Chapter 2, Trapped

Loki, God of Mischief and Mayhem

That wolf, she is going to get it. Today, I sent Balder out for me to create a trap big enough to hold her. I made the bars of the trap of pure silver, and the manacles that would hold her wrists, ankles, and bases of her wings, of Slate, tipped with a little silver, but not enough to kill her. The manacles had a spell placed upon them that would snap around the wolf (only her) if she fell into the pit I would soon dig. The cage would then snap shut around her.

Then, we both went into the clearing of the woods, and dug a huge pit so she could not get out easily. It was about 12 ft deep, and 9 ft across. I decided that a sheep would act as bait. The trap was then covered with breakable lightwood and green grass.

Then, the time came when I would wait for her to spring the trap. I sat napping in a tree until…

CRASH! " HELLLLPPPPP!" was heard.

I jumped down, and shouted to her "Well, seems I have caught an overgrown mutt in a trap meant for a prized animal."

"All right, just let me out of her. I am ready to negotiate just about anything you want to get out of here. PLLLEEEAAAASSSSEEEE!" She shouted.

I pushed a button freeing her of the cage. Then, I slid into the pit and looked at my victim. I gasped, and my mouth dropped at what I saw.

A hot, and I meant hot, girl stood pleading with me. The reason I knew it was the wolf was because of the lavender eyes, they shone in the moonlight like two sparkling wild gems. As soon as she saw me, she struggled even harder to get free. Her hair was a flowing black pool of ebony, and her skin wasn't too tan, nor too pale as mine was, it was a perfect apricot. She had sinewy muscles, and an almost perfect waist. She wore a sleeveless shiny leather top, with tight leather pants that only made me stare more. She was sweating, and beginning to tire.

But her wings had my full attention. They were huge, with a wingspan of about 7 ft long, and they were fierce black and purple colored. They looked like dragon wings, with many odd colored purple marks about them. But one mark stood out. It was bright green, with a huge "eye" shape, surrounded by what looked to be magical flames. This mark was positioned around the outside of both wings, and was a sight to stare at.

I looked into her eyes, and said "I take that back about calling you a mutt. You are very attractive, In fact, I'm quite…"

"What about the chains? Why don't you call them back, instead of feeding me this load of bull about my looks? You do know that open exposure to silver will kill me? Because right now, my wrists are bleeding, and I want to live to see my grand pups," She said, taking me out of my daydream. She kicked me fiercely, but I blocked her.

"Will you stop trying to run?" I asked, smiling wickedly.

"Anything, just take away the silver, it's burning me!" She said, and an insane look sprang to her eyes. I walked over, and released her. She collapsed at my feet, and her wings slowly retreated behind her shoulder blades, foot by foot. She panted, and struggled to get up, finally managing to stand. Then, she spoke, "Well, you have caught me. Now, what is your desire, protection, a minion…what?"

"I want more than that… now that you are here…" I said giving her an interested look.

"Don't think about it, buster! Really, you barely know a girl for ten seconds, and you have to convince her to fall into your arms, completely seduced. I, however, had a slightly different plan," She said.

"What?" I said laughing.

"Running away," She said and turned tail to run, but she stumbled and fell. She just sighed; lay there quietly, and finally cracked a small smile.

I dropped down by her saying, "You know, I could get you everything you could ever want, all I would ask for is your heart."

She turned away from me, and said "There were people in this world that stopped me from caring about people of the opposite sex long ago. I don't want to go through that again. Plus, you don't even know my name,"

"Yes I do. Your name is Arista. Arista Aconite, and you are a wonderful woman to be around," I said, reaching for her hand, but she pulled away reluctantly.

I got up, and offered her my hand. She hesitated, and then took it. I pulled her up, and wrapped my arm under her shoulder, and allowed Arista my body for support.

"My car is nearby, if you will let me drive you to your house. And I promise that as long as you are here with me, you will be fine," I said. She looked at me inquisitively, and then examined me, as though she were trying to figure me out.

"Why are you helping me, and who exactly are you that you knew my name?" She asked questioningly.

"Relax, and I will tell you," I replied soothingly, as though trying to coax a frightened animal from its dark and lonely hiding place. At once, I felt her whole body relax, she even rested her head against me.

I continued, "I am Loki, god of Mischief and Mayhem, as I have said. Ever since that night that you ran I have desperately tried to catch you. I would do it in any way possible, including hurting you. I'm very sorry for that."

But she had fallen asleep, and I was talking to the trees.

When I got her to my car, she was deep into a dream, and peaceful. I bent down, and kissed her cheek gently. Arista shivered, and then smiled.

I got into the car, and took off my coat, then laid it across the length of her body. Then, I conjured a green blanket with little masks all over it for myself.

I went to sleep, with thoughts of this mortal woman in my head. Arista. Arista Aconite, her name, it sounded like the start of a beeeaaauutiful friendship…