Jason has brought us a motley crew. We watch as Aislin flows between them, her power gentle as it probes. Jason soothes them, explaining she does it with everyone. Still some remain tense, those are being watched very closely by amber eyes. I fan myself as oppressive heat rolls off him.

“Kai. You know I love the heat as much as any Southern girl but I got sweat soaking my bra and panties. Can you please turn it down a notch or two?” Michael barks out a laugh, and soon the others have joined in as I grin at Kai.

“Sorry.” He doesn’t sound sorry, and the smirk he gives me confirms it. I wink at him. The misfits relax as the laughter rings out. Michael walks to my side, nudging me with his elbow.

I glance up as he leans down close to my ear. “Doona think we doona ken how often ye use that little trick on us, lass.” Blinking slowly, I feign ignorance. I can’t pull it off though.

“It always works on big, strong men. Y’all can’t help wanting to make everything better,” I whisper back. The harrumph at my back makes me mouth ‘oops.’ Michael shakes his head before straightening.

He looks at the one standing behind me. “Good luck, brother. Ye gonna need it.” I gasp in fake outrage before shoving him away.

“Go bother Raven. She will put up with your shenanigans.” Everyone has been paying attention to our display and not to Aislin. Mission accomplished. She speaks to Kai through their link, mind to mind, and he straightens, locking eyes with Jason. Michael and Sean pace away as Raven calls out to me.

“They just know you too well, Cora. You’ve let them see all your tricks. I wouldn’t let them talk to my dad if I were you.” We banter back and forth for a few moments more as everyone moves into place. Aislin steps away from the misfits and moves in between Danu and Morrigan.

“I have read your heart and your intentions. All of you come with a true desire to fight Odin. All except you.” She points to a female with bright red hair and black eyes. Fangs protrude from her lips, curved and sharp. “You plan to run, and if that was all you had planned, I would have said nothing.” Aislin's voice is hard. Anger colors her pale skin. “You plan to kill him.” She looks at Jason. “He who saved you, who gave you a chance at life, and who even now is hurt by what must happen. Hold her.” Quicker than I can see, Kai, Sean, and Michael grab her, keeping clear of her fangs after Jason warns them of the venom that lies within them.

White hot lightning strikes the ground as Emma glides toward the woman. My hair stands on end as the air fills with electricity. Woah, she is pissed. Wind begins to blow the trees, sending branches whipping around us. It reminds me of the X-Men and Storm with red hair and freckles.

“You have no idea what he went through for you. For you all.” Her voice is loud over the howling wind.

“Emma, you don’t need to do this,” Jason yells to her.

“I know but they must understand.” I look at Aislin, but she is shaking her head at Jason.

“Lass, we can take care of this,” Sean offers and I know why -- he doesn’t want her to deal with the guilt that will eventually come.

“You could but you aren’t. Let her go.” Her eyes narrow when they hesitate. More lightning crashes, and the air smells burnt. “He sacrificed for each and every one of you he brought to the Elysian Fields. Each of you cost him something he can never get back.” She looks at each of them before locking onto the woman. I see the moment the girl makes the wrong decision. Loki spins me around but not before Emma catches her with the wind, stopping the forward momentum of the leap.

I see Asger shiver the same time I hear the sizzle. One, two, and three bolts hit the woman. The smell of meat cooking fills the air. Ylva is talking low to Asger.

Emma’s emerald eyes are hard as the stone they resemble when she looks to the others. “Betray him and his faith in you, and I will not be as kind.” She turns and walks into his arms, and he moves her away as we all fall silent.

“I really like her.” Loki’s words echo in the silence, and I pinch him on his ass. “I really like you too,” he whispers in my ear before nibbling over the lobe.

“There’s a woman laying over there resembling barbecue, so I don’t think now is the time.” I try to glare at him, but somehow it becomes a smile. His eyes move to the woman, or at least what is left of her. Turning, I swallow, taking it in. The other misfits, that is their official title as far as I’m concerned, are staring at the charred remains with shock and fear etched in their faces.

“Should we leave her as a warning, a reminder, or you think you got the point?” I ask loudly, snapping them from their trance. “I can see the point was taken. We,” I wave at all of us gathered, “are family. We would die for each other and as you can see, we will kill for each other.” They look around at us all, standing in our small groups apart but not so far that we can’t reach each other. “You have this chance to be a part of it. If we survive Odin.”

A man looks at the others before stepping forward. “We have never had a family. Hades...” his eyes are angry when they turn to the God, “he thought we were mistakes, trash to be thrown away or killed.”

Emma, Aislin, and I move to stand in front of them. They tense at Emma’s nearness, and I can’t blame them. “This is your chance to prove him wrong,” Emma states calmly.

