Author's Note - This chapter is rated MA.
Chapter Forty-Four - A Witch Hunt
Loki, Clint and Natasha grabbed tactical vests, weapons, ammo and some drones from the crates in the command center, never drawing a curious glance from anyone because S.H.I.E.L.D. and Odin's soldiers were in the process of transporting to the Jotunheim; and everyone was focused on their orders as they scurried about.
"Should have expected this," Clint said with a soft growl as the trio met up with Cami in the gardens to find only three STAVs, one of which was still damaged from Marcus' earlier attempt to steal it. "Hopper's here. Of course Hill sent him with Stott and Kotter."
"We'll lighten up the equipment load a little," Natasha suggested. "Just as long as we can get Jahla back with us."
The group drove off the palace grounds and through the city, joining the vehicles and armored warriors on horseback filtering into the massive bifrost. Once the team explained to Heimdall where they wanted to go and why, he offered his support of their mission. The bifrost dropped them in the grasslands of Southern Alfheim; and they headed for the passage into the outskirts of the Jotunheim.
The hills around the destroyed Jotun village proved too small for a cave system. So, they started their search with the closest mountain range. Cami released some of Dr. Fitz's drones, interfacing with them magically while they mapped terrain, tunnels and caves and gathered tons of data.
"These mountains are riddled with caves," Clint complained after the first hour. "How are we possibly going to find the right ones?"
"Jahla is at least seven feet tall," Cami said. "A shorter space won't accommodate her size. I'm using that criteria to eliminate most of these tunnels."
Loki guessed that Clint was just getting restless sitting in the vehicle and wanted any excuse to scout around.
"Maybe we should discuss the attack plan," Natasha suggested. "Tell us what you know about Jahla's magic, Loki."
"Her most powerful spells are ritual based," Loki told them. "It takes time for her to cast them. So, if she starts an incantation, we need to interrupt her concentration. Wear your gloves. Don't let her flesh touch yours. Also, do not approach her with a bleeding wound; you'll only fuel her magic."
One of the drones within the mountain detected smoke from a wood fire; and the team headed that direction. The other drones met up with them as they ascended the foothills into the mountains, taking only the paths that could safely get them closer to the entrance. Finally, they abandoned the STAVs, grabbed their gear and hiked the remaining distance to a break in the rock face around ten feet tall, yet narrow enough to force Clint to pull his quiver off his back to slip through.
Once inside the first, wider area, Cami tasked one drone to lead the way while the others circled the group to provide light along the dark tunnels. By the time they closed in on the drone that made the discovery, they could see firelight reflecting on the walls in the distance and smell the smoke.
Loki drew his gun as he and Clint moved together in urgent, yet cautious strides down the tunnel and into a cavern cleared of ice. He scanned the space, taking in the jars and pots lined up along one wall, a fire pit at the center, a small lantern with green flame and a stack of hides nearby for sleeping. With the exception of the lantern, it all looked too familiar. He came to a cautious halt as his gaze fell on the altar against the far wall and Jahla's imposing figure.
"I've been here before," Loki admitted, hardening his features in the attempt to hide that his mind drifted to disturbing memories of the blood rituals performed on him.
"So have I," Cami muttered, her voice wavering with anxiety.
Jahla's eyes appeared purple as their natural red shown partly through the glow of Bad Loki's mind-control enchantment. She offered an eerie grin as she lifted her arms to reveal dark blood flowing freely from cuts in her blue flesh and a blood blade clutched in her hand.
Natasha fidgeted on Loki's left, awaiting his insight and direction. Loki tried to weigh the options. With Jahla already bleeding, they were all in considerable danger from her magic.
"Have you come to kill me?" Jahla asked, her voice resonating, yet hollow with muted emotion.
"No," Loki said, taking a step forward. "I need your help."
"You're not my master."
"Neither is the double. He is our creation, Jahla. He only rules us if we let him."
"You are weak. He plans your end."
"Let me drug her," Clint coaxed, his treated arrow ready. "We'll knock some sense into her back in Asgard."
"Do it."
