"You want a revelation,
You want to get it right..."
Anja took in a deep breath as she made it back to Selena's home. It was nearly dark outside as she walked through the back door, Loki's piece of parchment crumpled in one of her hands as she plowed through the kitchens and towards the stairs that would lead her to the main levels.
Loki had wanted to say something more to her before she left, that she was sure of. It was what he had wanted to say that left her head spinning. She picked her way through the hallways, finally reaching the living area. She stopped to catch her breath as she came upon the sounds of her family, and she rested her head against the wall as she pressed her back against the cool stone.
She looked down at the paper in her hand, taking in the runes on it. Loki's handwriting sent small tendrils of nostalgia through her and she remembered his tutoring late at night before any of this had happened. Before his true heritage had come to light, before he had fallen, before Aric…
At the thought of her baby, the sound of a small 'goo' reached her ears. It was coming from the living room, and she could hear her young nephew as well. With a small sigh, she picked herself up from the wall, and made her way into the living room where her sister and child waited.
*o*O*o*
Later that night, Anja looked down at Aric in his crib, a soft smile stretching across her lips. Even with the added stress of Amora's presence, Aric was keeping her calm. She stroked his cheek with her finger, and his lips twitched a bit. Then she went to work.
Looking down at Loki's runes, she cast the spell that would protect her baby from any form of magical enchantments. It was a simple spell, designed to deflect molecular manipulations necessary to do harm to the child. With that final thought, Anja turned to undress for the night.
She did not fall asleep for several hours… and even then it was a wakeful doze that haunted her through the night.
*o*O*o*
The stones of the path were hot under Andrew's bare feet as he walked away from his home in the afternoon sun. It had been several days since the ambassadors had been to the palace and he wanted to go see his father. Fandral had been required to stay at the palace for security reasons while the veil between the realms was so thin.
In his hand, Andrew had several last minute invitations for his birthday party. His mother had wanted to give them to Fandral in the event that a warrior or two made it back from a quest in time to attend.
Up ahead, Andrew could make out the sight of the brick wall that surrounded the royal gardens. The gardens had become a sort of shortcut for the child when he wished to get to the palace quickly and they had served their purpose well on many an occasion. There was a secret gate that led directly to the palace walls just on the opposite side of the fountains.
As Andrew made it to the wall, he stopped to catch his breath. He slipped into the gate soon after, taking in the general splendor of Asgard's gardens. They were breathtaking, and he had fallen in love with them the first time he saw them. The plants here were beautiful, and he had often contemplated moving his Venus Flytrap here when it grew to be big to be kept in his quarters.
He had intended on going straight to the opposite side of the gardens and on to his father, but the sight of the fountains caught his eye. A small smile broke across his cherub-like face as he made it to the first fountain. He had never pulled large amounts of water before… perhaps these fountains would allow him to do so…
He stuffed the pieces of parchment in his hand into the leather of his belt, crouching low and trailing a small hand through the water. Ripples formed where his hand touched the surface and bounced off of the far end once they reached it. He let out a small laugh, disturbing the water a bit more as his hand picked up its pace. Then, with deliberation, he scrunched his brows together and brought the water from the fountain with a single hand. A small ribbon of water followed his movement and he let out a laugh at the exhilaration.
"Such a pretty talent for a handsome little warrior."
Andrew's head shot up at the sound of a woman's voice. It sounded like water… and oddly discomforting. A woman with long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes was looking at him with a smile on her face, a pale blue cape draped across her shoulders.
"Tell me, child," she said as she inched forward. "What do they call you?"
Andrew stepped backwards as the woman made it to his side of the fountain. His own violet eyes were wide as he took in the beautiful woman. "Andrew, My Lady," he said softly.
The woman's smile seemed to shift a bit at that, but Andrew could not place how. "Andrew," she said plainly. "My name is Amora. I am new to this realm, one of the visiting Ambassadors."
Andrew shot to attention at that, looking up at her as if through new eyes. "Oh yes! You are one of the elves!"
Amora tilted her head at that. "Oh no, Little Warrior, I am an Aesir… but I am very much interested in your talents!" The woman's smile only seemed to widen, almost looking like a crazed version of… what was it the Midgardian girls played with? Oh, yes, Barbie dolls. "Where did you learn about them?"
Andrew looked up at her shyly. "My… my aunt," he whispered. "But I really must be going," he said softly. "I have duties elsewhere, My Lady."
