Page 36 of Hex
“Well, well, who do we have here?”
This time, I step up to him, using every inch I have on him to make sure he understands my words. “She’s my chosen.”
“Hmm, I see. Little yet fierce.”
I cock my head to the side, making sure the only thing he sees is me, and this catches Slash’s attention, probably feeling through our demon bond that something is amiss.
“Come on, now. We’re all here for the good of the world. Amiright?”
No one answers as Loki and I continue our standoff. The whole time I remind myself that the smirk on his face is all about the chaos and my reaction is exactly what he craves.
Sage, however, has missed the memo.
Sliding herself between me and Loki, she steels her spine and addresses the god that wreaks havoc all over the world whenever he gets bored.
“I’m guessing you don’t like to have your time wasted from…” She looks around as though searching for something important. “Whatever it is that you do, but we have a problem that you created and only you can solve.”
Loki breaks our intense stand off and gives my chosen his undivided attention. His eyes are dark like the night and his hair is pulled back into a neat, dark-brown bun. Even though I’ve never met Loki, I know for a fact this isn’t his real appearance. It’s his thing, pretending he’s just another being. Not only does he change his looks and gender, but he’ll go from Earthly being to supernatural without a second thought.
The stories we’ve heard over the centuries are wild and, until now, I always thought they were exaggerated. I have a feeling there was more truth than lies to it all. One thing is clear: he’s blond. He’s always been described as strikingly handsome because the Norse have always considered blond or reddish hair as a form of beauty. Hell, some of them even bleach their hair color if it’s too dark to attract whoever it is they are trying to fuck.
“It’s not every day that I’m asked to solve a problem instead of creating one. Color me intrigued.”
“You need to come outside and see this for yourself.” Sage shrugs, turns on her heel, and starts walking away like she has zero doubts that we’re all going to follow. To be fair, there’s no fucking way I’m letting her go anywhere without me, so that’s settled.
But Loki? Doubtful.
As one, we scan the warehouse before making our way in the same direction as Sage, hoping the king of chaos will feel generous enough to do us a solid. Our first step outside is a reminder of the smoke-filled warehouse and I don’t hesitate to take in a big gulp of fresh air.
“Don’t get your hopes up, Satapti, Loki isn’t known for copping up to his responsibilities.”
We’re in the northern tip of Maine, where the crisp chill of the air bites your nose right off. The warehouse sits on a secluded plot of land, the front entrance giving way to a massive, impromptu parking lot. It’s the middle of the night in November, frost is settling on the corners of the car windows, and the distinct smell of snow is tickling my nostrils. It’s cold as fuck, I’m sure, but our demon genes aren’t affected the way anthros are, the way Sage may be, despite her witchy, goddess, sexy status. As any chosen worth his salt, I step up to her and engulf her entire body in my embrace, offering her the heat from my skin.
“Oh, ye of little faith. He’ll come out.” Her words are a little muffled with her mouth pressed against my chest but we all hear her. Slash is the first to scoff as he plays on his phone.
“We need a plan B.” Pierce runs a hand through his short hair, the puff of air from his sigh visible in the cold night.
“This was a waste of time.” I give Slay a chin nod in agreement, then kiss Sage on the top of her head.
“Come on, he’s not going to bother with this and we need to get you out of this cold.”
“Disdain from a demon feels like a new low for me.”
My head whips around and I find myself eye to eye with Loki.
Well, I’ll be damned.
“Told ya.” I don’t mean to scowl at my chosen but the smug tone in her voice sounds a lot like Loki’s and I’m not amused.
“At least the witch believed in me. That’s a first.” Right in front of us, and without any fear that an anthros might see him, Loki changes from his hipster appearance to what I’m assuming is his real one. Blond hair and bright, cerulean eyes that seem to glow in the night, Loki lights up a cigarette like he’s some kind of fifties movie idol about to fight the rival gangs for the love of his soul mate.
“Thank you for coming out here. I was recently kidnapped and—”
“Interesting. Who had the balls to do that?” Loki’s attention is now solely on Sage and I don’t fucking like it.
“That’s what I said.” We all ignore Slash, who’s consumed by his phone, tapping away like his thumbs are on a mission. What the fuck is taking up all his attention at this time of night?
“One of my guards was a massive furry creature who, it turns out, is a sweetheart when in good hands.” As though summoned by her kind words, the fenrir trots out from behind the shadows of the nearby, nearly dilapidated steel hangar. Immediately, he lies at Sage’s feet like a good pup, crushing a few cars along the way. That is, if pups were the size of a blue whale with legs and fur.
