Red Blood, Black Blood

December 20th

"I'm going to get you to try pizza next!" Jane bounced down the sidewalk enthusiastically. The night was cold and Jane wore her ridiculously red scarf –Loki scowled at it from behind her- along with a pair of knee high winter boots and a long black wool coat, topped off with a woolly hat that had an absurd bobble on top of it. Loki himself -after more shopping in mortal clothes markets- was wearing a similar black coat, winter boots, leather gloves and a lavish emerald scarf. He couldn't fathom how mortals found clothes that fitted properly, what with all of premade clothes made in mass production –surely the quality was bound to questionable. Handmade and hand tailored was a sure way to get the most exquisite fit. He lamented the loss Asgard's royal tailors.

Jane skipped along merrily oblivious to the snow and perilous patches of ice. Her foot landed one of these patches of ice and her legs flew out from under her in a comical display of flailing limbs. Rapidly taking his hands from his pockets he swoopedforward and caught her by her armpits.

"Really Jane, one would think you'd realize by now that you should really watch where you're stepping," he raised a bemused brow as he looked down at her startled face staring up at him. She smiled up at him and got back to her feet, cautiously testing the ground for a non-slippy section. Loki, too concerned about Jane's ability to fall over her own feet, linked his arm with hers -as he would with one of the courtier women he was forced to attendfeasts with on occasion- and walked with her down the sidewalk.

Jane felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she walked beside Loki. He always gave off a very regal air and she found herself wondering – not for the first time- where he really come from. He had told her little about his family or where he used to live. At first she thought it was amnesia but whenever she had asked she saw a pained expression that looked so lost come over his face. Whatever had happened, it was too painful for him to talk or even think about. With her at least. Jane was hopeful however, in the last few weeks he had been coming out of his shell more –not that he was shy to begin with- and becoming more relaxed around other people. Though, she did have to almost bodily drag him out for their diner tonight with Daniel.

Standing outside Alphonzo's pizzeria Jane looked left and right for Daniel to appear. Loki was staring at the menu and the pictures of the dishes. His appetite vanishing fast by the second.Do humans eat anything that isn't smothered in grease? With a heavy sigh he straightened as Jane started waving enthusiastically to their –he looked at his watch- late companion.

"Oh Jane dear!" Daniel embraced Jane a bit too familiarly, "you would not believe the day I've had!" Daniel and Jane become immersed in conversation of the day's trials. And it was left to Loki to interact with the hosts of the pizzeria. A young girl about sixteen came over to them and eyed Loki like a shy doe. She asked if they had booked a table. Loki having no assistance from Jane –too captivated by Daniel- was left to try and remember if Jane had booked a table. Ah! She had.

"Yes, under Foster,"

"If you'll follow me,"

The girl led them to a small booth at the back of the pizzeria. Giving them menus, she blushed furiously when Loki thanked her and skittered off to one of her work colleagues. Loki saw them start to speak, heads bent close, the occasional glance his way.

Once he might have found such attentions flattering and perhaps would have played along and wooed the girl for a time. He saw no such fun in those games anymore. He was exhausted; physically and mentally drained. While Jane had her studies Loki had been going to the New York Public Library and researching as much as he could to find a way to regain his magic. So far there was nothing, leaving him with an overwhelming dread of the possibility that he would be stuck on this realm. There were dark rings under his eyes -which he was sure Jane noticed- he was thin and always sleeping in the most surprizing places. Last night Jane had found him asleep on the table head bent over a Norse Mythology book.

"So, Loki, what do you think you'll get to eat?"

Loki's head shot up, Jane had asked him a question.

"I don't believe anything on this menu to be particularly appetizing,"

"The food no good enough for your refined tastes?" Daniel cocked a brow.

No, it wasn't actually.

"I have never been a fan of covering food with grease," Loki stared back at him.

Jane could almost feel the tension; she coughed and pointed to something else on the menu. "How about this? It's a pizza on a wrap so less pastry and less cheese," Loki looked at the picture and decided it was the lesser of all the other evils on there. He nodded. "Alright I'll go to the bar and order."

"They don't come to us?" Loki looked almost shocked. Daniel snorted into his pink scarf.

"Not here, it's not table service," Jane hopped out of the booth. What kind of place was it if the staff did not wait on the paying customers? Watching her progress, Loki saw her narrowly miss a waitress laden with a try of the flat round pastries.

"So you've never said what you do for a living?" Daniel sipped from a glass of water on the table. His eyes challenged Loki.

"No I don't believe I did," Loki sipped from his own glass returning the steely look.

"Jane's told me you spend a lot of time in the library," he swirled the water in his glass.

"I do,"

Daniel sighed and set his glass down. Folding his arms he glared at Loki.

"What are your intentions towards Jane?"

"Intentions?" Loki kept his face blank.

"You are hit by her car, after a few days in the hospital you move in with Jane. You've been living with her for over a month, and I can't for the life of me figure out what your nature is," he narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Loki," Loki replied, he couldn't help the grin that twitched his mouth upwards. "God of mischief and lies, they also call me Silvertongue."

