Chapter song: Ghost by August Eve
Tony
In his hands he carried all the tools necessary to run every possible diagnostics test on Silvia's foot. He didn't have to be a genius to believe her story after looking at the far-superior technology. Sure, she sounded crazy – probably, is – but hey, who wouldn't be after going through what she has? Besides, that beautifully designed piece of art attached to her leg could be the key to his next project, not to mention the future.
He was determining the amount of time it would take Jarvis to complete the diagnostics as he entered the lab, and proceeded to turn on almost every computer and scanner in the room. He noticed Silvia standing in the corner, gratefully remaining quiet while he concentrated on setting up his table. At least she isn't crying, he thought as he turned on the last of the scanners. Saving the world seemed easy in comparison to consoling Silvia. He wished he could do more to help her, but emotional issues – eh, not my forte. Just as he flipped the ON switch to his own personal video camera, he heard her mutter softly behind him, causing him to turn around.
Looking closer, he now noticed Silvia was holding Loki's scepter with both hands. Shit!
"Hey!" He shouted, running up to her. "Are you out of your mind?" He snapped as he placed himself in front of her. To his horror, Silvia's eyes were now glowing an unnaturally bright shade of blue, almost fluorescent. Is this what happened to Barton? He needed to act fast.
"What do you want with me?" She asked in a trembling voice, though her eyes remained focused on some unseen object, far off in the distance.
"Silvia, it's me Tony. Now… I need you to let go of the scepter," he said as he held out his hands by his sides, waiting for the gloves of his suit.
"No, please don't," she gasped. "Please don't hurt him." Her voice sounded strained, as if she wanted to scream. The second his gloves finished assembling on his hands, he stepped forward and forced the scepter away from her, placing it back on the table.
He watched nervously as she fell forward onto her hands and knees, breathing as if she had been kicked in the stomach. As he kneeled down next to her, he immediately noticed her eyes were now back to their original blue color, and he exhaled loudly with relief.
"You scared me for a second," he said, breathing quickly.
She looked at him with surprise, as if she didn't expect to see him there. "How did I get back here?" She asked, glancing around anxiously.
"Uh," he hesitated, watching her closely. "You never left."
She looked down at her arm, rubbing it as if she were looking for something. It appeared perfectly fine to him. "I need to go," Silvia mumbled nervously. He grabbed ahold of her shoulders to keep her steady as she stood up.
"Jesus," he muttered. "I didn't think it was possible, but you look like shit. What did you see? Who were you talking to?" He asked curiously, pulling back the curtain of hair that hid her face. He felt genuinely stricken by the pain in her eyes.
"Shit," he sighed, standing up straight. He walked over to his desk. "You need a drink," he said as he pulled out a bottle of Macallan 25 from the metal drawer. No, I need a drink, he thought as he began filling a second glass. It would be impolite to make her drink such a fine whiskey alone, after all.
"I hope you like it straight –"
He heard the door close before he even finished pouring his drink. He caught a glimpse of her bright, blonde hair in the hallway before she disappeared around the corner, leaving him all alone.
"Fine," he said, holding up his glass. "More for me."
Seriously though, what the hell did she see?
Silvia
"It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real," I whispered to myself. "You are on Earth. It was just a hallucination."
That broad, callous face of his had burned itself into my retinas, making it impossible for me to shut out that vicious, sadistic smile. He is the definition of pure evil.
No. It wasn't real. He never touched me. I never heard that laugh. Oh, God. Ronan…
I grabbed ahold of the sides of my head. "It wasn't real!" I cried.
"YOU! HALT!"
I looked up as two guards came running down the hall, both pointing their annoyingly bright flashlights directly in my face, nearly blinding me. Without hesitation, I sprinted in the opposite direction, looking for somewhere to hide. It was no problem for me to outrun the guards so long as Ronan's blood pumped through my veins. It didn't take me long to find a small crevice to tuck myself inside of. Being petite has its advantages, I thought as they blindly ran past me.
When I came out of hiding and stepped back into the dimly lit hall, I glanced around and caught myself standing directly in front of Loki's cell door. The chances of it being a coincidence didn't seem likely, so I did the only thing that felt right - I went inside. It didn't take long to dismantle the security system; in fact, it felt even easier the second time.
When I reached Loki's cell, he was already standing in the middle of his glass cage, as if he had anticipated company this evening. His face showed none of the amusement from earlier today, only contempt and annoyance.
"I am in no mood tonight for your questions," he stated seriously. "I thought I told – "
"What are you doing with Thanos?" I interrupted him, not wanting to waste time.
He glared at me with suspicion. "Who are you, really?" He asked, stepping up to the glass.
"I'm Silvia Alamanni. Now keep your voice down," I ordered quietly, looking around the dark room. Loki's face slowly relaxed into an expression of understanding. He glanced down at the floor and smirked before settling on my face once again.
"I assume SHIELD is unaware of our visits," he said in a knowing tone.
"I hope so," I honestly replied, causing Loki to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" I asked quietly.
"I'm surprised, is all," he said shrugging. "That rarely happens. I expected someone… bigger." I stood there staring at him, unable to hide my confusion. After a few seconds of eye contact, he shifted uncomfortably where he stood and took in a breath as if to speak, but stopped.
I found myself walking closer to him. "What?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.