Clint fired, but not at Jahla. He skewed his aim upward, releasing the arrow toward a fissure in the cave's ceiling. A black, humanoid form dropped from the wide crack to land in front of them. It had simplistic, yet similar features to Loki. It was a dark fiend, a powerful construct that only a shadow master could hope to conjure or control.
The fiend snatched the arrow from its chest, casting it aside with little concern as there was no visible wound in the smooth pitch of its form, loosely contoured to give the impression of being clothed. Claws grew out of its fingertips; and it bared long fangs in a display of intimidation.
Loki, Clint and Natasha opened fire, barely jolting the creature with their rounds as they emptied their clips into its head and torso.
"Shit!" Clint cursed. "We don't have any magic weapons to kill it."
The dark fiend lunged for Clint, who dodged and spun away, then fired a small explosive shot that pushed the fiend back several feet.
Loki grabbed for Cami's arm, attempting to get her attention, when he was splattered on the side of the face and neck by droplets of something warm and wet. He turned in time to see Jahla flicking her blood at them and to hear her low, rhythmic mutterings.
There were two blurs of motion as Clint pursued the dark fiend and Natasha launched herself at Jahla, demanding her to, "Shut up!"
"Stay away from Jahla. Help Clint," Loki ordered Cami. "Use your magic to hurt the fiend."
Cami looked panicked, but turned that direction as Loki holstered his gun and drew a knife instead.
Natasha delivered a series of punches to the taller woman while avoiding her wild swings with the blood blade. Then she struck her with both fists in the chest and activated her shockers, which caused the witch to scream, convulse and then shove Natasha away.
"Her blade is magical," Loki reminded Natasha, advancing.
Jahla turned her head abruptly, spitting out a quick and hateful incantation. Instantly, those small blood drops on Loki's skin burned, searing deep down through the tissue and nerves to the bone. The terrible pain sent him to his knees with a scream as Loki clutched and wiped at his face with his thin gloves.
Through partly blurred vision Loki saw Natasha continuing her hit-then-dodge tactics on the weakening Jahla. Meanwhile, on the other side of the cave, Clint was attempting something similar, mixing up punches, kicks and grappling maneuvers against the dark fiend.
As a brilliant light filled the corner of his vision, Loki turned his head a little farther to see Cami standing near the altar with her eyes closed, hands clenched around her staff and a radiant glow emanating from her. The drones hovered around Cami's body, their components whirring as they analyzed her with their sensors.
Black Widow let out a cry and stumbled away from Jahla, grabbing at her arm. "Kick her ass!" Natasha shouted, sounding bitter. Her coat sleeve was sliced open and stained with blood. She dug a field dressing out of a pouch on her belt.
Loki flipped, caught and then threw his knife so it struck the Jotun in the forehead with the handle and momentarily stunned her.
Jahla said, her expression flat, "I would kill you if my master allowed it," and rubbed at her brow.
"I can't kill you either," Loki confessed. He pushed to his feet. "It will take both of us to stop the double."
"I am his to command."
"We'll see about that."
Loki lunged at her, anticipating the movement of her blade and turned away from it before delivering a backward strike to her chest with his elbow. He continued the turn as she hunched, brought up his foot and kicked her hard in the stomach.
Jahla fell against the wall, leaving more of her blood on its surface, but still holding her blade. She began to chant again. Various droplets on the floor began to bubble, causing the stone to crack and crumble around them as the blood exploded.
Afraid that Jahla planned to bring the mountain down on them, Loki found his footing then charged, blocking her attack and punching her in the face. Natasha's lessons stuck in his mind as he kept his feet moving and delivered quick and precise blows. Jahla continued to swing wildly at him with the blade. So, Loki grabbed her wrist, pulling and twisting her arm until the pressure caused her to drop it. Then he kicked the weapon in Natasha's direction across the uneven floor and used his body weight to bash Jahla's head against the cave wall.
Power surged and tingled through Cami's body, but she didn't release it yet for fear that in the close quarters of the cavern, she'd do more harm than good. She interfaced with the drones as they collected data on her body's systems and power levels, which appeared to be stable in all regards.
She presumed Clint was channeling his own magical gift of foresight as he battled the dark fiend because it was unable to land a definitive hit on him.
