Finally, here is chapter 12. It took me some time because I had difficulties to find the rest of the plot (I initially just thought about Loki's cell scene). Now that I know my destination, I hope that will makes me write faster and that it will be more interesting for you to read. And as always, I thanks you from the bottom of my heart for the reviews.

Chapter 12

With great efforts, I had managed to get my frozen mouth shut. I hoped the ice would melt soon so I could ask Loki what he intended to do with me. After the god let me get out of his grasp, I had cowardly retreated to my room where I first began to curse Loki for making fun of me all the time. Was he doing it just to have a good time, or for a greater purpose as it was often the case? But then what purpose? To make me like him? No way, I couldn't, not after what he did... Even if minus his cruel murderer side he was exactly my type, he was still a murderer. Anyway, he was only interested in my power and teasing me was far from being enough to convince me to join his side. I would never help him to destroy my own world. I really had to know why he brought me here. Maybe if I sneaked in his office I could find some answers. Though he would kill me when he finds out. But I had no other choice since I was sure to get only lies if I asked him directly.

Out of curiosity, I looked for his mind to get his position. According to the distance, I supposed he was back in his office. Besides, he seemed busy with thoughts. It wasn't a good time to talk to him, but if I wanted to rummage through the apartment, it was now or never.

Gathering all my courage, I got out of my room to Loki's one, an obligatory passage to access to the rest of the flat. It was twice as big as mine. Under large windows was a king-size bed with dark green silk sheet and pillows, and the walls were lined up with full bookcases except to make room for a huge closet. I began my investigation with the drawers of the bedside tables. I almost expected to find condoms and a copy of World Domination For Dummies, but there were only several small white stones. So I moved to the closet, and I stared in awe at its content.

Before me stood a mannequin which had Loki's helmet on its head and his scepter at its feet, resting on a velvet cushion. I was first attracted by the helmet as I was dying to try it on. But then, the flickering blue glow of the scepter's stone got all my attention. With my power, I felt it had a very small presence, quite similar to an embryo's. Could it be that this spear had a mind of its own? No, I would be hearing thoughts if it was the case. The only sound it made was a low hum. I knelt to get closer to it, and to my utter amazement, the hum grew louder and it flickered faster. As if it was calling to me. It never happened before. How fascinating. Completely absorbed by this mysterious phenomenon, I barely realized I was raising my hand to the glow. Then, just as I laid one finger on the blue stone, an electric shock jolted me. The ice in my mouth strangled a cry and I instinctively removed my hand. My movement was so brutal I fell back on my butt.

When I looked at my hand, it was glowing blue, just like the scepter. Stricken with panic, I shook my hand to make the glow disappear. Fortunately, it vanished in a light blue smoke. As I tried to get my rough breathing and my shaking body back under control, I looked closely at my hand. There was no mark, no stain. Nothing was wrong with it. However, somehow, I felt something had changed in me. It was annoying and worrying not to be able to put my finger on it, but as I would have to ask Loki to understand what just happened, I decided it was better to forget about it. There was no way I could tell the Asgardian what I did without loosing my head. But then, maybe I was imagining things. And sincerely, I hoped I was.

.: ~ :.

"What are you doing, exactly?"

After the incident in Loki's room, my stomach had begun to growl, which reminded me I hadn't eaten since yesterday. So now I was in the kitchen, preparing a meal I wouldn't have to chew in order not to hurt my sensitive tongue.

"Well, I'm cooking."

"I can see that."

"Then why did you ask?"

From Loki's glare, I could tell that I should have kept my reflexion to myself.

"Sorry. I suppose you meant I didn't ask your permission."

"So you have a brain, after all. I was starting to have doubts."

I should have been mad at him, but I smiled at his sarcasm, ever so slightly since it was typically the kind of jokes I usually do. It felt nice to have someone who'd understand my sense of humor. Or not. I think he would more likely throw me out of a window. I tried to hide my stupid face by checking on my boiling potatoes and carrots. Then I put the apples I just cut in a saucepan with sugar and some water. All the while, Loki carefully watched me do, as if he was waiting for me to burn myself so he wouldn't miss the perfect moment to laugh at me. As his staring was beginning to make me uncomfortable, I turned to him and offered to cook him something to eat.

"No, I have some questions for you."

"Sure."

I dried my hands and went to sit on a nearby chair. Loki was still looking intently at me. I prayed he hadn't found out about the scepter.

"I was making a copy of that report about your power, and I noticed you did not mention once how you came to know so much about it."

"I didn't feel like digging my own grave. Besides, you and SHIELD didn't seem like you needed my help to do that."

I smiled a bitter smile, to which he answered with his usual mocking grin.

"Honestly, I just supplied SHIELD with a couple of shovels."

"Except for the kiss to make everyone believe I'm on your side."

"Don't you complain about that," he dryly replied, "you took advantage of that very well. Besides, you should feel honored that I allowed you to put your lips on mine."

