Chapter 11: Clint's Farmhouse

Inessa sat in the corner while Bucky and the others discussed what she had done to Steve and Bucky- and what she had seen. "Can you describe what you saw to us?" Steve's temper had eased considerably since he and the others realized it may be due to an outside influence. He couldn't imagine now what drove him to send her into town with Bucky- a trip that evidently went well enough. At least, Inessa road back in the car and didn't find a shadow to slip into instead.

Smoke, Natasha translated for her this time, around your head. Hard to see on you, easier to see on- him.

"Thor?" Banner asked, "Any ideas?"

He shook his head, "I know of many creatures across the realms this could be the work of, but I do not know how the Valley may distort their appearance. It may also be an enchanter's trick or any number of things." he considered it for a moment, "Inessa, if it reappeared would you be able to show it to someone before it dissipated?"

Yes.

He nodded to himself for a moment, "I am prevented from contacting my allies in Asgard for the time being, else I would summon the Lady Sif, but if you would come for me when next you see this phenomenon I should be glad of it."

"I can ask SHIELD to keep an ear to the ground, maybe something like this has happened before," Steve offered.

Tony and Banner began their own discussion on how to track potential energy signatures, Sam and Natasha were working with Bucky on a plan to keep eyes on himself and Steve. Inessa looked around the room hesitantly. Clint, having a similar talk with Steve, winked at her and smiled. I'm not in trouble?

"She asked if she's in trouble," her question was for him, but Clint shared it just loud enough to get the others attention.

Steve came over and crouched down in front of her- mindful to keep his weight off of the front of his foot, "I hope we can find a way to stop it without more nails, but considering you figured out something was wrong and helped stop it? I'll never be mad about that. Next time you should tell us though, so we can help you fight it, understand?" Inessa nodded and smiled slightly.

Bucky came over as well and offered her his hand. After a long moment, she shook it, hesitantly, "Thank you."

"Alright kiddo," Natasha came over to her, "walk with me? We need to have a chat about some things."

Inessa stood up and skirted around Bucky and Steve. Natasha linked her arm and the two stepped outside. As they walked away from the farmhouse Natasha cast glances behind them to make sure the others had remained behind. "First order of business- I don't like you patrolling the farm at night Inessa. I'm sure you're very careful, but you're only 16. We're trying to focus on getting you better, not spying and sneaking." there was a long silence while she tried to find the best wording, "Now for the hypocritical part. If you want to learn to fight," Inessa glanced up at her, interested, "I'd be happy to train you. On two conditions- first, you can't fight anyone but an Avenger until you are 18, if you choose to stay with us that long. Two, you have to promise me that you will never fight to kill. Understand?"

I can stay? it was one of her greatest fears- that they'd turn her over to someone else, make her go where she didn't know anyone- or go back to Uncle Dimitri.

"You can't fight with us," Natasha clarified, "but yes, you can stay. You've been unofficially adopted, kid. If you want you can even be an Avenger one day," she held up a hand, "But that's a long way off, so don't get ahead of yourself."

Inessa smiled, I want to learn to fight.

"You'll have to look people in the eye, have them try and hit you, it'll be very scary," Natasha warned.

I want to learn.

"Good. I'll start training you day after tomorrow then. I'll convince the others it's what's best for you. There will be a lot of arguing, I just wanted to make sure you wanted that first. Clint says you've been doing very well with your archery, I think it's time you learned other skills too."

They continued on their walk, Inessa beaming all the way.

That night she slipped into the Valley, eager to resume her work. She hadn't meant to drop that body in the open like that the other night, it was supposed to go with the others. Her abilities were still fluctuating- doors didn't always open where she needed them to. Especially at night, when shadows dominated. She preferred to simply send Nadya on the hunt then, but Steve's wanderings had distracted her, drawn her in. Tonight would be different.

As soon as she entered the Valley she closed the doors behind her. The mock-up of the farm made from the shadows vanished abruptly- the wind died and the clouds ceased swirling. She basked in the stillness for a few moments until Nadya came to her, tail wagging. Only this wolf was loyal to her, and she used that to control the others.

Inessa took a deep breath and opened the doors once again- this time in a new location far away. From ridge to ridge the Valley filled with a shadowy city. Now for the part she had botched when she moved the body the other night. She concentrated wholeheartedly on the task at hand and raised the city- exposing networks of underground tunnels and chambers- the city beneath the city. It was impossible to determine man-made structures from natural underground caverns, but that was simply a part of her task. Today she wasn't looking for someplace new, which made it easier, she needed to return to her prisoner.

There was a shudder through the Valley and Inessa paused. She looked to Nadya beside her and waited. Howling echoed from the furthest edges- from the wolves who patrolled there. Inessa smiled and pulled from her pocket a small parcel of food for the man she'd imprisoned deep underground. She tossed the package into a shadow, listened for his inhuman roar to verify he still lived, then closed the door and turned her attention to the prey the wolves stalked in the darkness. Nadya ran ahead to her pack- the only one who could hold them back until her mistress arrived.

She'd chosen to soak herself in blood long ago- a dark mission she dedicated her nights to. Here, in this land where she controlled who could enter and who could leave, Inessa was powerful, free of the fear and confusion she was chained by in the real world. Natasha had offered her a home- eventually a place within the ranks of the Avengers themselves. All of them were so welcoming, so trusting. Everyone had already decided Inessa would be a hero one day.

No one considered she may actually be a villain.

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