The NightWalker: Winter Solstice

The First Solstice

After Sif and I discovered the warehouse of half a dozen, brutally murdered, frozen vampires, We legged it out of the warehouse. Sif slammed the door behind us.
"What was that ice thing?" We ran back to where Sif had her car.
"This is bad. Very bad" Sif shook her head as she fumbled to get her keys out of her pockets "We need to get back to Loki. He needs to know"
"Sif, Do you--" I went to offer to drive for her but she ordered me to get in the car.
"Why? Why is he back?" Sif kept mumbling to herself as she raced us back to Odinson HQ.

We rush into the conference room. Thor and Melody were back and talking to Loki. Well, Thor was. Melody was spinning on her chair. Thor soon spots us, he says something to Loki, slapping his shoulder. Loki spins around and is at our side in an instant.
"Sif? Emily? What's going on?" You can hear the panic in his voice. Sif stared ahead of her. Loki and I both led her to the chair and sat her down.
"We have a problem" I sighed. Melody and Thor moved closer. Melody had got Sif a cup of water (At least I hope it was water)
"What happened?" Thor asked.
"Sif looks like she has seen a ghost. And not a cute ghost. We are talking full haunting of hill house" Melody pointed at Sif's face. Loki frowned. He has never seen Sif so scared and he has known her for two hundred years.
"I... It's..." Sif stuttered as she sipped her drink, I could see the cup shaking.
"Oh, crap... She didn't even glare at me. This is bad" Looking concerned, Loki quickly crosses the room to touch Sif's shoulder.
"What is it?" Loki asked, softly. If anyone could get through to Sif, he could. He knew her better than anyone "One of you two better start talking or I will go and get Tyr," Loki's face hardened as he looked between us both.
"We showed up at the blood bank to meet Sif's contact, but instead, we found..." My voice falters as I remember the dead vampires, their faces frozen in pure agony. Thor lays a comforting hand on my arm while Melody grabs my hand. I take a deep breath and sit down on the table "The vampires at the blood bank were murdered. Terribly. And worst, they were frozen"
"Frozen?" Thor frowned. I nodded.
"They had been staked, Loki. Stake with icicles" Sif spoke quickly. Her voice was all jittery. Loki straightened up.
"No..." he shook his head.
"Yes. The Red Guardian has returned" Sif pulled her knees up to her chest.
"What? Do you mean that medieval vampire hunter? Didn't you kill him?" Thor put his hands on his hips.
"We thought we did" Sif mumbled.
"Then perhaps it's someone else. Something else" Loki started pacing. Melody went and sat down, I could hear her typing. She asked me where the warehouse was and I slipped her the address card that Sif gave me.
"In the two thousand years I have spent in the realm, I have only ever seen powers like his exactly once" Sif slowly calmed down. Melody waved her hands in the air to gain the other's attention. I tried to speak but no one could hear a thing because the other three were chatting. I looked at her and shrugged. She sighed and told me to cover my ears.
"Someone else could have discovered the same combination of magical spells with artefacts--" Loki is cut off by Melody whistling. The vampires turn to see Melody on her laptop.
"Now that I have your attention" Melody turns her laptop around so everyone can see the security feed from the warehouse "I pulled the security footage from the blood bank. So we can stop arguing and just see what the hell happened"
"Have I ever told you how proud I am to have you in my clan?" Thor patted Melody's shoulder as he praised her.
"I never get tired of hearing it" Melody smiled as she wiggled her head.
"Hit play already" Sif snapped. She's almost back to normal.
"Time for popcorn" Melody taps a button.

On the screen, I see several vampires working at the bank.
"Where's shipment 32?"
"In the crate over there"
"I looked there. I can't see it"
"Might be with shipment 19" As the pair leave their crates, the door bursts open and a truly terrifying creature flies in. A demon-looking Santa Claus. With bright blue eyes. sharp teeth. His clothes are torn and bloody. A glowing amulet hangs around his neck and he has a lot of icy stakes in his belt.
"Holy crap! What the fuck is that?!" Melody screeches. Sif shrugs but there's something different about her face. It's more full of anger than scared. I look at Loki and Thor and even they don't understand what is going on.
"I don't know... but it's not Baron Zemo. Zemo wore the red version of Captain America's leotard" Sif spoke, enraged at the monster on the screen. Melody presses play again.

On the screen, the demon-looking Santa moves with deadly precision. His eyes glow as shards of ice shoot out of his palm, impaling vampires as they scream.
"What the fuck are you?" A worker screams as she is impaled with an ice shard. Melody pauses the feed on a crystal clear image of the killer's face... complete with rotting skin and demonic eyes.
"Good god... It's like the nightmare before Christmas" Melody leaned closer to the screen.
"Melody..." Sif snaps as she pinches her nose. I put a hand on Sif's shoulder.
"Hey, She has a point. Zombie demon Santa is... a lot"
"So much! Why are all the bad guys around here so freaking extra? I get Zombie Santa. Or Demon Santa... But a zombie demon Santa? That's pushing it" Melody pointed at evil Santa.
"Enough. Make yourself useful" Sif points to the glowing amulet hanging around the killer's neck "Find me a better picture of this"
"Got it" Melody clicked her fingers at Sif. After a few seconds of fiddling, Melody freezes the video from a different angle of the killer. Around his neck is a blood-red amulet in an ornate platinum setting.
"What is that?" I ask.
"Do you see it, Loki?" Sif looked up at Loki.
"I see it" Loki sighed heavily while nodding.
"See what? What are we looking at?" Thor squinted at the screen.
"What is that glowing Doctor Strange necklace's long-lost cousin?" Melody crossed her arms.
"That is... Zemo's amulet" Loki points to the amulet. Sif stares at the laptop but her gaze grows unfocused. Distant "Zemo was a collector of the occult. A connoisseur of powerful and terrible artefacts"
"This amulet is one of them" Sif pointed at the screen, tapping on the amulet "It's definitely his but his face is... It's unfamiliar" 
"How can you tell? It's..." Thor whispered.
"Falling off?" I stated. Thor nodded.
"Here, let me try something" Melody spins the laptop around and crackles her knuckles before setting her fingers on the keyboard "Just a little finessing" Her fingers fly over the keys.

