Paige gazed sadly down at the book of Norse Mythology. Surely she couldn't be the witch it spoke of. Surely.
With a sad sigh, she ran her fingers over an image of Loki. They'd almost gotten it right. Hair was a bit long, but she could still tell it was supposed to be him. As if their minds were connected after all, she heard the click of his boots out in the hall. He was back.
Paige slowly stood, her leg still very sore. Oh, good. I was starting to worry. How did it... she trailed off as she noticed a girl cowering behind him. Loki, who is this? What did you do?
"She is a healer," Loki explained. "Please sit, Paige. She can heal your wounds far better than my weak attempts."
Kitania snorted and rolled her eyes. "If you think I'm going to help you after—"
Loki glared at her, and timid as she was she threw her hands up in surrender.
"Okay, fine. Who am I to deny someone in need the treatment they deserve?" She leaned against the wall and folded her arms over her chest. "Whenever you're ready."
With a contented sigh, Loki gave her a look that said he was pleased with how she had decided to handle it. Then he turned to Paige again. He reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Please, little telepath. I cannot stand to see you in pain."
Paige leaned her head into his hand when he touched her hair. Of course, my prince. She sat down and motioned for the healer to come closer. And your attempts were not weak, Loki. You healed me far better than any doctor could. I could walk again thanks to you. It's not your fault your brother dropped a tree on me... Well, not entirely your fault. He shouldn't have aimed for the woods. Either way, my leg was crushed and you took the time and energy to put my bones back together again. She reached up and took his hand in both of hers. And now you've brought me a healer to fix the minor fractures. Thank you.
Paige softly kissed the back of his hand, and then looked up at him. That's when she noticed a few drops of blood on his armor. Loki, my prince, is... is that... blood... on your armor? She looked up into his eyes, searching for the truth. Please tell me you didn't. You promised. You promised!
Loki shot a look at Kitania, both wishing for her silence and commanding her to come forth. She should obey both if she didn't want him to hurt something. Or someone.
Like a good little pet, Kitania pushed off from the wall and settled to her knees in front of Paige. She took a deep breath, concentrated hard, and focused on the girl in the chair. They had said something about fractures... Yes. Right there. In her leg. Kitania could feel the sharp edges of bone that hadn't healed.
Loki, you didn't answer me. Who does that blood belong to?
Kitania sighed, reached a hand to hover above Paige's thigh, and flexed her fingers. Her lumen eased out and engulfed the wound, tying together the broken pieces. It would take several minutes of concentration to fix it completely.
Despite herself, Kitania's mind wandered to how disappointed Drake would be. Paige seemed pretty at ease with Loki, and for the record she didn't think the girl was unwilling. At least not any more. The bigger question lied in what Loki would do with her once she had done his bidding. Keep her? Beat her? Or try to kill her? Whatever it was, she'd take it. She'd have to. No one would come to rescue her. No one cared, not even Drake. If he came for anyone, it would be for the girl she was now healing.
Distractions caused the healing process to take two minutes longer than it should have. Whatever. It wasn't like either of them would know. Kitania rocked back on her heels and glanced to Loki. "Fixed it."
Loki nodded and raised an eyebrow. "Good."
As she waited for his reply, Paige had heard Kitania's thoughts. Drake is alive? She reached forward and grabbed Kitania by the collar of her shirt, completely forgetting about the blood on Loki's armor. What... the shadows... they're his? No. He didn't have powers. He's not one of us. How is he still alive?
Without realizing it, Paige shook the girl fairly violently.
Kitania had never been shaken so hard before. She thought that her brains might leak out her eyes or something. She reached up to clutch at the girl's wrists, willing her to stop but unable to say anything.
Loki gently settled his hands on Paige's shoulders and took a deep breath. "Paige... little one... you are hurting her. You must cease this behavior." He sighed, fairly audibly. "Paige. Paige! The blood is not Drake's, if that is what you are thinking."
Paige released the girl and looked up at Loki. I didn't think it was. But... he was there. With Demetri. And there's blood on your armor. No... tell me you didn't. Tell me you didn't hurt him! You tell me or I'll read her mind and find out! She immediately stood and pulled away from him, now able to stand without pain. She held her hand out for the staff. Let me have it. Give me the staff you would harm my friends for.