"You were sent here by Thanos…" he said uncertainly, now visibly confused as well. I impulsively shivered at the thought of working for that monster.
"No," I immediately answered, shaking my head. "You work for him?" I asked, unable to hide the repulsion in my voice.
Loki remained quiet as he watched me, his expression unreadable. Just when I started to lose my patience, his frown unexpectedly transformed into a wide, open smile.
"You're good," he chuckled, taking a few steps backwards. "SHIELD is more informed than I previously imagined."
"Wait, what? I don't work for SHIELD... or anyone for that matter. Hey, listen to me!" I shouted angrily as Loki looked away, still smiling.
I walked up to the glass, placing my hands against the cold surface. "I don't have time for this! Tell me about Thanos!" I yelled as my eyes began watering against my will. Just then, I heard masculine voices echoing in the hallway of the entrance, causing me to gasp. I turned to look back at Loki who was still smiling smugly at me.
"Please," I whispered urgently. "I need answers."
Loki held his hands out by his sides. "Don't we all, Silvia? Or do you prefer agent Alamanni?" He sneered, stepping backwards as the guards came rushing into the cell.
"No, you don't understand! I'm not a SHIELD agent! Please!" I yelled as the guards took ahold of both my arms. Loki's smile vanished as the guards began dragging me backwards towards the exit. He walked along the side of his glass cage, watching me closely as I struggled against the guards.
Although I could have easily used my powers to harm them, I somehow managed to restrain myself.
"Why is he trying to kill us? Is that why you're here?" I screamed, hatred writhing in my voice. Loki stopped and eyed me cautiously.
"Let go of me!" I shouted angrily as the guards took ahold of my arms and legs, forcing me horizontally into the air. There was nothing else I could do but holler with frustration as the guards forcibly carried me away down the hall.
"If you've hurt him, I'll kill you! I will fucking kill you!" I screamed with rage, making it impossible for Loki not to hear me.
"Miss Alamanni, we are very disappointed by your actions," Agent Coulson stated across from me. I placed my hands on the metal table that separated us and eyed the handcuffs around my gloved wrists.
"Trespassing on federal property is a serious crime. We are willing to overlook your transgresses if you cooperate with us," he said in an irritatingly nice voice.
"I want these off, and I want out of this room," I said, glaring at him.
"I understand your discomfort, but you are being detained for questioning. Seeing as how you managed to dislocate three of my guard's shoulders, I think it would be best to keep them on," he replied calmly.
I smiled softly. "I won't be here long."
"We'll see about that," he said, smiling back. Only a few seconds later, someone knocked on the door, but Coulson appeared unphased by the interruption.
I frowned when I saw the woman from the jet walk through the door. Her short, red hair bounced softly as she walked over to my side of the table. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as she stopped within a foot of me and leaned backwards against the metal table. My eyes couldn't help but wander across her curvy figure, because it was impossible to ignore in her black, skin-tight uniform. I quickly looked back up at her face to catch her smiling at me in a playful manner, making me blush with embarrassment.
"Guess who gets to go home…" She stated sarcastically as she leaned in closer. "Lucky girl."
I glanced at Coulson whose face remained unmoving, but his eyes hardened with dissatisfaction. I couldn't help but smile at him as the woman removed the handcuffs from my wrists. Just before I was about to leave the holding room, agent Coulson abruptly stood up from the table and turned to face me.
"Your father can't protect you forever, Silvia. The truth will come out eventually, and one day, you're going to need our help," he said with a serious face.
I eyed him with distaste, remembering the photographs SHIELD took of me. "I doubt it," I answered coldly, leaving the two of them alone.
"Don't worry, Phil. She'll slip," Natasha stated confidently next to him.
"I know. That's what I'm worried about," he replied uneasily.
By the time I reached my parent's house I was both physically and emotionally exhausted. I entered the backdoor, knowing it would be the best route to avoid my parents. I ran through the kitchen and to the security system located next to the pantry, successfully entering the code before the alarm went off. With a sigh of relief, I leaned against the wall and began to relax, only to hear my parents stomping down the stairs seconds later.
"Silvia!" My mother called out. I groaned quietly and stepped inside the food pantry, surprised to see Mindy's famous, dark-chocolate brownies just waiting for me. I sadly began stuffing my mouth with the decadent dessert, trying to momentarily forget about my parent's appearance and the unavoidable lecture they were bound to give me.
The lights to the kitchen turned on as I finished my third brownie. "Silvia, get out of the pantry," my father ordered. I sighed dramatically and bowed my head.
When I came out of hiding, the two of them were standing with their arms crossed, side by side. I could have laughed at how ridiculous they appeared if it weren't for the disappointed look in my mother's eyes.
My father scowled. "Do you understand the position you've put me in, Silvia? How many favors I had to make to see that your charges were dropped? I can't have my daughter assaulting federal agents and trespassing – are you even listening? The election is in less than a month…" he muttered, shaking his head with annoyance.
"I'm sorry… honestly, I am. I didn't hurt those men intentionally," I mumbled, sitting down at the kitchen bar. My mother came and sat down next to me, placing her hand on my shoulder as she did so.
"Silvia, we're very worried about you. Please sweetie, don't take this the wrong way, but do you think your recent behavior is related to the changes in your… blood?" She asked reluctantly. I stared at her, unable to give her an answer.
She smoothed the hair on the back of my head and smiled reassuringly. "Have you talked to any of your friends since you've been home?" She asked softly.
