Loki.

His name flew around Ayla's mind.

There was something…. spellbinding about him. The words he spat at the men in the room were venomous. If looks could kill, they would all have been dead at his feet just because of those menacing glares.

But maybe not her. Ayla saw anger flash through his eyes as he observed every single one of the men in that room. Yet when it came to her, his stare had softened. More out of curiosity rather than sympathy.

Ayla hated when they asked her to "interrogate" anyone that was captured. But once her father found out about her abilities, he instantly saw a use for her. And now whenever there was a hostage, she would immediately be called in. She'd decipher every word they said, scan every twitch they made, scrutinize every thought that passed through their minds. Even with a gift as rare and precious as hers, Ayla often wished it away. What others saw as a blessing, she titled as a curse. How many people have died because of a simple nod from her that they were lying? How many have been tortured because she couldn't read through them?

Too many, Ayla thought. The innocent have died, the guilty executed. Good or bad, they always had the same fate and she was tired of it. No. Not tired. She was absolutely enraged by it.

Her hands were gripping onto the cold metal sink in front of her. She winced, remembering the injuries on her knuckles that she caused herself. Her eyes gazed down at her hands. Loki was able to notice the blood. No one else here has.

Again, her mind drew back to Loki.

Something happened to him. Something broke him. She saw it. The astonishing, boiling, passionate rage. He definitely wasn't an innocent man. But yet...something inside her told her to keep looking. To dig into his mind. Out of all of the darkness she saw when looking into those piercing blue eyes, there was a flicker of light. It was small and it was silent. But it was there. And Ayla couldn't ignore it, not like she has before.

One thing was certain, when Loki said he'd kill every one of those men, she knew he was telling the truth. Yet, fear didn't strike her.

"Did our prisoner have anything interesting to say?"

Ayla looked up from the sink, into the mirror above it, just to see her father's second hand man standing in the door frame of her bathroom. Damien. The man who had punched Loki.

Only meeting his eyes for a second, she turned on the faucet, and removed the bloodstained wrapping from her hands. She had soothed her cuts with cold running water. "It was an interesting conversation." Her fingers trailed around the cuts, wiping and digging her finger tips to remove the dry blood on her skin.

The man crossed his arms over his broad chest, a questioning expression on his face. Straight locks of brown hair escaped from his naturally slicked back hair. "Do you know who he's working for? How he was able to break in?"

"I don't think he's the guy you're looking for Damien."

"So what? He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?" He started stepping towards where she stood.

"I think so."

He scoffed. "I don't believe it."

She sighed out of frustration. "Yeah, you never do."

His brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" At this point, he was standing right behind her.

Her body turned to face him. "The only thing you guys want to hear is that the person you captured is guilty. They deserve to be buried alive, burned to death, have their toes cut off, anything you guys do as your 'routine'. You believe everyone is an enemy and all you care to ask is what punishment should they get. Well, I'm telling you, this guy is not the one." She turned back to the sink, turning the faucet off, and grabbing a towel to scrub off the remaining blood on her hands. "And it'd be wise of you guys to let him go now, before you create more problems."

"Let him go? Let him go?! What suddenly made you so soft Ayla?"

In one swift, her palm flew towards his face, only to be met with his grip around her wrist. "Don't call me that. Know your place."

Her scowl was met with his smirk. "Then know your place. You provide us information, not your opinion."

As much as her blood boiled from the statement, he was right.

You're not the only prisoner here. That's what she said to Loki. She said it, because it was true. The only difference was that he was the one tied up, not her.

As Damien felt her relax her hand, he released his grasp. "You talk to him again tomorrow. Find out how he got in. Who he works for. Then maybe, I'll make his death quick and painless."

Another day. Another body killed. That's all it was to him. To these men.

To her father.

But, she won't allow it.

With a slight smile that didn't reach her eyes, she simply said, "Whatever you say."

They were running into the woods, holding hands as they clung onto each other for dear life. The woman at Loki's side seemed to know where she was going but with all the thrill creating fireworks in her chest, she couldn't think straight. She was hoping Loki would have a plan. Any kind of plan would have been fine, but when she looked at his face, all she saw was pure fear. A look uncommon on his sharp features.

What could they do now? They were doomed.

