The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 43

Cassandra escaped the drifts, slogging her way to the shoveled path cutting a ribbon through the park. It was cold. Very cold. She rubbed her arms wishing she had grabbed her coat before leaving.

A man in a green peacoat walking his dog gave her an odd look as she stopped to adjust her slipper. He said something in Norwegian.

Without understanding a single word Cassandra realized how crazy she looked to him. Muttering a spell, she altered her robe into a pair of sweatpants and a heavy sweatshirt. Her slippers transformed into hiking boots. Then she cast a warming spell to ease the chill from her skin and wet hair.

Witnessing every second of her magical makeover, the color drained from the Norwegian's face. His blue eyes widened in fear. Tugging on his dog's leash the man sped up, his wispy blond hair flopping around his head. He cast frantic looks over his shoulder in her direction to make sure she didn't follow.

She was too emotionally exhausted to care what the stranger thought of her. In the twenty-first century she didn't have to worry about him gathering up his buddies in the village square to come after her with torches and pitchforks.

Hopefully.

Loki's heartbroken expression swam to the forefront of her thoughts. Cassandra squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block the image. How could he do this to her? She loved him so much.

Tears streamed down her face.

Why hadn't he trusted her with the truth about Goose? No matter how awful she would have faced it and accepted the consequences.

A voice shouted excitedly in the distance.

Cassandra turned to see the Norwegian dogwalker about a hundred yards away pointing at the sky.

Craning her neck, she looked up. Thor shot through the clouds like a bullet, red cape flapping wildly behind him. Groaning, Cassandra hurriedly ducked beneath the naked branches of an aspen tree. She couldn't deal with Loki's brother in her current emotional state.

From her hiding spot she watched the Norwegian man gesture and wave to get the god's attention. He shouted something and pointed accusingly in Cassandra's direction.

Shit.

Her fingers brushed against the rough bark as she darted for a thicker trunk to hide behind. Thor arrowed down toward the Norwegian, landing on the ground in an explosion of white powder.

The dog yelped and barked furiously at the god's hunched figure cream colored fur standing on end. Thor raised his head slowly, his eyes glowed with pure electric light. He squeezed the hammer in a fist.

Cassandra watched him rise slowly to his feet, towering over the Norwegian man. Lightning sparked all around him. Something was wrong.

Thunder rumbled violently overhead. Angry clouds spiraled down toward the god's hammer. With horror Cassandra realized he was going to strike the Norwegian and his dog.

Dashing out from her hiding place, Cassandra sprinted toward them, putting everything she had into her limbs. Summoning a mystic whip, she skidded in front of the Norwegian, snapping her weapon around the hammer. "Run!" She yelled at the man.

Scooping up his dog, the Norwegian dove down the path in a desperate escape. Wind whipped at her hair and clothes, a powerful gust nearly bowled her over but she stood her ground.

Gritting her teeth, Cassandra held onto current of energy rippling from her hands. The end was starting to fray from the strain of holding Thor back. "What the hell is wrong with you?" She shouted to be heard over the storm's clamor.