After a few minutes, Melody shows us the screen, which bares a less-rotted version of the face from the video.
"That is what zombie Santa probably looked like when he was alive, so now" Melody spins the laptop again "We cross-reference that with a police, SHIELD, SWORD and HYDRA database search and..." Melody spins the laptop around so we can see the face "Ding ding ding. We have a winner! Roll up, Alexei Alanovich Shostakov of New York City, age 57"
"You sure it's him?" I asked. The man looks like a normal 57-year-old man dressed up as Santa.
"Pretty damn sure. My tech don't lie" Melody frowned at her screen "Hey, Emily... Isn't that Nat and Yelena's adoptive daddy?" Melody looked at me. As did the others.
"I think so. I ain't sure. I haven't spoken to either of the Black Widows in weeks"
"I could send uncle Nick the info? He might get them to track him down or give us a little bit more info on him" Melody asked. Loki and Sif agreed that it would be best.
"Tell Fury that this Red Guardian is our problem and we will call for backup if needed" Sif ordered.
"Sure thing, boss" Melody nodded and sent a long email to her uncle. Thor leaned in closer to the laptop, squinting his eyes.
"What are you staring at?" I poked Thor's shoulder.
"Huh, is he dressed like that because... he's Santa or did the Red Guardian dress like that"
"His occupation is 'Santa for hire'? Yeah, I think that this is our man" Melody grinned. Loki leans forward, bracing one hand on the table. His expression is intent as he cans the information Melody found. And I can't help but stare at his bum. Melody elbows me, smirking.
"That man has a criminal record and a penchant for petty theft" Loki rolled his eyes.
"It looks like someone hired him for an office party at Holloway Docks last night" Melody read from an online file.
"I don't give a damn about his employment history right now. We need to focus on people's safety" Thor snapped.
"I believe he is also a super soldier like Rogers" Melody clicked her fingers.
"We have to cancel the Winter Solstice" Thor pinched his nose. He went head to head with Rogers for fun the other week and nearly lost if he hadn't punched Rogers across the room.
"Absolutely not" Sif stamped her foot. Mine and Loki's jaws dropped at her reaction. She was acting like a child. Melody sat back in her chair and smiled. She muttered that now she needed popcorn.
"Sif," I reach out to touch her arm but she shoots out of her chair, sending her seat flying into a wall.
"No. No. It is out of the question" Sif started to pace.
"Sif, I know how much this means to you..." Loki tried to stop her from pacing but she shoved him back into a chair.
"You cannot begin to fathom how much this means to me" Sif shook her head.
"As much as the safety of your clan?" I sighed. My comment seems to get Sif to stop moving.
"You can't possibly understand" Sif spins around, her eyes bright red. Thor tensed up. Loki held his hand out to stop Thor from getting any closer "The only path to safety is the Solstice. Last time, it took all of us working together to take down The Red Guardian. This time will be the same. We'll come together. We'll take precautions and when The Red Guardian comes... we will destroy him" 

As the rise and fall of passionate discussion wash over me, I try and pace out my nerves. Something tugs at me from the far side of the room. When I approach, I notice another headache shard trapped under a cup.
"Again? The second one tonight" I find myself reaching out to pick it up "So pretty" I close my eyes as I find myself hurled through the past.

In the shadowy halls of a decrepit, decaying castle... a large group of vampires holes up while an angry mob draws closer and closer.
"What was that?" A vampire shouts in a whisper. Another vampire runs to a window.
"They are at the gates!"
"Silence, cowards" Randal yelled, gripping his sword tighter.
"But there's too many of them!" A vampire cowers under a table "Isn't there anyone left to help us fight?"
"There are no reinforcements. We are all that remain. we are the last of our kind" Sif looked at the floor.
"Then there is no chance"
"There is no hope"
"Of course, there is no hope. We die tonight" Randal gripped his sword "And I refuse to do it while listening to you snivel!"
"Gently, my soldier. They do not fear without cause" Odin appeared from the shadows, placing a hand on his soldier's shoulder.
"Of course they do. They don't even know what they should fear" the sound of pounding against the gates grows louder and the angry roar of voices rises "An army of weak, breakable humans should be no threat to us. Even as diminished as we are"
"Even humans can kill us if there's enough of them" The male vampire from the window drops to the floor and wraps his arms around his legs.
"And there are more down there than I have ever seen before" Randal walked over to the window. He gripped the pane so hard that he broke its wooden frame.
"I can count. They are still just human" Sif folded her arms.
"You're forgetting who else is down there" Randal looked over his shoulder, Fear in his eyes.
"I forget nothing, Randal. I would gladly fight a mob of snivelling, simpering mortals. But Baron Helmut Zemo is another matter. His magic... it unsettles me"
"And if the reaper of Pompeii is unsettled... It means we are goddamn doomed" Randal booted a chair.
"Zemo has been an unexpectedly persistent nuisance" Odin leaned on a wall, his arms crossed.
"A nuisance? He has killed dozens of us! Hundreds even!"
"And with any luck, he will kill the two of you before the night is out!" Randal shouted. He then levelled his sword at the two frightened vampires "Or I could kill you myself and save him the trouble" Sif grips her dagger and drives it into the wall next to Randal's head.
"Enough of this! You are worse than they are. All of us, cowering here in the darkness like prey! We were not prey" A thunderous crash sounds from below as the gates are breached. Sif pulls her dagger from the walls and stands before the others "We are immortal. We have turned the balance of nature on itself. the gods themselves have placed us above men. We are better in every way. We are stronger"
"I like being strong" Randal grinned, standing a little taller.
"We are faster"
"That I am" Another vampire smiled.
"We are smarter"
"My Queen" Odin looked at his Queen softly. Pride was etched on his face.
"We are the predators. They are the prey!" Sif spun her daggers in her hands "If they would come for us, let them taste the bitterness of defeat at our hands. And if we are to die today... Let us die the most glorious death the world has ever seen!" A cheer rises as the vampires draw their weapons. Odin steps over to Sif, tracing a finger over her cheek.
"As eloquent as ever, My Queen" Odin kissed Sif's cheek.
"Compliment me when we have danced in the blood of the Baron and his army" Sif grinned.
"I do so adore your bloodlust" Odin cooed. He pulled Sif to his side. He went to kiss her but a boom echoes through the room, closely followed by an explosion of stone. Odin pulls Sif behind a wall.

The wall bursts open, revealing the man they all fear.
"Baron Zemo" Odin hissed. He and Sif shared a glance and Odin disappeared into the shadows.
"Here's where the last of the rats scurried off to hide" The Baron smirked. He confidently walked into the room "Get them!"
"Kill the monsters" A human shouted, sword raised high above his head.
"Let no abomination stand!" The Baronshouted. Sif growled as she walked out from her hiding place and punched a soldier in the throat.

