
"No. I swear."
Val nodded. "I believe you." She slit the demon's throat. "But I can't let you tell anyone else. Sorry."
The demon’s eyes widened as she choked on her own blood, and then her mouth stopped moving. Val stabbed her in the heart for good measure and stood.
She turned and rushed back down the alley to find Loki standing over the body of the decapitated leader of the group. Damn. She'd been hoping to find out who told them about a bounty. But then again, she had told Loki she wanted to cut all their heads off. At least he'd listened to her for once.
Val flew back down the road. Loki flipped his blades in the air, and they disappeared.
"You all right?" Loki asked, looking over her.
She nodded. "You?"
"Never better. How are your wings?" He turned her around and pulled out her wings.
“Oh my gosh, you are as bad as a wet nurse.” She pulled away from him and wiped black blood on her pants before putting her knives away. Her heart pounded with adrenaline, and she realized how good it felt to get in the air, even if it was for only a few minutes.
"We should go topside," said Loki.
"Oh, now you want me topside?"
"Until I can figure out who is talking down here about a bounty, yes. You need to stay in Midgard. Especially if it’s bringing in demons from other realms."
Val nodded. "Agreed."
"Wait." Loki put his hand on her arm.
"What?"
"Friday."
"Friday?" she asked.
"Odin invited us to dinner." He started walking down the street.
"So?"
Loki shook his head. "You don't get it. When there is a family dinner, you don't say no. You go."
She shrugged. "Okay, you go. I'm not family."
"But he invited you."
"Still doesn't make me family, so I don't have to go."
They continued down the street and turned the corner.
"If he invited you, you can guarantee that he invited Elle as well."
"That's a hel of a big fat no. There is no way she's coming down here. Not after what just happened. I don't ever want her down here again.”
"That might be a bit hard, considering she's pretty much dating Thor now, and he lives down here."
"Look." She stopped and blew out a breath. She didn’t want to talk about his family. "I'm tired, and I need at least some sleep before work in a few hours. Can we… not talk about this?"
Loki shrugged. "Sure. But that's not going to change the situation. So, I guess I'll have to work fast to figure out who is in contact with Surtr."
She slowed her pace. "How do you know it's Surtr?"
"Are there other people who want you dead or alive I should know about? I mean, I'm all up to protect you, but it would be nice to know how many murderous maniacs I need to be on the lookout for."
"Haha. You are so funny."
"And good-looking, right? I'm funny and good-looking."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure."
"What about good in bed. I'm really good in bed, aren't I? Like great. Excellent, in fact."
"Enough with the compliments for one night. Your head is big enough already."
"Which head? My cranium or my-"
Val turned, grabbed Loki by the shirt, and pressed her lips to his. "Shut up," she whispered. "If you ever want to see me naked again. You will shut up."
Loki nodded. "Noted." He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers in hers. "But if I can't talk to you, then I get to hold your hand at least."
She opened her mouth, but he kissed her again. "Humor me."
She blew out a breath. She had to admit that the feel of his fingers laced with hers did give her a sense of calm. She wanted to fight him, but in the end, she allowed the contact, and they continued to the bar.
They walked up the stairs to her apartment and stopped by Elle's door. She pulled her hand from Loki's and raised it to knock, but stopped when the toilet flushed inside.
"See, she's fine," said Loki. "No harm. No kidnappers. Nothing."
Val sighed inwardly. Elle was safe. Now she needed to make sure Elle stayed that way.
Loki pulled her down the hallway to her own apartment and stopped at the door. "So, are you going to let me in?"
She wanted to. Hel knew she wanted to. But she shouldn't. She should go inside- alone- and try to figure things out.
"I'm really tired," she lied.
Loki nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I get it."
She turned to him. "Get what?"
"I'll go. But give some thought to coming on Friday. Especially since I can't promise Odin won't come up here to get you if you don't show."
"See, it's that aggressive, ‘do what I say or else’, bullshit that made me hate him in the first place."
"Join the club."
They stared at each other in awkward silence for a minute, and then Loki nodded. "Well... It was fun fighting by your side.”
“More fun than having me hide behind you?”
He thought for a moment. “Actually, yes. I can’t remember the last time I had a real fight, nor can I remember the last time I had someone decent to fight alongside.”
“You’re not so bad yourself. I’d do it again if I had to.”
“Had to? Really? If you had to.” He clutched his chest in mock offense and stepped forward, leaning close. “I would do anything you asked me to, even saving your life, just to be near you.”
She leaned in closer until their lips almost touched. “You think you saved my life? That’s cute.”
He grinned. “You know… I can name a dozen things off the top of my head I’d enjoy you doing with that wicked tongue besides always putting me in my place.”
His words punched her in the gut, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips. “You and I both know it’s my wicked tongue that caught your attention in the first place.”
“Actually, it was your eyes that caught me first. But it’s your tongue that keeps me coming back for more. That and… other things.”
Her smile widened. “What other things?”
He chuckled and took a step back. “Goodnight, Signe."
His use of her name sent a thrill rushing through her.
He gave her a flourishing bow and then turned to leave.
"Loki?"
He stopped. "Yes?"
She walked to him and shoved her hands in his back pockets. "I think I’ll talk to you again."
He smiled. "Today?"
She laughed. "Are you being pushy or just clingy?"
"How about we say I'm persistent. When I find something I want, I go for it and don't let anything stand in my way." Loki cupped her face and pulled her lips to his. "And I want you, Signe. Every part of you."
Her heart shuddered when his lips touched hers.
She squeezed his butt and pulled his hips into hers.
He backed her into the wall and pressed against her.
His kisses heated, and his hands brushed over her breasts before he rolled his thumbs over her nipples.
Val couldn't hold back the moan that escaped her throat. Her core spasmed. She wanted him again.
"Loki," she panted.
"Signe." He nipped at her ear.
"I... I think we should continue this inside my apartment."
He kissed her hard, and she plunged her tongue into his mouth, claiming it. He pulled away suddenly, leaving her panting.
"Not now," he said. "Now, you need some sleep."
She shook her head, trying to comprehend his words through the haze of desire. "Are you serious?"
He nodded and then kissed the tip of her nose.
"I want you to think about me today. While you’re sleeping.
While you’re showering. While you’re working.
I want you to think about me good and hard, and then when you see me again, I’ll let you know those dozen things I’ll let you do to me with your tongue.
And maybe a few I’ll do to you with mine.
" He kissed her cheek and then headed back toward the stairs.
Val’s mouth fell open. He was serious. He was going to leave her hot and bothered and needing release.
Touché, Loki. Touché.