The Unknown

Chapter 43: Freedom with Restrictions

"LET GO OF ME," Dahlia kicked and screamed, the box full of photos dropping to the floor as she fought, not wanting to be taken again, not wanting to lose her family again, but the person holding her was holding tight and it hurt the healing stab wound.

Her magic tingling inside of her was about to burst like it did minutes before in the common room but the person holding her put her down and said quietly in her ear, "it's me, it's okay".

She was put down and turned quickly, wanting to believe the voice but knew it was possible for it to be a trick. This time, however, it was no illusion and her father stood in front of her and she quickly threw her arms around his waist and buried her head into his chest, allowing her tears to fall. Loki quickly wrapped his arm around his daughter while his other hand went to her head, stroking her hair trying to offer comfort.

"It's okay, I'm here now. What's happened?"

He was furious when he found he couldn't find Dahlia in camp and it took only minutes before he figured out what his other children had planned along with his youngest and he couldn't believe it. She was in a place where she could be taken and hurt and that already happened and yet, his eldest children thought it was a smart idea to let their little sister leave the safety of the camp. He quickly ran from the camp to find his daughter and was determined to drag her back if necessary, after a good talking too, but instead, he found her crying and running from the castle, back in the direction of the camp. He held her close and tight and offered quiet comforting words with kisses to the side of her head as she clung to him, but his blood boiled. He wanted to hunt down the person who made her cry and destroy them in all of mind, body and soul. Hela may be his little girl, he may disapprove of the goings on between Hela and Falcon but he could reason with her as she was old enough to understand a father's reasoning for when he was going to kill her suitor and the true cruelties the universe had to offer. Dahlia, however, she was his youngest, only fifteen, a baby in his eyes and not yet accustomed to how the universe really works and just how cruel it could be. His baby girl, always has been, always will be.

He pulled away slightly, not wanting to pull away fully, just to indicate he wanted to look at her. Fortunately, she got the message as she kept her arms wrapped around his waist but turned her head to look up, her chin resting on his chest as he kept both arms around her. "What happened?" he asked softly, lifting one hand to wipe her tears away.

"It doesn't matter".

"It matters to me...your friends are angry, afraid, aren't they?" Loki asked already knowing the answer.

Dahlia glanced away for a moment, not wanting to answer but knew she couldn't escape the inevitable truth, "not all of them. Hermione, the twins, they're supportive, the twins are actually excited about meeting you," she laughed tearfully and he gave her a small smile.

"So, then its Ron," Loki said, "I'm sorry".

"For what?"

Loki sighed and kissed her forehead, "if I didn't try to take over New York, if I wasn't evil, they wouldn't judge you for my actions. If I could've provided you and your sister and your brothers with the safe life you deserved, you never would have had to lie to your friends-"

"Dad, no," she almost snapped, "everything that has happened has led us to this moment. We're all together now and I wouldn't change that for anything. I get to know my brothers, my sister...you" she smiled a tearful smile. "The friends and people that stand beside me now are my true friends, people like Ron who turn their back on me because of the lies I've had to tell to protect us, they're nothing to me anymore".

"Shh," he said, seeing her getting upset and cupped her face between his hands as she gripped his sides tightly. "I know you're putting on a brave face for me but I know your friends are everything to you, so much so, you managed to rope your brothers and sister into helping you get out of the camp when we all know what could happen".