The Baron has an amulet wrapped around one fist. the other, he clutches a whittled bone wand. When he waves it, a sharp blade of ice flies through the air.
"SIF! DOWN!" Randal shouted. Sif dives to the floor, jerking the two other vampires down with her "Rrrrrahg!" Randal kicks a table up onto its side, blocking the blast of magic.
"You cannot evade my magic forever!" The Baron screeched. Sif pops up from behind the barricade, her hand snapping forward. Her knife flies close enough to the Baron to slice his cheek.
"We can evade it long enough!" Sif insisted as she threw a table at a human.
"You will pay for that, witch!" The Baron snarled, his amulet glowing.
"Watch your mouth, Baron. I'm the only one who gets to call her that!" Banner kicks the table and it sails through the air at Zemo. The Baron thrusts out his amulet. The table shatters, sending splinters of wood flying through the air in all directions.
"Finish them!" The Baron waved his hand towards the four vampires. Emboldened by the Baron's magic, humans pour through the hole in the wall in a wave.
"Protect the Baron!"
"Burn them!"
"There's too many!" A vampire yells out, barely dodging a crossbow bolt. 
"Enough to finish you! Stake them!" The Baron leaned on a wall as he watched five more humans enter the room. Sif and Randal snarled at each human.
"Odin! Help!" The scent of fire fills the air as the humans grow bolder. The tiny circle of vampires contract. Sif and Randal end up back to back.
"You can't stand against all of us!"
"No... But I can stand against you!" Randal grabs the human and snaps his neck effortlessly as even more humans rush in. The castle shakes as a huge icicle splits through the air and Randal and Sif barely wrench each other out of the way.

"If this is the end, you must know this," Randal swung his sword in a giant arc, slicing three human heads off at once "I never liked you"
"I loathed you too" Sif replied. Both smirked at each other. Their hands flew past each other's heads and killed the human behind them.
"Yes. Time for your last words. My magic will scour you from this realm. I will burn your bones and salt the ashes! I will erase you from history! Your souls will writhe in hell for all eternity and man will reign on earth as he was intended!"
"Murder us if you must but please shut up!" Sif rolled her eyes "You have been bragging about killing us for years. I really beginning to doubt your commitment"
"You dare mock me" The Baron walked towards the vampires.
"I doubt Sif has met a man she doesn't mock" The Baron is so enraged now, that he doesn't see the shadow sneaking up behind him. the vampires remained still.
"I will take your head myself and then" The Baron levelled his wand at the vampires and then glared at Sif "I will take hers"
"About that" Odin burst out of the shadows at such a speed that his cape looked like wings. He thrust his hand clean through the back of Zemo's head and it burst out of his mouth "No, you won't"
"Hccck"
"No one disrespects my Queen" Odin snarls as gore drips from his fist as he clutches the Baron's tongue and rips his hand back, leaving a gaping hole where the Baron's head used to be. The Baron's limp body slumps to the floor and his soldiers gasp in horror. A stunned silence fills the room as everyone turns to stare at the limp corpse of Baron Helmut Zemo.
"They... killed the Baron!"
"It's impossible!"
"I think I am going to be sick" Both a human and a vampire spoke. Odin practically skipped towards Sif, his hand stretched out towards his love.
"Well, my Queen? Shall we dance?" He bowed.
"Let's" Together, Sif and Odin turn to the humans. The rest of the vampires gather at their back "Such sweet quarry"
"This is the part where you run away" Randel waved the soldiers towards the door, almost mocking them. The soldiers yell in fear and flee, shrieking and hurling their weapons. He then looked over his shoulder "Do we give chase?"
"Oh, give them a moment. They'll taste even better with their pulse racing with fear"

Sif uses her foot to turn over the Baron's body. His face was a gaping void.
"Do you know what this means?" Sif let out a shakey breath as she turned to face the others.
"We don't die tonight?" Randal tossed a dead corpse out the window.
"No, something better" Sif bends down and snatches the wand from Zemo's limp hand fingers. With one swift movement, she breaks it in half "It means that against all odds, against all expectations, we are going to live"
"How right you are, my Queen. The darkest period in vampire history ended tonight. With a speech and a miracle," Odin walked up to Sif and wrapped his arms around her.
"And now we celebrate?" Sif tilted her head.
"Oooh... Can we chase them now?" The male vampire grinned, his eyes were wide and slightly psychotic.
"Can we feed?" A vampire clapped, jumping up and down.
"Yes, little ones" Odin's eyes were bright red and his fangs descended down, he turned back to the door that the humans ran out of "We feast!"

I gasp as I come back to myself. My knees buckle. I brace myself on the table, crashing into a chair or two. As I steady myself, I feel a set of arms wrap themselves around me. So, That's what Sif was talking about. The first Solstice.
"Emily?" Loki cupped my face as the world focused.
"Are you alright?" I think I heard Sif speak.
"What was that?" I muttered, panting. It seems as if only a second had passed. Like all the other times "Weird"
"Emily?" Loki puts a hand on my back, Running small on my cheeks "Are you alright?" I blink a few times. I look around to see that Melody is also by my side.
"Yeah... I..." I glance down and the crystal is gone. It was hard to remember, The vision was already gone. I must be going insane "Sorry. I felt a little dizzy" Loki helped me steady myself.
"When did you last eat?" Loki asks as he lets go of my head, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"About 5 o'clock" I sigh, taking a deep breath in. I wasn't lying. I grabbed a chicken wrap from a food cart on the way here. Very tasty "Must be from the lack of sleep over the last 4 days. Mum's spare bed was so uncomfy" I smiled, winking at Loki, who had a slight blush on his face. I hope they can't tell that I am lying. Loki pulled me to his chest, running small circles in my back.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Loki cupped my face again, gently running his thumb over my cheeks.
"Yeah," I let out a breath as I rubbed my temple. I hate these bloody visions, they hurt my head. My head felt like it had a jackhammer going off in it "Loki, I swear, I am fine,"
"If you are sure," Loki looked at me, cupping my chin before escorting me to the chair. Sif was frowning at the laptop.
"I don't know who this man is but he is man is not the original Red Guardian. As fearsome as Zemo was, he was still just a man" Sif sat down in a chair.
"So this is something else. Something far more powerful" Loki leaned on the table next to me.
"And maybe throwing a party isn't the best way to stop it? No?" Thor stood up and walked around the table.
"I am finding you increasingly tiresome, Thor" Sif rubbed the sides of her temple, groaning. Thor leaned in closer.
"I don't care," He whispered. Sif shot up. Loki and Melody both tensed up.
"You should" Sif snarled. Both of the vampire's eyes were red. I sighed.
"Handbags away" I got up and stood between Thor and Sif. I pushed Thor to his seat while Sif remained a statue. I looked at Loki "So if this is the Red Guardian but isn't the one that Sif knew then how does he have the same powers?"
"I don't know" Loki shrugged before he looked at Sif "Sif?"
"In all my centuries, I have never seen a creature like this. I have no idea how to fight him. No vampire does," Sif shook her head.
"Then maybe, just maybe, we should consult with someone who isn't a vampire?" Melody was typing away on her phone. Everyone turned to face her, confused as hell.
"I doubt a human would know," Thor sighed as he went to get a drink.
"Not exactly a human," Melody mumbled behind her phone as she pinched her lips together.
"Oh, tell me she did not," Sif groaned.
"I suspect she did" Loki nodded.
"Oh, she did," Thor spoke.
"Melody, what did you do?"
"Uh... exactly what you would expect me to do after learning the world of the supernatural was real? I found where they hang out on the internet," Melody grinned.
"And where is that? Like a chat room"
"Oh, my god. you are such a boomer" Melody "No, It's the Paranet. Like the Darknet but for the supernatural. There's a Discord and everything,"
"And let me guess, you made a few friends," I tilted my head.
"Guilty as charged. MatterOfCorspe is in town this week. We were planning to grab drinks tonight in Rockefeller Square,"
"Matter... Of... Actually, I don't want to know," Siff muttered.
"She's super smart and knows everything about the supernatural. We should deffo see what she knows about Daddy Zombie" Melody clapped her hands.
"You guys go. I got something to take care of,"
"As do I" Thor spoke.
"Needlessly cryptic" Melody whispered in my ear.
"Very well. Be safe out there" Loki bowed his head at Sif and Thor as they both left the room.

