Shattered Thorns

Chapter 3

He could not believe he was stuck in this tiny mortal contraption with his idiot, adopted brother. The oaf thought that he could make him apologize, but the oaf was mistaken. He looked out of the window of the moving mortal contraption and glared at passing buildings and Midgardians.

"Brother, do not look so depressed. Be thankful that I was able to convince both the Man of Iron and the Director that I could handle you," the oaf said. When he did not respond, the oaf sighed. "Loki, Maiden Emmaline is very kind and you were rude to her, thus you must apologize to her. Also we are picking up her younger sister, Koralia to take back to the tower. The Man of Iron said something about making another being like J.A.R.V.I.S. for Maiden Emmaline."

"I care not. You will not make me apologize for my actions. It was a valid inquiry to whether or not she could see. Turns out she cannot. No harm done," Loki replied, still glaring out the window. He watched as the moving contraption slowed to a stop in front of a dilapidated brick building with graffiti splattered on the side.

"We have arrived at Mrs. Tanner's place of residence," the contraption spoke. Loki sighed and opened the door. He stood on the sidewalk and glowered at his adopted brother who beamed as he led the way inside. An old woman greeted them with a bright, red-lipped grin. Loki immediately disliked her. Well, even more than he already disliked mortals.

"Welcome, I'm Mrs. Dolly. Is there anything I can do for you?" the old woman asked while leering at both men.

"Yes! We are here to see Maiden Emmaline!" Thor announced in his jovial voice. The woman's grin froze on her face. Loki felt satisfaction at the woman's obvious disappointment.

"Right," the woman said in a terse voice, "follow me."

The woman led him and his oafish, adopted brother to a brown door with peeling paint. The woman knocked on the door in three quick raps. Nobody came to the door. The woman knocked again. There was a yelp and a crash from inside the apartment.

The door swung open and a short girl with dirty blond hair and golden brown eyes glared at Mrs. Dolly and blinked up at the two giant men behind her. Loki swore her eyes flashed with anger when she saw him, but it vanished as quickly as it had come.

"Hey," she paused. "How can I help you?"

"We wish to speak to Lady Teller and pick up her younger sister to take her to the Man of Iron's tower in the wheeled contraption that moves and talks," Thor said stepping in front of Mrs. Dolly. The woman huffed and stomped off leaving them alone with the girl.

"Oh! Come in. Emma's in the shower, but you can have some cookies while we wait for her to get out of the shower." The girl ushered them in with much enthusiasm. "I'm Koralia by the way. We don't have any couches so you'll have to sit on the beds." Koralia gestured towards two cots in the room. Thor happily sat down on one of the cots and it squeaked in protest. The annoying, young mortal winced slightly.

"These are very sturdy beds and I like the strange creatures on this one," Thor said. Koralia blushed.

"Those are kittens. They're my favorite animal," Koralia said, not looking at Loki. "Do you want something to drink?"

"I'll take mead." Loki glanced at Thor.

"We don't have mead. We have milk, pink lemonade, or water."

"I will try the pink lemons," Thor said, puffing his chest out as if this was some great feat. Koralia giggled before turning to Loki. Her eyes darkened in anger.

"I'll get that," Koralia said turning back to Thor. She opened her mouth to say more, but a loud whining started ringing from the small kitchen area. "My cookies!"