Chapter Thirty-Eight - Tricks and Lies

For the last week, Cami's teammates had been traveling all over the nine realms with Rosner's inquisitors, following leads and gathering intel on people and magic artifacts that had gone missing over several months. With Loki off world so much, Cami had been sleeping alone nearly every night.

She stirred from an uneasy rest to hear soft noise from the sitting room. She recognized Loki's voice. "It's late," he was saying. "Is something wrong?"

"I chose to stay close when Lady Camille went to bed crying," Igus replied. "You look like you've had quite a harrowing trip, your majesty. May I suggest some food and a bath?"

The soft, responding chuckle sounded weary. "For Cami's sake I'll agree to the bath."

Igus entered and crossed through the dark bedroom so stealthily that Cami failed to notice before he was in the bathroom, lighting the braziers and starting the water running in the tub. Loki came in, sitting on the bed to remove his shoes. He was trying to be quiet and function with only the light filtering in from the bathroom. He stank of sweat and campfire.

Cami rolled his direction. "I'm awake."

"My dear, it's very late."

"Don't you mean very early? Sunrise is in a few hours."

He stood, shedding his clothes. "Igus mentioned you've been crying."

Cami sighed, answering with a witty, "I knew he was spying on me."

Loki chose not to explore that topic with her again. "Want to talk about why you were crying?"

Between being left off the missions and losing Bruce back to the helicarrier to work on the magic detection device, Cami had been feeling useless and abandoned. The whole mentor thing hadn't really turned out, and Cami realized she felt safer with Bruce on the same side of the universe as her.

Also, Nick Fury had informed the team that Agent Marcus Rodriguez was missing. He had been on the last security detail that moved Loki's staff, which was missing too. So, everyone assumed it was a mind controlled Marcus that had attacked Cami and tried to steal the STAV in the Jotun village during the rescue of the spymaster. At this point they didn't know if he was still alive or dead.

"It's a number of things," Cami admitted. "Marcus, Bruce… other stuff."

Igus stepped back through, gathering up Loki's pile of clothes in passing.

Loki lingered at the bedside for a bit before walking into the bathroom. Cami gave him a chance to get settled in the tub then wandered in. She slipped out of her sleep pants then climbed up behind him to sit on the edge of the tub and help lather his wet hair.

"When are you expected back for duty?"

"I'm not sure. Nearly everyone is heading to bed right now. We have a working theory that Clint and Rosner are going to discuss with the king."

"Can you tell me?" she asked, unsure if he could because it was becoming more apparent that she had been purposely separated from the team's duties. She'd occupied herself working on gadgets, practicing her staff skills and tormenting Odin's people with her choices in music.

"These magical relics that have been taken, we believe Bad Loki is using them to mimic the powers of other mages that he is impersonating. It's a pattern. A powerful mage disappears from one realm only to appear in another to wreak havoc. To put it simply, we think he's priming the realms for an all out war."

Considering how tired they both were, Cami couldn't hold it against him that he wasn't making much sense to her. She tried piecing the information together before asking, "Why was he impersonating the mages?"

"Some might be dead, but since we know he only recently acquired Thanos' scepter from S.H.I.E.L.D., he probably didn't have control of them. He had to execute the realm attacks himself."

"So, it's not just about killing the Jotun anymore."

"Right, which makes sense why Jahla might not be happy with him."

Cami took that comment to mean that he'd read the report Bruce and Montoya had submitted after her debriefing. She washed his back, noting the improvement in his scars before tentatively asking, "Any talk of having to postpone the wedding?"

"Not that I've heard. Of course, no one dares say anything that might upset Natasha, even Dr. Montoya."

Cami felt compelled to mention, "Montoya has been antsy lately."

"I hadn't noticed."

"I realize that everyone's entitled to their issues, but it just seems extra weird in her case."

He slid into the water to wash the soap out of his hair and rinse off. As he sat back up, he gripped the tub edge, turning to face her and kneel between her thighs. He then pushed the dripping hair off his forehead, appearing visibly conflicted as he considered her.

Cami's mind cluttered with possibilities of what he was about to say, including the chance of being removed from the team again or Odin deciding to suppress her unruly magic. The king and Fury might be planning to move her somewhere else since Loki didn't need her to wake him now. Or, maybe Loki was tired of her meddling and excessive whining lately and wanted to break up with her.

"Uh oh."

He frowned. "Do you know what I'm going to say?"

"No, but from your look it can't be good."