“I can feel your anger at him, but do not let it override your hunger for a better life. We know you have done horrible things in the past but we understand, better than most, what can drive someone to that.” Aislin glances at Emma. They had told me of Arias and the things he had done.

“Family can be difficult but a family like ours, one not of blood but by choice, is the best kind of family.” I look around at my family, smiling. “Just know we have the power to know if any of you lie or change your intentions. Emma isn’t the only one you should fear.” I turn and nod at the others, and their powers crash into us.

I watch the misfits’ eyes widen. A chuff and then the chilling scream of a big cat tears through the air, a howl of a wolf calls out next, the heat of the dragon’s fire singes their hair as it blows over the top of them. Cerberus growls as he prowls near the other hellhounds, barking as they join him.

Seconds later, Danu, Morrigan, and Loki move closer, letting a hint of their power flow from them. Morrigan unleashes her mist, letting them hear the screams that come from it for a few pounding heartbeats. Loki strides up to them, his eyes glowing red.

“You hurt them,” he waves at my friends, “you hurt her, and you will wish for your death before I’m finished.”

“We understand,” they say together, and I smile as he turns back to me with a grin on his face.

“Awe, thanks, cher. I love when you threaten torture in my name,” I giggle as he grabs me up throwing me over his shoulder.

“Well, if everyone is now in agreement, we should probably make our way to the prison,” Nestor speaks up.

“Do we all need to go? Shouldn’t some of us stay here and try to plan how we are going to attack after we find out who?” Aislin asks.

“I’ll go. Michael can stay and help plan. Jason and Emma can come with me.” Sean nods at Michael, eyes widening at some unspoken conversation they are having. I don’t think that was exactly what Aislin had in mind, but she says nothing, trusting her boys.

I’m happy to stay. I don’t want to see anyone tortured. The door I’ve bolted and bricked up is barely staying closed on the events that happened while I was locked in that swamp. I’m sure I will be just as useless planning an attack. “My blood is rushing to my head, cher.” His teeth sink into my butt cheek, and I squeal.

“I don’t think you need us to plan,” Loki announces as he sifts us away. This time we materialize at the top of the Eiffel tower. I marvel at the city sprawling below us. “The city of love. We can walk the streets, eat some decadent food, and go look at the art of the masters.” I grin, loving the idea. Loki waves his hand, and I’m dressed like I’m in an old movie, full lilac skirt swirling around my knees and snug black sweater of the softest wool.

He changes into dark gray slacks and a dark blue v-neck sweater; he takes my breath away. Rising on my toes, I reach up and pull his head the rest of the way down to my lips, kissing him gently before deepening it. His taste reminds me of chicory coffee and dark chocolate, two of my very favorite things.

We take the elevator down. I want to experience everything. Strolling hand in hand down the cobblestone streets, he shows me places he’s visited for hundreds of years. Tells me stories of watching this city and others grow from tiny villages. My own personal guided tour through history.

The news is on as we walk by a store, scenes of destruction from Greece taken by drones being flown over. So many dead, they really can’t even report the number. It’s all guessing. The eruptions have stopped, and the lava is cooling, the outer shell turning black. After a few moments, he pulls me away.

“We can’t change it or do anything about those that are lost.” I sigh at his words.

“I know. And I know that you have watched humans kill each other since the dawn of our time. I’ve watched it since I was old enough to understand that it’s what we do. After what I’ve heard about why you guys came here, it is not just a human thing but a universal thing. But this is different, isn’t it? You all can leave, go to the Isle or Valhalla or maybe even some other planet. We humans are just here and other than the very few like myself and the girls, we can’t fight back. We just get to watch our world burn.” I look up at the glass pyramid of the Louvre. It is stunning. “I’ve not seen nearly everything I want.”

I smile and I know it looks a little sad but I don’t hide it from him. “Come on.” I pull at his hand. “One thing off my bucket list.”

“What else is on this bucket list?” He pulls me close under his shoulder as we walk to the entrance. I’m thinking, looking down, when I see one of the markers for the meridian, the same ones that were in the DaVinci code. I point to it excitedly.

“I loved that movie,” I declare as he laughs. “What?”

“You love the mystery of it, I bet,” he says, and I nod. “If they only knew.” Stopping dead in my tracks, I stare at him.

“Knew what? Is it true? Oh my God, did you know him, you know the G-O-D?” My mouth hangs open. He shrugs and continues walking. I just stand there so many thoughts running through my head. The Trickster. Nope. No way. “Don’t tell me,” I shout as I race to catch up with him.

