Thievery, Murder and Mischeif (Avengers Fan Fiction)

4. Fear and Flames

Before daring to open my eyes, I assessed the room. The sound of steady breathing was the most prominent sound - though beyond that there were footsteps and muted voices. I felt no impending danger. I opened my eyes and sat up. I'd been lying on my side and my cheek was numb. The room was perfectly white and smooth, with a fresh breeze coming from above. An open window above my head, luring me out. Of course it was a trick - the walls would be designed to keep me from climbing and escaping. Fury knew my skills too well. I would not humiliate myself by attempting it.

I turned to face the glass panel behind me. The glass appeared black, and I wondered what it was hiding. The steady breathing had halted. "Hello," I spoke loudly and clearly, addressing the other occupant of my cell. "You know it's kind of creepy, watching a women sleep."

The darkness in the glass faded. I recognised Stark from when I'd broken into his tower in a fruitless attempt to track Loki. He was smiling charmingly at me. "I'll tell Fury Sleeping Beauty opened her eyes," he left through a concealed door behind a blank wall. I leant lazily against one opalescent wall, listening carefully.

More hushed words hurriedly spoken, and then the swish of a well oiled door. Footsteps, then Nick Fury entered the room behind the glass. "Now, what does one do with a dragon," he spoke mostly to himself.

"Whatever one will do with a dragon," I told him playfully, "if one is not afraid to play with fire."

He nodded. "So will our dragon answer a few questions?"

I considered it. "I do as I please. I answer what I want to."

"You're almost as stubborn as Loki," he sighed, exasperated. "But I see that's the best I'm going to get."

"Don't hold you breath."

He fell silent for a moment. "I understand you have a few... superhuman abilities."

I smiled devilishly, and scales ran over my face.

"Ok," he seemed to be weighing something up, as if he wasn't sure what he wanted to ask. "Do you know Loki?"

"I think everyone knows of Loki. It is impossible not to have heard of the chaos he caused," I answered truthfully, but didn't give him any new information. A perfect answer, if you ask me. Fury was not as pleased.

"On a personal level, I mean," he tapped his seat impatiently. "Have you ever met him?"

"No," I answered straight out. "I've never spoken with him - as far as I know," I lied.

Fury paused, irritatingly drumming his fingers again. "You know, you are a very interesting person, Dragoness."

"I don't suppose you mean that as a compliment. What are you trying to say?" I eyed him suspiciously - I couldn't figure out what he meant.

He smiled weakly. "There are always records of people, some kind of background. But for you I found nothing, nothing of your past, intentions... symptoms. Who exactly are you?" the question was direct and made me uncomfortable.

"I am the Dragoness, Fury. I am a mercenary, and that is all I have ever been," I replied, trying not to dodge  his question.

"I don't believe you don't have a past outside of murder. What is your name?" he looked intently at me.

"My name is the Dragoness," I stuck to my answer.

"What name were you born with?" his voice was slightly heated now.

"What does it matter?" I snapped. "That name was stolen from me long ago."

He must have been lost for words, as he sat considering me for quite a while. Finally he shook his head. "Just hold on a minute," he left, and I listened to his footsteps.