Illusions | Loki & Jane

23. Her Courage

"WAIT! DON'T!" Loki heard Jane's desperate cry as she stood defiantly in front of the Destroyer, as if it was a man to reason with. Was she truly trying to stop the attack with mere words? He sat on the throne, seemingly staring into emptinrss, while his mind tethered to the black metal monstrosity. A wave of frustration washed over him. What was she thinking? She didn't even know who was behind all this, was she trying to get herself killed? Did she truly believe she could save Thor—a man she barely knew—by risking her own life?

She deserved to die, right then and there, if only for her stupidity. However he did not have the heart to conduct it. With a resigning groan he let the Destroyer take her and put her on top of the roof. If he weren't so enraged, he might have found it amusing to see her futilely attempt to fight the metal giant with her bare hands and feet. He shook his head crossly at the woman. Yes she had more courage than most humans he knew, nevertheless this courage would get her killed some day.

It reminded him of a summer evening not long ago. They had been walking home from a company event he had brought her to, hoping to ease her fears about his fidelity. Additionally, so that she couldn't find out that he had been lying about his business trips, he imprinted memories into his colleagues' brains about them spending weekends and other days together.
It was a warm evening and she had been so joyful, laughing at his boss's drunken antics.

"He reminds me of a squirrel," Jane had said, grinning as they strolled through the warm night air, her hand brushing against his.

"A squirrel?" Loki chuckled.

"Yes! He was eating the entire evening, his cheeks all stuffed!" She had giggled, mimicking the man's ridiculous expressions.
Loki guffawed. His love dared to call Dr. Blois a squirrel.
"And his front teeth! They are huge!" She added, imitating his face with a giggle.
"Yes, you are right." The half god was still laughing, when he wanted to put his arm around her shoulders when four men interrupted him, who came around the corner, walking towards them with angry frowns.

"That is the scammer!" one of four angry men had shouted, pointing accusingly at him. "That is the man who stole the money!"

Loki had remained calm, his amusement shifting to irritation. "Gentlemen, I did not steal anything," he had replied smoothly, feigning innocence. "I really don't know what this posturing is about."

But the situation escalated quickly. They had surrounded him, their faces twisted with rage.

""Our boss, mr. Zhao told us differently. You are mr. Mckenzie, right?" one of them had sneered.
"I might be." Loki answered with a smug grin on his face. "Depends on who's asking."

"It's him alright." Another man eyed the Demigod with an angry frown. Loki recognized him as the bodyguard of the client, he had seen one week ago. Mr. Zhao had made a 3 million Dollar deal with the company. The God of Mischief had been there for overseeing the agreement they had retained on paper. In the contract Dr. Blois and he had created, mr. Zhao would sign for a deal, where he would give the company 3 million Dollars and get absolutely nothing back for it.
"His company only rose, because he earned money from my losses." Dr. Blois had explained to the Half-god. "I want to repay him and I am sure you will be able to convince him to sign this contract."
His boss wasn't the nicest person on earth. To say the least, he was very unsympathetically. However, he was a man to Loki's liking. He made it possible for him to test his skills on manipulating. Since he had promised to Jane in silent, that he would not use illusions anymore, he had no other choice than manipulating, however he won and mr. Zhao signed willingly and happily for an offer he could not recline, yet made him lose millions of Dollars.