He laid his hands on her bare thighs, continuing despite her objection. "Your menses didn't start after taking the medicine." It bothered Cami how factually he stated this when he'd spent so much time away from her on missions this week. Her stomach clenched as she trembled under his touch.

"That's bad, right?"

"I spoke with Dr. Lloyd when I got back. He says it's not definitive proof of pregnancy, but very unusual. How have you been feeling?"

"I'm fine, just stressed. Being emotional doesn't mean I'm pregnant." She growled because his expression only grew more concerned. "I don't need anything else to worry about."

"I agree, but perhaps we'll both feel better if we discuss the issue."

Instead of being relieved that he wanted to talk, Cami was getting more riled up and didn't think she'd be able to put forth her best attitude. "Not right now. We don't know anything yet."

"Ignoring the situation will not make it go away."

Cami felt her magic spark and burn in her chest. She pushed away his hands to climb down from the tub, retreating to the bedroom where she grabbed her robe and fled the suite.

Despite the mind-boggling amount of information, once Loki, Rosner and Brandon analyzed and generalized the data, the situation proved simple enough for Clint to understand. Bad Loki was stirring up trouble to get the realms to distrust each other.

"What's our next move?" Clint asked after Rosner had finished the explanation for Odin.

The king paced and stroked his beard as he contemplated. "To stop a war, Agent Barton? I think we've already made considerable progress. We informed representatives from several realms of an escalating situation and cautioned them against hasty reactions."

The Royal Inquisitor said, "I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, King Odin, but the realms are uneasy by the sudden alliance between Asgard and Midgard. Many of these leaders have never laid eyes on Humans or their technology before this week. There are stories circulating that you sanctioned an attack on a Frost Giant settlement by the Mischief Makers. Circumstances notwithstanding, we must be very cautious."

Odin stopped his pacing to address them. "Asgard has always protected the realms from harm. I think our recent efforts reinforce that position."

"We haven't attempted any communication directly with the Jotun," Dr. Montoya interjected. "They have as much to lose as any other realm, don't they?"

Clint tensed, once again wishing that Odin hadn't allowed the psychologist to join this meeting. Montoya always seemed eager to take a jab at authority figures.

"Relations are strained with the Jotun," Odin began to argue.

"You promised to make the effort," Montoya countered. "You claim no bias against them, but your lack of action says otherwise."

"Dr. Montoya," Clint challenged, "I think you forget yourself. We represent S.H.I.E.L.D. and Earth in these matters."

"I know you are not so narrow minded, Agent Barton, to believe that political rhetoric."

Rosner stepped forward, breaking the line of sight between Clint and Montoya. The Elf addressed Odin, but made sweeping glances to everyone as well. "Sire, obviously you had to be firm and decisive with your actions against the Jotun and their transgressions in the past. You and I have spoken in length about the unification of the realms and how we would assist in forging those alliances, but this Bad Loki has forced our hands. Asgard must show a strong, cooperative front with ALL the realms, especially if he is now conspiring with the Queen of the Underworld."

Odin appeared receptive, yet agitated. "Any delegation I send into the Jotunheim could meet death or worse."

Montoya suggested, "Send a small, harmless group to deliver a message. I volunteer to go."

Clint laughed, unable to contain his contempt. "You are not harmless, doctor."

Montoya glared back, but her expression turned more amused as she gave his comment some thought.

Determined to keep on task, Rosner said next, "I reviewed the statements made by Lady Camille about her visit to the caves in the Jotunheim. According to her, Bad Loki claimed to be holding children prisoner."

"Yeah," Clint said, "but any missing children in the reports have been accounted for now."

"Then these children are likely from a realm that would not report such a happening," Rosner surmised. "We have not had a strong inquisitor presence in Midgard for at least a thousand years. The same is partly true of the Jotunheim. Giants are too territorial and suspicious."

"It's sad to admit," Clint said, "but there are numerous missing children on Earth. Some are never found."

"All the more reason to speak with the Jotun," Montoya argued.

"Let us continue this later," Odin said, turning away from them. "I think we all could use some rest."

Clint welcomed the suggestion as the team had been running on very little sleep for days.

"There is still the matter of the incident with the Dwarves," Rosner said, bringing Odin back.

"I thought Diani smoothed that over," Clint said with a loud, flustered sigh.

"High Advisor Ogalfus is demanding a formal, public apology from Agent Romanoff and the All-Father."

"He insulted both her and your own daughter."

"Even so, Agent Barton," Rosner said, "your people should show more restraint if they're going to travel and interact with representatives of the other realms."

