Sigyn's magic lessons went much better than her attempts at hunting or her dangerous friendship with Sif. Each day she went to the Academy in the heart of Asgard, a beautiful glass building filled with magical instruments. Frigga had assigned a Light Elf, Dastahl, to help her learn to master her talents.

"You are quite good," Dastahl said approvingly after she had demonstrated some of her favorite spells. "The only problem is that you leak magic like a sieve. You need to harness the magic, harness the light. You are wasting it. It's precious. Restraint, Sigyn, restraint!"

Slowly, Sigyn began to learn spells that would harness her magic. Rather than blowing things up, she learned to shield. Rather than the sharp stab of a bolt of lightning, she learned to use a glow to affect others.

One day after a long session, Sigyn looked up to find Thor's brother Loki watching her from the balcony surrounding the center of the Acdemy. He smiled at her warmly. "Would you like a bite to eat?" he asked, gesturing her up to his table. "Bread and cheese, nothing fancy."

Ravenous, Sigyn threw caution to the wind and sat beside the dark-haired magician. "Thanks," she blurted out through a mouthful of cheese. "So, what brings you to the academy? Don't you have your own place?"

"Of course," he said simply. "That doesn't mean I can't learn from others."

Over lunch, he had her tell her life story, from her childhood in Minnesota to her training in Valhalla. He still seemed impressed that she had made it to Asgard. "A mortal in Asgard?" he repeated. "I don't believe it."

"I'm a Valkyrie," she reminded him, waving her blue ring in his face.

He caught her hand and studied her bracelet. "Wait, what's this? This is very fine."

"Let go," she laughed, pushing him away. "It helps to control my magic."

He nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off her wrist. "So - what do you miss about Valhalla?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Just my mom," Sigyn admitted. "Asgard is great." She gazed down into the center of the Academy, where Thor was wrestling with one of his friends, Theoric. "I just miss talking to her - you know?"

"I can imagine," he agreed coolly. He looked down at his hands. "You know – I might be able to help you speak to her. But you can't tell a soul, understand?"

"What?" she asked in astonishment. "But the walls of Death are impassable! There is no way to communicate."

He snorted. "I know what they say. Look, meet me at my house in two days' time. I will have some more information for you then." He looked at her searchingly and added, "Come alone."

"I don't need a chaperone?" she asked, her forehead creasing with concern. She had soon realized that Asgard had very high expectations of its women. She was already looked at with doubt because of her flirtation with Thor the night of the feast, although the fact that it was Thor made everyone less suspicious.

"No," he assured her. "Come at midday, t'will be fine."

Two days later Sigyn presented herself at Loki's chambers near the great palace. She had chosen to wear a different helmet and a gray cloak in hopes that nobody would know it was her.

The door wards allowed her in immediately – Loki must have told them that she was coming. She found herself in a great, cool hall of dark stone, looking up at a massive sculpture that looked like a glowing stalagmite.

She heard steps on the floor and turned to see Loki striding to meet her. He gave her a quick, hesitant kiss on the cheek. Sigyn felt her skin burn; she knew he was just being polite, but she liked the way it felt. "Welcome," he said. "Come upstairs, I have them in the library."

The library was enormous, filled with tomes from every realm, and lit by great windows overlooking his brother's house. Loki told her she was welcome to return anytime.

He opened up a chest under the window and pulled out a mirror. They looked as though they were carved of jade.

"I've sent the other to your mother in Valhalla," he said.

"How?" asked Sigyn.

"A magician does not give away his tricks," he said with a bitter smile. "Be assured, it shall work."

She looked into the mirror doubtfully; all she could see was her pale face and auburn curls sliding out from beneath the golden helmet. "How do I reach her?"

"Say her name three times and if she is present it will open the link," he said. "But you mustn't breathe a word of this to anyone, you hear? I could get in serious trouble for this. And you could be sent back."

Sigyn laughed. "I wouldn't mind that!"

He looked concerned. "Has your time here been so difficult?"

"Not so bad," she admitted. "I'm learning to like it. I think this will make it much easier," she added, holding up the mirror before she tucked it into her cloak. "Thanks."

"Well, I'll show you out," he said hesitantly. At his door, he leaned forward to give her a kiss and she leaned in at the same moment.

Their lips met, and again Sigyn felt a shock. She staggered back.

"I'm sorry," said Loki, not looking at her. "Er, well, goodbye."

That night Sigyn said her mother's name three times, and Ingrid's face appeared.

"Is this thing working? It is! Oh my God! Sigyn, how are you?"

Sigyn told her mother about her adventures, about her flirtation with Thor, her budding friendship with Sif, and of course Loki. When she mentioned the latter's name, her mother's face darkened.

"Be careful of that one, Sigyn. He's a trickster. I don't know how he got that mirror to me, but I don't doubt he killed someone to do it."

"I doubt that!" scoffed Sigyn. "He seems so shy. And smart, and kind of cute."

"Steer clear of him," advised Ingrid. "He's trouble. Find someone else."

"Like Thor?" laughed Sigyn.

"No, Thor will never marry anyone unless it's strategic. He's not the marrying kind either, Sigyn."

"Thanks for the relationship advice," said Sigyn.

Ingrid laughed. "I know you think I'm not very well-equipped to give advice. But I've learned a thing or two in my millennia." Just then her mother cocked her head to the side. "I'm being summoned for dinner. I love you Sigyn." She touched the mirror. "You be careful, all right?"

"Love you too," murmured Sigyn. She watched the mirror dim and her own face return, looking back at her with wide gray-green eyes.