All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chaper Forty-Two

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Loki shivered, which earned him an odd look from Cynthia. Her eyes narrowed and her forehead wrinkled. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, looking from her to Agent May and back. “Something isn't right.”

“What do you mean, something isn't right?” May asked.

They were in May’s room, going over her plan for what felt like the fiftieth time. It was bad enough that Loki was ready to just walk back home and forget everything but going to Asgard to be with his family.

“I mean, something is not right. I cannot put my finger on it, however.” He leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “I feel as if I should go home, make certain McKenna is all right.”

“She’s heading straight to Asgard, isn't she?” Cynthia asked. “Do you have any way of checking to see if she’s arrived there?”

“They have no telephones in Asgard,” he replied evenly, arching one eyebrow at her.

To her credit, Cynthia smacked herself in the forehead. “I know, dumb. But is there any way for you to contact Thor or Odin even?”

“I can, but it will take some doing and I need quiet.”

“Do you still have your room?”

He shook his head. “I checked out after McKenna left.”

Cynthia held out the key to her room. “Take mine. And let us know, okay? You look really worried.”

“I do?”

“Uh-huh.”

He sighed, taking the key to Room Six and making his way there. It was a smaller room, cozier than the one he’d shared with McKenna, with antique furnishings that McKenna would have fallen in love with.

He managed a smile as he closed the door behind him. The room was cooler than the hallway, but not terribly so, but it was quiet and that was the important thing.

He sat on the edge of the bed and tried to clear his mind enough to broadcast himself into Asgard, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t do it. After fifteen minutes of trying, he fell back onto the bed, out of breath and sweating.

Asgard was too far. He had to go there and see for himself.

Without stopping to check in with May or Cynthia, Loki left the Logan, walking up Ferry Street, away from the main part of town. When he finally found a relatively clear area, he glanced up at the sky. “Heimdall, please, I need you to open the Bifrost.”

With that, an invisible hook snagged him around the middle and yanked him forward into the rainbow blur of the Bifrost.

He hit the ground hard, stumbling as Heimdall said, “Loki? What is the matter?”

“McKenna,” he said, regaining his footing. “Has she arrived?”

Heimdall shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. I have not seen her since you returned to Midgard.”

Loki's gut clenched and a sour taste filled his mouth as he stared up at the gatekeeper. “Are you certain? She should have been here by now.”

“I have not seen her. Perhaps you showed her one of your other ways to enter Asgard?”

Loki glared at him. “I no longer use those gateways, Heimdall. I’ve no need of them and have never shown them to her.” His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Please, look and see if you can see her.”