A New York Secret

Chapter Sixty

Emily sighed softly and quietly made sure that Tony made it to his cabin before she took Loki's hand. "Did you want to take our walk? Or just go to the cabin?"

"I would still like to take the walk, if you feel up to it." Loki answered.

"We can take a walk, I don't mind. The moon is full, so we'll be able to see well," Emily said.

"I don't have trouble seeing in the dark of this realm." Loki told Emily as he turned them to the direction they would be walking.

Emily smiled as she watched her feet make imprints in the sand while they walked. "Sometimes I forget you have enhanced senses."

"They aren't enhanced where I'm from." Loki pointed out.

"This is true," she nodded. "I just have to remember that you can do more than I can."

"In some ways, I can teach you how to expand your senses." Loki told Emily. He walked close enough to the water that it lightly washed over their feet.

"How could you do that?" She asked softly. "I'm just a regular human mortal after all."

"Most species never reach their full potential mentally. Few never unlock more than five percent of their brain's capability." Loki stopped walking. "It's not magic, it's just learning to become more aware of what your surroundings are telling you." ."

Emily looked around them, the sound of the surf hitting the sand strong in her ears. "It's hard to hear anything beyond the surf, although it's really soothing."

"I can teach you to tune that out, so you can hear more." Loki said softly.

"Like meditation?" Emily asked. "Something to focus your mind?"

"Sort of, but in time, you could do it instantly." Loki explained. "Here, I have an easy way to give you a simple demonstration, if you'd like.""

Emily grinned. "Sure."

"Come on." Loki said. He started walking again, leading them away from the water a short distance. "I need you to close your eyes and keep them closed. You will spin around. When I say stop, sit down."

"Won't that just make me dizzy?" Emily asked, but did as he told her to.

"Yes, but it will also disorient you. We do this as children to practice with our senses." Loki answered.

Emily sighed. "Fine, but please don't let me fall."

"I would never let you fall, my love." Loki promised Emily.

"Okay," Emily smiled, feeling the cool breeze come from the waves. "I'm ready."

"Start whenever you're ready." Loki said with a smile.

Emily turned in a circle until she felt herself getting wobbly and felt Loki gently grasp her shoulder then helped her to sit down in the sand. "What now?"

"Now, you are going to point to the direction of the bonfire." Loki said as he sat down next to Emily.

Her eyes screwed shut tightly as she tried to fight the dizzy fog in her head and listen. I'm the distance she could barely hear the crackle of flame against wood, making her point straight in front of her. "There."

"Very good, but that's not the correct direction." Loki replied, able to see the glow of the fire behind them. "The trees distort sound." He added, then cast a spell to shield her all outside noise. "Try this; what direction is the wind blowing?" He asked, knowing they were downwind of the fire.

Emily listened carefully, but could only pick up Loki next to her. "I don't know about the wind, but I can hear you." She raised her hand and easily placed it on his leg.