Dragonscales

Chapter 42|Cold Iron

I sat on the thin blanket that was supposed to be my bed. A bucket sat in the corner. My mouth curled into disgust as I realized that whoever had captured me expected me to use a bucket as a toilet. I leaned against the cold, concrete wall. I reached for my magic, hoping to be able to contact Tourmaline or Loki.

The familiar buzz of magical energy had gone missing. I couldn't feel anything. Renewed panic hit me like a wave. I had no magic, I was locked in a cell, and I had failed my mission to protect Peter. To top off the shit cake, no one knew where I was. There was no glorious rescue coming. My thoughts shifted to Tourmaline, who was probably distraught without her rider. I also thought about Peter, Loki, and Marigold. 

I was ripped from my thoughts as I saw the heavy metal door to my cell unlock. A man in a crisp, black uniform was standing at the ready. Without words he tugged me to my feet. His grip was like a vice on my arm. The man dragged me down the cold, metal halls. A few people in similar uniforms eyes flicked over to me with interest, but kept going. 

He threw me onto the floor in front of a panel of people. I sat down on my knees. One of them was my mother. A man with a metal arm stood in the corner, his face cloaked in shadow. "So this is the girl you have told us about, Jessamine." Mother raised her chin, staring me down. "She is proficient in dual swords, archery, moon magic, and nature magic. Plus, she is my daughter, and an Avenger." The leader grinned. It made my blood freeze. "Well done. A former Avenger is a wonderful addition to our organization." My fingers twitched, itching to get rid of the handcuffs that blocked my magic. 

"Like hell I would ever join you!" I yelled, pouring my rage into the statement. I ripped away from the man holding me, quickly getting up. I swung my foot, planting it on his jaw. The kick knocked him into the steel door. I spun, dodging a few other people. The panel of big wigs watched me coldly. I pulled my arms apart, snapping the chain of my handcuffs. I punched one man, my hair swinging in front of my face. I headbutted another one, using my horns to do extra damage. The man in the middle, whom I had dubbed the boss, muttered a few words. The man with the metal arm snapped to action. 

We shared a flew blows, before he caught my fist with his metal one and twisted it. I screamed out in pain. Metal chains were thrown around me, causing burns around my body. Tears formed in my eyes as they dragged me from the room in iron chains. That thing I heard was the boss talking. "She's strong, but stubborn. We can fix that, we did it to the Winter Soldier."

They threw me back into the cell, leaving me to writhe in pain. I crawled over to my blanket, squeezing my eyes shut as I clutched my wrist. 

LOKI'S POV

 A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as the alarm went off throughout the tower. Thistle, Peter, and Tourmaline hadn't returned yet, either. Clint rushed by, strapping on his quiver. "You're on Marigold-watch." Natasha followed him, holstering her guns. She paused, looking at me with sympathy. "I'm sure she's okay." I hated when they looked at me with sympathy. I was a god! I needed no such niceties. Marigold sat in the middle of the floor, hands pressed against her ears. She hated loud noises. 

Marigold uncurled from her ball as the alarm shut off. The Avengers had left the building. The blonde elf wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. I watched as she took out a large coloring book and colored pencils. Marigold began meticulously filling in the lines. Despite Thistle and Marigold being so close, we hardly had bonded over the course of the months from her rescue.  "What are you doing?" I asked curiously. "Coloring. The therapist the team got me said it would help." "Does it?" Marigold shrugged, pausing to erase a stray line. "Kind of. It helps me get the bad stuff out of my head and onto paper." 

(Time skip brought to you by America's Ass)

The elevator dinged as the Avengers arrived in the common room. Tourmaline and Peter filed in after them. Tourmaline was her natural size, her wings folded against her back. My eyes scanned the group. "Where is she?" I asked softly. Anxiety buzzed throughout my body. Tourmaline's wings drooped, her head hanging low. She was captured by her mother. Anger flared throughout my body. Jessamine, Thistle's mother, partnered with Hydra. Tourmaline informed us, using her magic to broadcast her thoughts to everyone. I hated when she entered my mind, but it was her only form of communication that we could understand. 

I stormed off, leaving the rest of the Avengers in my wake. Thor called after me, but I ignored him. I found myself in Thistle's room, her things messily laid about. My hands brushed over her favorite sketching pencil, then her crescent flower. Despite all of her issues, she still kept her mother's last gift. An ivory strand of hair caught my attention. A spell surfaced from the enraged depths of my brain. A tracking spell! Green magic swirled around my fingertips as I cast the spell. It fizzled out of existence. Something was blocking her magic. I let out an exasperated cry and fell to my knees. I blinked back tears as my body started shake uncontrollably. I couldn't find Thistle. My magic had failed me. Thistle had put trust and love in me, and yet I wasn't good enough to save her. Teardrops fell down my cheeks. I wasn't good enough. 

A/N---

Hey guys. I just wanted to let you know that since I have finals coming up I'll have to focus more on school so updates are going to be slower than usual. I'm sorry, but thank you for being patient. As always, thank you for reading! I love you all so much! <3

~Author-chan