Chin resting upon bent knees, Willow searched the sky, her eyes taking refuge in the fleeting clouds. She had just endured an intense argument with Jane over her refusal to apply for college. The young woman grimaced, she was nothing like Jane. She had no idea what she wanted to do with the rest of her life and she was not about to jump into a degree that she had no inclination to achieve.
The buzzing of her cell phone drew her attention. She picked it up and rolled her eyes, casting it back down ignoring the call. It was her best friend and Willow knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted to party at the club tonight and the last thing Willow desired to do was party. She sighed hopelessly, feeling as if she did not belong in this era. There was more to life than college and parties.
She reclined on the picnic table picturing her friend's distorted face knowing that she was purposely being ignored. She probably wanted to hook her up with some bloke, some unsophisticated guy who listened to rap and watch ridiculous movies like "Bad Teacher" and "Robocop". No, she truly did not belong in this world.
Banishing her agitation, Willow closed her eyes, conjuring Asgard and what it would be like to live there. She had never visited the realm, but had a fantastic image painted by Thor in her mind. Thor was crazy to give up such a fantasy to live in her dull world, but he was in loveā¦and love was something Willow did not believe in, at least not in this modern era.
"I apologize for interrupting your daydream, but would you be so kind to grant me directions to Highland Falls?"
Willow sat erect finding a young handsome man with dark wavy locks dressed in an elegant suit before her. She smiled politely, "The falls are about 10 miles west, but I think you are a bit overdressed for them." She added the last with a faint giggle. How odd that he knew she was daydreaming.
The gentleman returned the smile and said, "I am not from around here. Thank you for the directions, Miss?"
"My name is Willow Foster and you are?"
The man's friendly demeanor melted, evolving into a sinister grin. He held his hand up and his apparel transformed into something from like a sci-fi flick. "I am Loki of Asgard."
Willow came to her feet, eyes wide in disbelief. She had heard all about Loki from Thor and from the news when he invaded her planet reaping destruction. "You are supposed to be dead!"
"I see my dear brother has told you all about me."
Loki licked his lips as he stalked about her, studying her, his eyes burning with an inner fire. She was fairer than he had imagined. He had expected a geeky girl like her sister. She met his gaze, a fearful glint sparkling in her Irish eyes. For a moment he seemed to sink into the softness of her eyes, but then quickly snapped back to reality. He stopped only inches from her flesh, cocking his head, a sadistic smile spreading across his lips.
"Thor is with Jane. They just left to Florida to study some approaching storms." She rushed her words in a panicky voice.
"I am not here for my brother."
Bristling with fear, she quaked, "What are for here for?"
Still smiling, Loki reached down and trailed his finger down her cheek and replied in a low, hissing tone. "You."
Instinctively, Willow slapped his hand away and lunged toward the forest. The mortal was not quick enough to out sprint the god. Loki wrenched her arm from behind, slinging her around and bending her over the picnic table, snaring her arms behind her back. Willow screamed hysterically for help, squirming, kicking, struggling to free herself from his powerful entrapment.
Loki shoved his masculine body into hers from behind, capturing a fistful of hair and burying her face into the wood of the table. "There is no escape, little mortal." He hissed, his mouth now only inches from her ear, his warm breath casting chills up her spine.
Tasting the blood seeping from her lip inflicted from being smothered into the table, Willow muttered as loudly as she could. "What do you want with me?"
Before Loki could reply, a male's voice hailed from behind. "Hey, what are you doing to that girl?"
Loki flashed around, yanking Willow's tiny body with him. He revealed a glowing staff and pointed it toward the jogger. The young man grunted painfully as he froze with blue ice. Willow squealed as Loki drug her toward the frozen statue and smashed it into pieces with one blow from his staff.
"Shut your mouth!" Loki snapped, shaking the wailing girl brutally.
She flayed at his chest. "You did not have to kill him!"
"Like I don't have to kill you!" He shouted, lowering his staff into the ground, beaming them into a flash of light.