"Bull," Daniel searched Loki's face. "Who are you?"

I've just told you. "Loki Wodenson, and I would rather not tell you anything more personal. I have no untoward intentions for Jane. She was kind enough to offer me a temporary home while I gather resources to get back home to Norway. I feel nothing more for Jane than gratitude and friendship." Loki took another sip of water his eyes daring the man sitting across from him to question anything he had said.

"Umhumm," Daniel still looked unconvinced. Jane came back and slid into the booth next to Loki,

"Right I've ordered food and some drinks. Beer for me, wine for Dan and I ordered a whiskey for Loki," she smiled purposefully ignoring the tension still hanging between the men.

"Whiskey?" Daniel asked.

"Yup, Loki can drink almost a whole bottle," Jane grinned broadly as Loki took a healthy sip of the amber drink. He swirled the liquid absently he seemed unaffected by the strong beverage. Both Jane and Daniel could smell the intense vapour coming from his crystal class.

"Used to something stronger?" Daniel guessed right again. Loki really didn't like this man very much; he was far too good at reading people.

"Yes, where I'm from, this would be what we weaned our children on," Loki took another sip.

"And where are you from again?"

"Daniel," Jane's voice was a warning. Daniel's face lit with a wide grin.

"Jane dear, I'm just so curious about this hottie you're sharing a home with!"

Jane spluttered into her drink. Loki only slightly struggled to swallow his next sip. He watched as Jane's complexion slowly changed from pink to scarlet. I tuned out of her hurried tirade of half formed sentences. Watching her brown eyes flick to him every once and a while. Loki was fully aware of how above average he was compared to the standards of male attraction on earth. The thought had occurred to him that Jane could be physically attracted to him but he believed – had believed- that her type was more, well Thor. He thought back for a moment on their shared time together. He had been so obsessed recently with finding a way to regain his magic that he had neglected to observe his living partner. He did so now, looking closely back to times Jane would get flustered when he came within close proximity. But that was not all the time. He argued. He would have to put his theory to the test to be sure. A part of him didn't want to harm her feelings though. Other than her overwhelming curiosity sometimes, Jane had been a very pleasant person to be around. With a sudden pang of regret Loki realized he would miss her. Something happened then that was so unexpected to him and Jane because she stopped speaking and stared at him. But for once Loki didn't care what his face was saying. A gentle smile spread over his features. He had been happy, considering everything.

"Loki, are you alright?" Jane looked slightly confused and maybe a bit concerned.

"I am now," Loki beamed "Diner is served."

The food had arrived.

"I think I understand now," Daniel said to Loki as they waited for Jane outside the pizzeria. It had started to snow and the mortal was tucking the ends of his pink scarf into is coat. Loki shivered and slipped his hands into his pockets to warm them.

"Understand what exactly?" the air crystallized his breath.

"Be as aloof as you want, as mysterious as you desire. I've seen, if only a glimpse. Jane has a certain effect on people affecting them in a certain way. She can be very bewitching."

Loki remained silent. "Once she's got in there's no way to get her out," Daniel smiled and patted Loki on the shoulder. Good luck, the gesture said.

"Yo, ready to go?" she asked appearing by his elbow unexpectedly. Loki let the information settle as he watched their farewell. Maybe, Daniel had a point. Loki had become very fond of Jane.

"I'll see you at the Christmas party Jane," Daniel leaned down and kissed her on the check with a brief hug.

"Bye," Jane waved him off. Turning to Loki she slipped her arm into the crook of his elbow like they had walked before. "Shall we?" she grinned up at him.

"Indeed Lady Jane," he smiled gently down at her and started walking. Jane giggled softly and leaned into his side. She'd had a few beers. She could fit under his armpit she was so small. Mortals were so fragile. So, so breakable. Jane wobbled here and there but otherwise they managed to get back to their accommodation with no incident. Ascending the stairs, Jane was singing a jaunty Christmas jig, hilariously out of tune. She tried to teach Loki the lyrics and failed. Loki smiled down at her. His smile faded fast and he stopped abruptly; something was ahead of them. His foot was resting on the next step up. Someone was sat on the very top step, blocking the entrance to the landing. Jane bumped into Loki, her singing fading into silence. She looked up at the same time as the person raised their head.

"Don?" her eyes struggled to focus in the dark but it was Don.

"Jane?" the voice was pleading, a bit croaky. Don got to his feet and descended the stairs to where they were standing. Even on the step above Loki, Loki was still a few inches taller than the mortal. He looked down at Don. Loki's body tensed, something was wrong. I feel magic.

"Don, what are you doing here?" Jane's voice was hesitant. Don was staring at Jane; his eyes were glazed and rimed with red. He could have been crying but Loki had seen this affect before after someone's brain had been blasted with magic. He had done it before himself. Who had done it to his man though? Loki moved between Jane and this dangerous man. Don blinked heavily then glared up at Loki.

"Yooou...!" he hissed.

