Hi guys! So, another chapter, finally! I am really sorry, but there is no time to write except weekends and it sucks. Hope you enjoy this piece of writing and leave a review if you did! :)

Let me know if there are some spelling or grammar mistakes.

I own nothing but my OC and plot.

XI

"Wake up!"

"What?"

An abrupt pain hit her head before she could open her eyes. A loud moan left her lips while she was covering her face with the blanket. Her stomach was on water and there was a fear of moving for she could throw up any second.

"Get up, it is past noon and you told me to get your ass out of bed before that. Get up." Emma took her blanket with more force than Milla could manage. Another groan, but this time she took a deep breath and slowly sat up. Apparently, her insides liked this change, but her head didn't. At least she could handle headaches.

"Did I?" Milla growled. She tried to remember but not everything was as clear as she hoped it to be. Damn.

"I do not think I have ever seen you this hungover," Emma sat on the bed right next to her and handed her a glass of water. Milla took it but didn't drink although she had an odd taste in her mouth. Tea was what she needed, and sleep. Why the hell did she want to be up before noon? She looked at Emma and then rolled her eyes because her friend was smirking. For some reason, she was enjoying watching her suffer.

"You haven't." It was no secret that Emma hated being here. The moment Milla told her the plan, creating a whore out of her, Emma started shouting. They argued for a good hour and then, they made a compromise - Emma and two more guards come too and Milla won't spent a whole night with anyone. Actually, Milla was relieved for that deal.

"You look horrible. How much did you drink?"

"A lot. But the question is what was the shit I drank. I need to find out and use it against my worst enemies or something," she tried to stand up but succeeded on the second time. "Fuck, I'm still a little drunk."

"Grumpy, aren't we?" Emma teased. Milla threw the dress she just picked up from the floor at her and heard a laugh. Yes, she had better mornings but this was her choice. So be it.

"Something happened while I was out?" She kicked her boots out of the way and walked to the little kitchen. Johnatan was sitting there, eating pancakes and talking to Jon. Both men became silent as she walked it. It took her a while to realize why. She was wearing only an oversized black shirt. Loki used to wear it. She remembered packing it out of pure sentiment but not putting it on last night. Maybe she wanted to bring him back by wearing the shirt. Pathetic.

Milla raised her eyebrows and walked barefoot right past them to get some tea. They finally cleared their throat and awkwardly continued the talk.

"Yes," Emma was right behind her, frowning on Johnatan. Milla would laugh if she wasn't feeling like hell. "Your new friend wants to meet you tonight."

"What?" she turned around. There was an interest in her voice and it surprised even her. She was already seeing the argument with Emma about how much she was enjoying this.

"He is taking you to some party and you should wear something ladylike."

"Easy. Move," she poked Jon to his shoulder so she could put another chair to the table.

"I heard you came drunk last night," Johnatan smiled, studying her face, looking for something he could make fun of.

"Met a couple of Guardians at the bar. Of course I drank."

"Did they hit on you?"

"Of course," she repeated. "I they knew they couldn't afford me, so it stayed at drinking. At least I made friends."

"A whore and friends?" Jon looked at her, confused.

"You would be surprised."

"And what about that Noel?" Emma asked. Always asking the important, not the funny.

"You know, if he hadn't been the bad guy, I would have actually liked him," she took a piece of bread and started nibbling. The sooner she starts living, the better. Her mind was already thinking about the dresses she took.

"You enjoy this a little too much, don't you?" Emma had that disapproving voice again. Milla sighed. What could she tell her? Mostly, she wanted to shout that yes, only to shut her up already. Yes she liked it, she enjoyed being whore again, all the attention she missed, of course she welcomed different thoughts than the ones about her murder, death of her friends and her sad love life. But then again, it was not right to like it. She wanted to be home, cover in blankets and sleep for the rest of her life because this single night also brought the memories she hoped never to recall again. Milla did everything she could just to get away from this way of living and now, after a step forward, she made another backwards. Not a good way.

"Let her, Emma. She knows what she is doing." Guys were obviously feeling uncomfortable with all the blaming. Milla was thankful that Johnatan spoke. She honestly had no idea how to answer. "Remember, you agreed with it," he stared at Emma for a long time until she finally gave up and sat too.

"Fine. I'm sorry. It's just, you know..." she stopped to find the words.

"I know." Milla shook her head. She knew. Emma was afraid she would find her one day unable to move again, weak and broken just like when Loki left. And honestly, Milla was afraid of that too. But she couldn't afford to think about this, especially not now, when everyone was in danger. "But remember our deal, okay?"

"Of course," she nodded.

"Then I think you should wear the green one," Emma said quietly and smiled. Milla smirked. She was thinking about green too.

"I almost didn't recognize you with all that clothing."