"What is Sif's deal?" Melody pointed at Sif as soon as the door closed.
"The Winter Solstice is a big deal for her. All we can do is try and get through it" I folded her arms and looked at Loki "What's your plans for tonight?"
"Urm, I would love to accompany you to meet this 'MatterOfCorpse'" Loki spoke softly before he looked at Melody "If you don't mind,"
"I can probably guess but why?" Melody smirked.
"Just to make sure it's safe" Loki spoke, clearly lying "We do have an evil Santa stalking our streets"
"Of course, you can" I put my hand on Loki's arm. He smiled at me as he pulled me in for a hug.
"Then yes. The more the merrier" Melody clapped her hands as she jumped out of her seat. I grabbed Loki's hand and we headed downtown.

We travelled to Rockefeller Square, (I saw Spider swinging around) where Melody led Loki and me to an outdoor cafe.
"This is the place. They should be here somewhere" As Melody cranes her neck to search the cafe, a woman in a corner booth smiles and waves like crazy.
"MELODY! OVER HERE!" There are two men with her. Melody beams as she runs over to the booth. Loki grabs my hand and we go and sit down.

"Hello there," a large, broad-shoulder man speaks.
"Good evening. It's so nice to make your acquaintance" A skinny, beady-eyed man talks. They both seem nice.
"Hi, I'm Emily. This is Melody and this is..." I turn to introduce Loki but he is staring at the strangers. An odd expression darkens his face "... What's wrong? Are you alright?" I touch his arm, my concern turning into worry. He seems to shake himself though his expression isn't clear.
"I'm, alright. it's just... something about them isn't right" His eyes narrow again "What are you?" The woman sighs.
"Welp, the jig is up. May as well drop the glamour and let them see us" One of the men reaches out and lightly touches Loki's arm, then Melody's. As he touches mine (Earning a light growl from Loki), I see a zombie woman, smiling at me "Hi,"
"Oh my god," I jump up. Loki chuckled.
"After everything you have seen in the last three months, that freaks you out?" Melody asked, shocked at my reaction.
"I wasn't freaked out," I muttered. Melody and the girl laughed at me.
"Sure," Melody rolled her eyes. I apologised to the girl and she flapped her hand at me.
"Don't worry about it. It's understandable. I do look rather..." Darcy smiled.
"Dead," Melody grinned, leaning back in the booth and draping her arm over the back of her seat. How can she be so calm about this?
"That's one way of putting it," The girl smiled.
"I have missed hearing people squeal when they see us. We never get squeals back home. Do we Korg?" the skinny man laughed, slapping the table.
"No, Miek. We do not. It's adorable," Korg said. Earning another growl from Loki. I put my hand on his knee.
"So are you guys Fae?" Loki spoke through gritted teeth.
"I am. Names Miek. And this is Darcy. This one is a Kronan," Miek nodded with his head.
"Hi, my name is Korg. As you can see, I am made of rocks," Korg then turned his head to Loki "And are you always this protective of a human?"
"Yes, he is," Melody spoke up "Trust me, I even get growled at," I nodded, Loki frowned but then relaxed a little when I grabbed his hand. Melody then frowned at Darcy, it was like a switch had flicked on "Hold up. Darcy? As in MatterOfCorpse? You're MatterOfCorpse!?"
"Yup," Darcy smiled. She is the best-looking zombie I have ever seen. And I have only seen two.
"Is she... a zombie version of Melody?" I looked between Darcy and Melody. Both talk at an alarming rate. I have been best friends with Melody for 5 years, I have out rap Barton. I can sing Eminem's song Rap God to near enough perfection. But oh my god, I was struggling to catch what she was saying.
"I prefer the term undead. And don't worry, I don't eat brains," Darcy tilted her head at me. Melody smiled at me.
"Oh, good," I mumbled.
"I eat ghosts instead," Darcy smiled as she nodded.
"That is so awesome!" Melody cooed. She placed her elbows on the table and placed her hands under her chin., grinning like a five-year-old who had just seen a pile of birthday presents.
"I'm --" Loki went to introduce himself.
"Loki Odinson. We know," Korg sighed, scratching his stoney chin.
"Your reputation precedes you," Meik smirked, staring at Loki. I look between the two men, Loki stares at Miek, a slight smile teasing his lips.
"We've met. haven't we? New Orleans, late 1800s,"
"Well, look at that. He remembers," Meik clapped sarcastically. I giggled behind my hand.
"So, Melody. what's the big emergency you mentioned in your text?" Darcy asked, suddenly all serious.

