Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 32 - You poor unfortunate souls

There was a concept in many of the Midgardian cultures called Hell. Mephisto's nether realm was worse. Nothing could have prepared Sigyn for that vast wasteland of destruction. But she could not falter at the dreadful sights before. She had to persevere.

"Which way?" She demanded of the chained beast. "Where do we find your master?"

Sharp teeth glistened at her in a grin. "You don't. My Master finds you."

Sigyn met Björn's gaze. He already had his sword in hand and was mindful of his surroundings, a warrior through and through. Despite their strained relationship, Sigyn was glad to have him here. She just hoped she hadn't brought him to his death.

"Up ahead," said Sif suddenly.

Amidst the brimstone and ashes, amidst the flames and rivers of blood and tears, beneath the crimson sky, a figure approached from the smoke. He was tall, seemingly taller than even Loki and Thor. His body was lean and graceful, with a well-defined, chiselled torso. His fiery red skin reminded Sigyn of the reddest rose she had ever laid eyes on. Her breath caught when she saw how handsome his face was, with those sharp features, high cheekbones, and a pointed chin. And those eyes... They were the sunlit eyes from her vision.

"Well, well, who do we have here?" greeted the demon. "Travellers, returning a lost pet?"

Sigyn found herself tongue-tied. Sif and Björn were much the same as both stared at the imposing figure before them. The yellow eyes rested on Sigyn. The seductive voice reached her ears again, making her shiver. "It is an honour and pleasure to meet you at last, Lady Sigyn. I've heard many tales of you. The last fire mage..."

A clawed hand extended to her. Sigyn felt moved to take it. She stepped up, reached out and... the sudden kick in her belly made her halt and wince. Broken from her trance, Sigyn blinked and recoiled.

"I did not come here for your flattery, Lord Mephisto," she spoke in a stern yet not overly confident voice. "I believe you have something of mine."

Mephisto's eyes narrowed into slits. His malicious smirk made the hairs on Sigyn's neck rose. "We both may have had the pleasure of feeling that glorious body against our heat, but I'm quite certain the Trickster belonged to me first, my sweet."

She knew. Of course, she knew. Loki had admitted long ago he'd always been drawn to a wide variety of companions. And though his own inclination lay more in having relations with a woman, Loki had occasionally transformed into the opposite sex if he felt it would benefit a particular liaison. Sigyn had asked him once if she could see his female form, but he had vehemently refused. Not even his own family knew this side of him.
To hear now Loki might have tricked Mephisto by actually... Sigyn quickly cast it out of her mind and ignored Sif's uncomfortable glance and Björn's startled gasp. The past was the past. She knew what and who Loki was to her. That was enough.

"I don't care what happened between you," Sigyn sneered at Mephisto. "Loki is my husband. I hold his body now. His heart. His so—"

"Na-ah, not quite that. I do believe I hold that particular part." The dagger used to kill Loki suddenly appeared in the demon's hand. Sigyn stiffened in silent horror when Mephisto licked the bloodied blade. "Mmm, still as delectable as I remember."

All the flames around them died. The temperature dropped, and the streams of blood glaciated. Sigyn balled her fist, trying desperately to still the trembling. She had only felt such rage once before — the day she'd killed Astrid. But she couldn't risk attacking Mephisto. He held Loki. If she did anything that threatened him even more... she would lose him forever.

"My, my, you do care an awful lot about him, don't you?" Mephisto chuckled in amusement, unperturbed at what was happening around him. "You must if you dare to venture into my domain. Especially in your blessed condition."