The Secret Rebellion (Book 3 in The Secret Series)

Chapter 22: Magic Tricks

Chapter 22: Magic Tricks

"So, if I move my hand like this, will it work...?" I wondered aloud, holding Loki's small book of tricks with one hand, and trying out various poses with the other.

Tony was lounging on the soft grassy floor, brown pensive eyes fixed on the puffy white clouds that were rolling lazily across the sky. We'd decided to take a half an hour break from hiking, which gave me the perfect opportunity to try some of Loki's spells.

Concentrating, I pulled on my inherited old magic, feeling a sudden surge of energy through me, while simultaneously trying to repress my natural fire-based magic.

"Careful. If you looked any more serious and focused right now, I'd think you'd turned into a Capsicle clone," Tony remarked, still gazing at the sky, but now a mischievous smirk was playing on his face.

"Don't distract me," I managed to mutter, trying not to lose focus, before feeling a sudden peak of magic.

And then, out of nowhere, there was another Eldrid in the clearing.

Tony looked away from the clouds, and blinked as he noticed my new identical apparition stood beside me.

"You have a twin now? My God, your family is just never-ending. Honestly, I'm expecting you to tell me that you've got a nasty big brother who also happens to be crazy and Loki-like," he said mock-seriously, but he seemed impressed with my handy work.

I smiled mysteriously. "Well, now that you mention it..."

He sat up quickly, eyes wide. "You don't actually have a brother, do you?"

I laughed, and my doppelgänger copied suite. "No, don't worry, Earth only has Hela and Loki to worry about."

Tony smiled easily. "Just imagine the look on Nick's face if he found out you had more evil family members. That would be hilarious."

"Hilarious for you maybe, but I'm pretty sure that Nick would have a heart attack," I replied with a grin, but wondered what Nick really would say if he found out about my mother.

"True. Or maybe he'd think of an unimaginable punishment for you."

"Like what...?"

"Like washing the Hulk's stretchy shorts for a year."

I grimaced, and then smiled suddenly. "And seeing as though you're a gallant superhero, you'd offer to help me, right, Iron Man?"

Tony shuddered. "I wouldn't go near those things, not even for you, Firefly."

I laughed at his disgusted expression. "Well then, it's a good job that I'm not hiding anyone from Nick."

I turned back to my duplicate, who mirrored my actions. I scrutinised her face, immediately picking out any flaws.

"Hmm. She seems to be exactly identical to me..."

"She's not as beautiful as you," Tony offered, smiling charmingly at me.

I rolled my eyes, but smiled back anyway. "Thank you, even though that technically doesn't make sense."

He lay back down on the grass, and I returned to scrutinising my double. As I reached out to touch her, the image flickered, and disappeared.

"So that's how Loki does it," I said aloud wonderingly, and eagerly turned the page to look at the next trick.

We were both quiet for a while, each absorbed with our own thoughts. Tony eventually broke the silence, stretching, as he said, "I'm going to call my suit. Chances are, this 'Volla' lady is going to be insane."

I frowned at him. "That's not very nice. She could be a lovely old lady."

Tony gave me a sarcastic look, one eyebrow arched sceptically. "She lives alone in the middle of nowhere. She has to be mad to survive out here."

I looked around at the imposing tree line. The ancient brown trunks towered high above us, with leaves dripping off the twisted branches. It was dark in the forest, and the silence was eerie, making our clearing seem like a patch of heaven in contrast.

I turned back to him. "Fair point."

He did his arm pose that would hopefully summon the suit, while I tried a new trick.

It was similar to the other spell, but instead of one Eldrid, there were six, suddenly surrounding Tony a moment later.

He seemed bemused by the sudden influx of girls, and grinned slightly.

"Stop," I said quickly, just as he opened his mouth to speak.

He looked at me innocently. "What?"

"I don't want any inappropriate suggestions before you offer any," I said, giving him a knowing look.

He paused, and then grinned sheepishly.

"Fine. Not that I was going to. I was only going to say how realistic the magic looks," he replied, trying to sound genuine.

I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, before smiling suddenly as an idea hit me.

"Shut your eyes, Stark," I commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, in a perfect impression of Steve, and obeyed.

"When you open them after counting to twenty, I want you to guess which Eldrid is the real one - meaning me. That'll test how strong the magic is," I explained, and he nodded obediently.

