Chapter 1

SAM'S POV:

The TV screamed the news on the currently-happening invasion. It was a superhero movie come to life outside my window. Aliens crawled over everything in the city; men in tights were running everywhere. It felt like it was almost fantasy as I sat and watched the action unfold. I was in no danger; I lived hours away from the heart of the invasion. Or at least I thought I was safe. That's the thing about safety, you could be thrown into the safest sanctuary and could still be in harm's way, but be in a dangerous situation with a dangerous person, and feel completely safe. As I contemplate this idea, I see a man dash past my window. It startles me (mostly because I live in the middle of nowhere). My curiosity gets the best of me and I sneak out the back door of my house and stealthily creep along the side of the wall.

"KNEEL!" someone yells behind me. My heart skips a beat.

Shaking, I fall to the grass. Even though I'm terrified, I look up. He seems just as scared I as am. I'm not sure who he is, but I feel bad for him. He's dressed like he's been pulled out of a Greek mythology book. Wait, but isn't the villain from the invasion a Greek god? Yeah, he was. He said his name was,

"Loki?" I ask.

He thrusts a golden scepter at me and I black out.

LOKI'S POV:

I think she's dead. Good. Stupid mortals and their stupid homes. This is not the place I want to be. There's an invasion that I need to lead and that's taking place somewhere in the far-off city. How am I to find my way now? Just as I start to walk away, the mortal girl moves. I'm the one kneeling now. She obviously wasn't dead; she tackled me.

"Get off!" I command.

"Never!" she bites back. Her fist is tugging my hair.

I roll over. She's pinned now. Roughly, I grab her arm and drag her behind me. I walk for a minute, gripping her arm despite the struggle she's giving.

"Take me to the city, mortal," I snap.

"Nice to meet you too," she says sarcastically.

"Fine. I'm Loki of Asguard, god of mischief, and I'm burdened with glorious purpose."

"I'm Sam of New York, goddess of nothing, and I'm burdened with my love for food."

"That's disgusting. Now, take me to the invasion."

"I don't know how to get there!"

"DON'T LIE TO ME!"

"Someone's cranky! I can use my GPS if we can go back to my car. And I want to get my cat."

"Cat?"

"Yeah, Ki. Can I call you Ki?"

"No. And fine. Just get me to the city."

"Then you'll let me go?"

"No! I need a hostage."

She rolls her eyes. Her eyes are gorgeous. Midguardians aren't supposed to look like her.

"Are you Midguardian?"

"Yes...?" she says, confused.

Oh well. We trudge back to her house. I don't hold her arm now. She isn't going anywhere. I can just tell. She steps up into her home.

SAM'S POV

"Just wait here." I tell the man standing behind me.

I should make a run for it, but I can't. Something is holding me to my promise.

"Cat! Get over here!"

He comes running. Yeah, I named my cat, Cat. Go ahead and judge me. I scoop him up and attach his lead to his collar. He's all black, but he's anything but bad luck. He's a sweetheart. I love him. After he's safely tucked under my arm I grab my car keys and step into the garage. My car is unlocked and I hop in. The garage door rumbles open. Loki's standing right outside the door, leaning against the wall, looking like some kind of super model.

"You coming?" I question. He just stands there, staring at me.

Then he sort of shakes his head and wakes up. He jumps into the passenger seat and commands me to drive. I punch the directions in and hit the gas. His frame dug into the seat, and his hand grips mine desperately.

"Come on, I'm not that fast." I laugh.

He still looks terrified.

"What!?" I snap.

"The-the cat!" He screeches. Cat is curled up on his lap and kneading his thigh.

"Wow. He likes you, settle down!" I tease.

He tenses up more, and his grip on my hand tightens. His eyes bore into me. He's terrified, and I feel bad for teasing him now.

"Sorry," I say, peeling Cat off of him. I had stopped the car by now and he seems on edge again.

He looks almost hot, you know… As hot as an alien can be. I've never experienced love at first sight before, and I'm sure I shouldn't be in love with a criminal, but there's something undeniable about him. Like he's completely misunderstood and just needs a friend. He's like a little boy playing war with his toys on a grand scale. He wants a playmate. I wouldn't forgive myself if he got away without me trying.

LOKI'S POV:

I'm Asuardian. I'm Loki, the rightful King of Asguard! I don't love; I kill. I'm not supposed to love, especially if the object of this "love" is mortal! I take my hand away from Sam's. No, nope, never. I say that over and over to myself. I don't believe in love at first sight, or love at all. But I can feel something right now; as if destiny's calling. Like my purpose, my glorious purpose is to love this Midguardian. But she's my hostage. She's angry. She doesn't care about me. She probably hates me.

"Sam."

"Yeah?"

"Are you engaged emotionally with another Midguardian?" I stutter, the words coming quick without thought.

"No, I'm single." She laughs. "Which means I'm not."

"That's great."

"Not really. It's mighty lonely out in the middle of nowhere." Her smile fades. "How about you? Any special goddesses?"

As she turns on the radio, I explain that I'm "single" as well. Some kind of Midguard chant comes on. It sounds odd and the words are talking about something foreign, but that's what is taking over me. Love. Without any thought, I put my hand on Sam's knee. I don't know why, or what caused me too, but I did. She looked at me with a smile and continued driving.

LOKI AND SAM'S POV:

"I think I'm in love with you." We both say.