This incident was turning out to be a great reminder to Clint why he made a better soldier than a diplomat. "Natasha didn't actually hurt him. I think that showed quite a bit of restraint. I probably would have decked him if I'd been there."

Odin ended their heated exchange by simply lifting his hand. He said, sounding weary, "One Dwarf's wounded pride is far from our highest priority. Give Ogalfus some time to reflect on his own actions for now."

Clint left the king's suite and headed for his room. Natasha wasn't there. So, he stepped into her room, finding her surrounded by piles of white gowns. "Maria went all out, huh?" He managed not to laugh at Natasha's overwhelmed expression, but she noticed his smile.

"I guess she appreciated me naming her as the maid of honor."

Clint nodded. "Have you narrowed down the choices?"

With a shake of her head and a shrug, Natasha came to him, easing into his offered embrace. "Do you think I hurt Cami's feelings when I chose Maria?"

"I doubt she expected you to ask her."

"Maybe we should just elope. I swear if I have to decide anything else, I'm going to scream."

Clint drew her out into the corridor, asking a passing servant if she could find someone to tidy up the dresses and put out the sconces around Natasha's room.

"Of course, Lord Barton," the woman said and went to handle the task herself.

Natasha chuckled at Clint's scowl, giving him a playful slap on the ass and pushed him into the other bedroom. "You don't like being considered nobility through association?"

Clint was sure she knew his feelings. "Loki hasn't tried at all to make this rumor go away."

"Odin and Frigga don't seem bothered by it," she said, kicking off her shoes and wandering toward the bathroom, "and Cami's not taking it seriously anyway."

Clint started to undress. "How do you know that?"

Natasha called back, "She's surrounded by wedding stuff, but she chooses to hang out in the workshop or practice her staff."

"I guess you're right."

Their discussion could have easily drifted to the topic of Cami's recent problems and the joint decision by Fury, Odin and Clint to discreetly remove her from active duty. Clint wasn't eager to cover that ground again. Natasha had made it clear that she didn't agree with the decision, but she understood that there just wasn't a good alternative with everyone being so busy.

Clint climbed into bed and Natasha soon joined him, dressed only in one of his sleep shirts and panties. Since they'd decided to wait until the wedding night to be intimate, Clint found her tempting attire quite cruel. Maybe she tested his resolve or punished him over Cami. Either way, this wedding couldn't come fast enough for his liking.

The path to her workshop had become almost second nature. The servants and guards Cami encountered along the corridors addressed her with respect, always asking if they could be of assistance. All the attention was one of the perks and curses of being Loki's rumored betrothed.

Cami stopped just inside the doorway, stunned to find the fires burning and Odin standing at her worktable.

"I was curious about your creations," he said in explanation to her questioning look, "and I wanted to speak with you."

She moved closer, also glancing over the parts and devices. "You knew I was up?" she asked, praying that he hadn't heard any rumors of the possible pregnancy.

"In a way." He stiffened, his gaze calculating. "You are in a difficult position."

"How so?"

"You're here with the team, but limited in what you're allowed to do. You possess strong power, but have no teacher to help you master it."

"Loki has been—"

Odin interrupted, sounding harsh. "He hasn't the time to devote to your training."

Cami couldn't recall Odin ever acting this cold with her. His demeanor made her wonder if she'd done something to upset him. Maybe he regretted ever bringing her to Asgard.

"I have done everything asked of me, your majesty. I just—"

He seemed to poke fun at her as he again interrupted. "You want to help and have a chance to show that you're actually good at something."

Cami tried to sound unaffected by the emotions burning in her chest that further provoked her magic. "At least I'm trying."

"Your best efforts fall short, Cami. S.H.I.E.L.D. has let this farce go on much too long and all for your brother's benefit."

"What do you mean?"

"Loki took over Clint's mind, using him as a weapon against his own people. Your brother killed several agents and even went after Agent Romanoff. He's been treading on thin ice ever since, trying to put his fragile psyche back together. Fury only brought you in as a tool in that process. You're nothing like him; and they should know better than to let you graduate."

She thought she might choke on her own tightening throat and the prickling sensation creeping up from her chest. It hurt to push out the words. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Excellent question," a voice called out from behind her.

She turned to see another Odin in the doorway and Frigga standing with him. She noted that this king wore armor and wielded his royal scepter.

"Cami, step away from him."

A shadow tendril seized Cami's arm, yanking her off balance. She fell hard, but looked to see the image of the Odin nearest to her fade away to reveal Bad Loki.