Between Melody and Loki, they quickly describe the situation at Holloway docks and the three of them wince.
"Ouch. I knew that was going to bite us in the ass," Miek covered his mouth as he looked at Darcy.
"Does that mean the place is special?" I frowned. Darcy licked her lips as she tried to think of what to say.
"Sort of? I mean, not really. Can a dock really be special?" she rubbed the back of her head.
"Now, I am confused, why are the docks special?" Melody asked, drumming her fingers on the table.
"It's not the docks. It's what's on them. That's why we are in town," Korg cleared his throat.
"I got word that a shipment of powerful magical relics from Eastern Europe was due to be delivered to New York this week. Seems some big collector in Molodova died and left his whole estate to his American nephew who, of course, had no idea what he was inheriting"
"What kind of relics are we talking about?" Loki lazily wrapped his arm around me.
"Haunted mirrors... possessed dolls. A ring that slowly sucks the life out of you when you wear it,"
"Cool," Melody whispered.
"Right?"
"Dear god, there really are two of them" Meik let out a long sigh. Korg groaned and leaned his head back.
"This shipment... I'm guessing it was delivered to Holloway Docks," I said to distract the two women.
"Bingo. We didn't want them to fall into the wrong hands so we showed up to intercept them,"
"Of course, but by the time we got there, the crates had been opened and ransacked," Korg crossed his arm.
"You don't think...?" I looked straight to Loki, who nodded his head.
"It makes sense. A man like Shostakov? He must have taken the job at the docks to gain access to any shipments. And once he was there..." Loki replied.
"He went snooping," I licked my lips. I need a drink.
"Found the amulet,"
"And boom. Instant Demonic Santa," Melody clapped her hands. Darcy taps her chin "Oh, I know that look. Emily here has the same look when she is planning trouble,"
"I do not cause trouble. It finds me," I wiggled my finger in my ear.
"You know. I think we could be dealing with a revenant,"
"A what?" I asked, confused. I looked at Loki, who shrugged.
"A revenant," Darcy repeated.
"And that is?" Melody tilted her head.
"A revenant is a seriously pissed-off spirit bound to a cursed talisman like that amulet you guys have described," Korg explained.
"So whoever touches it..." I spoke up.
"Gets possessed and becomes the Red Guardian," Melody ended my sentence. Darcy nodded. Loki ran a hand over his face.
"So how do we kill him? For good, this time," He pondered. Meik and Korg shrugged while Darcy took a second to think.
"The only way I can think of is to destroy the amulet. Which won't be easy as he will guard it fiercely,"
"Just great," I placed my head on the table. Loki patted my back.
"But revenants do have a weakness you could exploit. Incapacitating ones. Like blades coated with mistletoe,"
"How unpleasant," Meik shuddered. Korg placed a large hand on his friend's shoulder.
"But tasty," Korg grinned.
"Please, never change, Korg," Meik pushed his friend's hand away but he was now grinning.
"Mistletoe blades... We can do that," Loki nodded.
"Darcy, can I just say, you are the best! You have seriously saved our lives here," Melody reached over and cupped Darcy's face.
"Well, since I don't think you brought me any ghosts, you can buy me a drink and we can call it even?" Darcy smiled as she held onto Melody's wrists.
"Deal? Cosmopolitan?" Melody let go of Darcy as she nodded "Bartender!" She vaulted the booth and ran to the bar. Loki and I smiled.
"Is she always like that?" Korg pointed to Melody.
"Yes," Loki and I both answered.

After half an hour of talking about supernatural stuff, Loki checked his watch.
"We really should be heading out. It's late," Loki looked at his watch.
"But you just got here! You can't go yet!" Darcy pleaded.
"Yeah, stay and hang out! All the vampires in New Orleans... eh..." Miek stopped as he tried to think of how to end that sentence.
"Excuse the pun... Suck?" Korg added. Loki and Melody chuckled.
"Okay, you can change a little," Miek smiles, pinching his fingers together. Loki turns to me, eyebrow raised.
"What do you think?" Loki asked. Melody presses her hands together, mouthing please at me. I smile.
"I mean, they came all this way from..." I clicked my finger. Oh, bugger, I forgot where they came from.
"New Orleans," Korg stated. I waved my hand at the Kronan.
"There you go. New Orleans. It's only fair we show them a good time, right?" I grinned at Loki. He agrees.
"Yes! That is what I am talking about!" Melody jumps up and cheers.
"What do you do in New Orleans, Miek?" I asked as Darcy calmed Melody down.
"I run a bar. The Graveyard Shift," He grinned as he pulled his phone out and showed me pictures. He had an insane number of followers on Instagram "Third highest"
"It's the best place in New Orleans, especially for people like us" Korg added as he too showed my videos of the place.
"There are a few other hot spots but I know how to take a compliment" Miek beamed.
"You must be a fabulous mixologist" Melody wondered. Miek shrugged. Melody went to order something at the bar but then turned to Meik "Wait a second... Do you know how to make magical drinks?"
"Do pixies cheat at poker?" Apart from Korg and Darcy, we all look confused "... They do"
"Do it! Do it! Make! The! Drinks!" Melody clapped to every word.
"But how to get behind the bar?" Miek looked at the boring bartender. The place was booming and he looked as if he was falling asleep.
"Leave that part to me," Darcy shuffled out of the booth and strutted off.
"Wait for me!" Melody yells as she vaults the table.
"We better follow them," Miek and I both say. The other two agree.

The six of us make our way over to the bar.
"Have you really got this, Darcy?" I ask. Darcy sighed.
"If I can convince a ravenous elder spirit not to consume the universe. Then I can convince a mortal bartender into sharing his goods" Darcy wiggled her top about. Oh, so that's how she is gonna convince him. Hypnotised by the magic of boobs.
"Okay, in about 5 drinks. I wanna hear that story" Melody clicked her fingers. Miek, Darcy and Melody rush off towards the bar. I turn to see Korg and Loki embroiled in deep conversation. I will leave them to it and I ran after the other three.

By the time I make it to the bar, Darcy is already grinning at the bartender. Melody planted herself on a barstool. Spinning around on it.
"So if you would just let my friend here behind the bar for a bit, that would be great" Darcy flirted, fiddling with her hair. She leaned quite far across the bar, flaunting her goods. The bartender looks a bit disinterested. Maybe boobs ain't his thing.
"I don't know," he whispered as some customers called him over "I'm not really not supposed to let anyone else behind the bar" He walked off and served the other customers. The dude ain't going for the booby trap. I might have an idea. I caught Darcy's eye and winked. I called him back over and leaned in.
"You know... The thing about my friend, Miek is that he is famous,"
"He is" The bartender looked towards Meik, who was leaning against the bar, being all nonchalant.
"Oh yeah. I am kinda surprised that you don't recognize him," I hold up one hand beside my mouth and lower my voice "He has, like, the third highest number of followers on Instagram and Snapchat,"
"No way. I thought he looked familiar" The bartender eyed Meik up, licking his lips. He must have thought that Miek could drum up some business for him "I guess it's all right, then. But if you break it, you buy it"
"I wouldn't have it any other way, love" Miek grinned as the bartender headed towards the other end of the bar to serve other customers.

