Please forgive the quick A/N...
I realize that I change perspective a lot and very quickly. I hope it is not too confusing. Anyway, thank you all for your feedback and reviews. I turn into a squee-y, blubbery mess whenever I read them. ^_^. In this chapter, it would seem that Loki has won but never count Ellie out. She's a bit...shell-shocked in this chapter.
Chapter 13
Stolen
"A monster."
In her short life, Ellie had had very little experience with monsters. She had not feared them as a child because her parents had been very frank with her and her sister. No stories were read, no fantasies affirmed. There was just no such thing as a fairy, as an angel, as a jolly gift-giver, as a monster. They didn't exist.
It wasn't until Ellie was a bright eyed five-year-old that she ever considered monsters. Dressed from head to toe in private school uniform finery, she followed her fellow peers into the classroom, too shy to speak to anyone. Her teacher, Ms. Melanie, told all of her students that she would be reading to them every morning. Seeing as that day, the very first day, was a very special day, she would be reading them her favorite story.
It was a fairytale. Ellie, having never heard of a fairy tale before, was enthralled. It was simple tale. About a terrible creature cursed to roam about his dilapidating castle, until a young girl of great beauty and pure heart steps into his life. As Ms. Melanie read some of the other children who had heard the story before began to panic at the mention of the beast. It was an evil, scary creature, they had cried.
That night, Ellie dreamed for the very first time. It was a nightmare, one she never forgot. A creature with snarling teeth, scarlet eyes, and stunning claws chased her through the dark. No matter how fast she ran she could not shake the beast. When she woke in the death of night, covered in sweat and tears, she ran to her parent's bedroom seeking comfort. Her parents, sickened by their daughter's naiveté, scolded her gently and sent her off.
"Monster's are not real, darling," said her mother.
"Only stupid people fear what isn't real," said her father.
Confused and sleepy, Ellie had wandered into her sisters room. Catherine had allowed her to spend the night in a fit a shivers and tears. The elder sister held her young close and said:
"They're not real, Ellie."
It was the first time anyone had called her anything but Elizabeth. She loved the sound of it. After that she forgot about monsters. Whenever a peer or friend spoke of such unreal creatures, she would turn her nose. If her sister could live without them, then so could she. And she did not want her mother and father to think her stupid.
What would they think of me now?
Her hand felt deathly cold wrapped around his wrist. It was like gripping a stone statue. She could not even feel blood rushing through his veins.
A...monster? She didn't want to believe his words; not for a single second. He was hers. If asked, she could not tell a passer by what sort of relationship they were in. However, she knew that was growing to...
Loki could feel her grip tighten and tighten. But she caused him no pain, she would never be able to. She did not stare into his eyes, she did not flinch at his words. She seemed lost to this world. His own words rang in his ears with the power of his brother's thunder.
Not Eric. Not him. Ellie couldn't believe it. He was hers. He was broody and silent, arrogant and sometimes cruel. But when the days ended, he was waiting for her. He would wrap his arms around her. He wanted her. Someone wanted her for what she was.
Over the past month, she had been terribly candid with him. She could tell, even though he hid it with a master's skill, that he heard her words and empathized. They pair of them had built stone walls around themselves. Ellie had left her parents, their expectations, and her sister behind. She was standing tall, surrounded by the destruction she herself had caused. She had broken her walls.
Eric had not. He was trying to, that was plain enough. Or so she had thought.
Had it all been a lie? How is his skin-? Why is it-?
Panic was slowly overtaking her fear. This just couldn't be happening. The man she had come to depend on was something else entirely. Something she could not immediately understand. She suddenly wanted to get away from him.
She stumbled backwards, her breath leaving her in gasps.
"Eric," She called. She hoped that, when she looked at him, his skin wouldn't be blue, his eyes wouldn't be red. She would see her Eric. Not this...monster.
"That is not my name." he said, his voice venomous.
Loki instantly regretted it. She was visibly shaken by his tone. The pain was back in her eyes, coupled with confusion and panic.
"What are you?" She whispered again. She did not sound disgusting or accusing, merely curious. Loki raised his head taking a step towards her. She backed up, unsure of him.
He held his hand in the hair and his attire began to change. Ellie watched wide-eyed, as his jacket a trousers became something more. Forest green and gold surrounded him, fitting his lean body. The clothing was heavy and intricately designed like a costume.
Ellie gulped. He suddenly seemed taller, more confident. His eyes seemed greener, glowing brightly in the dim light of her apartment. Flashed of Eric fluttered in her mind. Each and everyone suddenly looked false to her. This was the man, the one standing before her, not the one from her memory.
