~ Chapter 4 ~

The first thing Loki realized after returning to the main party room was the hand on her arm, spinning her around. "We need to talk." was the second thing she knew about before being dragged away by Thor into the kitchen and out on the back porch.

"What's wrong?" Loki asked concerned as she noticed her sister looking flushed. "Did something happen?"

"Yes." Thor hissed. "You."

"Wha-?"

"I've heard a lot of things about you. I've even defended you from a lot of them too, but I never thought you would actually try to hurt me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid. You tried to seduce my boyfriend. Eric told me all about it and I will not have my own sister betray me like this. I thought you loved me."

Loki couldn't keep up with what was happening. "I love you. I've always loved you."

"Bullshit." Thor would no longer listen to him. "I'm giving you this warning and this one only."

"He's lying. Believe me, I'm in no way interested in him."

Thor glared at Loki. "That better be true. If I find you even looking at him in the wrong way, it will be the last thing you will ever do."

Her heart hurt so much to see Thor angry at her. "I understand." was all she could say before Thor turned on her and walked back into the house.

Even if the night was chilly it didn't seem to register in Loki's mind as she stood and stared at the light coming out the door. If anything, it made her even more lonely. Now as her mind went through everything she knew Eric must have lied about this to Thor. There was no other way to explain this other than that he wanted her out of the way.

"Brilliant." she whispered.

The door opened behind her but she didn't care.

"Loki."

She turned around at the sound of her father's voice and the moment she did, she was slapped.

It stung and hurt at the same time and her eye watered.

"How dare you disgrace your sister." he growled.

Loki moved her jaw slowly and deemed the injury more pain than actual damage.

"I took you for many things but I never thought you would go so low as to flirt with your sister's boyfriend. You are truly a whore." It was actually nice to hear her father's true self.

"Well, what can I say?" Loki glared back at Odin. "I learned from the best how to fuck with people." whatever family ties there had been between them when she was a child was completely gone.

Odin's face heated up but he ground his teeth together to keep himself from saying anything.

"Don't look so chocked." Loki returned with equal disdain. "Did you really think no one knew about your affairs? Just because mom turns a blind eye doesn't mean I have to."

"If you say anything-" Odin threatened but was cut off.

"Stuff it." Loki spat. "I won't say anything. Yet. But that is only because Thor still thinks this family is whole. I will never do anything to hurt Thor, unlike you." She put her fingers to her face but the pain made her pull them back immediately. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm needed inside."

Loki walked back inside and could literary feel the stares from the guests and the whispers of her 'nature'. For Gods sake. Couldn't they just shut up.

Across the living room she saw Eric with his arm around Thor and the sight made her want to bash his head in. But she hide it well behind a happy smile that contrasted against the red mark blooming on her cheek.

"If could have all your attention please?" Frigga called after she talked to her husband. "My oldest daughter has something to say."

Everyone went quiet and those that had been outside came inside to listen.

"First, thank you all for being here today. This is a very special day that I want to share with all of you. Two days ago, Eric asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

The room filled with cheers and applauds. Thor actually blushed as Eric kissed her cheek and smiled. Frigga and Odin looked like they couldn't be prouder and they clapped also before everyone swarmed the couple for details.

No one noticed how pale Loki became as she slowly clapped her hands.

She wasn't sure but she could swear she could hear Thor say; I can't believe I'm getting engaged.

Her world was collapsing.

The next two days was pure hell for Loki.

She tried her best to act normal but she needed to get out of the house. Which she had done as much as she could. From seven in the morning till seven in the night. But when she came home, there was always someone she didn't want to see. Either Odin or Eric.

If she could kill them both she would have long ago, but every time she saw Thor she did her best to act normal. But it was becoming harder than usual. With her engagement it was tearing at her heart to see her standing next to Eric, much less see them kiss or knowing what they were doing in the bedroom. Sometimes she cursed herself for her feelings. If she could, she would cut out her heart and throw it away so she never had to feel like this ever again.

Her only consolation was that in a few minutes she could go to Victor's and hear if he found something. Which he would have.

No one escaped Victor Doom.

Loki looked out over the people walking by as she studied them. It was a boring thing because everyone was so obvious. He could tell who was a pedophile, who was doing drugs, who was picking up school girls, who was fired, who was fooling around, who was ditching school, and who was hiding something.

It really was too easy.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Doom asked as he sat down next to Loki on the bench.

"Don't you have some older guy to whip?" Loki shoot back.

Victor grinned a white smile. "Already done it. He had to go back early and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible."

Some people whispered as they walked by, sending the outcast couple disgusted looks. Both Loki - in her tight leather pants, green shirt with a wide neck, high-heels, and big silver earrings - and Victor – in a black suit and open neck, ignored them all.

"What did you find?" Loki asked.

Victor pulled out a paper from his black leather folder. "Nothing." he said the word with finale.

Loki looked at him with shock. "Nothing?"

The business man pointed toward the paper where name should be. "There is no Eric Johnson. Whoever he is, he doesn't exist."

TBC