"Alright. Should I start counting now...?"

"From now."

I moved quickly so that I stood to his left instead of in front, and the duplicates moved around with me, still maintaining the ring of Eldrids.

After twenty seconds precisely, he opened his eyes and looked around. Each of my duplicates mirrored my expression, and now all of them were grinning impishly.
 
In turn, Tony looked at each of us, scrutinising us with a thoughtful expression. He looked at each for about five seconds before moving on. When it was my turn, I fought hard not to give anything away, trying to keep the smile plastered on my face.

He finished inspecting us after a couple of minutes, and smiled enigmatically. In one fluid movement, he turned and kissed me.

He broke away after a moment, still smiling, and tucked a wayward lock of hair behind my ear.

"How did you know it was me?" I asked curiously, well aware of our close proximity. The other Eldrids disappeared as I lost concentration in the magic.

"Your eyes. Yours looked more... alive than theirs. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure anyone else would’ve been fooled. I'm just the exception," he explained, seeming pleased within himself.

"Of course you are -  how could I have ever believed that I could trick a genius such as you, Tony Stark?" I said sarcastically.

He shrugged, smiling. "I was wondering the same thing."

Before I could reply, he suddenly let go of me and stumbled to the side as the right leg of his Iron Man suit arrived and impacted with him. Looking up at the sky, expecting to see just the flying pieces of Tony's suit, I noticed something strange and unwelcome cruising leisurely, high above the tree line.

"Is that a-?" Tony began incredulously, following my gaze.

"It's a Dark Elf ship," I confirmed, frowning. "But the question is, where is it going?"

We looked at each other, obviously thinking of the same solution to my question.

Tony grinned, just as the final piece of his suit - the face of the helmet - attached to him. "I just love following mysterious spaceships. It's my favourite hobby, just above drinking champagne in a hot tub filled with models."

"I really hope you're joking about the models."

"Eldrid!" A familiar voice cried from the sky above, interrupting us.

A moment later, Thor joined us in the clearing, seeming oblivious to the Dark Elf ship, which was slowly getting further away.

"Uncle, there's a-" I began, pointing at the ship, but Thor cut me off, looking worried.

"Why are you here, so far away from Asgard?! Odin told me everything - he said you were upset so I-"

"But Uncle look-"

"I looked everywhere for you, and when I couldn't find you or Tony I knew you'd run away-"

"But I hadn't-"

"But when I searched the palace grounds again, I saw the Iron Man suit flying towards the forests. I followed them, hoping they'd lead me to you, and thank Odin they did."

"Thor, there's a-"

Thor grasped me by the shoulders and looked me intently in the eyes. "Eldrid, I know who your mother is. I... I've always known. But I don't care, you're still my niece - you'll always be like a daughter to me. Never forget that."

"There's a - wait, you've always known? And you never told me?" I pulled away from his hold, feeling betrayed.

Thor looked troubled. "I'm sorry."

I didn't speak, the Dark Elf ship almost forgotten.

Thor suddenly pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Eldrid, I am sorry. I didn't tell you because it doesn't change anything. I love you too much to lose you like I lost my own brother," Thor said sadly, still crushing me.

"Guys? I hate to break up this emotional moment... but that spaceship is getting further away. If we want to follow it, you might want to hurry up before it goes behind those mountains," Tony interceded, his helmet-covered face tilted up to the sky.

Thor released me. "Spaceship?"

"There's a Dark Elf ship right there," I explained, pointing to the shrinking shape on the skyline.

Thor spun his hammer immediately. "Then let us follow it."

Without any more words on the topic of my parentage, Thor flew into the sky.
I felt a light touch on my arm, and turned to Tony.

"Are you alright?" he asked, the glowing blue eyes of his suit seeming to scrutinise me.

I forced a smile. "Let's just go and stalk a ship, okay?"

“But what about Volla?”

I touched my pocket which held Loki’s map. “I can find her again.”

He nodded, and boosted into the air. I sighed, before hastily setting alight and following.

***

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I am so sorry about these huge waiting times for new chapters. My summer exams have started, so things are pretty hectic and incredibly busy. Anyway, I really hope you liked the chapter - I hope it wasn't too bad!!

Thank you for reading and for your patience, I really appreciate it :)