I shook my head no. "You don't understand… I don't care about this," I said, looking around the kitchen. "Not anymore."
"You don't care about our family legacy?" My mother asked sadly.
I glanced between the two and swallowed nervously.
My father stepped forward. "What are you trying to say, Silvia?"
"I don't want the family business," I blurted out. "Or a career in politics." Both my parents looked at each other, seemingly stricken by the news. I straightened myself up, feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "The truth is… I'm probably not going to be here much longer."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" My father grumbled. "Are you thinking of doing something to yourself, Silvia?" He asked more seriously.
I groaned loudly with frustration. "No, I just mean… Ronan said he was going to come back–"
My father slammed his fist down. "If you think I'm going to allow my daughter to run off with some freak alien then–"
"Allow me? I'm not a child anymore! And in case you've already forgotten, I'm half freak alien, so thanks a lot, Dad!" I snapped angrily back at him. I took a deep breath and looked at my mother who was now beginning to cry.
"I'm sorry, but I can't keep living like this anymore. The parties… the banquets… the endless charades. I don't want this life. And I sure as hell didn't sign up to be First Daughter," I said, looking at my father.
He shook his head disappointedly at me. "I expected more from you," he sighed.
"Maybe that's the problem," I answered honestly, making both of them quiet.
After a few minutes of tense silence, I stood up from my bar stool and looked down at the floor.
"I love you both so much, but it's time I move out," I said, wiping my eyes sadly.
"No," my mother cried. "No, you're staying here. I'm not losing you. Not again," she said tearfully.
"It's not your choice to make," I said, looking down. "Besides, you can always come visit me."
My father placed his arm around my mother's shoulders to comfort her. "You don't have the financial means to live on your own, Silvia," he said in a tired voice.
"Actually, I do," I replied, causing both of them to gawk at me with surprise. "When I was sixteen I opened a private bank account. I don't know why I didn't tell you," I said, suddenly feeling ashamed for keeping it a secret. "So for the past six years, my percentage of the company's profits has been accumulating in it…"
"Jesus," my father muttered angrily as my mother covered her face with her hands. "But that's millions…"
"Billions, actually," I corrected him in a sharp tone. "You two seriously don't even know how much I make? You know what - forget it," I grumbled, walking towards the backdoor. "I'll have Henry ship my things to the St. Regis," I added quietly.
"New York," my mother whined unhappily. "But that's so far away!"
I shrugged my shoulders. "My only friend lives there," I answered, thinking of Tony. He's the only person I've actually been able to talk to about what happened to me. I didn't trust anyone else at the moment, especially my so-called friends here who profited off of my disappearance and enjoyed their fifteen minutes of fame. For all I know, my own father may have used the publicity to benefit his campaign and win more votes.
I arrived in New York City jet-lagged, hungry, and oddly excited. I never imagined wanting to live in such a busy, crowded city, but the tall, metallic skyscrapers and beautiful architecture filled me with comfort. I felt oddly connected to Ronan by being here. Even he could admire this marvelous, modern city – minus the corruption, waste problem, and abundance of homeless people.
Whatever, at least we have trees.
The hotel doorman opened my limousine door and smiled cheerfully. "Welcome, Miss Alamanni. We've been expecting you," he said, holding out his hand for me. "We've prepared the Presidential suite to your liking, complete with your favorite bottle of champagne and chocolates," he said as he opened the lobby door. I looked down at my casual attire, suddenly feeling like a bum in the elegant lobby.
Thanks a lot SHIELD.
"I've been informed your belongings will arrive within the hour," he said reassuringly as he handed me the room key.
"Thank you," I said, quickly heading towards the elevator.
Later that afternoon, after a much-needed nap and lunch in bed, I made my way to the hotel salon to join my real estate agent, Kyle, for afternoon tea. As I expected, he was early and already waiting at a table for me, ready for business.
"Wait, you want me to find a two-story, rooftop penthouse today?" He asked with astonishment.
I took a bite of my cucumber sandwich and nodded. "Yes, and I want it to be next to Stark Tower," I added casually.
Kyle rubbed his forehead, apparently shocked by my demands. "How hard could it be?" I asked before taking a sip of my tea.
"Honey, it's nearly impossible," he answered, shaking his head. "The only rooftop penthouse even close by is already occupied," he said disappointedly.
I glanced up from the table and spotted a quartet of well-dressed men and women enter the salon. I turned back to face Kyle as the hostess guided the group to our table.
"Kyle, you're the best of the best. That's why I hired you. I know you can get it done," I said with a smile.
He laughed nervously before noticing the group heading our way. "Are you expecting company?" He asked, placing down his tea cup.
"It's the team I hired for the renovation," I answered, standing up to greet them.
The first man to approach me was wearing a black designer suit, complete with a matching purple tie and handkerchief. "Hello, Miss Alamanni. I am Pierre, the interior designer," he said, kissing each of my cheeks. He then introduced me to the rest of his team. After a lengthy round of la bise, we crowded around the table and conducted business over tea.
For nearly half an hour I described in as much detail as possible what I wanted and needed in my new home. By the time I was finished, everyone had pages of notes and sketches in their tablets and notepads.
"So, you're serious then?" Kyle asked suddenly, causing everyone to look at him. I glanced around the group of people, noticing the stressed looks on all of their faces.