Amora looked down at the child, crouching down to his level as she looked into the fountain. "Can your aunt do this?" Amora said quietly, pulling the water forth and freezing it around her hand in an ice dagger. When she looked at Andrew, the child had stopped backing up, now honestly intrigued.
"My Aunt Anja can do anything," he said defiantly, pride for Anja shining through his little face.
Amora raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "Oh, Darling, I do not doubt your aunt one bit! I have met her, I believe." Amora stood at that point, looking down at Andrew. "But I wonder if she can do this?" At that, the ice in Amora's hand had turned to butterflies, a direct violation of the laws that governed Asgardian science and magic. At Andrew's surprised and entertained expression, Amora leaned in. "Only the best sorcerers can do that, Little Warrior."
"Andrew!"
Amora was cut off by another female voice… only this one was coming from behind the young boy. The Enchantress looked up quickly, peering into silver eyes as she rose to her full height.
*o*O*o*
Anja had been coming through the garden gates at nearly the same time that Amora had transformed the ice in her hand with dark magic. Ice had shot through Anja's veins to see her nephew so close to Amora.
"Aunt Anja!" Andrew said jubilantly when he saw her. He spun away from Amora and ran directly for Anja. He wrapped his arms around her, peering back at Amora as he did so. "This is Lady Amora. She is a sorcerer like us!"
Anja's hand came to rest at Andrew's head as she looked at the woman before her. "How are you this afternoon, Lady Anja?" Amora said with a smile on her face. There were too many teeth in that smile and Anja returned it softly. The dark circles that pulled Anja's silver eyes down were not unnoticed by Amora.
"I am well, Lady Amora," she replied evenly. "I just needed a bout of air."
"I can understand that, my lady," Amora said sweetly. "People like us are in need of nature to keep our powers in balance, yes?"
Anja looked back at Amora, lips drawn in a tight line. "Yes, well, Andrew and I need to be off," she said by way of explanation. When the child went to protest she hushed him, taking him by the hand and leading him towards the gate that would lead to the palace. "Do take care not to catch a sunburn," she said over her shoulder. "Very few healers are around at this time of day."
It was a comment that was slightly backhanded. Anja was a very well-known and very capable healer. By saying that to Amora, she was telling the Enchantress that she would not help her if she needed it. Anja's lips were pressed into a fine line as she thanked the Norns that she had decided to take a walk out to the gardens. She wondered what Andrew may have seen or learned had she not been there.
Amora hardly heard Anja's words as the two left the garden, for as soon as Anja was gone, the blonde had pulled one of the invitations that had been in Andrew's belt from under her cloak. An evil smile crept upon her face as she looked down at the simple script, the date and time of a window of opportunity staring up at her.
*o*O*o*
"Aunt Anja!" Andrew said once they were past the brick walls, Amora long gone in the gardens. "Can you turn ice into butterflies?!" The child was whispering excitedly, looking at Anja with all the love and admiration he normally did, but there were countless questions in his gaze. The two were walking towards the palace together, but Anja hardly took heed of what was around her.
"No, Andrew," she said softly, Amora's dark enchantments sticking out in her mind's eye. "I choose not to."
"Really?!" Andrew said quickly. "Why ever not? Twas very beautiful."
"It… that kind of magic is not… common, Andrew," she said quietly. "It is not natural."Andrew looked like he wanted to say more, but the sight of his father waiting for him on the shooting range that had come into sight distracted him. "Go to your father, Andrew," Anja said softly. And then her nephew was gone, heading towards Fandral at a break neck pace.
*o*O*o*
Darkness pressed in on Anja as she lay in bed that night. It was well after midnight, well after everyone in Asgard should have been asleep. She could not remember the last time she had had a full night's sleep, and the sound of her baby's light snores reached her ears. Common sense kept her reminded of the dangers that were waiting outside the house.
The constant thought of dark magic was in her thoughts. The spell she had used on Aric earlier would have no effect against dark magic. Anja had been through too much to take anything on faith, but at that moment she did not know of a spell that would protect a defenseless innocent against such dark works. Amora was out there… and perfectly capable of wielding dark magic. How was Anja to contend with such a strong form of magic when she could hardly wield her own darkness without losing control?
Her silver gaze rested on the ceiling above her as her thoughts flew through her head at the speed of light. With a final decision, she slung the covers off of her long legs and walked over to her child. Gently, she placed a hand on his relaxed brow. The spell that shot from her hands was but a sleeping spell, ensuring that he would not stir until she returned. She hated using it, but it was one she was well acquainted with and she knew it would not harm him.
