Loki's Daughter Book 2

Merry Christmas

Thor sits on his throne and gestures for the two of us. We walk up the stairs to the throne and turn around. I can see people waiting outside the doors.

'Merry Christmas both of you,' our fathers chorus together. We nod while I share a small smile with my father and we watch as people pile in the room bowing and smiling. Val moves from her right side of her father towards the left where I stand. Thor sits on his throne, Loki down a stair on his left and Valarie was standing on the same stair as Loki but on Thor's right. And I stand on the stair lower than my father also on Thor's left. Representing who's next in line for the throne. Still that doesn't stop Valarie from moving closer to me. I notice that all the Avengers stand in one area and within a moment Val spots them and moves towards them. I keep an eye on Val as she hugs Cap, Natasha and some others before moving off to talk to Hulk/Banner for a bit. I look from Banner to my father. He spots who I'm looking at and smile down at me. 

He leans down and whispers in my ear, 'As long as we don't bring the monster out to play than he's just a boring know-it-all scientist. No one to be afraid of,' he whispers. I smile at his words and nod. He's right. People begin moving up and talking to us so we stop whispering and return their comments and answering a few questions. After a few minutes, I make a clone for myself and for Valarie as I spot her going out on the balcony. I join her a moment later.

'Your clone is taking your job,' I let her know as she turns and sees me. She takes a deep breath and moves to the edge, looking out over the woods.

'We should go back inside,' she says as she spots something.

'We don-' She drags me forcibly back inside and over to the throne. Val climbs all the stairs and stands next to her father, looking down at him. I look around, spotting my father talking to some people and decide to go over and join him; warding off anyone who wants to talk with a withering look. Loki introduces me to them but within a moment I forget their names and what they do. I look up as the people bow and begin to back off but a deep thundering voice tells them to stay. It's Thor. He starts talking to Loki and me, keeping our attention on him. I really want to start moving off and keeping an eye on Valarie but every time I begin to look around, he demands my attention again.

After a few agonizing minutes of Thor not shutting up and Loki and I looking at each other and this suddenly annoying Thor, he moves off just as Valarie makes her way through the crowd and taps him on the shoulder. They exchange words and she hugs him before walking away...towards Tony. I grit my teeth but turn invisible and follow her and Tony out onto the balcony. Valarie takes a box out of his hand and unties the bow.

'Put it on,' Tony says.

She pulls on a really expensive looking watch. I begin to turn around and walk away when Tony says, 'Alright now press that small button.'

Both Val and I watch as one side of the watch pops up. 'Now pull the side over to the over side,' his instructions make no sense to me but Val pulls the popped-up watch side over the rest of it and the moment it reached the other side a red, black and gold suit forms up her arm and over her body. More nanotech. I look from Val's outfit to Tony. He really has not advanced in his tech. It's the same as what his stuff did ages ago. Just faster. Val turns and looks in the mirror. She presses the big A on the right side of her chest and gasps as the suit turns fully black.

'Ok, double tap the A,' she does as he demands and the suit shrinks back into the watch. She hugs Tony.

'It's amazing.'

'Your welcome, we really need you on the team.'

'After New Year's,' she replies smirking. He nods and leaves. Alec pops his head around the door. Val sighs and turns around. I sink into the shadows and turn visible. I need to be here.

'Val, we need to talk.'

'Not now Alec.'

'Yes, now Valarie. I am sorry for how I acted before.'

'So, you should be,' I say while jumping out of the shadows.

'Stay out of this please Ray,' she tells me calmly. I clench my jaw at that name.

'Looks like she doesn't want you like always,' Alec sneers.

Val looks at him telling him to stop than looks at me her eyes pleading at me to stop.

'Didn't your parents fake their death just to get away from you. Sounds like you're the unwanted one.'

'Raven stop,' she whispers as claws come out on Alec. Val stands in between us, filling me with anger and concern. 'Enough you two,' Val says louder.

'No Val, he needs to know that he just can't hurt you and think that it is ok.'

'I know that's why I am out here. And you cannot talk. You've hurt her how many times? Both physically and mentally?'

'Your stepping on the line bitch.'

'Oh, I have walked right across it,' he smirks.

'You are an unwanted piece of shit.'

'That's it Valarie, it's either me or her. Pick now.'

'No and don't talk to me like that.'

'Choose now!'

'I will not choose,' she walks closer to him and puts her arms on his shoulder.

'Yes, you will!' he pushes her roughly. She loses her balance and falls back. I pick her up and stand still as she hides behind me.

His face moves from anger to absolute regret.

'Val I am sorry.'

'Leave now,' I tell him calmly. His head drops as he leaves the balcony and walks in the room. 'Are you alright?' I say to Valarie.

'Yeah, thanks,' she snaps.

'I should leave,' I say more to myself than to her.

'Now?'

'Yes, now Val,' I reply. I can see I'm only ruining things for her.

'It's Christmas. Not now.'

'I need to.'

'No, you don't.'

'I'm doing this for your safety, remember?'

She lowers her head and I see a tear drips. 'Please don't go.'

'I have to. I'm sorry. I'll be back,' I feel like a mum telling her kid I'm going away on work.

'I know, but what if you don't.'

'You will be safe,' and I will be glad dying knowing that she is safe.

'Safe and happy are two very different things Ray,' I wipe away her tear and hug her.

'Merry Christmas Ray.'

'Merry Christmas to you too, Val,' I let her go and open a portal and step through it. I wave to her from the other side noticing how forlorn she looks. I close the portal and change out of the dress and into my fighting gear.