As Miek begins to assemble ingredients, Darcy high-fives me.
"I stand corrected, She has it" Darcy beamed at me and I did a little bow "Thanks for the assist,"
"Any time" I bowed my head. I then take a seat next to Melody as Miek does some fancy bottle-throwing.
"Now... what should I make for your vampire friend here? Something fruity? Creamy? Or, perhaps something spicy?" Miek wiggles his eyebrows.
"Spicy" I reply. Melody likes things hot. Miek smiles. I watch, spellbound, as he mixes a drink. He sprinkles a shimmering dust over it. Then lights it on fire "Cool"
"Thank you" Miek grinned as he served the drink "One Flaming Zesty"
"Is that safe?" I eyed the flaming drink.
"I'm a vampire, baby! Down the hatch!" Melody knocks back the drink. then begins to fan her open mouth "Oh! It's really hot!" Melody hiccups and a fiery orange bubble pops out of her mouth "What the fuck?" After hanging in the air for a moment, it bursts into flames. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. She then burped again, clapping like a child.
"There are people here! Here are normal human people! Should they be seeing this" I gasp.
"They can't see it, actually. This type of magic is invisible to mere mortals" Darcy spoke as a human walked past. The only thing she stared at was Melody's antics.
"But I can see it and I am a mortal" I point to myself. Wish I wasn't but that is life. Miek only hums again, a hint of a smile tilting up the corners of his mouth. Melody slams both hands down on the counter.
"Keep them magic drinks coming"

Before I know it, the bartender (the real one) is announcing the last call of the night.
"I was having fun" Melody pouted as she down the last of her drink. before clapping and pointing to the exit "On to the next adventure!"

With Melody still hiccupping bubbles of fire, our group spills out into the city streets. Korg and Loki are still talking quietly and I sidle up next to them.
"What have you two been talking about for so long?" I leaned my head on Loki's shoulder.
"My apologies, Emily. We didn't mean to be so rude. I just had so many questions" Loki moved his arm so he could wrap it around me, pulling me in close.
"He was asking me about Kronans. What we eat, our social structures, our strengths and weakness" Korg burped "Excuse me"
"Oh, that seems sort of personal. Is that okay to ask?" I bit my fingernail. Loki nonchalantly pushed my hand away from my mouth.
"Depends on the Kronan. I don't mind because Loki agreed to a quid pro quo" Korg cracked his neck. But in a good way, I love him for it.
"He answers my questions and I answer his" Loki grinned. He loved learning new things. Such a dork.
"A real cultural exchange, huh?"
"I don't see why not. Ask me anything" Korg smiled as he leaned on a lamppost. I tapped my chin as I thought.
"Kronans are born when two Kronan men meet together inside a cave on Ria and hold hands for a birthing ritual. A month later, a baby Kroan is born. We have women that are like adoptive mothers and they help raise us,"
"What do you eat?"
"Bones, mostly,"
"Really?"
"No," Korg laughed "I eat the same things you do. Meat, vegetables and I do love a nice cup of tea. Though I will admit that every now and again, I do enjoy a bit of raw goat,"
"Love it," I grinned, tapping my chin once more "Is everything made of stone?" I tilt my head. Loki scoffs and turns away as Korg chuckles.
"Everything," He smirks. I went to ask more but suddenly, Darcy grabbed my hands.
"I've got a great idea! Ice skating! Come on!"

We all descend to the ice skating rink. I strap on a pair of skates and join Darcy on the ice. I can see Barton here with his family. Which means Nat won't be far from here. He seems to have a new girl with him. I wonder if that is Kate Bishop that Melody told me about?
"So, what's it like being... undead?" I wobbled. I was never very steady on my feet.
"Mostly dead is more accurate," Darcy replied. She grabbed my elbow to help steady me.
"Cheers. What's like being mostly dead in New Orleans?"
"Eventful. What's it like hanging out with fancy vampires in New York?"
"Hot," We look at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"So, you and bean pole are an item, or so Melody tells me," Darcy speaks, skating backwards. I cough a little.
"We are not an item" I roll my eyes. Darcy tilts her head. I dread to think what Melody has told Darcy. Thankfully, Melody doesn't know about the sleeping together or she would be fangirling. Loki only stays over when Melody is at the Thunder Den.
"Given the way that he looks at you and is very protective. I think you two need to talk,"
"Why does everyone keep saying that," I rolled my eyes. Darcy then smiles at me "I will one day,"
"Race to the other side of the rink!"

Darcy takes off, gliding over the ice with enviable grace. I follow but someone skates into my path.
"Oh no!" I swerve, barely avoiding a collision and wobble precariously. I reach out and wrap my fingers around Loki's arm as I fly by him.
"I got you," He immediately steadies me, his grip gentle but firm. How he didn't fall over as I crashed into him, I will never know "Didn't know you were falling for me?"
"Thanks. That could have been ugly," I said, avoiding the falling for him question.
"Anytime" Loki pulls me in close, hand on the small of my back "And about the ugly part. Not possible for you will always be beautiful,"
"Smooth," I speak, suddenly breathless.

We stay as long as we can but soon, it's time to head back to the office. I say goodbye to our new friends, hugging them each in turn.
"You need to come and visit us in New Orleans. We'll show you a whole different side of supernatural life," Meik suggested.
"You better believe it!" I hugged him tightly. Loki let out a small quiet growl.
"Stay grounded and watch your back" Korg high-fived Melody.
"You too, Korg," I speak. I looked around to see Darcy clinging to Melody.
"You better stay in contact. And not in Paranet message boards. Real contact," Darcy squeezed Melody tightly.
"Girl, are you kidding me? We are immortal! You ain't getting rid of me that easily," Melody taunted, a slight smile on her face "Emily here has been trying for years,"
"It's true," I nodded as I grinned. Darcy then hands me her phone number.
"Hug it out!" Darcy chimes. We finish our lingering farewells and then head back to the office.