He wasn't saying anything. He was just looking down at her.
"Eric!" Ellie cried. She needed him to say something, anything at all.
Suddenly he was close to her. She could feel his chest against hers, his icy breath aginast her nose. His fingers covered her mouth.
Loki looked down at his little woman. She feared him, but not nearly enough.
"That is not my name." He said again in a curt whisper. "I am Loki."
He paused. He was accustomed to the name: "Odinson." He almost said it. But it was a lie. And not the sort he enjoyed. He was, in truth, Loki Laufeyson. He just couldn't bring himself to say it. The memory of his father's words, his mother's weak attempts to comfort him, his brother's betrayal, sprung in his chest like a raging fire.
He always had a skill for concealing his true emotions. But on this day, the skill left him entirely. A groan of rage left him. His finger's tightened around Ellie's chin, his other hand weaving into the hair at the back of her head.
She gasped like a trapped mouse, her hands trying fruitlessly to push him away.
"Say it." He commanded, his lips at her ear. "My name, say it."
Ellie gasped. She shut her eyes, hoping he would just fall away. But she could still hear his breath by her ear, feel his finger's in her hair.
"L-Loki," she whispered quietly.
Loki released her, stepped away, and shut his eyes. Hearing his name come from her lips, her soft timbre echoing in his head. The sound of it flushed out the sound of his father's last word to him, his brothers disappointment, his mother's silent comforts. It was all gone. He was Loki, truly and surely. She confirmed it without a shadow of doubt.
Ellie leaned against the arm of her couch, staring at him with all the apprehension in her blood. He seemed pleased and content. He was not the manic he had been only seconds before. But when he met her gaze again she almost fell over the couch in fear.
Now his eyes were swimming with a look she had seen on rare occasions. It was a look that shocked her core and sent her mind in a tumble. His eyes, as green as a summer aspen, were dancing with amusement. It a superior sort of amusement, one that told Ellie to seek shelter. He knew something, many things, which she did not. Ellie hated not knowing.
"Don't—" She began, but was at a sudden loss. She knew that she wanted him to stop. Whatever it was that he was planning.
She could see it in his eyes, thoughts swirling about rapidly in those pools of green. Pools, so deep and dreadful, were only emphasized by the grin playing on his lips.
"Ellie." He cooed, his hand gently cupping the side of her face. "I promise you, love, I mean you no harm."
If she had only shut her eyes, she would have believed him. His voice was as slow as honey and just as sweet. But his eyes, his smile, told a different tale. Had she never seen his face before? Had he been lying this whole time? Lying to her.
A broken cry left her lips. She was so torn and so upset. She could hardly move as Loki's swept her into his arms, guiding her head to his chest. His placed his chin a top her head, his arms wrapping with care around her waist.
"Hush," He crooned. "I assure you, Ellie, you are safe by my side."
Safe? Ellie thought. Safety was not something she had ever wanted or worried over. Safe was easy and easy was boring. If this was safe...
"What are you?" She tried again, hoping that an answer would soothe her pounding heart. Loki's arms ran up are sides and gripped her shoulders.
"I am Loki," he said, pride pooling out of him in waves. "The god of mischief."
"God?" Ellie repeated with disbelief. "There is no such thing as a god-"
"Oh but there is," Loki said, he released her once more and wandered over to her closest. "There are worlds that you have not seen, Ellie. This world, Midgard, the one you know to be Earth, is only one of many."
Ellie stood where he left her, watching him. With merely a flick of his wrist the doors to her closet opened of its own accord. Clothes flew out and around him in a tizz. He snapped his fingers and they disappeared. Ellie blinked in surprise.
"Why should I believe you?" She asked. She knew it was a futile, foolish question. These were no mere magic tricks he was performing. His actions would explain her many questions about the mysterious man. Why she, any many other woman, felt strangely drawn to him. Why he walked with a presence so commanding, so alien, that not a soul could ignore him.
Loki smiled wide. It exhilarating, toying with her in this way. Her face would contort into something so wonderful, so laughably innocent, so...cute. He commended her for her bark, she did have a very convincing bark. But she was just like the other mortals that infested this earth. At the first sign of power they shriveled up.
"You need more proof?" He said slyly. He raised his arms in the air, palms facing the ceiling. A simple move; one to intimidate.
Ellie instinctively jumped to her feet, positioning herself behind the couch. She flinched at the sound of his laugh, the same laugh that had always put her on edge.
