Chapter 8

Shiver upon shiver cut my skin. I was burning and bleeding sweat. Lying on the floor only had sway for minute, but hours passed since. I woke from feverish dreams, it was nothing but torment. The faces of my loved ones, blaming me for their deaths and they weren't merciful. All I heard in their words was Loki rubbing salt in my wounds. The infinity stone wasn't making things easier, it was pulsing with blue and agitated. And then there were my scars from Caius' bites itching, which made me scrape my skin to blood.

My condition didn't change in the morning, but I didn't ask for help. There was no one in S.H.I.E.L.D. I could trust, who knows what they would do to me and I couldn't appear hostile now. I was supposed to be selfless and victim, but the problem was that I could explode any second. Instability was with me, from body temperature to my thoughts. Aro's tactics rubbed on me and I recognized my potential for incredible violence. As a leftover from my dreams, I often had metallic flavor in my mouth. It was blood and I salivated for more of it.

Agent Barton. I typed in the tablet when he arrived to take me to the director's office, but that was the last of my decency. When I spoke to him minutes later, I was in his head. How is Budapest these days?

"I'm sorry?" Two agents who came with him walked away, leaving him alone with me as we continued walking down the corridor.

Remain silent. I ordered. You see, that madman, you have locked in here is not the only threat around here. You can smell mad at him, but I wouldn't underestimate him.

"What do you want?" He whispered.

I can tell you that I don't want people kneeling at my feet, but I would rather talk of what you want. Figured yet what to buy your wife and children for Christmas? It is coming up soon.

Barton pressed me to the wall and pulled my arm up, I pissed him so my plan was going well. He isn't fan of mind control or so I heard. Small peak in Barton's mind showed me what I can use against him and that was his family. The family is always the way to go when you need to bring somebody down, I learned my lesson. Now I knew Barton in more intimate ways and boy, what he wouldn't do to save his family. Deep down I didn't want to be the monster, but I needed to be one.

"If you even think of threatening to hurt them, I will-..."

Agent, please. Why would I hurt them when you will? I didn't understand why my lips curved in a smirk, this shouldn't be satisfying. How long do you think your family will be safe with you around? You can not protect them, you're nobody.

"You're no different from him are you? Hitler in the Jew's skin."

I suggest you restrain from comparing me to him or I will be the boot to your ant. You are mortal man, minus Big Green and Red Cape, you are all mortal. Do you know what mortals are? The position of my arm felt unnatural, but nothing hurt even when he pulled my arm higher and sound of bones cracking filled gapes between the sound of loud breathing. You are greedy, amassing goods and power as if you are the only ones after it. Thanos will come for all of us and your greed will provide no shelter.

Two agents I set off earlier returned and Barton let go of me. We didn't make it to Fury, I was taken to hospital ward instead due to bone fracture. I left Barton to think, he of course couldn't repeat my words. I was later told by Fury that Barton showed great concern for my safety. Saving lives of innocents had always been his life'smission, according to the director. I didn't question why he then spared agent Romanoff. I was too busy knitting my brows in front of Thor, who had to see me as innocent maiden.

"We can't protect Earth from another invasion." They summed up.

Please, you must trust me, I never wanted any of this. I wish I could help, but I don't know how..

"Lady Swan, as protector of Earth I am grateful for any help you could provide." Just get to point Thor, I'm getting old. "... This tough situation and we need to ask for great favour."

I will do anything. I emphasized.

"I must ask with you to come with me Asgard."

Widely opened mouth seemed like appropriate reaction. It was supposed to be shocked and I played with it. Fear caused all these people to finally make some good decisions. Mind control thing for now was left aside, I wasn't comfortable with power of damn rock in my chest yet to try it on all of them, bloody thing could turn against me. But I was pleased with outcome, though it was a slow process. I agreed of course, but not without biting my lip and trembling fingers.

It was just another of those nights when I woke in sweat with an appetite for human flesh. I drooled over pillow after dream of Jane Foster. Thanks to Barton breaking my arm we had to wait for my arm to heal before setting off to Realm Eternal and in my prolonged stay I came across Jane. She looked like perfect light dinner, if it wasn't for Thor pining after her I would eat her raw. Those desires were as usual strong after crazy dreams I have, but later they make my stomach turn.

I was shivering due to fever, it never stopped, but became worse and harder to ignore making me stumble on flat ground on my way to the madman. Loki seemed bored when I came to him, but I was not a fool. Soon he will start mocking me and insulting me, which will satisfy his need for entertainment. As always he was sitting on a bench and made no move for the doors when I opened the cell and stepped in. I had a huge smile he must have wanted to slap from my face when I sat next to him and took his hand in mine.

Why so serious?

"Do you not have better things to do at this hour?" He wasn't in the mood.

No. I let his hand go and took off my shirt before gripping at it again. What does this thing do? I asked, pointing at my blue chest.

"No one told you?" He sounded disappointed, I think. "You are intelligent girl, Isabella. You must know what it will do to you." Loki placed hand above my heart.

His touch was cold and nice. A strange sound left my mouth when I realized how pleasurable the cold was. I gripped on his palm with my healthy arm, wanting to absorb as much of this delight as possible. I behaved as small kitten who wants to cuddle and he thankfully said nothing same as I said nothing when tips of his fingers turned blue. It lasted for a second, Loki tensed and then it disappeared as if it was never there. My behavior was embarrassing, my red cheeks agreed.

It will kill me. I didn't have a particular emotions connected to this statement.

"Why did you come to me?" There shouldn't be pity in his eyes. The mortals die.

Does it matter?

"No."

Truth is, maybe it did. Loki knew when I offered the stone that he will get it once I die, but why I offered it to the villain instead of leaving it to the good guys? I didn't have reasoning for it. The stone got bored of me as host and wanted out so it set the house on fire. I was shameless in pressing against his cold skin, I hated Loki, but he was useful for my relief from burning up. Again, he didn't say anything, but removed me from the bench to the floor. I was laid down with his cold arms around me. I felt his bare skin touching mine when his upper body clothing disappeared.

"Sleep."

It is still hate.