"A week seems reasonable to me," I insisted, taking a bite of my petit four.
Pierre cleared his throat quietly. "The amount of time, labor, and resources needed to complete your home is… considerable," he said quietly. "This is some high tech equipment you're describing."
"Not to mention the place isn't even on the market," Kyle chirped in smartly. "There are at least three families living on the top floor…"
"Everyone has a price," I replied smoothly. "I don't care if you have to triple the market value. Make them offers they can't refuse. Don't come back to me empty handed, Kyle," I said more seriously. He raised his eyebrows at me and nodded his head.
"Well, yes ma'am," he said, standing up from the table. "I'll start preparing the papers." As I watched him leave, I felt pleased to see him begin an excited conversation on the phone. The commission he'll make off this project alone is probably more than he'll make in a life time. He should be excited, I thought with a smile.
I looked back at Pierre, and quickly noticed the impressed look on his face. "I know what I want," I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"And she wants it now," he said, infecting me with his smile.
"Yes, I do," I agreed. "So, the same applies for you and your team. Do what you must. Bring in whoever… whatever… just get it done. Money isn't an issue," I said before sipping my tea. Pierre smiled and looked at his colleagues, who were also looking quite pleased at the moment.
"So, I trust you can have this done in a week?" I asked nicely.
"Miss Alamanni, for you, I will have it done in less than a week," he said with bright eyes.
I smiled and reached for another cake.
Everyone has a price.
It was late in the afternoon and the sun was shining abnormally bright, blinding those who chose not to wear sunglasses today. After three days of being cooped up in the hotel, I decided to venture out into the real world and explore the city I now called home. Disguised in my oversized sunglasses and baseball cap, I was unrecognizable to any pedestrian or paparazzi. I smiled cheerfully at the feeling of normalcy and stopped at a charming, bustling café on a corner of Park Avenue.
I was sitting quietly enjoying my café au lait when I overheard two women talking next to me.
"I barely slept last night because of the noise," one of the women complained.
"Oh, I know!" The other woman replied. "Isn't there a law that prohibits construction past a certain time…?"
"Well, apparently the law doesn't apply to you when you're a billionaire," the first woman answered bitterly.
"I take it you aren't voting for Alamanni?" Her friend asked sarcastically.
"Oh, no I am. The other candidate is an idiot. At least Alamanni has a brain," the woman answered tiredly.
I continued my casual walk down Park Avenue until I came across a small, disgruntled crowd forming on the street. It wasn't until I came closer that I realized everyone was looking upwards, all apparently mesmerized by the construction occurring in my new building.
"They've been at it day and night for nearly three days," I heard one old man grumble.
"Who's moving in?" A young woman asked.
"I heard it's the President's daughter, Silvia Alamanni," a teenage girl answered excitedly.
"Hey, he hasn't won the election yet," her dad cut in.
"No, but he will," the young woman replied with a smile.
"What on God's earth could they be doing up there?" I heard another man ask as I began walking away.
Many, many things.
I wiped the sweat off my brow as I approached Stark Tower only two, short blocks away. There was a large crowd of tourists hovering in front of the building, all equipped with "I Love NYC" shirts and selfie-sticks. As I walked past the barricade, I noticed several people stop what they were doing to stare at me.
When I reached the front entrance, a man dressed in a black military uniform stepped outside and prevented me from entering the building.
"Umm, hi?" I asked, coming to a halt.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises. Mr. Stark says the building is closed to civilians this week," he ordered calmly.
"Oh, but I'm Silvia Alamanni," I said smiling. "He wasn't talking about me."
"It's closed to all civilians," he said with a hint of irritation.
"Can you just check, please?" I asked nicely. The guard rolled his eyes and sighed before pressing on the intercom on his head piece.
"I have a Silvia Alamanni here asking for Mr. Stark," he said into the microphone, though I sensed it was just an act. He shook his head and looked back at me, obviously annoyed by my persistence.
"Like I said ma'am, the building is closed to everyone," he said before turning and leaving me standing there with my mouth hanging open.
What the hell?
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Tony's number, but the line went straight to voicemail. I growled with annoyance and hung up, now pissed off that my only friend in town was refusing to let me inside his building. I needed to find Loki's glowing, stick thing and figure out why that horrible man, Thanos, is trying to kill Ronan and me. I tried calling Tony again, but still no luck. I threw my head back in annoyance and sighed before deciding to return to the hotel.
When I reached the crosswalk, I turned and glanced at Stark Tower one last time. In one of the windows, several stories up, I noticed a pale face watching me. Tony? My concentration was abruptly interrupted as a scrawny, elderly woman shoved into my shoulder.
"Quit blocking the crosswalk!" She yelled as she pushed past me. "Damn tourists…"
I looked back at the window, but the pale face was no longer there.
As promised, my penthouse was complete in less than a week. I had my own private entrance into the building, as well as my own elevator and staff. After a lengthy argument on the phone, my parents allowed me to hire Mindy from them, but not Henry, so I was forced to find a butler. Well, technically I had my publicist find me one. She somehow managed to find "the perfect man for the job" in only two days. I trusted her judgement, so I didn't ask any questions; though, I probably should have at least asked what his name is…
Guess I'll find out soon enough, I thought as the elevator reached my floor. I could feel my chest tighten with excitement and worry as I came closer to my new home. I hadn't anticipated becoming so anxious over a damn penthouse. I wiped my sweaty palm on my pants as I stepped through the elevator doors and into the dark, elegant foyer.