How dared he? I got speechless at him making a fuss for something he asked me to do. When I opened my mouth, it was full of arguments ready to get thrown into his arrogant face. Yet, instead of arguing with him, I slowly shut my mouth, then my eyes, and I sighed. Nothing would make him change his mind anyway: I was a pathetic mortal who barely deserved to breathe the same air as a princely god of Asgard. Now the mighty Loki was grinning at me, daring me to make the same mistake a second time. But one piercing was more than enough for me.

"I suppose it's not what you initially wanted to tell me, so could you please go back to this?"

"You are not even fun to toy with anymore," Loki bitterly said, disappointed.

"I would have asked you if I wanted a lip piercing."

My remark brought back a faint smile on his lips, so I guessed that after all I was still worth toying with. Though, was it a good thing?

"It was not what I had in mind, but feel free to ask me if you wish a new piercing."

I was so glad to escape the worst that I smiled more broadly than I intended to.

"Back to my question: can you improve your power?"

"Hum, I don't really know. I feel more like I'm learning to use it more efficiently. Some years ago, I couldn't take control of someone without having this person noticing my presence in their head before. However, the result also depends on the target: some people are more sensitive to my presence than others who detect me more easily."

"So you don't think you would ever be able to overpower my mental defenses?"

"No. In fact, my theory is that, as you've lived for centuries, my mortal mind can't seize it, it's too large for me. But then, maybe Asgardians just have better mental defenses than mortals, I don't know."

"But you nearly took control of Thor."

"No, I looked like I had the upper hand because I took him by surprise. But he would have won eventually, even if his mental strength doesn't match yours."

Loki smiled at the compliment I payed him without really meaning to, but didn't make any remark. He simply moved on to his next question.

"Do you know why you have this power? It is extremely rare to posses such a gift, even for an Asgardian. Maybe one of your parents is not what he or she pretends," the Asgardian suggested.

"I've never met my biological father. I suppose it comes from him."

Talking about my dysfunctional family dug up so many feelings I had buried, that I had to interrupt the discussion. I got up to resume my cooking to distract my mind. But of course, the god didn't settle for that short answer.

"Do you know who he is?"

Loki had stood up too, and was standing behind me, rather close to me. He knew he hit a raw nerve, for his voice was softer than usual.

"No. No one does."

I hoped this would satisfy his curiosity. And it did, for I heard his footsteps as he went away. Though he stopped when he reached the door of his bedroom.

"Come in my room when you're done eating," the Asgardian called.

After I acquiesced, he went in his room. Whatever he was planning to do with me, I knew I would find it out soon. And knowing Loki, it wouldn't be something pleasant.

.: ~ :.

The god of lies was patiently waiting for his prey to come to him. He had always been patient when it came to set up his plans and this was no exception, no matter how eager he was. Though he had to admit he would miss her, ever so slightly. That girl was a good distraction, and when one lives as long as time itself, finding distractions was quite an important matter. Though she was obedient and she had learned to respect him, she still had that playful spark in her eyes which he loved so much. Maybe he would keep her as a pet once he is king of Midgard. She would fulfill that role perfectly. He was already picturing her with a velvet collar around her neck, begging him to pet her.

Loki's daydreaming was then interrupted by a more urgent issue. Indeed, he had felt something was wrong with her, yet he was unable to name it. It was merely an impression, but it was a persistent and annoying one. Though what could she possibly do that could worry him? He had bought the entire building to make sure it would be empty of minds for her to use, and without her power, she was nothing more than a mere mortal. A mortal who certainly had Asgardian blood running through her veins...

When he heard Trix knock on the door, Loki got up from his bed, grabbed his scepter, and told her to come in. As she did, he had no doubt she knew that danger was coming her way. The girl was breathing too heavily and her gaze was too focused on him to be ignorant. She even naively stayed beside the open door. But there was no running from him.

"Close the door."

She reluctantly did it, and then Loki slowly walked toward her, showing her he was the one in control.

"Though the day did not begin very well for you, I must say you redeemed yourself quite well."

The Asgardian came to a halt just before her, and was surprised when she didn't lower her fearful eyes.

"But what?" she dared to ask.

Loki was glad she had the guts to do such a thing. It increased his pleasure greatly.

"But there is only one way to make you obey me slavishly. And that includes erasing your free will."

When he ended his last sentence, he brought the tip of his scepter down to her chest. Then a trail of blue light went from the glowing stone to her heart. Trix closed her eyes in anticipation. Loki waited for her to open them to see them turn black and then light blue. But when she opened her eyes again, they were still green. With a frown of bewilderment, she looked at her hands and then at the Asgardian.

"That didn't work," she finally told him.

Performance issues are not uncommon, Loki ;)

How did you (or didn't) like this chapter? Are Trix's reactions to the scepter and Trix's unknown father interesting?

More Loki POV to come in the next chapter :D