"Very funny, my lord," Milla kissed Noel on his cheek and took the offered arm. He was waiting for her in front of her rented house, dressed in decent suite with a wide smile on his face. "Shall we?"

Noel led her to the main street and then turned to his neighbourhood. "You look lovely Becca," his eyes never stayed at her for longer than necessary which made Milla wonder. What was he thinking about? He barely spoke but night before, his mouth never shut and his eyes always wandering all over her body. Could it be that he was not so confident at daylight? Or was he ashamed to walk the streets with known whore? It wasn't a behaviour that suited him.

"Thank you. I made an extra effort just for you to like what you see," she smiled and tried to catch his eyes. Successfully. They were even bluer in the sun.

"You are beautiful no matter what you wear, sweetheart."

"Oh my, what a good answer," she gasped which made him laugh. Satisfied, she tighten her grip and slowed him down. She wanted some answers before they reach their destination. "So, what do you want me to do today?"

"I need a beautiful companion. I can't loose my face at parties like this one," there was no real emotion in his voice. Only prepared, dull words.

"Is it different somehow?"

He shook his head. "No, but there is a certain standards for men like me. You just have to keep a smile on that pretty face and try not to embarrass me."

"I would never do that, my lord," she tried to sound a little offended. "But I don't believe there will be a person who doesn't know that you are paying me."

"Then make my investment worth it," he said almost in command. Milla lowered her eyes and nodded. She silenced the part of her that wanted to slap him. After all, she was only a whore and the man had too much valuable information.

"Is everything all right, love?" she managed to ask after a moment of silence as they were passing by a few of guardians. Milla caught smirks on faces of two of them. They were probably in the bar last night, but she didn't remember their faces, so she ignored them, not being fond of telling Noel what she did after she left his bedroom. He would not have been pleased for her preferring alcohol over his comfortable bed.

"Don't call me that. You love my money, not me," apparently, the innocent question every woman would ask triggered something in him and the pretended smile on his lips was gone completely. He didn't stop walking but neither did he look at her. Milla sensed he was hurt, for some reason. Yesterday, she thought she could read him just as easily as she did any of her guards, but apparently, this man's mood changed faster than autumn weather. She was not sure and that was her biggest fear ever. Weakened by the last bits of headache and hard weeks, she was now not sure if she was asking the important questions for the case, or letting her emotions rule her head. Did she make some mistake that made him behave this icy? But if she did, why did he suggested this "date"?

When Milla looked at him, she could read only concentration from his face. She sighed, trying to keep her mask as trustworthy as she could. "I love whatever needs to be loved," she said quietly. "I don't ask for reason, but right now, maybe you need some lovely attention."

They walked silently for another few minutes, his body more and more tensed. There was nothing to be said, so she just kept smiling politely and saying hello to people he greeted. And then, out of nowhere, he dragged her to a narrow street and pushed against the wall. She barely found her breath as he kissed her forcefully, pressing his body to hers as close as possible. It took her a second to realise that he was not hurting her and by then, she was returning the kiss. A bit of an attention.

Noel lost the oxygen first and broke the kiss just as suddenly as he started it. He rested his forehead against hers, palms sliding through her hips, breathing hard, heart beating fast. Milla stroked his cheek and waited. Right now, she was only a tool to release the nerves inside him and she didn't mind. Her other hand found his heart and she felt the beating slowing down.

When he tried to move away, she held him and made him look into her eyes. They were no longer playful, but somehow confused and unfocused. She slowly smiled and kissed him lightly on lips. "Whatever it is, it will be all right. Maybe not instantly, but it will be," she whispered. The words she had been repeating in her head thousands times a day.

"You don't know that."

"I have to believe."

"Okay."

Troubles left his face the instant they got to the gate of the almost same house as the one he owned. People were standing in pair everywhere, dressed in all kinds of colours and fashion styles. Wide skirts, tight-fitting ones, above-knee, floor length, leather trousers, robes, cloaks, scarves, gloves, high heels or low, armour and soldier uniforms, jewellery and lots of gold everywhere. Milla was grateful she chose the dress with black corset and wider deep green velvet skirt that matched her emerald earrings and same gloves she wore the night before. She caught a few stranger's looks that recognized who she was, and she greeted the people with the widest smile she managed. Hopefully, the red on her lips was still as beautiful as when she re-made it after the kiss. A few girls were openly staring and she knew, they were paid as well. Their too used shoes showed it.

They entered the property and she noticed it and for a brief second, a panic ran through her body. Two-coloured roses, red and white. They were at Sebastian's house.

The interior was even more impressive. The entrance hall was as big as hre living room and dining room combined. Floors made of marble and walls covered with variety of ornaments from all kind of cultures. She recognized the old language of the dead, different references to the rest of the Nine Realms- Alfheim, Asgard, Jotunheim, Midgard, Nidavellir, Svartalfheim and Niffleheim. It was so beautiful, so majestic she stopped and couldn't tear her eyes of it. The longer she looked the more and more writings she could identify. She managed to understand old legends of Vanaheim and Asgard, stories about wars and warnings in the corner of the room, even some harmless spells. The wall seem to radiate magic.