I didn't know whether to smile or cry as I stood in the entrance, because everything about it reminded me of Ronan. The beautiful, black marble floors and grey slate walls split into three hallways that led to the main sections of the house. Since I hadn't fully remembered the house plans, I had no idea where anything was.
"Welcome, Miss Alamanni," a female voice announced over the speakers. It was Karen, my own personal, computerized home system.
Tony designed it for my family years ago, modeling it after Jarvis, but my parents never showed any interest in using it. They were too old fashioned for "unnecessary technology" as they called it.
"Hi, Karen. Call me Silvia," I said as I began walking down the middle hallway.
"As you wish, Silvia. How may I be of assistance?" She asked.
"Do you have a map I could use?" I asked sarcastically.
"Yes, of course. One moment please," she answered.
Much to my surprise, a projection of my home's floor plans appeared on the wall next to me. I could see that I was heading towards the indoor pool and spa area. The right hallway led to the servants quarters, several storage units, and my own personal armory.
After meeting Thanos, I supplied myself with a multitude of powerful, military grade weapons as well as a safe room. I wasn't willing to let myself become vulnerable, especially when nut jobs like Loki were randomly showing up on Earth.
The left hallway led to the main living area of the house, as well as the outdoor patio and stairs to the roof. I decided to venture in that direction first. The hallway opened up into a massive living room that had a small loft with a spiral staircase. The kitchen was closed off, but you could still see into it through the wide, wooden archway. I wanted the living room and kitchen to resemble our French vacation home, the Villa Marie, so I had dark, mahogany floors and white stucco walls placed here instead of the usual dark interior found in the rest of the house. The exterior wall of the living room was made of thick, bullet-proof glass so I had a great view of the city, an abundance of natural light, and tons of privacy as well because I was so high up.
The master suite was nearly identical to Ronan's chamber on the Dark Aster, only it was bigger and had a window on the ceiling, so I could fall asleep looking up at the stars. The California king size bed was fitted with grey and white blankets, which matched the large, white chaise lounge in the corner. What surprised me the most was seeing how closely the carved, wooden walls resembled the ancient Kree symbols I had seen throughout Ronan's ship and home. A renowned sculptor was brought in to create the beautiful, dark-stained walls, and after seeing his work, I could understand his outrageous hourly rate.
Ronan would love this, I thought as I ran my hands across the soft, dark wood and smiled sadly to myself.
I spent the rest of the day wandering around my home and familiarizing myself with the layout. I knew after seeing the outdoor patio and rooftop terrace, that I would probably be spending the majority of my time there. I couldn't help but smile as I looked outside. The patio was artfully landscaped with lush grass, vibrant plants, and flowing green vines which fell over the glass railing.
Just outside the wide, French doors of the living room, I happily found a square, cement fire pit and benches large enough to seat at least twenty people. Next to the fire pit was a grilling station that had a private door to the kitchen so Mindy, my chef, had easy access when she cooked her mouth-watering barbeque. Close by were the custom built metal stairs that led to the rooftop terrace.
As soon as I reached the top of the stairs, I couldn't help but laugh with excitement. It wasn't the single, Olympic-length lap pool or connecting hot tub that made me so thrilled though, it was the multi-million dollar dome telescope. By this time, it was nearing sunset and I could already see the moon rising in the sky.
I ran over to the fifteen foot dome and stepped inside, quickly lying down in the black, leather recliner underneath the telescope. Half an hour later I could clearly see the twinkling stars far off in the distance and a bright, shining Venus. At times I caught myself looking for Ronan's ship in the sky, but I knew he was probably far beyond the reach of my telescope.
I wasn't sure how long I had been in there, but a knock on the door startled me so badly I screamed.
"I'm sorry to have startled you, Miss Alamanni," I heard a deep, masculine voice announce outside the door.
"Um, who are you?" I asked, reluctant to step outside.
"I'm Vernon, your new butler," he answered calmly. I opened the door and found a tall, Caucasian man smiling politely down at me. He had thick, blonde hair that was neatly combed back, and he was wearing the typical black suit and tie of a butler. One of his most prominent features, besides his gorgeous blue eyes, was his strong, square jaw. That, combined with his height, made him one of the most intimidating butlers I have ever seen.
"How old are you again, if you don't mind me asking?" I asked as I looked him up and down. "You look kind of young to be a butler," I said unsurely.
"I am thirty-five years old. I can assure you I have ample experience," he stated confidently.
"Well, I believe you. Katherine obviously thought you were qualified and trustable," I said, suppressing a sigh. "Honestly, I just need someone to keep my life from falling apart," I joked tiredly.
"That is what I am here for, Miss Alamanni," he replied in a serious tone.
"Please, call me Silvia," I said. "I assume you signed your contract and have gone over the… umm details?" I awkwardly inquired. I can't have the public knowing I have glowing purple eyes and a metal hand and foot, after all.
"Yes. Your secrets are safe with me, Silvia," he said with a soft nod.
"Good. Well, that's settled then," I said, now turning to face Stark Tower. "Hey, will you contact Tony Stark for me? It's urgent and he's not answering my calls," I said with a sigh.
"Of course. I will get started on that right away," he replied.