We regroup with Thor and Sif back at Odinson HQ. Thor looked bored and Sif was looking at some papers. Thor smiles when he sees us.
"Well, I met a Kronan, a fae and a zombie. How was your night, Sif?" Melody sunk into a chair.
"I've secured weapons and materials for adequate fortifications," Sif kept her attention on her papers.
"Adequate?" Thor leaned his head around Sif and looked at her papers. Sif held them away from him.
"Significant. How did your meeting with Melody's contact go?" Sif put her papers back in a folder.
"I met a Kronan, a fae and a zombie," Melody repeated. Thor frowned in confusion. I told him that I would explain later.
"It was enlightening. We found out that we should add mistletoe to our arsenal" Loki wiggled his tie, undid his jacket and sat down. I sat down next to him.
"... Go on" Sif finally looked at us. She was rather intrigued by the mistletoe comment.
"Apparently, it is a particular weakness for revenants,"
"That's what we are dealing with, by the way, A revenant. and not in the 'Leo wrestles with a bear for an hour' way either," Melody stretched and put her feet up on the table, laptop resting on her lap.
"Right. I will make sure we are all stocked up," Thor stood up.
"It's settled then. Tomorrow night, the castle will be the safest place in the world. We will all protect each other and make a stand. Just like we did seven hundred years ago," Sif beamed. Thor groaned, mumbling our Sif was getting on his nerves with this whole Winter Solstice miracle crap.
"I'm excited. Zombie hunter aside. Tomorrow night is going to be amazing," I chimed.
"It always is," Sif grinned. I don't know if I like this merry version of Sif. Think I prefer the brooding, 'kill you with her pinky' Sif.
"I mean, it can't be worse than that time we almost got murdered by untamed, right?" Melody mumbled as she typed on her laptop.
"Melody..." SIf pinched her nose.
"I'm just saying. The bar is set so low. I would still trip over it somehow," Melody waved her hand low.
"No. It's going to be amazing. I'm sure of it," I elbowed Melody and looked at Sif.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Emily," Sif smiled.
"I know we all have things to do but try and get some rest as well. Relax a little," Loki speaks. He winks at me and tells me that he will be in his office.

I do want to follow Loki but I end up lingering in the conference room, eyeing Sif up curiously.
"What are you going to do tonight, Sif?" I get up and move closer to her.
"Nothing of note, really. Perhaps go home and read," Sif shrugs and puts her folder in her purse.
"Don't you have any holiday traditions besides the Winter Solstice?" I tilted my head. Sif shakes her head.
"What would be the point?"
"Uhhhh, the point is that there are a million fun things to do during this holiday," I exclaim. Sif smiles at me as I walk up and down the room "You can bake, decorate, drink eggnog and watch holiday movies that you have already memorized. Oh my god... There's so much you haven't experienced,"
"I don't see the appeal but I will admit that your excitement is intriguing," Sif folded her arms, tilting her head at me. A small smile on her face "But you do know it is getting late?" my headshot to the clock. My shoulder sunk in defeat. The sun would be up in a little while and I still needed to see Loki.
"Damn it. Then I guess I will see you tomorrow night,"
"Goodnight, Emily," Sif patted my shoulder.

Since last night was the night I spent at home and not with Loki (He near enough begged me to stay with him but I put my foot down), I crashed when my head hit the bed and I didn't wake up until four o'clock in the afternoon.

I arrive on the platform with Melody to see lots of vampires and mortals. I look down the tracks and see the train smoke but not the train.
"It's more packed than the ball we went to," I whispered to Melody. She simply nodded.
"I feel very undressed," She bites her nails. I see that Loki is walking, Smiling at us all. He gave me a little wink "At least you have a date,"
"Loki is not my date" I insisted. Melody rolled her eyes.
"Please! That man will never let you near anyone else. I don't even get a look in," Melody pouted. I then smile as Loki walks past me, kissing my cheek "Not dating?"
"Not dating," I confirm. I wish we were though. Things would be easier. Maybe one day. I tilted my head as I watched Loki walk over to Sif. Melody then leaned in.
"Did you bring the dress?"
"You already know it," I smirk. Melody went to speak but Thor clapped us both on the shoulders.
"Train's here, ladies,"

The first few cars are fancy while the others are plain-looking.
"Why does the train look funny?" Thor pointed to the different cars. I smiled as Melody asked the same question three months ago.
"VIP and coach," Sif replied, pointing to each car "VIP for vampires and plain for mortals," I shrugged and once again, I went towards the boring car.
"Fuck that. Emily rides with us," Thor insisted as Melody grabbed me, pulling me closer to her. Thor wrapped his arms around us. Sif smiled as she got on the train. Loki sighed, crossing his arms.
"We had this discussion last time and we older vampires lost so we are not even going to try," Loki shook his head. I then smirked at him. He then pointed to the car "Get on the train," I winked at him as we rushed forward.

After we board the fancy train that will take us upstate, I walk down the train with Loki, Melody, Thor and Sif.
"So we are heading to a castle again?" I look around. I was only here three months ago, waiting to go to the awakening/turning party.
"Mmm hmm," Loki nodded, pinching his lips together.
"Question. Exactly how many castles do you guys have? And when do I get one?" Melody asked as she shifted her bag onto her other shoulder.
"Never, if I have anything to say about it. they are a maintenance nightmare," Sif frowned "Poor Michelle did adore hers, though. It won't be the same being there without her,"
"Wait, is this the same castle? The one you had to flee in terror not that long ago?" Thor walked up behind us.
"I have never in my life fled from any place, much less in terror," Sif snapped. Thor held his hands up and said me and Melody ran for it. It is how he met Melody "But yes. It's the same castle. Michelle's estate went to Ebenezer. Her best friend and--"
"And occasional enemy," Loki added. He moved closer to me as a large group of Volstagg's men walked past. They glared at me so I stuck my tongue out at them.
"Thank you, Loki. And he is sort of like her uncle,"
"Her uncle's frenemy" Melody joked. Sif turned her head slightly. Her face was blank.
"Do not say that again,"
"Is going back there a good idea? So many terrible things happened," I asked. Loki settles a warm hand on my shoulder.
"It's safe there, Emily. I promise," he then leaned in. His breath was hot in my ear "I wouldn't take you there if it wasn't,"