Like an idiot, Loki gave in to her demand. He produced the staff and extended it to her. At the time, he didn't think it could hurt matters much. His second act was to glare down at Kitania, ensuring she wouldn't run off this time. As he had known she would, Kitania curled her knees to her chest and backed against the side of the chair. She wouldn't be going anywhere.
"You don't know what he did to you. You don't know what he hid." Loki knew it would hurt her deeply if he told her what her precious Demetri had done to her without her knowledge or consent. So he lowered his gaze and shook his head once. "I'm so sorry, my beloved telepath."
No... Paige gripped the staff tightly and looked down at it. She could see where it was stained with blood on one side, from where Demetri's blood had pooled out while he was still holding it. She gripped it tighter, letting her telekinesis swirl around the inside of the cylinder, releasing the inner locks. Her anger and hurt built with so much intensity that she never heard Loki say he loved her. Is he still alive? She asked, her voice suddenly calm.
Loki looked down, put up his mental shields, and prepared to resist her telekinesis. If she was anything like him, her sudden calmness meant imminent danger. It was no use denying it, as she would never believe the lie and would only attempt to read Kitania's thoughts. "He is not." He steadied himself for whatever would come next, his muscles tightening in anticipation.
Paige gasped softly and closed her eyes. No, she couldn't believe it. She'd had her best friend killed just so she could have his staff. You said you wouldn't... you promised. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. Suddenly, she turned to Kitania. I'm sorry, but I have to lock you in. Paige broadcast only to her. I don't want you getting hurt. Don't try to leave and no matter what happens, don't try to help. She looked to Loki again, her tears still pouring. Come with me. I want to speak with you in private.
Paige walked past him and out into the hall. When he set foot in the hall, the doors immediately slammed shut behind him, sealing Kitania in. In an instant, Paige struck at him with the staff, both it and the blades fully extended.
I trusted you! She screamed in his mind. First, my father, and now Demetri! Must you killed everyone I love?!
Loki growled and wiped at the blood where a blade had hit him on the cheek. He didn't want to hurt her, but this could not go on. He would not allow her to harm him and get away with it. "I'm sorry," he apologized one last time. "But you did not know. I could not let him think he had gotten away with what you did not know."
He dodged her next blow and circled around behind her with one smooth motion.
What? What didn't I know? See, you're keeping secrets from me, too! I thought you were different! I thought you'd changed! But you're still that rat that destroyed my home. You kill because it's fun. No other reason. I can't believe I trusted you.
Paige sent a powerful telekinetic blast at him, then turned to strike at him again. She couldn't let him get away with killing her best friend. It didn't matter how much she'd fallen in love with him. Loki had broken his promise, and she could never forgive him.
"You would never believe me!" His full armor melted onto him, from head to foot. "I am different, but how is one to convince you when you would believe the truth to be a lie?" He avoided her telekinetic blast and dodged her blow, turning instead to send a blow into her elbow. She couldn't be allowed to continue this pathetic game of war, no matter how much he loved her. This had to end. One way or another. He hoped he wouldn't have to use his last resort.
Paige gave a small cry when he struck her, but was still undeterred from her mission. She circled slowly, now taking a defensive stance, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
In truth, he frightened her. Standing there in his golden armor, he looked both magnificent and menacing, all at once. He was clearly more powerful than she was and could kill her in an instant if he wanted to. This thought scared her the most. The fact that he could kill whomever he pleased as easily as if he was only breathing. It required no thought. Was almost an instinct, surely. And all with the grace and skill of a king. He made war look beautiful. And that was the one thing she despised in him.
With an airy sob, she began to strike at him again and again, finally hitting the armor of his left arm. Her blade was sharp enough to slice through the leader, creating a small hole in his sleeve, but barely scratched the golden metal above it.
More riddles? She sobbed. Truth, lie, it's all the same to you! You killed him because you wanted to. I know Demetri! Had you simply asked, he would have given you the staff. He had more of them! He was kind, generous! You didn't have to killhim!
Enraged, Paige spun and struck at Loki's leg, hoping to knock him off balance and give herself the advantage.
Loki thought quickly. With little effort, he cloned himself and switched places. Now, he was upright. "I did ask. He didn't give." He inspected the hole in his armor. That would have to be mended. And how dare she try to cut his arm! He was done. Finished. This all stopped now.
He summoned his spear to him and held it tightly, waiting for her next strike. He would be ready to end this battle, as swiftly as it had started. And she would understand. She would always understand.