"Thanks. It's Vernon, right?" I asked, embarrassed that I already forgot his name. He smiled and nodded once. "Sorry. My brain is all over the place," I muttered as I walked over to the pool and stared into the blue water.
"Would you like me to retrieve your swim suit?" He asked behind me.
I smiled. "No, I don't think so. I'll be down later. I don't want to be disturbed for the rest of the night, OK?" I said in my nicest voice.
"Yes, ma'am, I understand. I will contact Mr. Stark first thing in the morning," he said with a bow before leaving.
"Thank you, Vernon," I said as I watched him walk down the stairs. As soon as I was alone, I began stripping all of my clothes off, leaving them in a pile by the pool ladder. I gladly removed the irritating blue contacts from my eyes as well.
"Karen, play me something… classical," I announced as I stepped closer to the edge of the water. Almost instantly Mozart's Requiem began playing through the speakers, filling the air with the dramatic, alluring melody.
"Lights, please," I added as I stepped onto the diving platform. The lights inside the pool turned on, as well as the surrounding lights on the terrace, making the entire rooftop glow with pale blue light.
Just as the choir began singing, I dived perfectly into the water, barely causing a ripple on the surface. I began swimming freestyle, following the line painted on the bottom of the pool. I was glad no one was here to see me, because I knew I was swimming at a humanly impossible pace – not to mention the fact that I was naked.
I love living alone.
Out of curiosity, I submerged my head under water to find out how long I could swim without air. The salt water had no effect on my eyes; in fact, for a second it actually felt soothing. When I reached three minutes I stopped keeping count, and let myself get lost in Mozart's masterpiece.
"Hello Silvia." I suddenly heard inside my head.
That voice. I know that voice… but from where?
I stopped in the middle of the pool and immediately resurfaced, expecting to find a man lurking around the pool. With my arms wrapped tightly around my body, I nervously spun around in a circle, searching for the voice. The air around me was thick with steam from the heated pool, putting me at a disadvantage. Seconds passed, but nothing happened. There was no one. No voice.
Am I losing my mind?
"Karen, am I alone right now?" I asked quietly.
"Yes," she answered, several nerve-wracking seconds later. "Your heat signature is the only one I am detecting at the moment. If you feel threatened I can alert the authorities. Shall I proceed to initiate code RED?" She asked in her monotone voice.
"No... it's fine. Continue the music," I said, looking around one more time. For some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.
I hesitantly began swimming again, this time much slower than before and with my head above water. After another dozen laps, I allowed myself to relax and decided I really must be losing my mind. Again, I submerged underneath the warm water and felt my thoughts slowly disappear.
"What a delectable sight."
I quickly popped my head above the water, nervously spinning around as I did so.
Someone is here. I can feel it.
"Karen, code RED," I called out breathily. There was no response.
"Karen? I said code RED!" I shouted more loudly, feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline. Without another second of delay, I swam towards the pool ladder at a terrifying speed, hoping to make it out before the mysterious voice appeared again.
Just as my hand gripped onto the metal ladder, I heard a mischievous laugh behind me. I couldn't help but yelp with surprise and turn to face the noise. My blood chilled over when I saw who was standing on the opposite side of the pool.
Loki.
"Shit," I gasped, turning back around to climb up the ladder.
As soon as my foot made contact with the grass-covered ground, Loki suddenly appeared in front of me, causing me to fall backwards into the water with shock. When I resurfaced, I swam to the opposite side of the pool, but again, Loki was waiting for me. I frantically swam to the middle of the pool to get away from him and felt myself begin to panic. All the while, I can see and hear Loki laughing at my attempts to get away from him. My stomach clenched with fear as I witnessed four different Loki's suddenly appear on each side of the pool. I took a deep breath, preparing to scream for help, but when I opened my mouth, no noise escaped. All that could be heard was the chilling chorus of Mozart and Loki's entertained laughs.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" He asked, placing a hand to his ear.
I looked to each Loki, trying to determine which one was the living, breathing version, but I couldn't tell them apart. Knowing that I would remain helpless in the water, I decided to make a dash for it and choose randomly as I go.
I swam to the right and hastily pulled myself up from the water, ducking down as he reached out to grab me. Much to my relief, it was only a hologram. I continued sprinting forward, all the while holding my breasts tightly against me with one arm. Again, I tried calling out for help, but there was literally no sound coming out of my throat. I couldn't even hear myself breathing. What the fuck is happening to me?
Just as I came within ten yards of the staircase, another Loki stepped directly into my path. Thinking that it was only another illusion, I continued running forward only to find myself roughly being jerked backwards by my free arm. He held tightly onto my arm, holding me still as I screamed and shouted in silence.
"Let go of me!" I screamed desperately as I released my other arm to fight him. He quickly grabbed it and pinned it behind my back. His smile widened slightly as he looked down, but he wasn't staring at my exposed chest – he was staring at my metal foot.
"You're strong," he said, raising his eyebrows. "But I am stronger," he stated more coolly as he forcefully pushed my arms upwards. I hollered with pain as my shoulders threatened to pop out of place.
"Ahh-stop!" I cried out, though I knew he couldn't hear me.
"I must admit, your silence is a little unnerving," he sarcastically replied. I stared up at him, grimacing with disgust.
