Sorcha's Secret World, Part one.

Chapter 17, More socks.

We never went on that mission in the end, that day. I didn't see him the next day either. I know the Templars had given him some money, and a phone and set him up with a fake ID and a bank account, all under the name Lucas Lefay.

I had my phone in my hands a hundred times, but I didn't know what to say. So much had happened, and I barely could make sense of it all. So we didn't talk to each other at all.

Today, however, there was work to do. I texted Loki to let him know we were going on a job, then went to pick up the bracelet a Temple Hall. Walking in there felt different now. I had been so proud to be a Templar, so proud to be part of their organisation. So proud to be one of the good guys. But now it didn't feel the same way anymore, not after the way they had treated Loki. The phrase "Templar property" just kept ringing through my head.

All this time I'd been naively having happy little adventures with a tall, dark and handsome god by my side, and Loki had been going through hell.

But things were going to be different from now on, I told myself.

The moment Richard handed me the bracelet I realised that that wasn't actually true. Loki was still a prisoner, only with a larger territory to roam.

"Come in, come in!" Loki waved me in enthusiastically after I knocked on his apartment door. He was wearing black slacks and a blue-grey slim fitting shirt. The top button was undone.

"Sorry about the smell, I've tried using an air freshener but now it just smells like sandalwood and whatever that smell is."

I walked in. The apartment smelled of sandalwood, cabbages and what I could only presume was stale urine wafting up from the alleyway below.

"The place is looking a lot better!" I exclaimed.

It was true. Loki had been busy the day before. There was a dark green tartan throw on the sofa hiding the stains, an abstract art print in green, gold and black hung on the wall and the tv unit now has a tall narrow vase with a single white orchid in it.

"Couldn't quite afford a tv I'm afraid," he admitted.

I suddenly spotted the guitar that was standing on a stand beneath the window.

"Is that yours? Do you play?" I asked.

"Yes, yes I do actually!" Loki smiled boyishly. "Practically comes as a requirement as a cult leader. Want me to play something? Give me a minute, it's been a while!"

Before I could answer he was already sitting down on the sofa, guitar in hand. He seemed far happier than the last time I saw him. "Eh, hehe... let me think..."

His finger began strumming the guitar, a bit hesitant at first, but then I started recognising the tune. His eyes sparkled at me as he began to sing along. His voice was warm, deep and pleasant.

Little darling

It's been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling

It seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

And I say, it's all right

Little darling

The smiles returning to the faces

Little darling

It seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun