Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 82: Scarred

Chapter Eighty-Two

Scarred

Milky Way Galaxy

Sol System

Nine Realms / Planet Earth

Bee's wounds were severe, but Loki could already feel the flesh knitting itself together. He just focused on his task, didn't dare think about what happened in his absence. There was fury coiled tightly in his gut, but he had to ignore it. He couldn't afford to listen to it. He needed to act first. His thousand questions and the gnawing worry had to wait.

Bee barely started to breathe more clearly under his hands when Stark and Juyu stumbled back into the room. Hatchet was limp in their arms, too pale, too still. Loki's heart probably stopped beating for a moment and his breath got stuck in his throat as well, he almost stood up to rush over when Stark caught his gaze.

'He's breathing, he's breathing,' he reassured him quickly, but there was worry in his voice and an almost frantic look in his eyes. Loki had enough self-control to keep himself from running to the elf.

'Drongo, move or help!' Stark snapped. Drongo stood frozen looking at the bed all this time, now Stark's voice finally made him tear his eyes away from Bee. He immediately knelt down and lifted Hatchet out of Stark's and Juyu's arms, easily taking his weight.

Loki's heart was still vehemently beating in his chest.

'He's skin feels very cold,' Juyu said. The same worry in her tone that it was in Stark's.

'His heart also beats very weakly,' Drongo said, looking up at Loki, one large hand spread out on Hatchet's chest.

'What do we do?' Stark asked.

Loki tried to organize his thoughts, the symptoms were easy enough to recognize, but the solution might be much harder. He still had his hand on Bee's chest as his mind raced with possibilities. He felt just a little overwhelmed for a second.

'What's going on... oh, you're back!' Someone interrupted them and Loki looked up again to find Lady Pepper and Happy in the door. She was looking at him with such relief that Loki was startled for a moment. Then she noticed Hatchet and quickly ran closer to him.

'Should I call Dr. Ahlgren again?' she asked.

'I doubt he can help,' Stark said. 'Loki, what do we do?' Stark asked him again, more urgently.

Loki shut his eyes and took a large breath. He had to keep his calm.

'Downtown, Los Angeles,' he said, looking at Stark. 'The Agatha Street, between Towne Ave and Crocker Street, there is an alley across from a parking lot. Get in the alley and call for Pilzskin and Oakbud. They'll hear you.'

He memorized the location, because he knew it was important.

'I can't go, Bee's not...' he started to explain, but there was no need.

'No, you just worry about her, I can do this,' Stark nodded.

'Tell them that Hatchet burnt too much magic,' Loki continued. 'They need to bring a Fae, who's old enough to help him. Tell them that Hatchet will owe the Fae a favour. If they're reluctant to come then promise that I will owe them a favour as well.'

'Okay, anything else?' Stark asked.

'No, that's all, just hurry,' Loki told him.

'Come on, I'll drive,' Happy said. They were both out of the room a second later.

Loki's eyes drifted back to Hatchet, the blond in his hair was very disconcerting.

'Is there anything else we could do?' Drongo asked.