"Why do I always run into fucking psychopaths," I muttered resentfully as I continued struggling against him. Loki's smile hardened before he pushed upwards on my arm, causing me to curse with pain.
Shit, I guess he heard that.
"You guess right," he sneered, pulling me tightly against him. He was so close to my face I could feel his minty, cool breath on my cheeks. "If I'm correct - which I am most of the time - your eyes appear to have changed color," he quietly observed. I leaned away uncomfortably, not enjoying our close proximity.
"I'm warning you," I said in a strained, breathy voice, "let go or I'll hurt you." Loki chuckled darkly as his grip tightened around my wrists.
"I'm afraid you have that last part backwards," he sneered. He held his right hand out by his side, and just like magic, his golden scepter slowly appeared from thin air.
"Shhh," he cooed as he felt me tremble, "it will be over soon."
I closed my eyes and allowed the dark, boiling energy buried deep within me to come to the surface. The familiar sensation took only seconds to spread from my lower spine and up into my arms, instantly making me feel ten times hotter. The second my hand began to tingle, I saw Loki's eyes flicker with shock before he roughly pushed me away from him. I fell backwards onto the grass and began frantically crawling backwards away from him.
"Karen, code RED! Someone fucking help me!" I screamed as he charged at me with his scepter.
"What are you?" He snarled, placing the blade against my neck. When I didn't answer him, he pushed down harder, drawing blood from the thin skin. "Answer me," he seethed.
"I'm a... woman," I replied honestly, not knowing the true answer. I winced at the sharp sting of his blade as it sliced through the first few layers of skin. The blue, glowing stone which was now only centimeters away from my face began glowing even brighter. My fingers - even the artificial ones- began trembling as I remembered what happened the last time I came into contact with the stone. If he didn't move his scepter away within the next few seconds, I might return to that horrible man named Thanos.
No. I can't go back there.
"Get it away from me," I whispered fearfully. Loki's brow furrowed with confusion as he watched me become increasingly terrified by the second. Just as I feared, I began feeling the familiar cold energy of the stone begin to spread across my face, and I consequently lost my cool.
"GET IT AWAY!" I screamed, jutting my hands out in front of me. I heard Loki grunt with pain as he was violently thrown backwards into the air from my single blast of energy. My hands, which were now glowing purple, shook violently with fear as I watched Loki pull himself up from the ground. Never before have I seen anyone look as shocked as he did now.
I held my hands out in front of me in a protective manner. "I warned you," I said, shaking from exertion.
He shook his head with disbelief. "Who sent you? Why are you following me?" He demanded with wide eyes.
"No one sent me! And why would I be following you? I don't even fucking know you! You're the one in MY house," I retorted, walking backwards as he advanced towards me.
He stopped and stared at me skeptically. "Do you truly expect me to believe our meeting to be mere coincidence?" He asked, pointing at my hands with his sceptor. "You possess magic far beyond this realm - power that does not belong in the hands of a human," he said with maddened eyes. "Tell me… if not a daughter of Thanos or an agent of SHIELD… then why do you appear to me?" He asked, shaking his head.
"I'm not appearing to you… and I thought SHIELD captured you," I whispered uneasily as I thought of Tony. "What did you do to them? Where's Tony?" I asked, straightening my hands out in a threatening manner.
Did he kill him?
Loki chuckled. "No, I did not kill the Iron Man," he said in a mocking tone. "Though, I cannot say the same for the beast who stood beside him," he said, laughing darkly. I shook my head with confusion, not understanding what was coming out of his mouth.
"Beast? What are you TALKING about?" I angrily snapped as I began shivering from the cool, misty air. Loki glanced downwards at my body, causing me to wrap my arms around my torso in a protective manner. If I had blinked, I would have missed the left corner of his lip twitch ever so slightly. With lazy eyes, he waived his long, golden scepter into the air and produced a flowing, green cloak which fell across my shoulders. I held tightly onto the satin-like cloth and covered my body with it, all the while watching him cautiously as he lowered his weapon to the ground.
"It appears we both are in need of answers. We could assist one another in more way than one," he said more seriously, though his eyes still glimmered with some unknown joke.
"You know I don't trust you," I muttered, unable to hide my dislike.
Loki smiled softly. "I would consider you a fool if you did," he said, walking towards me.
Why isn't he trying to kill me? Isn't that why he's here?
"My mission is far greater than an assassination," he said resentfully. "Though… I did plan on killing you tonight," he said in an abnormally casual tone. I grimaced with unease as I realized he once again read my mind.
"I'll admit, I jumped to conclusions," he said with a playful smile, "but I can see now you intend me no harm, unless of course I provoke you," he said in a jeering tone as he continued to approach me.
He stopped a few yards away from me. "Tell me about this Ronan who you so often think about. I'm really quite intrigued," he said, narrowing his eyes.
I shifted uncomfortably and shivered as he infiltrated my mind once again. "You really need to stop doing that," I whispered nervously, causing him to smile darkly.
A moment of silence passed as we eyed each other judgingly.
"So… you know magic?" I asked, unable to withstand my curiosity.
Loki's eyes shined with delight.
"Yes. Quite well, actually."
Ronan
Sleep was not a luxury he could afford these days. After the uprising in Kree-Lar, dozens of other cities erupted into chaos as well, sending the Kree Empire into a downward spiral of destruction. Weeks had passed since the first day of the revolution, and ever since, a new battle appeared to emerge with every sunrise. The amount of destruction had yet to be determined, but he predicted it would take centuries to fully recover from this dark period of Kree history. Never before has he seen his people suffer as they did now.
