Tabula Rasa (Unlike Loki: Book Two)

Chapter 12

(Anna)

Torren and I were better.

We weren't perfect, but we were better.

He worked harder to be more romantic and supportive, and I worked to smile and laugh more.

Things were good. And I really did feel better. I felt happier.

But something didn't feel right. I couldn't quite figure out what it was though.

It didn't have anything to do with Torren, or Loki even. It was something else. Something dark and foreboding.

Something evil.

******************

"Is now a bad time?" I heard Thor say behind us. Torren and I had been talking in quiet whispers, laughing.

I looked up and smiled. "No. What is it?"

"We need to go to Vanaheim. Need to talk things over with the council. They want to help us take precautions against Mangog and the Frost-giant prince."

"Okay. Does no one know the prince's name?"

"No one can keep track of which one is which." Thor said.

"Ah." I got up and brushed off my dress. "Would you mind looking after things while we're gone? Make sure By takes care of Leolin?" Torren nodded his head.

"Of course." Torren stood and kissed me on the top of the head. "How long will you be gone?" He asked Thor.

"A couple of days."

We said our goodbyes and then I went to pack a few of my belongings.

By met me in my room, surprising me. "What are you doing in here?"

"Sorry, just wanted to see you off." He smiled mischieviously. "Any leads on Mangog or the prince yet?" he asked.

"Not that I know of. But we will make sure to be ready if either one decides to target Asgard."

He nodded his head. "I'll look after Leolin. Maybe take him through the villiages."

I smiled as I packed the last of my things. "He'll like that."

"Be safe."

"I will."

He took my hand softly, but his eyes were hard. "Is Torren watching over things while your away?"

Confused, I answered, "Yes."

"I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid while you're away."

I pulled my hand out of his. "He won't."

*************

(Torren)

I walked the castle slowly, just making rounds, giving me something to do. Anna and Thor had left in the afternoon, and it was now night. And an uneventful one.

Soon, this kingdom would be mine. And whether Anna liked it or not, things were going to change. Laws were going to be made, restrictions were going to be set, and the people would listen.

I didn't plan on being a ruthless leader, but a stern one. Odin had been stern, but was more worried what happened with his sons or event outside of Asgard. He very rarely paid any attention to what was going on around him.

And don't even get me started on Loki.

I walked out to the gardens and picked a flower, plucking at his petals. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash. When I looked, there was nothing but darkness. I shrugged my shoulders and kept walking.

Suddenly, the temperature dramatically dropped and the wind sped up. I pulled out my sword slowly, ready to stab anything that came near. The wind seemed to carry menacing whispers, making me spin about, trying to find the source of the voices. I could have sworn that it became darker, making it even harder for me to see.

The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up, as were the hairs on the rest of my body.

"Who's there?" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.

I heard something behind me, making the plants rustle in an unnatural way, and I spun around, taking a few steps back.

But there was nothing there.

The plants all around me began to shake violently, as did the ground, trembling with some unknown force.

I tried to keep my balance, but I was stumbling.

All of a sudden, there was a loud laugh, low and evil.

I whipped around to be assaulted by a pair of glowing green eyes. My cries for help became caught in my throat.

"Asgard is mine." The voice was low and quiet, and it felt as if I only heard it inside of my head. But it was clear and confident, the sound of a million terrible voices all at once.

And then I felt my heart being ripped from my chest.