The next few days went by in a blur. At work, I coasted through my duties, met with Loki but barely spoke (he seemed hardly in the talking mood either but constantly brooding), helped Eartha prepare for the twins, and stayed up late studying magic and practicing meditation.

The night before the twins' arrival, I stared at a candle wick. I breathed slowly, reaching deep inside, picturing the flame I wanted. I focused, breathed, and tried to clear my mind of anything but the flame. A humming filled my bones, increasing until I felt like a struck tuning fork. With the crescendo, the wick burst into a tiny flame. I smiled, jubilant and sweaty. Fatigue roared up inside of me, burning me hollow, and I fainted.

When I woke the next morning, I was so groggy and disoriented, I fell to the floor when I tried to get out of bed.

Eartha came running into the room a moment later. "Are you all right?"

I tried to say 'yes, I am,' but it came out, "Yi, Fam."

She helped me into the bed. "I'm calling your work."

It sounded like she was talking from a very long way away. The floor shook as she jogged out and down the stairs. I listened to the mumble of her voice as she called the special number we're allowed to give to family in case of emergencies. The whole house seemed to shake and sway as she returned.

"Drink this," she said, lifting my head and holding a glass to my lips.

Eartha's voice was horribly loud and I almost told her there was no need to shout. I drank the water instead. Laying back, I slipped into blissful sleep.

OoOoOoO

Loki felt disturbed at lunch when a guard delivered his meal. Was this a punishment, taking away the only thing he looked forward to everyday?

"Where is Sigrid?" he demanded.

"Her sister called to say she was too sick to come in." And he left without further explanation.

Sick? Sigrid was the picture of perfect health. And if she was coming into her power (as he strongly suspected), then illness should be the last thing to cripple her.

He rounded the table, thinking about banging on the door until someone came. He would demand to speak to Fury. Perhaps he was tired of asking for information nicely and keeping Sigrid from him was-

What the the bloody hell was he doing? This girl was just a means to an end, wasn't she? A new bit of trickery, turning the spy against her own people? Why should he care if she weren't there?

Loki returned to the table and sat, picking up the utensils. If they thought they could get the better of him, they were sadly mistaken.

OoOoOoO

When I awoke, it was late evening and people were talking downstairs. I stared up at the ceiling, feeling light and thin, like spun glass. Birds twittered outside. Each note of the birdsong had a clarity to it I'd never experienced before. Like I'd been walking around with cotton in my ears until that moment.

The shadows in the room were translucent: I could see right through them. Turning my head, I could see the dust in the molding, the dirt in the cracks of the wood floor. Slowly sitting up, my muscles pulled stiffly as if I were recovering from a high fever.

The voices downstairs caught my attention. Concentrating, I could hear them easily.

"I don't know what's wrong with her," said Eartha. "She's been acting so strangely. I've thought it was something at work but now she's ill. I don't know what to do. I almost called an ambulance when she collapsed."

"Why didn't you?" asked Jane. Oh, the twins had arrived.

"I don't know. Something told me not to."

"Do you-do you think-" stuttered Joan.

"That she's coming into her power? Yes, of course. It's what we've all been waiting for, right? I mean, I've read through the old journals and no one has had her abilities. If anyone in this family were to be the one, it'd be her."

Jane snorted. "Please. It could be her daughter, not her. Just because little Ms. Perfect-"

"Don't start, Jane. We all know you're jealous; no point in reminding us."

"I'm just saying. We shouldn't jump to conclusions."

"J-Jane's right," said Joan. "We kn-know they do top secret st-stuff at that...place where she works. M-maybe they did s-s-something to her."

"You mean like an experiment?" gasped Eartha. "Gosh, I hope not."

They fell silent and I decided it was time to go down. I stood slowly, but the room didn't pitch wildly. After visiting the bathroom to take care of the essentials, I went downstairs.

They were sitting in the living room. When I came in, they all shot to their feet.

"Sig, are you all right?" asked Eartha, coming up to me. "I don't know if you should be out of bed."

"I'm fine, Eartha," I said. "Really. Hey, guys. When did you get in?"

"J-j-just an hour ago," said Joan. She came over to hug me. "I-I'm glad you're up."

"Yeah," said Jane. "Though, in case you do die, can I have your DVD collection?"

"Nice to see you, too, Jane," I replied. I sniffed. "Oh, is that vegetable soup for dinner?" I sniffed again. "With fresh basil?"

The three women exchanged glances. "Um," said Eartha, "yes. I hope I didn't put in too much basil. Do you guys smell-?"

"No," said Jane. "I don't smell anything. Good guess, Sigrid."

"It wasn't a guess," I said hotly. A small headache bloomed just behind my eyes. I rubbed my forehead with the heel of my hand.

"Whatever."

The twins were studies in opposites. Jane was tall and willowy, with the Skarsgard red hair and blue eyes, but where my hair was bright, hers was dark. And her eyes had more green in them. Joan was short and blonde, taking after her father. In fact, she looked more sister to Eartha, who was brunette and blue-eyed, with the same long nose.

"Lets get you sitting," said Eartha. "You've had a fever most of today."

"Y-you sure you're o-o-kay?" asked Joan.

"I'm fine." I let Eartha steer me to the couch and sat. "Eartha told me you guys brought your horses?"

"Yeah."

"We should go riding tomorrow."

"I-I don't know ifff-"

"Actually," interrupted Jane, "I thought we'd do some sparring. I think I've improved."

I shrugged. "If you want me to beat your butt again, sure."

"I think that'll be harder this time."

