This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

McKenna bit the inside of her cheek as Loki fell forward to sprawl face down on the floor, out cold. She tried to shift Selig, but she wasn't fast enough. He screamed, "Daddy?!" and tried to shove out of her arms.

"No, Selig. Don't." McKenna rose, cradling Selig and turning to put her body between him and Ward. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing that will harm him permanently. At least, not yet." Ward lowered the gun. "It's a S.H.I.E.L.D. ICER. He's not dead. Just unconscious. Now, if you don't mind, I'll take your weapon as well."

McKenna swallowed hard as she eased her Glock from the holster and handed it over, then just as quickly backed out of Ward's reach.

She tried not to stare at Loki, but couldn't help it. The last time she'd seen him so still, he'd been run through by a spear wielded by someone named Ronan. But this was far more unnerving, seeing him like this. Ward shook his head, easing a pair of ordinary-looking handcuffs from his belt, and said, "See, I don't really need either one of you now. Not now that he's here." He crouched over Loki, taking first his right wrist, then his left, and cuffing his hands behind his back.

"Selig," McKenna whispered, her lips up against her son's ear, "I need you to do me a favor. Do you know what Daddy's dagger looks like?"

"The magic one?" Selig whispered back.

"Yes."

He nodded. "I do."

"Can you make it appear?"

"But you said I shouldn't—"

She squeezed him. "It's okay this one time. Can you?"

He nodded. "I think so."

"Do it."

Selig scrunched up his face and McKenna held her breath as the dagger in question slowly formed in his little hand. His face turned red and sweat dampened his hair, but the dagger sat, huge in his hand, and remained solid. "I did it, Mommy."

"That's my boy." She gave him a squeeze as she took the dagger from him and eased it into her jeans at the small of her back. "Daddy will be so proud of you when you tell him."

The cuffs clicked into place and McKenna pressed her lips together as they turned back to Loki on the floor. He didn't move and Selig's voice cracked as he murmured, "Daddy?"

"Daddy's mine now, kid. Say goodbye."

Selig wrenched away from McKenna, who lost her grip on him. He hit the floor and kicked Ward swiftly in the shin. "I hate you!"

Without warning, Ward backhanded him. Selig tumbled over backward, bursting into tears as he hit the floor and without thinking, McKenna launched herself at Ward. She charged, head down, and drove her shoulder into his gut. The force knocked him from his feet and she slammed down on top of him.

"You... bitch..." Ward gritted, his voice raspy as she jammed her forearm into his throat.

"You ever lay a hand on my son again, and I will slice you into pieces," she growled.

Ward grunted and tossed her off. She landed on her back and as he pounced, she braced her feet on the floor and shoved to slide out of his reach. "Heimdall! Get Selig! NOW!"

With that, the Bifrost sliced through the room and Selig shouted, "Mommy!"

"Go! I'll be there as soon as I can!"

Selig vanished in a dazzling array of brilliant color and McKenna sprang up as Ward lunged again. She yanked the dagger from the waist of her jeans. The handle was warm in her hand, a gentle vibration humming its way up her arm. The dagger recognized her, as Loki had given it to her once before. Only this time, she knew what to do with it.