"Impressing, isn't it?" Noel said silently to her ear. She forgot about him for a moment.

"Yes," she nodded, remembering her place. "I'm sorry, I have a weakness for beauty."

"Don't we all?" a different voice, unfamiliar and a lot louder spoke from behind them. Both turned around to see a tall man dressed in blue and white, smiling and showing his perfectly white teeth. "No surprise Noel has a weakness for you then." His eyes were almost the same bright colour as Noel's, but he was taller and his hair was blonde.

"You are too generous," she managed a polite smile and her cheeks reddened as he took her hand and place a kiss on the back of her palm. But in reality, she wanted to break his neck for causing all of this.

"It's good to see you again, my friend," Noel said and shook the hand of the other man. "This is Becca, I told you about her."

"Better said, you couldn't shut up," he laughed. Noel wanted to say something, but he continued. "And now I understand why. My name is Sebastian."

"Pleasure to meet you. Truth to be told, I've heard about you as well."

"I believe nothing bad," Sebastian looked at Noel suspiciously. Milla wasn't sure, what behaviour she expected. Noel told her that they had been friends for a long time, but that didn't make a lot of sense. People who do something against the law usually pick up the people they are working with carefully and they are never seen together. But these two, they obviously didn't care. She had information that people are afraid of them, but why? Sebastian organizing these generous parties in his own house and Noel smiling at almost everyone he saw today and everyone was smiling back. And everyone knew, it was not like they had been hiding in the plain sight. It was confusing.

"Only the best," Milla assured him, looking at both of them. "Looking at this, I guess you must be kind of a traveller." She changed the topic to something they were both evidently interested in.

Noel rolled his eyes. "Please, don't ask him this."

"Why not? A lady asked a question, let me answer."

"I'm not a lady," she corrected him with a smile. And that simple sentence appeared to charm Sebastian. His smile widened and there was a lot more curiosity in his eyes. Milla raised eyebrows when he didn't continue talking.

"Let me take on a tour," he offered her his shoulder and after a short look at Noel, nodding, she took it. He led her to the other room, twice as big as the previous one, with the same floor but the walls were plain, hidden behind shelves full of everything from books to plants. He stopped at a massive table in the middle of the room and offered her "the best whiskey the universe could offer." She accepted.

"You never explained me those writings," she reminded him when she took a sip. It tasted like soap water, but whiskey always did. She didn't let herself make a grimace which seemed to surprise him again.

"No, I got distracted by your manners. Becca, isn't it? A beautiful name," he walked to her and leaned against the table. His face was changing every second and now it showed every last bit of interest. She felt like Sebastian was studying her every move and it was a lot harder to keep her face.

"Rebecca. After my mother."

"Mother, really? What does she say about your profession?" he remembered she was a whore after all, the fancy clothes didn't matter. She smirked, but was afraid of the empty room. Hopefully, he will not want to use her services.

"She is dead. But were she alive, she would say the skirt is too long."

He started laughing. Milla took another sip of the alcohol. "You are straightforward, I like that. Not ashamed. Many girls here are denying what they are when someone tell them to their face."

Milla shrugged. "Maybe they are not paid enough to be proud."

His blue eyes were now sliding around her face, but she didn't flinch. As a man, he was not scary. His actions were. It took her a lot of energy to hold the glass and not break it against his skull. She smiled. Something told her he wanted her to be uncomfortable and Milla refused to see him win.

"Yes, I am a traveller," he started answering the question. He walked towards bookshelves and she went for the better light at the window. There were even more people outside. "Have you ever been to another realm?" he asked and took one of the books. It was a map, she noticed. He sat to the couch right next to her and opened it on the first page. She leaned forward to see better. "You know what that is?"

"Maybe I'll surprise you, but I'm not stupid. All of the nine realms. As for the answer for your question, no, I've spent all my life in Vanaheim," she lied.

"You are missing so much. Endless possibilities, hundreds of thousands stories to hear and a lot more things to learn."

"What did you learn, Sebastian?" she leaned a little closer and looked at him, not the map. She wished she could strangle him with her own skirt.

"How to make people like me. Did I make you like me, Becca?" he said in a lower voice. She guessed he used it only when charming women. Or intimidating.

She made a pause and then smiled softly. "I'm paid to like another." She drank the rest of the liquid in her glass and put in on the table. "I should find him. He promised to wear me like an accessory, I can't disappoint him."

Obviously, that wasn't the answer Sebastian expected. So she continued. "I would love to hear more about your adventures. Maybe next time. When there is more time and more suitable place." With a wink, she walked out of the room, leaving him deep in his thoughts. Or at least she hoped he will remain there ofr a few more minutes. She needed air she lacked in the same room with a man she needs to kill later. What a wonderful afternoon.