"Ready?" Clint asked, sending a fleeting look over his shoulder at her.
Cami took a deep breath, steeled her frame and yelled back, "Move!"
Clint pushed away from the fiend, ducking its claws and took cover in the tunnel as Cami's magic surged, shooting white energy outward from her in a fan shape.
With a loud, inhuman hiss and some effort to keep upright, the shadow creature shook off the effects and leaped at her. Cami pushed it back with some swift strikes from her staff and then shot a more concentrated blast of energy through her palm at it that knocked the fiend to the ground.
The black figure began to rise from the prone position, but fell again as Natasha threw Jahla's knife at it, embedding the magic blade into its back. As it settled, the fiend began to lose form, melting away into the rock.
Clint pointed out the small green lantern sitting near the fire, it's light growing brighter. "That means it's time to go." He grabbed one of the animal furs from the pile to toss over the lantern. "Bad Loki uses the lanterns to keep tabs on people and places."
Cami and Natasha grabbed their gear; and the men started to heft Jahla when a portal materialized by the altar. Through the anomaly they could see an icy battlefield with combating warriors of various races and sizes, but their view of the action was blocked when Bad Loki strode out, dressed in black, green and gold armor with a long-horned helmet and his staff in hand.
"Aren't we clever?" Bad Loki said snidely, casting a momentary glance toward the unconscious form. "Clearly I've let you all run about unchecked for too long, a mistake that I'm going to remedy."
Still connected with the drones, Cami pointed their sensors at Bad Loki.
Loki stepped forward and to the side to give Clint and Natasha some cover to ready weapons. His eyes narrowed as he addressed the double in a cold tone. "I grow tired of your visits."
"I have tolerated you conspiring with the ridiculous mortals for long enough. It's time you returned to your cell." Bad Loki gestured to Cami. "Your whore can keep you company there."
Ouch, Cami thought, letting the emotion stoke the burn of her magic.
Clint snatched an arrow from his quiver, firing low. The shot delivered a small explosive right between Bad Loki's feet, which knocked him off balance. Bad Loki growled in return, projecting dark tendrils out of his body that lashed out toward them. Clint pulled Natasha to him as he ducked. Cami twirled to the side, evading the long whips, but saw one tendril catch around Loki's throat pulling him forward as he dragged his heels.
Grabbing the blood blade from her hip, Natasha lunged, slicing through the tendril to free Loki.
Bad Loki made a sweeping gesture with his staff and a massive barrage of small, energized projectiles flew at them, striking with enough force to knock the air out of Cami's lungs and rattle her frame as she fell prone on the stone. A glance to her side revealed that the others were also down, hurting and dazed.
Their foe strode forward, standing over them with a gloating smile that soon turned into a blatant, sexual leer. "I could get some use out of you," he said to Natasha, "but I did once promise you a death at his hands." He lowered the tip of his staff toward Clint's chest.
Natasha gasped. "No!"
Cami held up her hand, unleashing a stream of energy that flooded over and around Bad Loki, causing him to scream and cringe away. She realized he was slinking toward his portal and kept up the flow across the increasing distance.
Still gasping for air, Natasha pushed to her feet, clutching the blood blade. She stepped away from Clint's hand as he reached for her and pleaded that she not pursue. With a swift, strong throw, the knife flew, its blade striking Bad Loki's hand. He dropped the staff with another howl before stumbling through the closing portal.
Cami accepted Natasha's help up, sighing with weary anger as she noted the remnants of Dr. Fitz's drones scattered around the cave.
Loki got to his feet with a groan, pausing a moment to pull Cami close for an appreciative embrace and kiss before moving to Jahla. "She's losing a lot of blood."
"We probably shouldn't drug her in this state," Natasha said, "but we don't want her waking up during the ride either."
"Any scenario that has her awake and still bleeding is to be avoided," Loki agreed.
Cami touched Jahla's cheek. She could feel a strong current of life energy beneath the frigid skin.
"Careful," Clint warned. He collected his bow and quiver.
"I think she'll be alright." Cami helped Loki to wrap Jahla's wounds while Clint added a second bandage to the deep knife wound on Natasha's arm.