We wander aimlessly through the museum, and he whispers secrets about certain artists while I lose myself in the stories he paints. I can hear his love for the people he has known through his many lifetimes here. Talking about the art, I hint at places and things I had always wanted to see. Hours later, we are sitting at a small cafe eating dinner when Nestor walks up the street, stopping beside our table.

“Just an update. Morrigan wants you to know as things happen.” Loki nods as I wonder why doesn’t Raven just contact him. “We thought face to face would be better since we don’t know who he has working with him or what their powers might be.” I narrow my eyes at him. “And no, I can’t read your mind. I just knew that I’d be wondering.” I snort, very unladylike. “Anyway, Persephone did catch both Muses, and Hades helped her get them to the prison without anyone becoming aware. Sean is there now.”

I sit up straight, hating the idea of him having something else to haunt his sleep. “I saw them. They will be easy to break. Whatever you said to them in New York already had them rattled.” Relaxing slightly, I glance at Loki as he jerks his head at me. Nestor looks at me with interest. “You?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I’m not just a pretty face,” I grumble.

“So much more,” the God at my side murmurs, and heat curls in the pit of my stomach as I make a kissy face at him.

“Right, well, I’ll be back once we have names and a plan.” He lets his eyes drift around as he’s talking and then disappears.

I shiver in the evening breeze, and he hands me his jacket. Raising my eyebrow, I slide my arms into it. “You, sir, are very handy to have around.”

“I hope for than warmth.” His low tone makes me shiver again for a totally different reason.

“Hashtag truth,” I laugh, and he shakes his head, laughing with me. “It’s my job to get you up to date with all the cool stuff.”

“Really? Like what?” He sips his wine, waiting.

“You know, hipster beards, twitter, instagram, et cetera.” He sits his glass down slowly, reaches into his pocket, and draws out his phone. Wait, I didn’t know he had a phone! I frown, looking at it.

“Sorry, love.” He strokes over his beard, which I admit is so much better than any hipsters, while thumbing across the screen of his phone. I watch as he opens twitter and holds up the screen showing me a profile. Username @THETrickster, two million followers. What the actual fuck? Next he opens Instagram -- same username, again millions of followers, and pictures from around the world. I grab my phone and open my app, searching for him. Clicking it, I stare at his profile. He’s following me already. What the hell? I finally focus on his profile picture, and my mouth falls open.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I practically scream, never taking my eyes from the picture.

“I figured I should meet him. I mean, he is playing me,” he shrugs. There, in living color, are the two Lokis -- the actual God standing beside the other who has his arm thrown over his shoulder, Tom Hiddleston. I blink slowly, take a screenshot, and send it to Aislin and Emma. It’s like a fantasy come true. “He’s a great guy.” I bet he is. My voice is pervy in my head as erotic images slide through my mind.

My phone dings and I open it, holding in a laugh at the selfie they sent. Their faces say it all. We will be talking about this soon.

“I can’t even talk about this. I need time to process it. Wait, one question -- where was that taken?”

“The premier in London.” Of course it was. He smiles indulgently at me, and I know he knows exactly what I’m thinking, which makes my cheeks heat. “I would give you anything but that. I won’t share you.” His voice hardens just a bit, and red flashes in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t ask, not really. Fantasy is different than reality. Although, in some cases, it is better.” I look at him through my lashes. He leans close, hand sliding up over my thigh under the skirt, his breath warm on my ear.

“You should tell me some of these fantasies, so I can make them reality for you.” His tongue curls against the shell of my ear, and goosebumps break out over my skin. I turn my face to him, letting him take my lips, tasting the wine on his tongue.

“Gladly,” I murmur as we break apart. He is pulling money from his pocket when he stiffens. Not again. I look around trying to find them. He pushes to his feet, almost knocking the chair over, and I’m suddenly very worried.

“Ragnhild.” It is growled out. Shit, Raven’s mom. I can’t help but assess her; she had a child with him, after all. “Why are you here? I was told I’d had my last warning.”

She walks closer, her hips rolling seductively, causing my teeth to grit. She is beautiful, breathtaking even, dark where Raven is light -- midnight hair, skin a shade darker than mine with cerulean blue eyes; it is an amazing combination. I hate her just for that. I’m going to ignore her impressive cleavage and mile long legs. Ugh.

“You’re going to get our daughter killed,” her voice trembles, and I jump up, anger flooding my veins.

“Feet pue tan!” I’m so mad, Cajun comes spewing out of my mouth. “You tried to kill her yourself, you bitch.” Loki grabs my arm to keep me at his side but just looks at her.

“Shut up, human,” she sneers then looks at him, opening her mouth to speak again.

“Stop. Don’t insult me with your lies. You’ve never cared for Raven. What do you actually want?” He sounds bored. I start to say something else when I feel the vision hit me. I blink as I come out of it. They are both watching me closely. Thank God it only lasted seconds.