We quickly settled in a booth. I sit on one side with Melody and Loki, while Thor and Sif sit on the other side.
"Maybe you should have left me at home instead," Melody leans her head on the train's window "This is all my fault, You know. The Red Guardian,"
"How? How could you say that? We are talking about the angry ghost of a man who died centuries before you were even born," Thor coughed as he leaned on the table.
"Yeah, and awfully convenient that he picked this Solstice to get zombie-resurrected, huh?"
"Urm, Mels, I don't think Shostakov picked it," I leaned past Loki.
"You're right, he didn't. My curse picked it," Melody fiddled with her dreadlocks.
"Melody, You are not cursed," I pinched my nose.
"Oh yes, I am. I am the death of holiday joy,"
"That is certainly melodramatic," Sif scoffed.
"Melody, we have all had bad holidays. I know what better than anyone," Loki spoke, draping his arm over the back of the booth.
"I am not talking about one or two bad holidays. I am on about every year of my life," Melody holds up her hand and starts counting them off on her fingers "My mum got fired one year. Then my dad was the year after. One year, they both got fired. I got fired two different Christmases,"
"Well, seasonal employment can be difficult," Loki scrunched his face up.
"Ha! Those were the nicer holidays,"
"They were?" Thor raised his eyebrows. I sighed. I knew all about Melody's curse. Both Wanda and Strange have confirmed that Melody isn't cursed but she doesn't believe them.
"One year, a wild turkey somehow got loose in the apartment and wrecked the place"
"Wild turkey In New York City?" Thor questioned. That was the year I moved in. My dad had great fun catching that thing.
"Three years ago, the Christmas tree was set on fire," I added. Melody clicked her fingers at me "But that was faulty wiring,"
"The year after that, I ordered takeout. Kept it right simple,"
"Did it get delayed?" Loki asked. I shook my head.
"It never got picked up. The restaurant burned down cooking her order," I smiled. Thor chuckled.
"This is becoming tragic," Sif complained.
"Then last year, I tried to celebrate with a girlfriend and her appendix burst," Melody hugged herself "And we are not going to discuss the year that everyone got food poisoning,"
"Thank god," Sif whispered. I agreed.
"So I ain't kidding. I am legitimate, honest to god cursed. I ruin holidays. I'm Melody the holiday slayer," Melody struck an unhappy superhero pose. I chuckle softly at her.
"Melody, curses aren't real. They don't exist," Sif shook her head.
"Says the vampire. to the other vampire. Who was just yesterday, hanging out with a Kronan, a fae and a zombie? Discussing a cursed amulet"
"She has a point," Thor smiled.
"Not helping," Sif glared at Thor.

As the others begin to bicker about the probable existence of curses, I catch sight of some familiar and unwelcoming faces on the other side of the car.
"I don't get why I have to do this every year," Volstagg sulked.
"I swear if you wear that outfit this year, I will kill you," Hela hid her face.
"Better be some fit lasses here this year," Fandral eyed up a waitress.
"I suppose someone should warn them," I sighed as I looked at Loki.
"Good luck," Loki whispered in my ear as he nodded.

I walk to the other end of the car, ignoring the way Fandral leers at me.
"Speaking of fitties," Fandrla licked his lips. I think vile rose up and stayed in my throat. This man is scum and I hate him.
"Be gone, harlot," Volstagg snaps. Yeah, like I was going to listen to him.
"Now, now, Volstagg. Maybe she is rethinking her loyalties," Fandral waved his hands at Volstagg.
"I already called dibs on this toy," Hela eyed me up, licking her lips "She is going to be so much fun to break,"
"I am here because there is information you need to know," I said, completely ignoring Hela and Fandral's eyes.
"No, darling. You are incapable of having the information we need in your pretty, stupid head," Hela scoffed. I thought she would have listened to what I had to say.
"Please don't force me to agree with you, Hela" Volstagg glared at Hela.
"I, for one, would like to see Hela play with her new toy," Fandral smiled.
"In your dreams," Both Hela and I say.
"nightly," Fandral smirked. I felt like I was going to be sick.
"I just want to see Hela break you," Volstagg smiled evilly.
"Will you bunch of fuckheads just shut up and listen? I am trying to tell you the Red Guardian has returned," I raised my voice. I looked over my shoulder and saw Loki watching me. He nodded. He was tensed. Like an animal waiting to catch its prey.
"Oh, that's a good one," Volstagg was faked laughing.
"It's not a joke," I sighed, folding my arms.
"Sure it is. Sif clearly put you up to it," Fandral leaned back in his chair.
"She did not. I saw the video of the security video with my own two eyes," I frowned. For high-ranking vampires, these three were fucking stupid.
"Ooooh. and? Was he hot? I always imagined he would be hot," Hela leered.
"He was rotting," I gagged.
"But like... in a hot way?" Hela smiled.
"This is ridiculous. Some scheme of Loki's. If Sif plans on betraying us," Volstag glared at me and then towards Loki and Sif. Loki said something and Thor put his middle finger up. Exasperated, I throw my hands in the air.
"You know what, fine. Believe what you want to believe. I hope you get stabbed with an ice shard of death,"

Spinning on my heels, I retreat back to the safety of the front of the car, where Melody is currently doing a dramatic reenactment. Loki wrapped his arms around me, apologizing on behalf of the other council members.
"Don't worry about it," I smiled at Loki. We then got back to listening to Melody tell us about the turkey.
"I mean, have you ever seen how big a turkey can get? Especially when it's flapping its wings?" She waves her arms around, forcing Loki and Thor to duck and Sif to pinch her nose.
"Tell me she isn't going to do this for the entire trip?"
"She's like this every year," I sighed.

A few hours later, We arrive at the castle.
"Oh my god," Thor walks forward. His jaw was practically on the floor. Loki stands to my left, Arm around my waist.
"Do you remember the first time you saw this place? What you said?" He whispered as his finger dug into my hip.
"I think I said fuck me," I whisper. With a grin, Loki leans in and whispers.
"Nearly did in the library," Loki leaned in to kiss me "and once we get some time alone, I will again,"
"Down boy. You don't want to get all worked up now" I pat his chest playfully. Loki growled in my ear. Thankfully no one is near us. Sif and Melody have already gone ahead. And Thor is talking to another vampire. Everyone seems to be excited as they embark on their holiday tradition.
"This is going to be off the chain!" Melody yells. I shake my head. But as I step into the moonlit night, a cold chill passes over me.
"What the hell was that?" I looked around but nothing seemed to be out of place. It's just me and dozens of vampires getting ready to enjoy the Winter Solstice "Must be nothing," Shaking off the momentary child, I link arms with Melody and Loki and head up to the castle.

But meanwhile, in the woods nearby, a figure watches with a rasping freeze.
"A... bom... I... na... tions"