She found Noel laughing at something in the ballroom. It was just as impressive as the rest of the house, with high ceiling and white marble pillars around it, dozen of chandeliers and big french windows around the wall. Ladies in colourful dresses decorated it even more. Milla liked the buzz, but tried to focus on music more. Only a few pairs were dancing, which was surprising for the music was beautiful. So she walked slowly to her partner and tried to look as representative as he wanted her to be.

In only a few short hours, she met at least fifty people, most of them eager to meet the woman Noel chose for a date, the rest were eyeing her suspiciously. For some reason, all of them admired him and thanked, wishing luck or were so friendly it was annoying. Milla very soon understood that those people were not as nice as they seemed. Here and there, Noel told her about them- an assassin, a few rich people who supported his business, actors, frauds, professional criminals and loads of whores. And for a while, it scared her how easily she went along with most of them. Until she realised, she was not that different. She killed people, lied, cheated, not exactly an angel. But there was one simple difference - she never enjoyed it.

Sebastian was always around. Her eyes followed him around the room, watching him as he was talking to those hundreds of people in his house. He never stayed long at one place which made keeping track of him and talking to people a lot harder. He never looked at Milla, nor talked to Noel again. And suddenly, when it got dark outside she got that feeling. Something bad was going to happen and she should make an excuse and walk away. But her curiosity made her stay. It always did.

Loki would be angry with her for it.

"I'm happy to see your good mood returned," she whispered as she was dancing with Noel for the first time that night. She had already danced with some of his friends. Another surprise was that they all behaved very nice and treated her like a lady, even though she kept reminding them she was not one. They kept their hands where they should be which made dancing a lot more pleasant than at her own party a few weeks back. She wished she was back home again.

"It's easy to get distracted around so many people," he replied with not as light tone of voice as he talked to everyone else. She stroked his neck.

"They why don't you leave?" a part of her wanted to suggest that some time ago. She would even refuse to get paid for this night and let him do as he liked with her, but it would be pointless. It would cost her a dignity and that was a big price to pay. So why not try it more subtle way?

"I can't. There is something I need to discuss with Seb after the party if over."

"And when is that?"

"Usually way past midnight."

"Then it's good it's past it already," she stepped a little closer to him. She liked his scent. "I'm gonna stay if that's all right."

"Wonderful," he said in whisper. The weird feeling ran down her spine again. What had she got herself into this time?

They danced, they ate, they drank, they talked, they laughed. They did everything with a smile written all over their faces until it stroke three in the morning. As it was an order, people were slowly starting to leave. She saw drunk girls barely walking on their high heels and their men holding them to prevent the fall. The more intelligent ones walked barefoot with heels in their hands. Men were also in a different mood thanks to alcohol. They were thanking Sebastian, who was standing at the entrance and saying goodbye to his friends and arguing loudly about the place for another party. Milla wondered if he knew every one of his guests. She always did.

It took nearly an hour till everyone left and only a dozen people remained. Milla's eyelids were heavy and her feet ached, so she was thankful when Noel walked to the study with Sebastian and left her alone. She chose one of the chairs in the ballroom and watched servant girls cleaning the place. She asked for a strong coffee for she had a feeling this night was not over. At least Noel's smile suggested that. But going back to his house wasn't an option at this hour. She had a deal with Emma and who knows what would she think if she didn't come home. The reason why she was still sitting and not walking to her warm bad was that she was still curious about the mystery breakdown on their way here. She hoped he would tell her, weaken by tiredness and alcohol.

She must had fallen asleep because when she opened hew eyes, Sebastian was right in front of her and coffee she wanted on the table next to her, almost cold. He was smiling and all she could manage was hiding her face in her palm from embarrassment. "How long did are you standing here?"

"Not long," he said. "But you look even more beautiful sleeping."

Milla's cheek redden. A trick she learned a long time ago. When he noticed and he laughed, she stood up looking around. "Where is Noel?"

"Outside the house, he thought to find you there."

"Oh, thank you. I should go then. Thank you very much for a magnificent party, I haven't had so much fun in months," she reached for his hand and looked to his eyes. An innocent gesture.

"Thank you for coming. It was a pleasure to meet you, Becca."

He walked her out and just as he said, Noel was waiting. She accepted his shoulder and smiled at Sebastian again. Finally, it was over. Only a few more minutes, maybe a few more questions for Noel and she will be home. There will be time for planning something later. Maybe the feeling was only a false alarm.

"And Becca?" Sebastian spoke as they were a few steps before the gates. She turned around with raised eyebrows.

"Yes?"

"You should be more careful next time."

"About what?"

"About walking into the house of the person who wants you dead."

And before she could take a breath, she fell into darkness.