Thousands of years of Skrull and Xandarian war combined could not compare to the turmoil his nation felt at this moment. After Hal-Dan fled the capital and revealed himself to be a wretched coward, many of his followers ceased their fighting and surrendered to Ronan's forces. The Kree lacked leadership, and now many called upon Ronan to take Hal-Dan's position as the Kree's Emperor. He could not say he was opposed to the idea. After centuries of serving as Supreme Accuser, he believed himself capable of leading the Kree to a brighter, more promising future.
Despite the Supreme Intelligence declaring Ronan a traitor, millions rallied for his cause and supported his leadership, so he was not alone in his thoughts. It pained him tremendously to watch his empire be torn apart by civil war. He did not regret his decision to rage war against Hal-Dan on Hala; however, he did regret the suffering he inadvertently caused to his people. If he had known what would happen…
No. Do not regret. Do not look back.
Only fools and idle dreamers contemplate the past.
It is more apparent now than ever before that change was inevitable. A single battle should not have had such a tremendous impact unless the empire itself was already weak and rotting from within. The amount of filth and corruption that plagued them would at last be eradicated, and only then could his people start anew. Difficult times lied ahead, but he would see to it that the Kree emerged stronger than ever before.
The Inhumans proved to be a cooperative ally, much to his surprise and satisfaction. The normally self-righteous, stubborn race accepted his alliance without much difficulty, though a few of their terms might soon prove to be challenging. In the past, all attempts to broker an agreement between the two governments inevitably failed due to weak leadership and misplaced prejudices. Ronan, however, was willing to put aside the past and develop a relationship with the mutant race. There was no denying he was in desperate need of a strong and willing ally. The Sakaraans were large in number, but lacked the strength and spirit necessary to win great battles. After learning of the Chitauri's sudden increase in military activity, he felt it necessary to strengthen his defenses in any way possible. He knew it was only a matter of time before Thanos sent those vile creatures to do his bidding, and when that time came, he would be ready for them.
It was late in the evening and once again he found himself sitting on the edge of his bed, incapable of falling asleep. There was no solace to be found here anymore. The Dark Aster, once his pride and glory, now haunted him with the ghosts of his past. Despite the amount of chaos constantly occurring around him, his thoughts never failed to wander towards a particular blonde. Silvia. Not a day went by when he did not think of her. It was beyond frustrating to have become attached to a Terran of all species, but he could no longer evade the truth. He deeply cared for her, and though he longed to be by her side, he knew this was no longer an option; at least not for the time being.
Though he could not physically be next to her, this did not prevent him from tracking her movements. One of his few trusted comrades resided on Terra, and he knew Silvia would be safe under his watch. After several aggravating weeks of silence, he finally received confirmation that he had successfully infiltrated her exclusive team of confidants. He squeezed the tiny projection chip in his hand, wishing it to be filled with images of Silvia and her sweet, melodious voice. She was the bright, shining star in his galaxy, and without her, he was nothing but dark, void space.
Despite his yearning to see and hear her once again, he knew it was best they did not communicate with one another. Alas, Silvia could not know about his comrade or their ability to communicate with one another. He knew without a doubt she would attempt to speak with him, and if the message was intercepted or misplaced, her whereabouts would become known. He could not risk endangering her life for such weak, selfish desires.
He placed the chip on the ground and watched the life-size hologram of his friend appear in the middle of his chamber.
"Greetings, Ronan. I apologize for the delay. It proved to be quite difficult to infiltrate the Terran's life. Her father is an extremely important political figure on Terra, which made it all the more complicated and dangerous to get involved. However, I successfully landed a position which allows me to constantly remain at her side. I can assure you, I will keep her safe and protect her with my own life if need be – though, I am certain with her father's heavily guarded team, my interference will be unnecessary. I will remain undercover as you requested and continue to contact you at least once a week. There is a development I believe you should be informed of: Loki, the Asgardian we have often heard about, has made an appearance on Terra, though his intentions remain unclear. Rest assured, the Terran's new home is equipped with a special room even you would have a hard time breaking into. She is healthy, strong, and just as clever as you described her. I will keep an eye on her. Do not worry my old friend. May you bring glory, prosperity, and peace to the Kree once again."
Ronan sighed with relief.
Thank you, Verr-Non.
Author's Note: Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated. I'm so sorry everyone! :( I hate keeping you guys waiting for that long. I've been working a lot on my book so that's kept me busy, busy, busy. I really appreciate the reviews and PMs I've been getting... Seriously. You guys are THE BEST and I love each and every one of you. So... what did you think? Loki and Silvia are getting acquainted - not sure whether that's a good thing or bad thing? I had a fun time with that because both were equally confused about each other and I enjoy Loki being caught off guard. Of course, he is full of cunning ideas and we never really know what he's going to do next... especially when Silvia is showing an interest in his magic. At least we know Ronan has his eye on her - well, Vernon technically has his eye on her. Poor Silvia has no clue either! Right now... I feel terrible for Ronan. I hate him being all alone in space. Anyways, sorry again for such a late update! I hope you enjoyed it. Feedback is always welcome and I love hearing your thoughts/predictions! Thanks! :) 3