Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 7

Jace

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Gabe shouted. "On top of everything else, now we have to worry about that bastard again? How the fuck did he even get out?"

"No one really knows," I answered. "I wish I had more information, but I simply don't. There've been claims of sightings across several realms already. It's like he's searching for something, but we all know sooner or later, he's going to come for her."

Cricket sat in Raven's lap with a distant expression. She'd lost more weight and it looked like she wasn't sleeping much. Ever since Victor disappeared, she seemed almost hollow. Kota told me she refused to be alone anymore, terrified one of them might disappear next. When Mother told me about the sightings of Erebus, I was livid, then the fear hit me.

"We need help," Loki said quietly. "I think we need to travel to Asgard and consult with Odin," he said to Gabe.

"I'm not leaving her," he replied.

Loki gave him a pained expression, "I know you don't want to, but what's the alternative? Sit and wait for Erebus to storm the doors? We have to do something." Gabe let his face fall into his hands as he groaned in frustration.

"What about Victor? Are we just giving up on him?" Cricket said softly.

"Don't say that," Gabe snapped. "No one is giving up on anyone! We are going to find him, and we are going to put Erebus back in that damned pocket and throw it so far into the abyss that he will never see the exit again!" She shrunk back at his angry tone and his face dropped. "I'm sorry, little wolf. I shouldn't have raised my voice." He knelt before her, kissing her hands. "I miss him too, baby. I miss him so much it hurts and I'm scared of losing you as well."

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded, "I know m'anam, I'm scared too."

"We have to try, malen'kiy voin," Raven said, kissing the top of her head.

"I know mo bhéar, I'm just terrified every time any of you are out of my sight. I'm afraid when I close my eyes that it will be the last time I see you," she sniffled, leaning into his chest.

Loki

*Timelines are overlapping and non-linear from here on out - time passages will be rapid and might be difficult to follow*

It took a lot of convincing, but finally Gabe and I were preparing to leave. The lights of the Bifrost surrounding us faded and we looked at each other in confusion. This wasn't Asgard.

"Hello, meanie," a woman's voice said from the shadows.

"Fuck," Gabe swore as the blonde woman I realized was Sang stepped forward. Her face lit up with maniacal glee as she flicked her hand, shutting the invisible door we had failed to notice. "What are you playing at Sang?"

She stepped to the cell and gave an innocent look, "Meanie, I don't understand. Aren't you happy to see your Trouble again? Besides, I have a present for you, well sort of," she giggled and tapped the wall next to the cell.

The glass lit up with an image of Victor in dragon form. He appeared to be suspended in what looked like a pocket realm. Wait, wasn't that the pocket... "How did you," I sputtered, shifting my gaze from her to Victor.

"She had a little help," a deep voice said. "Gabriel, good to see you again, and you must be the infamous Loki."

"Volto, I assume," I spat.

"Yes, that's one of my names. More of a theatrical effort really. I much prefer Deimos," he grinned.

"What did you do to him, you bastard," Gabriel growled at the creature.

Deimos looked to the wall and ran his finger along the edge, "He is perfectly safe. The spell you all created for Erebus required a presence in the pocket to remove him. We simply replaced Victor for him. He really is looking forward to spending some quality time with Eveleen," he chuckled.

Gabriel lunged for the cell wall, shouting, "You fucking son of a bitch! I'll kill you!" He launched a wave of magic at the wall, but nothing happened. Sadly, I already knew. Our magic was effectively nullified while inside this cell. We were mere mortals within a glass cage.

Sang's laughter filled the room, "Oh, meanie, you really should calm down. We have all the time in the world to get reacquainted now that you're here and the bonds are broken. Might as well get comfortable. We'll catch up soon." She blew him a kiss and the pair turned, walking out of the room.

Gabriel turned and landed a punch on my jaw, "Go see Odin, you said. It will be fine, you said. Dumbass." I rubbed my jaw as he slid down the wall, tugging at his hair in frustration.

"I deserved that," I admitted. I sat next to him and grabbed his arm, "Look." He glanced at his arm, his eyebrows raising.

"What the fuck," he whispered. Victor's bond mark once again swirled on his forearm along with Eveleen's. "But Sang said it was broken. I mean, I saw Victor's disappear with my own eyes."

"I think their spell blocked it somehow, or maybe even this cell did, but for whatever reason, we can see it now," I said.

His eyes went wide, "Oh fuck...do you think our marks disappeared on little wolf's arm when they caught us? She'll lose her damn mind."

He was right. If she thought we were gone, it would push her even farther over the edge. I shook my head, "I'm not really sure. This cell blocks magic, even mine. We just have to keep our heads. Kota was right, they can't kill us, so for now we watch and listen." He nodded, as he kept running his fingers over the moving bond. "We also need to try and hide that from them. The less they know, the better."

Deimos

"So what do you want me to do with them?" Sang asked as we watched them talking.

I watched as they leaned their heads together. Loki's hands clasped Gabriel's and he pressed his fingers to his lips as he tried to comfort him. "Let's see if they can be tainted," I replied. "Use whatever potions you prefer. The trickster is right when he says we can't kill them, so no need to worry about what you use," I chuckled.

"Do I get to keep him?" she asked, with a gleam in her eyes.

"Well we can't let them go, none of them - ever. If you can corrupt them, or control them, you can have them as playthings. Those who are resistant must stay imprisoned. We can't risk even a single one to challenge our plans. Do you understand, Sang?" I questioned, turning to lock my gaze on her. She visibly swallowed and nodded.

"Who's next?" she asked softly.

"Next, we take their protector," I smiled, "then the pawns will fall quickly." I kissed the top of her head, "Soon you and Kaylie will have your lovers and I'll have mine."

Author's Notes:  Entries will seem disjointed as multiple events will unfold at once and some over a span of years.  Characters will give time flow clues.  

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