“We need to go. She is a distraction.” He turns back to her.

“Soon, very soon, we will end this.” He steps toward her as she laughs, lifting into the air. I pull at him.

“Danu.” Just that word, and he is sifting us. We reach the Isle in seconds. People are still gathered under the tree. “Danu. Where is Danu?” I yell, and everyone turns to me. Morrigan runs to us, fear in her eyes.

“She went to our home to check on Beathag and some others.” We begin sifting as she speaks, and I can feel her near us as we reach what can only be called a small palace. Danu’s magic vibrates around us, and Morrigan cries out, her battle cry ringing across not only the Isle but also the Highlands. She shifts into the enormous raven not seen for hundreds of years, swooping down to her mother’s home. We run behind her.

“Go. Leave me. I’ll catch up,” I yell at him, waving him away. He looks between the house and me a few times before he nods. He sifts, and I see him in the distance when he reappears, looking like the God he is. Sword dawn, he strides into the fight, slaying Odin’s minions that dare challenge him. Having seen Freya’s army, I know these are some of the warriors chosen by the Valkyries to fight for Odin.

I wonder if these honorable men understand who and what they fight for. I slow as I draw near, unsure of how to help. My eyes widen as Danu fights one attacker while another creeps closer and closer from her back. No one sees him, no one but me. I slow my breath and try to focus on how I felt when I forced Sean and Michael, how my power felt. Just let it free. Just let it free.

It wells up within me, my firefly blazing bright, and I release it. He is lifted from the ground, held in the air, arms out wide. The image of the black voodoo doll flashes in my mind, and he drops a few feet. No. Not black, not evil -- I do this in love. Focusing again, I pry his fingers open one by one as he screams in anger until the knife drops to the ground. Danu turns slowly around and seeing him hanging there, she looks at me and nods. I let him drop just as Morrigan’s mist joins her mother. A grimace twists my face as he is engulfed in it, his screams joining the others that are trapped there.

After we arrive, the battle is over quickly. They had hoped to catch her alone. Morrigan holds her mother as Loki paces. Danu’s soft sobs break my heart as I step in front of him. He leads me away to a fountain in a garden. I sit on a bench and stare at the water, waiting for him to speak. When he does, his anguish makes me want to weep. “I’m going to kill him. She loved him. Morrigan is his daughter, and he would kill her mother. I have to kill him.” He stops and looks at me. Hopelessness is all I can see in the storm-cloud colored eyes.

I hold my arms out, because what is there to say? He collapses in them, squeezing me until I can barely breathe. “Maybe it won’t be you. Someone else could.” He says nothing. Danu and Morrigan join us after a while. He pushes up to his feet at their approach, going to Danu and taking her hands. They talk low as Morrigan and I watch from the bench.

When they turn, there is a new look on his face. “Could you stay with Danu while Morrigan comes with me?” My spidey senses tingle. What is he up to?

“Of course.” He comes to me then, kissing me deeply, and I cling to him, desperate to keep him with me. “Please don’t do anything crazy,” I whisper as he pulls away.

“Never. We have a bucket list to check off.” His smile is forced as he fades away. Sighing, I close my eyes, asking anyone who’s listening to bring him back to me.

“You make him happy.” Her voice is quiet but I can hear the hint of pleasure in it.

“Really?” I look at her as I draw my knees up against my chest, turning my head and resting it against them. She nods before staring at the water. “Do you know what’s bothering him? I mean I know it must be horrible knowing your brother is going to have to die but I don’t know, it seems like more.”

“What has he told you?” It makes me more worried that it takes her minutes to ask me.

“Nothing really. It’s more of a feeling, like he’s hiding something.” She looks at me, studies me, and I fight not to stiffen.

“Do you believe you were sent to him? Chosen for him?” Do I? Yes. My soul knows his. I nod. “I do too and I can’t believe the universe would be so cruel as to take you from him after he has waited so long. I’ve watched him grow more and more distant as his loneliness ate at him. But not anymore; now he is as he was when he was a boy.”

“I wish I could have known him as long as you have.” Smiling, I try to picture him as a child. Her finger touches my temple and images of him running and laughing play like a movie behind my eyes. I watch as he grows, becoming a man, and then I see the slow changes as he is forced into the role he hated. Tears roll over my lashes as I see years and years alone, minutes snuck with those he loves. Then she shows me the moment he noticed me at the wedding, the smile that crept across his face, curving his full lips.

“You see.” She lowers her finger, and I grab her hand, squeezing it. “Anything else isn’t my story to tell.”

“Thank you.” She nods before rising and turning to look at the bodies lying around the garden. I stand by her side.

“I think I will send these back to Odin.”