Working Title : Loki & Annie

Chapter Fourteen

Thor continued to stand in the doorway, mouth slightly agape. He stared at Loki, laying back against the arm of the dark green couch, large gold pillows behind his head. He was wearing a gray tunic with green decorative embroidery along its edges, loose black casual pants flowing down to pale bare feet. All he needed was a glass of wine and a plate of fruit and cheese and it could be any evening Thor had seen a thousand times before.

Loki raised his eyebrows. "You seem to be bereft of speech beyond your normal lack of worthy conversation. Is this a temporary condition or am I going to be even more put upon in the too near future?"

Thor walked cautiously further into the room. He reached over to a desk and picked up a letter opener sitting on it. With a flick of his wrist he sent it sailing across the room and right into Loki's chest. It went straight through him and into the couch where it sank to the hilt.

Loki looked down where the small knife could be seen through the illusion that was himself then back up to Thor with a menacing look. He stood and took another glance at the knife that remained embedded in the couch before putting up a hand holding up a finger. "The lock and latch to my door." He snapped up a second finger. "And now my couch." He put both hands on his hips. "If I weren't impressed with the fact that you actually didn't fall for that, for the first time I might add, I would be turning you into a frog and tossing you over the balcony to live in Mother's gardens for a week."

"Loki." Despite having proof that this was only an illusion of Loki created by his brothers magic Thor's voice nearly broke when he spoke. He walked closer, his ball lightening following and lighting the room.

Loki frowned, he had never liked Thor's magic and never allowed it in his chambers. He pointed with a wagging finger at each of the balls floating around while he caused the lights in the wall sconces to come up and bathe the room in bright light.

Thor motioned and the balls shrank in on themselves until they disappeared with a bright spark of light and a pop of sound. He looked at Loki, taking in his short hair and youthful look. "How old-" Thor stopped. "When did Loki create you?"

Loki gave Thor a venomous glare. "I am Loki."

Thor shook his head. "You know what I mean. When did Loki create this illusion of himself?" Thor waved his hand about.

Loki's head drew back, his chin rose while his back stiffened. "If you have no need of me, Loki, then I have better ways to spend my time." Loki disappeared and a second later the bedchamber plunged into darkness.

Thor sighed. Illusion or not, it was Loki. He should have known better. "I am sorry, Brother. I meant no disrespect. Truly. It has been a, very difficult time and I spoke the truth before. You are in danger and I do need-" Thor shook his head. Only in dealing with Loki did this conversation make sense. "I need your help. To help you." There was no reaction as he waited. "Please."

The light burst back on and as Thor blinked in the sudden brightness he saw Loki standing right in front of him. He wore a distrustful expression. "Who are you and what have you done with the oaf?"

"What?" Thor took an involuntary step back from Loki.

"My brother. He would never apologize to me nor would he ask please." Loki leaned closer as if to look deeper into Thor's eyes. "So I ask again. Where is he or what spell have you been put under?" He stared intently.

Thor had to faintly smile. "I am the oaf and am under no spell." The smile slipped, that didn't sound right.

Loki huffed and stepped back. "Well you certainly reason like Thor." He looked his brother over. "Then what has happened to you? You look different."