Chapter Six

Another Invasion.

Tony sighed as he looked over at the God sitting in front of him, taking in the guilt lining his form and the very real fear in his eyes.

Three days had passed since Loki's arrival in the tower, and despite living under the same roof, he hadn't interacted much with the God. Instead, he'd spent most of his time in the lab, working on the projects Fury had assigned during his brief stint of madness and some SI assignments he needed to get done for Pepper. He'd honestly forgotten the man's presence in the tower until an hour previous, when he'd come into the lab. Now, knowing why Loki had come to see him, he almost wished he'd maintained his ignorance.

"Do the others know, yet?" He asked and Loki shook his head.

"No. Thor has gone to speak to the one you call Fury, as the All-Father ordered, and is requesting the passage of a few more of our warriors as an act of good faith. The Mad Titan is strong and terrifying, your Avengers will not be able to defeat him alone."

Tony nodded, blood singing at the thought of a battle, the Sanguis Ira never far from the reigns.

"Why Midgard?" He asked and Loki sighed.

"Your realm is arguably the weakest of the nine, therefore in his mind it is the perfect gift for Lady Death. He seeks to court her despite her obvious displeasure and he has ended a lot of lives to do so." He paused. "He's also heard rumors of Lady Death's most beloved angel having descendants in your realm and he wishes to return them and the angel to her."

The genius raised an eyebrow at the mention of his kin, feigning ignorance of the rumors and filing all of the information away for a later discussion.

"Oh?"

His companion nodded. "It is rumored that Death's angel, Azrael fell due to his love with a Midgardian creature called a vampyre, with a y not to be confused with vampires with an 'I'. The vampyres much like their like-monikered kin were blood drinking beasts, yet they had the hyper-intellect and benevolence their counterparts lacked. Azrael's descendants were said to lack the blood-thirst of the vampyres, unless their family or kin are threatened…although it is all mostly myth. All the same, Death's angel hasn't been seen since his mate's death millennia ago. He is believed to have died with him."

Tony hummed softly, then sighed and stood, a tiny secretive smile playing on his lips.

"Jarvis, call a team meeting. Loki, how long until this "Mad Titan" arrives on Midgard?"

The mage closed his eyes, feeling Thanos' dark brand of magic moving closer to Midgard at a relatively fast pace.

"Six Midgardian days at the least. Eight at the most."

His host's gaze flashed, darkening to a deep ochre color then lightening again.

"Is it possible for the Old man to come here? Or is he just sending some of your fighters?"

"The second."

"Right, J fix the two floors under Loki and Thor's for our divine guests."

"Of course, Sir. Also, Mr. Barnes sends his inquiry toward your well-being and the warning that should you not be present for dinner this evening, Silas shall come get you himself."

Tony pouted.

"Tell him that is entirely unnecessary. No big brother threats."

Loki raised an eyebrow.

"Big brother?"

"Jeice and Silas are my elder brothers."

"I was under the impression that you were an only child."

His host froze, and when he spoke his gaze seemed far away.

"They were lost a long time ago. I only just got them back."

Sensing that he'd misspoken, the god bowed his head, still remembering the ice his host had greeted him with days earlier.

It would not do to have that wrath turned on him.

"My apologies."

The smaller male blinked then rolled his eyes.

"It fine. C'mon before they send them down to get us."

He nodded and followed the human from the lab into the elevator. When they arrived on the common floor, the rest of the team, including the two that had been introduced as Silas and Jeice were present.

Barnes made his way to Stark's side immediately.

"Darlin'?"

"Remember when I said that there was a darker reason for Loki's being here."

The soldier nodded.

"Well, I hate being right."

Despite the tense situation, Barton snorted. "Since when?"

"Since there's another intergalactic invasion headed our way within the next week. And it's being led by a fucking Titan. Capital T."

The entire room went silent.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

*/*

"Aliens." Jeice deadpanned following Clint's incredulous curse and Tony nodded.

"Thanos, it seems has heard a very interesting tale here of an angel and a vampyre falling in love. Death's angel in fact and is of the mind that he should return death's angels and the descendants of that union to her."

Silas raised an eyebrow. "But they are fairy tales." He rumbled playing along with his baby brother's façade.

Loki shook his head. "Azrael is a very real being. However, none have seen him since the death of his mate and it rumored that he followed him. Others believe that he was defeated in battle during while he was mourning."

The Salenyme brothers shared a look.

"How long until this invasion?" Steve asked.

"Six days at the least, eight at the most. Thor is informing your Fury."

"Why earth?" Natasha asked.

"Barring the rumor of Azrael, Thanos believes it will be the easiest of the realms to conquer for Lady Death. He hopes to present it to her as a courting gift."

Bucky frowned. "Thanos is…who?"

"The Titan of Chaos. Also known as the Mad Titan. He was my…master during the invasion of Midgard. Due to my failure, he is coming for Midgard. He is coming for Azrael, and he is coming for me."

The Sanguis Ira reared its head in all three Dampyres, and a slow feral grin spread across the eldest's lips.

"Let him come."

Loki shuddered, taking in the matching darkness in the gazes of the three brothers and he had no problem believing that should Thanos arrive on Midgard, they would be the first on the battlefield.

He could only pray they'd survive the outcome.

*/*

"Are you gonna be alright?"

Tony hummed as he curled into his husband's arms, pondering the question the man posed to him.

"I…I've considered the possibility of a second invasion since I went through the portal…but having actual confirmation of it is terrifying. I keep thinking, what if I lose you all? What if I'm left behind again? And I can't," He shuddered. "I can't be alone again, James. I can't lose you all again."

Bucky shushed him, pulling him closer and when he spoke there was a timbre of the Winter Soldier in his voice.

"You won't."

Tony wanted to believe him…but the dread in his gut spoke differently.

TBC…