Smiling thinly, I shrugged. "You can try."

"I think you should rest," said Eartha sternly. "And what in the nine realms is going on with you, anyway? Have-have they-"

"No one at work has done anything to me." As far as I know, I thought. "I'm just...tired. I haven't been sleeping much lately."

"No doubt studying on royal etiquette," said Jane. "So that when you take your place in Asgard, you can address us properly."

"Well, I'd hate to embarrass myself."

"Far be it from you to say something stupid."

The headache bloomed into a full-on migraine. Grimacing, I buried my face in my hands. Soft hands grasped my arms as Joan drew close.

"Th-that's enough," she said. "She-she's sick, J-Jane, and hasn't d-d-done anything to y-you. S-so why don't you just shut up?"

I looked up in surprise. It wasn't like Joan to stand up to her sister. She smiled at me reassuringly.

"Wh-what's wrong?" she asked.

"Migraine."

"L-let me help you b-back up-s-stairs."

She helped me up and I leaned against her as she guided me back to my room, Eartha trailing behind. Fatigue began to wash over me again as I was put back into bed. I was vaguely aware of being given pills and water before I slipped back into sleep.

OoOoOoO

When I woke again, the world felt more solid and less like I was made of glass. I sat up, looking at the shadows worriedly. I could still see through them. Rubbing my eyes, I stood, and went to the bathroom. Being able to see through shadow does strange things to one's depth perception, let me say. How I didn't get myself killed the other day, I don't know, but I did have a couple of close calls in the shower.

Finally, I made it downstairs, dressed in my sparring gear. I figured I might as well set Jane in her place early on. It might make for an easier visit.

The kitchen was empty and, looking out a window, I saw them standing by the paddock, watching the horses. The twins owned a gorgeous pair of black gelding quarterhorses. Coal came from the old destrier bloodlines (making him incredibly valuable, since most horses weren't bred like that anymore), so he was packed with muscle and stood a hand taller. But they made up for their lack of strength and power by being quick and agile. In fact, they were taking turns challenging Coal to races. Scarlett watched with an almost sardonic air, if horses can be sardonic.

Turning away, I ate a quick breakfast, and then went out to join them.

"Good morning," I said.

They turned to me. Eartha lit up. "Are you feeling better?"

"Loads." And it was true. I felt great. "Still up for that sparring match, Jane?"

"Sure," she said. "I'll go change." She jogged back to the house.

Eartha's face darkened. "Sigrid..."

"I'm fine," I reassured her. "Besides, this won't take long."

A few minutes later, Jane returned, sparring sword in hand. I drew my own and we walked to the packed dirt circle to the far side of the gardens.

Taking positions, with Eartha and Joan watching worriedly, we saluted and began circling each other. The first few blows were teasing and testing. My wrist flicked quickly, more so than ever, and the strain in blocking the blows showed on Jane's face. I grinned wolfishly.

We separated. Jane said, "You've gotten good, cousin. But you'll find I've gotten better."

She closed the distance and began raining blows and thrusts. I deflected them easily and pushed her back. We separated, circled, and closed the space again. We separated after a few moments and went back to circling. She gasped for breath but I barely sweated. Adrenaline sang through me and the humming, buzzing feeling resonated in my bones. By now, the sunlight poured down strongly, and the heat invigorated me.

"You think you're so good, that you're the one," said Jane, "but you're wrong. You know Aunt almost gave me the armor instead."

The headache returned with a pounding force. The buzzing increased.

"But you're her daughter, her eldest, so of course you got it. But everyone knows I deserved it."

She took a running step and something tore loose inside me. The whole world turned into streaks of red fire and bright honey. A roar and a crash resounded in my ears, someone screamed, my eyes cleared, and Jane was gone.

Blinking, my eyes focused. A path of burned grass streaked from me to the other end of the gardens.

"My God..." I whispered. Dropping the sword, I ran as fast and as hard as I could, Eartha and Joan hard on my heels. Jane laid in a heap near a bee box. The bee's buzzed angrily and I waved my hand without thinking. They flew away, leaving us alone.

Falling next to her, I turned her onto her back andfelt for a pulse. I sagged with relief at finding a thready heartbeat.

"She's alive," I said, "but just barely."

"W-w-w-w-eee n-n-nee-," stuttered Joan.

"I'll call an ambulance," said Eartha.

"No," I cried, a wild idea exploding into my mind. "Wait."

Getting up, I ran to the nearest box, tore open the back, and broke off a small bit of honeycomb, dripping with honey. The bees whizzed around me in confusion but none tried to sting me. I raced back to Jane and, kneeling next to her, held the comb to my lips. I cleared my mind, pictured what desperately needed to happened, and then, opening her mouth, popped the comb inside. My hands shook as I stroked her throat, encouraging her to swallow

With a jerk, she did and, gasping, opened her eyes. "What...the hell?" she asked, weakly. She glared up at me. "You tried to kill me!"

The anger rose in me again. "Oh, I'm sorry, was I not supposed to save your life just now? I am sorry for accidentally blasting you across the garden after you goaded me." I jerked to my feet, ignoring the weary, hollow feeling in my bones. "I'm going inside."

I strode away. Eartha called after me but I ignored her. Yanking the door open, I slammed it closed behind me and tromped upstairs. I took a quick shower, changed, and came back down.

The three women were already inside, Eartha and Joan hovering over a still glowering, seated, Jane in the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" asked Eartha.

"Out," I snapped. "I'll be back this evening."

"Are you sure? You don't look well."

I didn't answer. I went out, got on my bike, and rode away.