Ice and Defenders- Book 2 of the Frostbite Series

Crack in the Ice

I passed Natasha as I quickly walked down the hallway. I stopped myself and turned, she also stopped and faced me. 

"Where are you going?" We both asked at the same time.

I stepped towards her so that we could speak quietly. 

"You first." She said. 

"Trying to find Steve." I answered. 

"Is he lost?" Natasha asked. 

"No- kind of- not really." I struggled and Natasha narrowed her eyes. "He's paranoid, we all are." 

"Good luck finding him." Nat smiled. 

"Where are you headed?" I asked. 

"To find answers." She replied. I tilted my head. "I'm going to talk to Loki." 

"That's risky, Nat," I warned. 

"You should know I like to take risks." Natasha gave her coy smile. 

I gave her a thin smile and glanced down, knowing that I couldn't do anything to stop her.  

"Just be safe," I said before turning away.

We separated and I continued to walk down the hallway. Where could Steve be in this place? There was a door that was slightly open, above a sign read: Storage, Certified Personnel Only. Which is not me. 

"Oops," I mumbled as I slipped in and closed the door behind me. 

There was a catwalk and stairs that led down to a floor below of boxes and crates stacked on top of each other, some of them stored on shelves against the wall. Ahead I saw Steve standing at an open crate. I went down the stairs and walked up behind him, then made the mistake of tapping his shoulder.

Steve quickly whipped around and got into fighting stance, his hands were clenched into fists and held up. I jumped back and held up my hands. 

"It's just me," I assured him. 

"I thought I told you to stay with Dr. Banner and Stark." Steve relaxed. 

"Well, I didn't." I shrugged. Steve gave a stern look that was quickly gone. "Find anything?" 

"Yeah." Steve nodded and stepped to the side, revealing the contents of the crate behind him.

I looked inside to see a black mask and gun. Both of which had the HYDRA emblem on them. 

"What the hell?" I furrowed my brow. 

"I know." Steve crossed his arms. 

"Maybe they kept it from WWII?" I suggested, looking up at Steve. 

"Why?" He asked. 

"I don't know." I shook my head and looked back at the helmet. A sharp pain came to my forehead and I pressed my hands to my temples. "Ow!" 

"What's wrong?" Steve looked at me. 

"It might be a migraine, I'll be fine." I cooled my hands and rubbed my temples. 

Steve reached over to the crate, grabbed the gun and closed the lid. "We'll have to bring this with us to show Stark and Banner." 

I nodded and lowered my arms.

Natasha's voice came over the comms. "Loki means to unleash the Hulk. Keep Banner in the lab I'm on my way, send Thor as well." 

Steve didn't give any reaction while my heart just about dropped. He must not have his earpiece.