"What do you want?" She demanded loudly, trying to shake her fears away.
"I do not want for anything, Ellie." He said amiably. "I already have you."
"You don't." Ellie snapped, with all the conviction of a child.
"Ellie," Loki shook his head, beginning to tire of her sorry attempts at defiance. "It seems I cannot tell you enough. I am the god of mischief. A master of magic, the dark arts, the unknown, the shadows. I can have anything that catches my eye."
On the outside, he looked and seemed frightfully sure of himself. However, he couldn't believe his own lie.
Almost, almost, almost. His mind taunted. He could not have a family, people who cared for him, someone to love him. That was his curse. He only had her. He would have her. Or be a complete failure in his own mind.
He buried the flame of truth deep in his heart. He could destroy it later. He was done with the game. He felt more himself on this day. He could prepare his plans now. But he did want her with him, if only as a precaution. He needed to find that woman...Thor's woman. He needed a way back into the tree. He needed to leave this hunk of pathetic dust.
However, it was more than a little likely that the woman was being kept safe a secure by the organization of humans trying to protect their own race. He could handle them surely, but taking any risks now would surely end in folly. If anything were to happen to him, he would need Ellie close.
"We are leaving this place." He said, expecting her to follow. "By the days end."
"W-what?" Ellie proclaimed, mouth agape. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You are." Loki said, as if it was a matter settled.
"No!" Ellie said, resisting the urge to stamp her foot. The anger swelling in her chest brought with it an unshakable confidence. "I won't go anywhere with you? Why should I? You-whatever you are...lied to me. Led me on...I-I refuse!"
It all sounded so dramatic and childish, but she had to say it. Whoever this maniac was...she would never-
He was gone. He had been standing right within her eye line and then he was gone.
God, am I dreaming? She thought.
"I am not asking you, Ellie."
Ellie screamed aloud. He was behind her. His lips at her neck. She was trapped between his towering form and her couch. She tried to maneuver around him but found it impossible.
"Get out!" She hissed. "Get out of here."
He didn't move. His smile had transformed into an intimidating frown, but the spark of laughter had not left his eyes.
"I won't say it again!" Ellie cried, her anger battling with her fear.
A terrible, wonderful thought occurred to Loki. He raised his hand and touched it to her lips once more.
"I should hope not." He said quietly. She tried to jerk away from him, but he held her still with his magic. He pulled his fingers away and held his hand out.
"Now take my hand."
Ellie wanted to flat out refuse. Did he listen to her? Did the bastard hear? She opened her mouth to deny him once more...
But no words came. They were all there stuck in her throat, but she could not speak them. Her mouth felt empty and numb. Her throat strained to push the words out. She touched her own hand to her throat. She couldn't speak.
She sucked in a breath. She could still breathe. She tried to speak again, tried to make any sort of noise. She looked up at him, questions and fear becoming tears that welled in her eyes.
Loki scoffed. "There is no need for that," he said, brushing off her pleading look.
"You will earn the privilege to speak."
Ellie was shocked. He had stolen her voice away from her? Panic rose in her chest. He had the power to steal her voice away.
"Take my hand, Ellie." He commanded.
Ellie looked down at his hand and then to his eyes. She pursed her lips and glared up at him. Crossing her arms over her chest, she turned her face away.
Voice or no voice. She thought. I won't be ordered around so easily.
She knew very well that she should listen to the fear screaming in her mind, but she just wouldn't now to him like a little weakling.
Her resolution faltered only a bit. She could almost feel his impatience bearing down on her, swallowing her. She sniffed, intent on sucking in some of his pride and power and turning it into courage.
"Elizabeth." He commanded. She only turned her head farther away from his gaze.
"Elizabeth!" He said louder, with more intensity. Against any will of her own, her head snapped towards him, her trained to his open palm.
"If you wish to utter another word..." Loki said. "You will take my hand."
She did not have to look into his eyes to know that he meant what he said. She unfurled her crossed arms and held her hand out. Slowly and with much shaking, she lowered her hand into hers.
His hand was so very cold. She gasped, a large tear dribbling down her cheek as his finger laced with hers, holding hers in a vice grip.
A sound like a raging hurricane surrounded her, colors flashed before her eyes. Her chest was pounding with a sudden lack of oxygen. Her blood felt light and weightless in her veins. Her head swelled and melted like soup. And then...
There was only black.
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Thank you so very much for reading, it means a great deal to me!
Love you all!
H