Then, as quick as a flash, she was running at the open window, transforming into her mist state, and heading towards the palace. She owed her husband another visit.
*o*O*o*
Loki was not asleep as Anja had expected him to be by the time she made it to his quarters. She had slipped in through the window, landing lightly on the stone floors of his bed chamber.
Loki's dark head had snapped up at the sight of her. He had been standing with an arm resting on the black wooden mantle over the fireplace of his chambers, a fire actually lit in the hearth.
"Anja?" he said darkly as he straightened his posture. "What are you doing here? Is Aric-"
"Aric is fine," she managed as she made it further into the room. "I… Loki, I need your help."
"Yes, and I aided you yesterday, I believe," he said as he turned back to the fire. As soon as he knew that Aric was okay, he had turned away from her, no longer concerned with her… or so it appeared.
"Amora possesses dark magic," Anja spat out. "And do not dare turn your back on me Loki
Odinson. I know you knew this when you gave me that spell. It won't do any good against dark magic, you know that."
Loki turned back to look at her, green eyes glinting in the darkness. "What would you have me do, Anja?" he said quietly. "I am defenseless locked away in my tower… and the one thing you are capable of is something you swore you would never use." Anja chewed on her lower lip, thoughts swimming and her arms crossed as she thought through what Loki was saying. Loki was thinking very quickly as well. His thoughts revolved around the dream he had had a few weeks ago now… of a tall, masked figure. It was quite possible that the figure had been Amora…
"But I do worry that Amora's presence will have a negative effect on the kingdom."
"What makes you say that?" Anja whispered as she walked closer to him. "Please, Loki. There is something you are not telling me."
He spun on his heel at that, looking down at her. She had walked right up to him at this point… and he caught her scent. "I… trained with Amora for a time before she was apprenticed." When Anja's eyes had gone wide at that, he shook his head. "Do not worry, we did not know each other intimately. But she was sent away within weeks of her training's commencement to Karnilla in Svartalfheim. Her abilities were too dark to remain in Asgard, so my father sent her away. Karnilla is far more liberal in her trainings."
Anja furrowed her brow at that, completely taken offguard by the idea that dark magic was being practiced and taught in other realms. Loki let out a chuckle at that, and Anja vaguely noticed that his black undershirt was unbuttoned all the way. His alabaster torso was shining in the fire-lit room, sin incarnate. "Anja, I told you on Midgard. Dark Magic is not always evil, simply more powerful. I will look into helping Aric. I do not fancy the idea of having him exposed in such a manner."
"But why would she be after him, Loki?" Anja said hysterically.
Loki's fist closed at that and he turned his head slowly to Anja. "Because I failed on Midgard," he said quietly, the words like razors as the confession flew from his lips. "Anja…" he looked down, lips pressed together. "I fear what my failure on Earth will bring upon myself… and my family. Amora was always out for bettering herself… She may be in league with a force that means to end us."
Anja inhaled sharply at that, Odin's words to her in the weapons vault coming back to her. There was a larger game afoot. Loki's own anxiety was proof of that. She was playing on an entirely different plane now, one that her simple sorcery would never be enough to combat.
"Teach me," she whispered. Loki would not have heard her had he not been listening to her every breath. His gaze looked up swiftly to meet hers, disbelief etched in his face before his features changed to an evil smirk. The black of his hair brushed the collar of his dark shirt, darkness enshrouding him except for the places that his skin was exposed.
"What?" he said quietly as he stepped into her and brought a hand to cup her cheek.
"Teach me what you would have taught me on Earth," she whispered. "Teach me dark magic."
His hand at her cheek travelled down to her neck. It was icy cold and she suppressed a shiver. His hand moved to cup her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You realize the gravity of what you ask," he whispered to her. A laugh slipped from his lips. He had told her she would return to him, had he not? She nodded before he continued. "You realize the power you will wield once I have taught you."
Again, she nodded, trembling as his thumb came to stroke her lower lip tenderly… "And you realize that once you have a taste-" her lips had parted at that, his thumb teasing the edges of the small gap her lips had formed-"that you will never want to return to what you had before, yes?"
Anja shivered, but she had not melted into his touch as she would have done earlier in her relationship with him. "I do it for our son," she said quietly.
"I do not think that is all you do it for," he replied, letting her go as she stepped backwards. "Meet me here tomorrow at midnight. Do not be late."
Anja met his gaze once more, the place where he had touched her still warm, before she turned on her heel and left his quarters completely.