"Release her!" Frigga demanded, trying to come around Odin, who blocked her.

Bad Loki smiled with confidence as more tendrils snaked out of his sides to coil around Cami's limbs and drag her close until she struggled at his feet.

"You are not welcome in Asgard," Odin said, pointing his scepter in their direction.

"You don't seem able to keep me out."

"We are growing wiser to your tricks. Tell me what you want from this girl."

"I've come to collect her. Danger approaches and someone has to keep her safe."

Frigga scolded, "It is you who puts her in danger with your schemes and lies."

Bad Loki insisted, "I wasn't completely lying to her."

The king took a decisive step forward. "I command you to release Cami and leave Asgard."

"I don't think so. I fear you no more, Odin."

Dark energy gushed from Loki's palms, flowing down his fingers and onto the floor in spreading pools on either side of him that began to writhe. The black blobs expanded and grew while transforming before Cami's eyes into simple, yet large, bestial forms: one a wolf, the other a serpent.

In her panic, the building energy in Cami's core crackled and surged through her system, seeking out the areas where the tendrils held her. Then, with a prod from her, the power shot out of her flesh in a brilliant white flash that dissolved the tendrils and caused Bad Loki to howl in pain.

Cami rolled away just as the black wolf dodged a blast of energy from Odin's scepter. The lupine construct crashed into and toppled the worktable, which Cami had been counting on for temporary cover. She kept moving, managing to scramble to her feet when the wolf rushed through her legs, lifting her up then dumping her back on the stone with a jolt. Another tendril caught Cami around the wrist while she reeled from the pain, but she dispatched it with another bright flash and resulting scream of pain from Bad Loki.

Odin kept the wolf and snake busy with blasts from his scepter, but didn't fire directly at them as they kept moving to flank Cami.

Get out of the line of fire! Cami told herself, but figured a second attempt to bolt would prompt another rush from the wolf. I need a distraction, she decided.

Her gadgets and spare parts were scattered on the floor beyond the table, but she could feel each of the finished devices tethered to her prickling magic. With a desperate prod from Cami, a handful of small explosives, smoke bombs and a shrieker went off, adding to the chaos. She jumped to her feet, hurrying to the queen, who wrapped her in a protective embrace.

"Take her away, Frigga. Quickly!" the king ordered.

"No! Don't leave him," Cami protested as Frigga pulled her through the doorway and into the hall.

In her panic, Cami's magic connected to the queen, reacting with the reservoir of ancient power inside her body. The magic pulsed outward in strong waves like an accelerated heartbeat would push blood. This caused Cami's head to swim. Her legs gave out.

Frigga also fell, gasping and clutching at her chest.

Through pained, frightened tears, Cami saw Loki and a group of guards enter the corridor. They ran forward to assist, only to collapse as they neared, reacting to Cami's rampant magic.

Loki searched out her gaze. "Breathe," he said with a painful gasp.

Cami forced a deep breath. Her body hurt, straining to hold together against the pulses.

The next group to round the distant corner included Clint, Natasha, Rosner, the twins and more guards.

"Stop!" Cami yelled, holding up her shaking arm to warn them off.

"We need to get to the king!" Rosner shouted.

Cami's stare settled on her brother as he drew an arrow from his quiver, set it in his bow and aimed at her.

"Clint, no!" Natasha screamed, but it was too late.

There was a streak of silver, a whoosh and then a stinging slice across Cami's cheek and ear. She flinched, touching the side of her face. Her fingers slid through something wet and warm as her vision darkened.

Loki felt the crush of Cami's magic ebb as she slumped to the floor. He crawled the last few feet to check her pulse and breathing as the queen rolled her over.

"The double is trying to take Cami," Frigga informed the group.

Clint led the charge past them, shouting to Loki, "Get her out of Asgard! Don't tell anybody where you're going either."

Loki knew Cami's wound looked worse because the head always bleeds more than some other areas of the body. He felt more concerned with the sleep toxin from the arrow. The dose had been measured and applied based on the weight and size of the average Jotun, not a petite Human girl.

With Frigga's assistance, Loki pulled Cami into his arms and stood.

"Sleipnir," the queen suggested and they headed in the direction of the stables.

They stopped at the healing room along the way to grab a blanket for Cami. Frigga also collected a small vial of water from the pool, which she pushed into Loki's pocket once he and Cami were in the saddle.

"Where can I take her where he won't follow?"

Frigga shook her head at him. "It must be somewhere he doesn't know."

"Mother, he knows nearly everything I do."

"Exactly," she affirmed and strode importantly away.