Loki searched the pockets of his leather jacket to produce a vial. "Water from the healing pool," he said and held it out to Natasha. "Drink it."
Natasha evaluated the nasty burns on his face and neck with wide, worried eyes. "Maybe you should take it."
He refused, holding firm until she gave in and downed the water.
Cami led the way while Natasha covered their retreat with the staff and the guys carried Jahla. After the precarious descent from the caves, the team climbed into the STAVs. They tore off across the frozen tundra and back into Alfheim, using all their fuel to make up time before switching to the batteries, which limited their speed.
Jahla was still out when they arrived through the bifrost. For safety, Heimdall had mounted guards escort them through the city to the palace. With nearly everyone gone to battle outside the Jotun capital, Frigga, Jorn, Mahlora, Jane, Pepper and Coulson's techs gathered between the workshop and command center for safety.
"The magic detection device is running at full capacity," Jane promised them. "If Bad Loki shows, the force fields should activate."
Almost sick with nervous energy and having no assigned task to complete, it was difficult for Cami to stay still. She paced and fidgeted enough to annoy the techs who were already on edge. "Other than Heimdall's abilities," Cami said to the agents, "I assume we don't have a direct connection to anyone in the Jotunheim."
"Right," Fitz said, glancing up from his terminals. "JARVIS was helping run the systems, but that link was severed the moment Mr. Stark went through the bifrost in his Iron Man armor. We sent our best communication unit with Commander Hill so they could coordinate troops better on site."
Aware that people were watching, Cami stepped closer to the consoles. "Excuse me," she said to the girl that Clint had introduced as Skye, then delved right in, accessing every piece of hardware in the room.
Skye's mouth fell open as her dark eyes tried to scan the data whizzing by on the monitors. She pleaded to her companions, "Please tell me she isn't after my job?"
Cami heard some light chuckles from the group. "S.H.I.E.L.D. kicked me out," she told Skye and got a puzzled, disbelieving look in response that helped lessen the pain of the reminder some.
Clint, Natasha and Loki returned from the healing room to get an update and report that Jorn, Mahlora and the other healers were still working on Jahla's wounds. "Everything in order?" Clint asked Cami when he realized she was the reason the displays were racing.
She nodded, but also shrugged. "The fields won't stop Bad Loki from leaving. He's likely to bug out as soon as he realizes he can't move." Calling across the room to Loki, she asked, "Are you going to have enough time to do your thing?"
He lingered just inside the doorway, managing to look both irked and hurt, which made Cami wonder what had happened to upset him. "Maybe not," Loki admitted, "but we're going to try anyway."
Natasha stood at Loki's side, her hand resting on his arm in a show of reassurance. Meanwhile, her attention shifted between him and the technicians, who had all become tenser with his arrival and backed away to the farthest console to form a protective group.
Cami exchanged a thoughtful look with her brother, who confirmed with a shake of his head that he hadn't done anything to Loki to warrant the mood. She ceased her connection to the systems to go to Loki's rescue. He cooperated as she guided him out of the command center for a stroll down the corridor.
Wandering the halls wasn't generally a productive use of their time, but with little to do until Jahla awoke, Cami figured the therapeutic nature of the activity would do them both some good. She gave him a few minutes before asking, "What can I do?"
He pulled away as a group of palace guards came around the corner. They stepped into an open doorway to allow the patrol to pass by and found an immense room beyond where long, sturdy tables, decorative chairs and other pieces of furniture were being stored. Though the space was currently free of people, fires burned in the sconces.
When Loki chose to wander in, Cami followed at a respectful distance. She took in the surroundings with short glimpses, focusing more on Loki. He reached out, skimming the tips of his fingers along a smooth tabletop as he moved to the far end. He sat in one of the chairs left there then kicked up his feet to rest on the table's edge, causing his frame to slouch. His arms crossed at his middle. He seemed to scrutinize his uniform and find it distasteful.
Cami hopped up on the edge so she sat beside his boots. "Something has you upset. Can we talk about it?"
"No," was his quick, yet soft reply. Apparently, he planned to sulk.
She forgave his attitude. He was her friend, lover and the father of her unborn child. They helped and supported each other no matter how dire the circumstances; and right now he had a lot on his mind.