As they ran, Loki tripped over a stub, unfortunately dragging the girl along with him. The people they were running from, their footsteps were getting closer. Rustling bushes and snaps of twigs became louder. Was this it? The end? Their end? Everything they've gone through and this was the conclusion to it?

Loki had gotten up first but she was still on the ground, clutching her calf. Loki noticed and was straight on the ground again, wanting to hold her tightly to his chest and never let go but he kept his distance. His fingers itched to touch her but he was afraid he'd cause more harm. So he moved as close as his guilty conscious would let him.

"Are you alright?!" Despite her nod Loki placed his arms under her and lifted her off the ground.

"Loki, I'm fine." She whined but he proceeded to running. She wrapped her arms around his neck and burrowed her face into his chest. She hoped the worst that was following them would go away with their worries but their mistakes must pay a price.

They were getting near. She heard their voices, felt their presence, and feared their rage. Her calf was bleeding, she felt the rushing breeze claw into the wound, causing it to sting. Then she felt Loki stop. At this time she lifted her head and noticed the situation.

They were surrounded.

Suddenly the haunting figures all held something in their arms and pointed it right at Loki. They were rifles.

BANG!

Loki swung forward, panting, sweating, and terrified. Heavy breaths consumed his entire body as his shoulders repeatedly expanded and clenched forward. The pounding of his heart being the only noise rattling through his ears. Locks of black hair hung over his face, dripping in his sweat. Soon enough, his head raised up. His eyes rapidly scanning the room he was in. High ceiling, bright lights, no windows, and a familiar girl sitting ten feet away from him.

She was sitting with her legs crossed on the metal table. Fear wasn't in her eyes, nor shock. She didn't seemed startled at all by Loki's sudden awaken. The only thing he could see from her reaction was curiosity.

He soon felt the restrain of his wrists that were bound, and the memories of the night before were sinking in.

"Rough night?" The girl asked.

Loki was irked by her wit, giving her only the response of a glare. His breathing soon regulated back to normal. "Have you finally decided that releasing me was your only option?"

"If only it were that easy." She stated softly, a slight morning rasp to her voice. She had awakened not too long ago, her hair was released from the braid she had the previous night. Long white hair cascading around her body, ending in soft curls. "They gave me more time with you."

"More time?" Loki repeated. He grinded his teeth has he growled the next words. "More time?! I do not need more time. I need to leave this dreadful place. Now!"

Ayla didn't flinch from him raising his voice. If anything, she was too used to it. Over time, she had grown to be patient, but when pushed, she was short-tempered. Right now though? She was being patient with the stubborn man. A sigh escaped her lips.

"Loki," she said, "How did you end up here? On our grounds. Unconscious."

"Why don't you read my mind and figure it out yourself."

"It doesn't work like that."

"Enlighten me then, how does your gift work exactly?"

"You expect me to trust you with that information when you can't even tell me how you got here?"

Loki looked at her. He could sense a slight desperation in her voice, even if she was hiding it with a coolness that would fool anyone else. But Loki observed people in ways others couldn't. She was desperate. He could see that. But why? Perhaps if he played her game, he could reveal more from her. However, in order for her to do that, he had to be willing to reveal more about himself.

Loki's head fell back, whipping locks of black hair to the side.

"I had fallen from the sky." He said it so simple, so casual. He gave it a moment before looking back at Ayla, expecting either a reaction of amusement or one of annoyance. But he got neither. Instead, he received a nod as she moved forward with her next question.

"Do you work for anyone?"

"I only pay loyalties to myself."

Another nod of understanding. Now questions ran through Loki's mind. Did she truly believe him? Was it that easy? Maybe it was wise for Loki not to lie to her, because telling the truth seems to be benefitting him. That's a first.

Her next question was more for herself rather than the men demanding answers. She had asked it slowly, with concern edged into her voice.

"What happened to you?"

Loki stared at her. Jade colored eyes meeting his blue ones. What could he say? He was betrayed. He was ripped away from his entire world, from the only thing he knew. He was relinquished of every title given to him. A prince. An Asgardian. A brother. A son. A king.

All he was now, was a monster.

"What happened to me is none of your concern." A flash of anger passed his eyes. Ayla clearly saw it. And what she saw with it was revenge.

"You were betrayed." She spoke slowly. It almost pained her to see such rage in his eyes. "You seek revenge. I see that hatred you have in your eyes. It's pointed to someone specific isn't it?"