"Cami's in danger," Loki told Sleipnir. "Get us out of here."

The shrieker sputtered out as Clint cleared the doorway into the workshop, sending a fleeting thought of Cami through his mind. He saw the king a few strides to his right tracking and firing his scepter upon two large black animals that evaded his blasts. Bad Loki stood beyond the taunting beasts with an angry, focused expression. Clint guessed from his slight hunch that he had taken some damage, though there was no visible wound that the archer could see.

"Dark fiends," Odin called out. "Only magical weapons will harm them."

Clint's choice of targets was limited by this information. He aimed for Bad Loki, whose gaze seemed frozen on Odin. The arrow flew true at his chest, but at the moment of impact flew straight through him to strike the back wall.

An illusion! Clint thought, mentally cursing as he scanned the room. Where is he?

It started as a twinge in his brain, not really a pain as much as a warm pressure that expanded outward to settle into the back of his head and also his eyes. He blinked, his vision growing sensitive to the light, then took in the room again. To his left, Natasha and Rosner attempted to push back the wolf creature. The spymaster had shifted into a large panther of sorts, yet Clint could see a ghostly image of his Elven form encased within the predatory cat. Diani circled around to help close the wolf in. Her dagger blazed with dark, dancing flames that Hawkeye hadn't seen before.

Clint's eyes followed Mitzi and the guards as they rushed past him. The Elf wielded a similarly burning longsword. She made a striking motion at the great serpent as it lunged at the tiring king, slicing it across the snout and causing it to hiss and recoil in pain.

Then Clint caught sight of movement past Odin's group. A ghostly image of Bad Loki stalked toward them, drawing his blood blade with a wide, eager smile and his eyes shifting as if he was still making a choice of his target. The archer drew and fired the next arrow in his quiver as there was no time to prepare a trick one. It passed behind the king and Mitzi, but flew over Bad Loki's head as he dropped low to evade it.

"Odin, watch out!" Clint called, advancing as he launched another arrow that Bad Loki caught with a sneer and snapped between his fingers.

"Why can you see me?!" Bad Loki growled and threw his knife, which Clint almost didn't dodge in time as it whisked past his torso.

With his attention on Bad Loki, Clint didn't see the snake. It batted him hard against the wall with its tail. Then he fell onto his hands and knees, losing his grip on the bow and having to blink again to clear the stars in front of his eyes.

Odin's group came at the snake, stabbing and blasting until it retreated.

Grabbing his bow, Clint searched again for Bad Loki, but only saw the frozen, hollow-looking illusion for a split second before it disappeared.

Sif and the Warriors Three led more guards as they rushed into the room to surround the great, black beasts, keeping them agitated and confused until they could be slain. Then the beastly bodies melted into pools of energy that saturated into the stone flooring, leaving a dark stain.

Clint climbed to his feet, feeling dazed and battered. His right shoulder hurt where he'd struck the wall and his eyes strained under the stress of his enhanced vision. He rubbed at his eyes and felt the pressure slowly ease away.

"Is the double gone?" Odin asked, turning to Clint. "You could see him."

"Yeah," he said, answering both questions. "I could also see Rosner inside his cat shape and the magic on the weapons." He pointed to the royal scepter, which shimmered in a warm, golden light.

Natasha moved to his side. She clutched her right wrist, but inspected him with concern.

A shout arose from across the hall. Kotter dashed into the workshop, his eyes big and mouth agape with shock. "He got Shale."

The group hurried into the command center where Agent Stott examined Brandon Shale who lay in a fresh pool of blood. His throat, chest and stomach were cut open; and his lifeless eyes stared up from blood splattered features. His sidearm was still in its holster.

Stott fought to maintain control of his own emotions as he gestured to Shale's throat. "He couldn't have even tried to scream for help."

"He was alone in here?" Sif asked solemnly.

Clint nodded, feeling sick as anger tightened his stomach. "During emergencies, Brandon's standing orders were to secure the command center," he said. "Looks like Bad Loki didn't just leave like I first thought."

"We should have everyone fall in for roll call," Kotter suggested with urgency.

Clint nodded again. The terrible anger gnawed at his insides, building up like it was going to erupt. "Not here. In the dining room or wherever. Everyone out." When they didn't move quick enough for him, Clint barked, "Now!"

Even Natasha jumped to follow his order, leaving him in the room with Odin and Rosner.

"I'm so sorry, Agent Barton," Rosner said. "How long had you known him?"

"Doesn't matter," Clint said. "No one deserves to die like this."