Believe in Magic [a Loki fanfic]

Demons from the Past

Ella placed her head on Loki's heart. His chest was rising and falling in a rhythm so slow it was anything but human, as was the beat of his heart. Slow and soothing. One of his hands rested on her head, the other lazily stroking her arm.

"I was taken," she began, "Maybe a year ago. I was taken away from my home. It was during a time when the veils are thin, on Samhain." She paused, only to feel Loki's hand gingerly stroking over her hair, reassuring her he was there and encouraging her to go on. 

"It was autumn, but that night a blizzard settled in. My parents had put my little brothers to bed early and were discussing something with my grandmother in the kitchen when I went to retire to my room. Shortly afterwards, I heard noises from downstairs and ... screams. My grandmother burst into into my room yelling something I could not understand, before a shiny blade ran through her chest and her limp body fell forward into my arms, exposing her killer to my view."

She focused on Loki's touch and the beat of his heart, so that she would not get caught up in the memory. 

"It was a  - a giant blue creature with glowing eyes and - it was as if its arm was - it was as if instead of the hand there was a blade. I turned and jumped straight through the window down into the garden below. And I ran. I ran and I could not wipe those red eyes from my memory. I kept running until I reached the forest, looking for shelter, but somehow I got lost in the mist and I must have left my world and crossed into a realm called Jotunheim. That was were they caught me and took me away."

Loki stiffened. "Your family -?"

"Was slaughtered by what you call Frost Giants. Terrifying creatures."

Ella had concentrated so hard on keeping her mind clear of any images, as it would allow her to relay the facts to Loki without getting involved emotionally, that she almost did not notice when Loki's magic retreated. His emotions withdrew until they ceased to be entirely. She reached out to feel him. There was nothing.

"Loki?"

"Yes."

"Did I - have I said anything that upset you?"

Loki's stomach churned.

Upset him?  A sarcastic chuckle escaped his throat.

Why should she even care? He was a monster. Not any kind of monster, but the same kind that had killed her family and driven her out of her realm - into misery and suffering. How could he even dare to touch her?

"Loki? You know that I feel safe with you?"

"Yes." His voice lacked the usual warmth, and Ella wondered what had brought on the sudden change in his demeanour. But then, this day had already been full of unpredictable events and too many confusing moments.

"I am glad you came."

"Me too. You are safe with me. I promised you I would not harm you, did I not?"

The dark princes' words were devoid of emotion as Loki stared up at the branches of the tree above them, gently swaying in the breeze. 

He would make sure she was safe. And he would make sure she that she never found out who he truly was.

Never.