“I see that.” He reached up, meaning to wipe the blood from my forehead, but I puled away from him, even though it sent shooting pain through me. “Wel, the good news is you won’t die alone.” He rose and stepped back from me. At the same time, Kyra and another Vittra came into the room, carrying Loki with him. I hadn’t seen the other Vittra before, but he was huge, a barbarian of a man.

They were literaly dragging Loki. They held him by each arm, and his legs trailed limply on the ground. His head hung down, and blood dripped from his temple.

“No!” I shouted, and Loki lifted his head at the sound of my voice. He looked over at me, and it was clear they had beaten the hel out of him.

“I’m sorry, Wendy,” he said simply. “I tried.”

“No,” I repeated and struggled to my feet. My body didn’t move the way I wanted it to, but I ignored the pain. “No, don’t hurt him. I’l do whatever you ask.”

“It’s too late.” Oren shook his head. “I promised you that I would make you watch him die. And I am a man of my word.”

“No, please,” I begged him. I stumbled over to a chair and leaned against it, holding myself up, because I couldn’t stand on my own. “I wil do anything. Anything.”

“I am sorry,” Oren said again.

He walked over to the wal where the two long swords stil hung, the only things stil intact in the room after I had sent it into a flurry. He puled one down, the diamond encrusted bel guard covering his hand.

I tried to use my powers to stop him. I held out my hand, pushing out what energy I had left. Some of the lighter things in the room stirred, like papers and a curtain, and Kyra winced. But Oren was unruffled.

“Loki’s met with this blade before,” Oren said, admiring the sword. “It seems fitting that it wil be the one to finish him.”

“Please.” I let my hand fal to the side. “I wil do your bidding. I wil do anything.”

“I’ve already told you.” Oren walked back, stopping in front of Loki. “It’s too late.”

Kyra and the other Vittra held Loki higher, and Loki grunted.

Tears streamed down my face, and I could think of nothing to do.

My powers weren’t working on him. I wasn’t strong enough to fight him. I had nothing to barter.

Stil staring at me, Oren lifted up his sword, and with one quick move, he stabbed Loki straight through the heart.

25. Destiny

Kyra and the other Vittra instantly let go of Loki, and he colapsed on the ground. They both held their heads, clutching at them, and at first, I didn’t understand.