Elena sighs "He's killing me, I may not be able to die but...he's killing me."

The girl brushing her hair pauses for a moment before she resumes her task. "Pardon my tongue, but if the king had intentions of your demise, I'm sure..."

"I know. I never said he was trying to, just that he was. Every time he takes, I get worse. He's sucking the life out of me for crying out loud!"

"If you speak the truth...what will become of you, lady Elena?"

Elena looks down thoughtfully. "Some time ago, before this mess, I was curious as to what would happen if I lost the power within me."

"Were you fruitful in your search?"

Elena nods weakly. "If I lose too much...as I lose my power, I get more and more sick. Eventually, if he doesn't slow down, if he keeps taking like he is now, I'll be comatose. I may not be able to die, but I can come pretty damn close."

"Do you suffer?"

Elena pauses and sighs. "Yes. Anytime he takes, it feels as though he's ripping my skin off, then sewing it back on, then cauterizing the wound. The days where I recover are more annoying than painful. The knowledge that every day I will get weaker...It makes me think. It isn't worth it."

"Milady..."

"I doomed everyone, you included FYI. But on top of that, I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

Elena shakes her head. "What happens when I can't stand I can't stand on my own? When I can't eat on my own? When I can't speak on my own? I may be an optimist, but how can I fight...when I'm no longer anything more than a living battery? Do you think he cares? Because he doesn't. He finds me...amusing at best. I fear the day when I can't fight anymore. But until that day, I won't stop."

...

Elena sits on her bed, absently running a hand through her hair. When she pulls her hand back, a small clump of hair comes out as well. She gets slightly wide eyed before sighing and tossing it to the floor.

A pair of arms wrap around Elena from behind and she cries out in surprise. Elena elbows the person behind her in response. The person releases her and she hops out of bed on unsteady feet. She turns to face the intruder and covers her mouth with her hand.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry! I didn't know! If theres..."

Chris holds his hand up, motioning for her to stop talking. He looks at her in concern. "Don't strain yourself. You've been through too much." Chris tsks before growing angry. "You deserve nothing less than to be waited on and ravished at every moment of every day. Yet here you rot, and for what?! Your sister?! That little bitch deserves the worst reality has to offer."

Elena narrows her eyes at Chris. "You need to go."

Chris instantly turns apologetic. "I'm so sorry. I know, I know, I should have come sooner. But I can't break your deal with Loki. I'm gonna try, but I'll have to bend a few rules first."

Chris hops out of bed and walks over to Elena. Elena glares at Chris. "You have no right to talk about my..."

Chris cuts her off. "Sorry I snapped, it's been a long day." Noticing her mood, Chris adds. "Don't worry. I took your sister home, just like you asked." Chris pecks Elena on the cheek. "When I get you out of this mess, I'll give you every ounce of love you deserve."

With that Chris vanishes.

...

Loki returns the following day. Ignoring Elena's glares, he pulls her out of bed and grabs her arms.

Elena narrows her eyes at his rough treatment. "Anxious?"

"A minor nusense has presented itself."

Elena opens her mouth to ask but is cut off by her own screams of agony as Loki begins to take from her power. After what feels like hours, Elena forces herself to grab onto Loki's arms as well.

Instantly there's a violent jolt between them and Loki releases her. As the moments pass he grows more and more furious. However, before Elena can deduce what happened, Loki backhands her across the face, sending her crashing into the wall across the room.

Elena forces herself to sit up and groans in pain. "What the hell?!"

Loki glares at her as he slowly approaches. "Return what is mine. This need not be painful."

Elena looks at him in confusion. "Return what?"

Loki grabs Elena by her throat and lifts her off the ground. "You idiotic quim. Return the magical abilities that you have stolen from me."

Elena coughs as his grip tightens. "I...didn't...know..."

"Return what is mine, thief."

Elena struggles to undo what she has done but is unable. "Too...weak..."

Loki lets out a small growl before releasing his grip, letting Elena fall to the floor. As she gasps for air, Loki casually strolls to the door. "I shall return in twenty days time. You are to return what you have stolen at that time. If you do not...need I say more?"

Elena shakes her head and Loki smiles smugly before leaving.

...

A week later Elena is sitting in the gardens when she is approached by Chris.

"We should run."

Elena raises an eyebrow. "What are you...?"

Chris smiles excitedly. "I destroyed the contract!"

Elena smirks. "Sure. And the devil is ice skating."

"I'm serious. I had to bend a few rules but...I did it! And the best part? Loki is still powerless!"

Elena stands up and tests what Chris said by putting a hand to the side of her face. After a moment the bruise fades along with the lingering pains within her body. She smiles triumphantly.

"Well...that was anticlimactic."

Chris grins. "Time to kick some ass."

Elena smiles confidently and puts her finger against Chris's chest. "Oh no. Mischief is mine."

...

A/N: The next chapter took me a couple of weeks to write, and for good reason. The next chapter is epic! It'll be updated sunday afternoon as usual. Also, I'd like to hear your predictions for the future of the story.

Next time...discovery...