"Should I leave?"
He took a moment to think before responding, "If you must."
Cami didn't have anywhere to be right then; and he appeared to want her company, even if not for a sympathetic ear. Sitting in silence wasn't her ideal. So, she threw out the first thought that came to her as she studied his features, which, thanks to the healers, were no longer marred by the burns.
"God, you're handsome."
This comment forced a brief smile and light chuckle from him. He looked up, his eyes brightening. "How handsome?"
Adopting a seductive look and sultry tone, Cami said, "Hot, spicy and finger-lickin' gorgeous."
Again he laughed, pulling down his feet to sit more upright in the chair. "I believe you just recited me a fried chicken commercial, my dear."
Cami admitted with a silly grin, "Well, I'm positive that would have worked on any other non-Midgardian." She gave him a wink. "I'm also constantly hungry these days; and you are pretty tasty."
He stood with a smirk, resting his hands with hers on the tabletop as he leaned in to deliver a tender kiss to her mouth. "Did you notice," he asked, his tone smooth and utterly captivating, "that this table is the perfect height?"
A suspicious and fierce arousal rushed through Cami so quickly that it was dizzying. She grabbed for him to keep from falling only to be enveloped in his embrace. He knew all the right tricks and the most sensitive areas along her neck, jaw and ears to tantalize. So, the motion of him tilting her head made her moan with anticipation. Then he swooped in to tease her flesh with his eager, demanding mouth.
Unable to shake the dizziness with the endless barrage of sensation, she rested her head on his arm and fearfully confessed, "I think I'm going to faint."
Loki stopped his attentions to lay her back on the table. He unzipped her pants, tugging them and her underwear off along with her shoes. The newly exposed flesh tensed as it came in contact with the cold surface and slight chill of the air, making Cami shiver. Her nipples hardened and ached as she caressed them through her shirt.
He leaned in, breathing warm air on her abdomen and laying a slow, precise trail of kisses and gentle nibbles down her stomach before moving away. Cami looked down her body at him. He had his zipper open, stroking his shaft as he stepped between her thighs. He pressed against her, sliding his penis along her inner labia to coat the tip in her juices before easing the head in.
Knowing they needed to get closer, Cami attempted to scoot because she wanted to feel him deep inside her. Loki was processing on the same wavelength for he grabbed her hips, pulling her ass off the table while plunging his full length into her womb.
"Oh my god!" Cami screamed part in lust and also in fear of losing her balance.
Loki had a secure grip on her though as he slid in and out of her slick channel at a quickening pace. "Who is your god?" he challenged and thrust harder.
This question baffled and perplexed her. She searched his vivid eyes for meaning, seeing a sort of desperation there. "You are," she declared with a gasp.
"Say my name."
Cami groaned and writhed with building pleasure. "Loki," she said, repeating it several times until her voice was lost to soft cries and panting.
He demanded with undeniable authority, "Scream for me!"
Her orgasm hit fast and hard, jolting her whole body. Cami cried out his name like a woman possessed as she shuddered through a string of powerful aftershocks. Loki moaned and slammed deep, filling her with his seed. His legs must have threatened to give out for he lifted Cami's bottom back onto the table. Then he slumped forward, resting his frame on hers and trying to catch his breath.
With his head on her chest, Cami couldn't easily see his features. She smoothed the hair away from his face and embraced him with the promise, "I will always be yours, Loki."
He glanced up, meeting her gaze for only a moment before his attention jumped to something beyond them. A split second later, Cami heard the door shut with a loud thud.
She panicked, trying to turn her head far enough to see the door. "Oh no! Did you see who it was?"
Loki laughed, pushing up to regain his footing. "Why does it matter? We left the door wide open." He set himself right then collected her clothes.
Cami took the bundle, jumping down and hiding behind a tall armoire to dress. "Please tell me it wasn't Clint," she begged.
He still sounded much too amused as he said, "It wasn't Clint."
"It really wasn't? Or are you lying to me?"
"I choose to forgive you for that hurtful accusation," he chided and took her hand. "Let's get cleaned up. I assume our presence is requested."