"Can we do something fun?" I hold the hem of my dress in my hands, swirling it playfully around in boredom. I probably look like a child, but I couldn't care less. Loki peeks open his eyes as he lies on the bed.

"How old did I create you to be?"

I pause. "Seventeen."

"Then act like it!" He hisses, closing his eyes once again.

Ever since Frigga's death he has been more bitter. Uptight. I don't like it.

As I sit on the chair, I pick up Romeo and Juliette and open to where we left off. The back of my skull is tender and sore from the angry thrust I received yesterday. My head still throbs slightly, reminding me that the water I tread with Loki is still deep and violent – threatening to drown me at any second. I turn a page, but find myself looking at the man next to me instead. His breath is calm and rhythmic as he pretends to sleep.

What ever does he dream about?

The doubts and questions spinning in my head won't leave me alone. Part of me wonders why I am still here. Still breathing. He acts like he doesn't want me around, so why hasn't he rid of me yet? Not that I'm complaining – I like to be alive. To live, breathe, feel, and experience the wonder and pain that comes with life. But the world outside of this prison taunts me. I'm not sure I want to be locked up here forever with this cruel man.

Loki suddenly stands, tall and imposing. He folds his hands behind his back and moves towards one of the windows as the shadow of an approaching man dances along the walls.

"Who is it?" I ask, rising from the floor.

Stay quiet.

"Oh my god." I gape at his back. "How did you come to do that?"

You're my creation. You are a part of me.

"You mean to say that you can speak to me through your thoughts?"

Precisely. Now be quiet. This will be most interesting…

My eyes follow the shadow as it moves closer, revealing the caped blonde dude from yesterday.

Thor.

He advances towards Loki with firm eyes. I'm so glad this guy can't see me – just imagining his piercing blue eyes inspecting me like I'm an insect is enough to make me shiver. I move quickly to Loki's side, providing a sort of moral support.

"Thor. After all this time, now you come to visit me?" His voice has a mocking tone. He leans forward and rasps, "Why?! Have you come to gloat? To mock?"

"Loki, enough." Thor frowns at his younger brother. "No more illusions."

Just like with me, Loki drops the false front. Exposing everything. Exposing me.

I can't let that happen – I'm too afraid. Too afraid of the real world. Of what might happen to me. So I sprint towards one of the fallen tables and jump behind it just as the last bit of illusion fades away. Way too close. Way too freaking close.

"Now you see me, brother," Loki says, slumped against the far wall. Thor moves around to the second window to get closer. I shift my body from his view, cowering like a little kid behind the broken table. My fingers shake from the adrenaline rush.

"What the hell?" I cry in shock. "What happened to 'no one can see you,' huh? Am I not your secret anymore?"

It's your choice, Loki's voice rings in my head. He turns to Thor.

"Did she suffer?"

Poking my eyes over the side of the table, I see Thor standing right next to the glass, staring at Loki. "I did not come here to share our grief. Instead I offer you the chance of a far richer sacrament."

Loki tilts his head curiously, midnight hair in such contrast to his pale face against the white wall. "Go on."

"I know that you seek vengeance as much as I do. You help me escape Asgard and I will grant it to you. Vengeance."

Loki glances at me.

"Agree to this," I tell him eagerly. "We can get out of this cell!"

He turns back to Thor, letting out a laugh. "You must be truly desperate – to come to me for help. What makes you think you can trust me?"

"I don't." The God of Thunder moves away, glancing at the ground. "Mother did."

Loki's eyes flash with something. Sorrow. Pain. Loss.

"You should know that when we fought together in the past I did so with a glimmer of hope that my brother was still in there somewhere. That hope no longer exists to protect you. You betray me and I will kill you."

A mischievous smile curls onto Loki's face. "When do we start?"


Loki and I trail behind Thor eagerly. I cannot help but gaze in wonder at the world around me. Tall pillars reach up to the roof and a fire glows behind us as we walk through the corridor. Everything's so grand and beautiful it blows my mind.

Keep up!

I scurry forward at Loki's order, lining myself up with the two brothers. Loki has a goofy smile on his face as he looks at Thor.

"This is so unlike you, brother. So clandestine. Are you sure you wouldn't rather just punch your way out?"

"If you keep speaking I just might."

"Fine," Loki says. "As you wish. I am not even here." His body shimmers away to reveal an Asgardian with a golden horned helmet. "Is this good?"

"I think the helmet really matches your eyes," I joke.

"Better company at least," Thor remarks coolly, oblivious to my statement.

"Still, we could be less conspicuous," Loki says as he makes himself shimmer again.

A beautiful portrait on the wall catches my attention, pulling me away from the group and leaving me breathless. The way the light of the fire casts an eerie glow on the image is amazing. I can't help but wish I possessed a gift like that. The portrait is so magnificent that I wouldn't mind staring at it for all eternity.

"Oh, brother, you look ravishing!"

I turn back to see what Loki speaks of, and burst into hysterical laughter. In Thor's place is a woman. When the woman speaks Thor's voice rumbles low, making me laugh even harder.

"That was a good one," I say to Loki through my giggles.

That was the famous Sif. Loki throws a look my way, and then says to Thor, "Very well. Perhaps you'd prefer one of your new companions given that you seem to like them so much."

I bite my lip as they shimmer again, ready for another illusion. This time Loki turns into a strange looking man dressed in blue. He carries a large shield and bounces as he walks.

"Oh this is much better! The costumes a bit much…so tight! And the confidence – I can feel the righteousness surging! Hey!" Loki whips around and walks backwards. "Do you wanna have a rallying discussion about truth? Honour? Patriotism?"

That's when Thor grabs Loki and slams him against the nearest pillar, hand over his mouth. I halt, shocked and startled. The playful mood from Loki vanishes as he returns to his own form and hisses at his brother. "What!"

Thor motions to the left, where two guards stroll by. It's only when they're out of sight that Thor relaxes.

"You could at least furnish me with a weapon. My dagger or something."

I raise an eyebrow at Loki's comment. Like Thor would really give a criminal a weapon. But to my surprise Thor pulls out a dagger and hands it to Loki, who just smiles in satisfaction.

"Alas, a little common sense."

The dagger clicks and shifts form, wrapping around Loki's wrists. Handcuffs. Thor grins at Loki's angry glare.

"I thought you liked tricks?" Thor teases.

"Finally," I smirk. "A taste of your own medicine."

Thor keeps moving and, after dramatically rolling his eyes at me, the God of Mischief follows. I hurry quickly behind. My bare feet patter on the stone floor of the palace, but apparently Thor cannot hear. Loki fiddles with his handcuffs as we move, scowling.

"You have no need of a weapon anyways," I say to him.

Oh, and why might that be?

"You have me."

He raises his eyebrows, pallid face contorting into an expression of realization. He casts a cunning smile my way.

Yes. You are correct, Auz. You are my weapon.

I ponder over that, trying to decide how I should feel about it. Though I can't seem to find a name for the emotion I feel. Something between extreme dread and eager curiosity.

"Should Thor be right to trust you?" I ask.

Loki stares cold ahead, not speaking for a moment. Then he pulls his shoulders back, and blinks once.

I am an incarnation of all things one shouldn't trust.