"Don what are you-?"

"Stay behind me Jane," Loki pushed her back with an arm.

"B-why-Don?"

"Stay behind me!" Loki growled. Jane froze and looked up into his face. His emerald eyes seemed to glow like a cats. His jaw was taut with tension. She'd never seen Loki like this. She stayed behind him but peered around his elbow.

"You!" Don spat again.

"Yes me," Loki replied "what is your business here?" he was slowly shifting into a battle stance, sliding his feet further apart.

"Me? What are you doing here? Jane was mine until you came along, you fucking bastard!"

Someone had poured foul magic into this poor mortal's brain. It amplified any jealous feelings he might have had. This magic was dangerous, no telling what the recipient could do. Most of them turned to violence, either on the person they were jealous about or on the person they once cared for. Loki didn't take his eyes off the mortal. Why did he not have his magic! All he could do was stand between this feral human and Jane.

"Don-," She felt Loki touch her and she snapped her mouth shut. But she didn't understand!

"What have you done to my Jane? You slimy shitfaced bastard," Don was practically foaming at the mouth now. Loki's fingers itched for his daggers. He remembered Jane always carried odd things with her.

"Jane do you have a pen?"

"What?" Loki held a hand out behind him. Confused but realizing that now was not the best time to ask questions she didn't argue with his open palm. She fished her favourite pen from her pocket. Loki grasped it in an underhand grip. Defence, he had to not provoke Don. That seemed impossible though.

"She wants me, not you, who would ever want you? You're a monster a black blooded monster!" Loki's eyes widened. This was very dangerous now someone had given this man more than a blast of magic, he now had knowledge. Before Loki could say anything else to try and defuse the situation Jane gasped, Don lunged.

Tumbling in a tangle of limbs Loki and the possessed man crashed down the stairs to the lower landing. There was a sharp explosion of pain on the left side of Loki's ribs. They wrestled together one trying to gain power then the other. Over and over they rolled.

Jane screamed when she saw the knife sticking out of Loki's side. Blood was smeared across the carpet on the landing. Finally Loki kicked Don away and staggered to his was dripping from the wound.

Drip drip drip.

He had a choice of remove the knife, and have a weapon, or leave it in where it was staunching the flow of blood. Before he could decide Don tackled him and the blade plunged in deeper. Loki stabbed down fast then wrenched the pen out of Don's shoulder. Damn it! He had missed the tendon! Jane was screaming at them. Why was no one else in the building waking up?

There was a purple shimmer in the air. A Sleeping spell. Great, at least they could make lots of noise. Loki punched Don in the face, dodged the next tackle. He might not have magic but he'd trained for a thousand years in the art of combat. His reactions were still there -if a bit slow in a mortal body. Don ran at him, Loki dived to the right and Don crashed into the wall but caught Loki's arm as well. The bone snapped and the pen dropped from his grasp. With his free hand, grinding his teeth against the pain, Loki smashed Don's head into the wall again pulled it back- Don's hand closed around the knife's handle and it was pulled from its home in Loki's ribs with a sickening sshhuunk.

The knife slid into his gut right to the hilt. Loki pushed away, smashing Don into the wall again as. Loki fall on his back staring at the knife protruding from his coat front. In the background he heard Jane screaming and yelling but not the words. Don was advancing again half of his face smeared with blood, his nose was broken, and his forehead was split open. Loki's hands were covered in his own warm red blood.

A shiver...

He suddenly felt very cold.

Jane was running down the stairs. Don turned towards her. Loki yelled for her to stop but it was too late Don struck her so hard she flew through the air and hit the railing of the next set of stairs. The rabid mortal was advancing hungrily on his prey. Jane was unconscious in a crumpled heap. Using every ounce of strength left he got to his feet screamed and ran, head down, shoulders squared. Don looked up when the sound of the war cry met his ears- Loki rammed into him. He over balanced, hit the railing and together they both tipped over the edge, over the railing.

They fell between the two flights of stairs before hitting the ground. Loki struggled to his feet couching up huge globs of blood. Don stirred on the ground. The front door to the accommodation must have been open; it was so cold Loki could have sworn his fingers were turning blue. Don got to his own feet and lunged blindly. Loki reached out and his hand closed around the man's neck. A sudden surge of strength made him hoist Don up by the throat. He might have wondered where this strength came from. Adrenalin? No, nothing so simple. Black frost bite was spreading from where he touched Don's flesh. Don was staring at him. His red magic addled vision seeing the blood red eyes staring back at him.

Murder, those eyes screamed murder.

He froze with terror. Loki saw his reflection in the glass doors behind Don. Skin sapphire blue, blood red eyes. Don went limp in Loki's grasp. The power faded faster than it had come on and they both collapsed to the floor. Loki's skin returned to its pale colour and the blood turned red again and pooled out around him in the snow.

Jane looked over the banister and saw the crumpled heap of bodies surrounded by blood and... was that snow...?

So leave a review. I hope you've enjoyed the ride so far. there is much more to come.