25. LOKI’S PLAN

25

LOKI'S PLAN

" Y ou think that heroes are dead, and the love is not real, after this little display?" Loki spread his hands wide at the large screen tv on the wall. Only Odin would want a TV screen that encompassed an entire wall instead of getting a projector.

The entire Norse pantheon had watched Cinniúint and Havoc step off into the vortex. More than a few of the women were openly sobbing.

Tyr stood with his fists on the table, shaking, tears streaking his cheeks.

Loki motioned at the screen. "Two of my grandsons defied me. And one gave his life…" he bit back the quaver in his voice. "Jor saved them…that is the effect she has had on those around her. Showing them pathways that have never existed before. The Midgard serp ent…has become a hero. She chose a new destiny for us all."

A few gasps went up around the room. Thor grumbled about stupid serpents.

"She has done what none of us could do," Freya said. "She stopped Ragnar?k."

Tyr did not wipe his face. "My daughter saved us all. By throwing every prophecy, every legend into the air and reforming them to follow her heart, the destiny of all changed."

Loki nodded. "She has. And the tree of life has already been replanted. Nourished by the life of those sacrificed. And carrying the power of the sun itself for warmth and strength."

"Bah, poppycock," Odin said.

Every Norse deity turned to him. He purpled a little under his beard.

Petunia crossed her arms. "Have they not proven that even the oldest, and most stubborn of souls can find their way back to the light? Back to a path of destiny that serves us all better than running headlong into an end of the world scenario?"

More grumbling around the room.

"What are you proposing, Loki?"

"Well—"

The doors to the meeting room were flung open and a woman stalked in, her hair wild and her chartreuse eyes flashing. There was no magic to her, and yet she was here.

Doing what she should not have been able to do. All for love.

Loki was impressed and he dipped his head in her direction. He saw Hel peek around the corner. So that was how Bebe got here.

"You will bring my friend back now! And Havoc!" Bebe went straight to Tyr. "You're her father, make them bring her back!"

The last word cracked and quivered. Tyr nodded. "We are discussing that."

"No, no discussions! This world would be nothing if she hadn't fought for all of us!" She slapped her hands on the table and leaned forward. "Most of you sat on your lazy asses and watched, did nothing! The few that helped, like Jor?—"

"He's dead," Loki said. "He died trying to protect her."

Bebe's hands went to her mouth. "No."

The fact that she grieved his son…gods, she was a woman now, far more so than when he'd met her all those years ago. He tipped his head toward her. "Thank you for that. For grieving him." He almost regretted letting her go, and letting Petunia turn her into a cat.

"If we bring them back, the sacrifice will mean nothing," Freya said. "Then all would be for naught. "

Loki held up a finger. "Actually…the demand was for a life taken, a life sacrificed and the heart of a warrior. There is nothing saying that couldn't be less than three lives…and she just needs a gentle push in the right direction."