"You see all of that? Just by my words?"

"By everything. Your looks, your mind, your words. Everything. Yet, as dangerous of a man you are, there's something telling me to…. Well I don't know exactly. It's just something."

Loki became more curious to this ability she possessed. "My name." He said. "You had stated it so freely, as if it were common knowledge. How did you know it?"

"Sometimes when I look at people a name just comes to my head. But those are just with glances, first looks, and usually nothing more."

The word usually caught Loki's attention. "And towards me? Was it nothing more?"

Ayla looked down, fumbling with her fingers. He had noticed another wrapping around her hands, this one white and clean. Not bloodstained and dirty like the one he had pointed out last night. This woman who seemed fierce and carefree yesterday, was hesitant and worrisome today.

Finally after a few moments of silence, the girl decided to speak. "With you, it took longer. More analyzing, more searching. With you," She looked up to meet his eyes. "I see so much, but yet it's all so vague. Usually when I look into a person's eyes, I see exactly what has happened to them. Their memories are open for me to see. But with you, I don't see much, yet...I feel. Whatever you're feeling, I can feel it too. And that's the unusual part for me."

The words she said, Loki let them sink in. A connection? Is that what was saving him? This girl had talked about the men working for her father with such sorrow. The fact that they killed many in their path was something she was used to, but it didn't mean it didn't affect her. Did she feel with the others as well? Did she feel the fear instilled in their heart or did she merely see the visions of why they were guilty? Something in Loki made him want to be the only one. The only one she could connect feelings with. The only one that furrowed her brow in confusion for not letting her see what would usually be so easy for her.

This amused him. Yet put him on edge at the same time. He was vulnerable but remained guarded.

"Your tone almost sounds hopeful as you speak of these feelings." Loki said.

She smirked. "And what would I possibly be hoping for?"

"An escape." He said simply.

Her amused smile faded. Hope wasn't in her vocabulary, it hasn't been in a long time. Hope led to severe disappointment. Severe damage she refused to go through. An escape was impossible.

"Hope is for children."

"Is that not what you are? A child brought here against her will? The child of a dangerous man who holds her here because he has found a use to her? You were merely a child, whose innocence was taken away. Now certain words cause your stomach to churn. Hope. Love. Fairness. Faith." He had taken a pause before smirking. "Feelings."

At that moment, the door opened, and four men marched to where Loki was seated. The men had placed their hands on the chair and dragged it with Loki struggling to resist their taking.

"What do you think you're doing? Where are you taking him?" Ayla asked authoritatively.

"It's none of your concern Harley." One of the men said.

Harley? Loki came to the impression that her name had been Ayla. Had she lied to him while asking him to be honest with her? And Loki was the one they were suspicious of.

She quickly stepped in front of them, causing them to stop their pace, and causing Loki to turn his head, meeting eyes with the woman.

"You wanted me to talk to him, so that's what I'm doing. I'm getting the information you guys want."

"Damien wants to attend to him personally."

"Well, Damien isn't in charge when I'm around. Now return this man back to where he was and leave us so I can continue my job."

The men hesitated. Officially, the only person who can give them orders around here was Damien, the one who was truly in charge. Yet the men feared what the girl would say to her father if they disobeyed. Damien may be the boss here, but Ayla's father was the true overseer. And not one you wanted to piss off either.

The silence and hesitation went on for a few moments before Loki was the one who decided to break the tension.

"I don't mean to intrude, but if I were in either of your positions, I'd listen to her."

It took everything in Ayla to not smirk right there in front of the men holding Loki's chair. She didn't smirk, but she did speak. "I'll talk to Damien myself. We'll compromise on what needs to be done with the prisoner."

One of the men on Loki's left let out a sigh, and turned to speak to the others. "Bring him back."

And with that said, they did exactly what Ayla had told them to do. They placed Loki back to his original spot, and they had left the two alone. Once alone, Loki decided to be the one to question her.

"Harley?"

The woman had been pacing back and forth, running her hands through her silver hair. Loki admired the difference of color that he usually saw in mortals. But he could tell that her natural hair was darker, based on the roots above her head that contrasted against the white.

With her eyes closed, she let out a deep audible breath. "Here they refer to me as Harley Blake."

"Why tell me a different name?"

She sauntered to the wall in front of Loki, sliding down against it, eventually sitting on the concrete ground. "I told you my real name. I was born Ayla Sawyer. Blake is my father's last name. Sawyer was my mother's."

"And what of her?"

"She died."

There was a silence. Loki felt something for her. A tiny bit of sorrow. But that was diminished quickly.

"And now here you are. Dreaming of the life you had before. Yet, you do not do a single thing to return to it."

"You don't think I've thought of that? You think I'm the first to consider leaving? The first to want out of this lifestyle? The one full of murder, violence, and solitude. No one escapes from here. Not by their own choice. And you're ignorant to believe you can escape here."

"You are ignorant to believe I cannot. Tell me. All of the rage you feel radiating off of me. Do you truly believe I will stay in this state? The title of a hostage? Of a poor victim who complains of their situation yet does nothing to change it. You humans are so pathetic. You'd rather wallow in your self-pity than attempt at changing the cause of it."

"I am not a victim." She spat.

"No. You just pretend to be one. A woman with your ability is rare, I'll admit to that. It might even be admiring. But do not use it against me then declare that you are the only one keeping me alive. Am I just another body you don't want on your conscience?"

Ayla's lips parted, but a response didn't come out.

What if he was right? What if she was wallowing in self-pity and not doing anything about it.

"And what do you suggest I do, Loki?"

"Fight. Back."

Fight back? Could she fight back? Could she simply put her foot down and get her way? Perhaps when she does, they'll consider the numerous times she has obeyed their wish and command. But she wasn't stupid. She wasn't naive enough to believe they had a soft spot for her. But with Loki's suggestion, she does question: Would her father listen to her? Simply because she was his daughter? His only child?

In her moments of silence, occupied with new found questions, Loki's voice broke her thought pattern.

"That man Damien?"

Her light green eyes darted towards Loki. "What about him?" She asked callously.

"What's his status here? He barks orders, yet whenever you open your mouth these men hesitate."

"Damien was appointed to be in charge, only here though. He's one of the few men that my father trusts. Usually what Damien says goes, but then I walk in and say something different. They usually obey me."

"Out of fear?"

"Out of fear."

A look of mischief came to Loki's face as he asked his next question. "And what is his status with you? He appears to believe he can be comfortable around you, until you prove him wrong. Quiet gracefully, might I add." Loki's memory of the night before widened his smirk. But the female mortal didn't look amused as she stated her next words.

"I did not have, do not have, or ever will have a relationship with Damien, or any of the men here for that instance."

"You state that more passionately than most women would."

"Yeah well, forgive the cliché, but, I'm not like most women."

Loki bit his bottom lip. "Indeed, you are not."

Ayla rolled her eyes, she wasn't amused. "Being captive in a place full of men, you really think I'm not immune to flirting? Almost every man here has failed at interesting me."

"As you are not like most women, I am not like most men." Even with the statement, Loki decided not to reveal to what extent. His face grew serious. "Now, what more do I need to answer in order to be released from here?"

The girl on the floor casually stretched her arms forward, a yawn escaping her lips as she did so. "Well, we know you're not a spy, but if pushed you can easily become a threat. You got here by falling from the sky. Your name is the same of a Norse God that is known for causing mischief and for lying." A chill involuntarily shivered down Loki's spine. Ayla continued. "Oh, and you stated that when we do let you go, you'd have no problem killing every single one of the men here. So to sum it all up, it's going to take a little more convincing for them to let you go."

She stood and walked towards him. "I'll have someone bring you three meals a day, and I'll try to get them to move you to a more...comfortable spot." How comfortable could it be under these circumstances? High tension did seem to be a step towards relaxing.

"I do not plan on staying. I hope you know that."

"Things don't always go as planned. So you might as well get situated. Is there anything else you need?"

His dark chuckle echoed throughout the large room. "Oh I'm as snug as can be."

She rolled her eyes and stormed out of the room.

Loki did not plan on staying. The girl may have lost hope in any plans of escaping, but Loki refused to give up just because a mere mortal did. She avoided problems with these so called murderous men, but what she didn't know was that Loki was a murderer himself. Not only that, but a God. Ayla may see revenge in his eyes, but she truly underestimated him. A darkness was coursing through his being. He wanted revenge. He craved it. The thought of blood on his hands was a sweet image. The only satisfaction he wanted.

Now, Loki would play the role of prisoner. But only for now.