Free Dark Deceit by Lauren Dawes Page B

Mike, by the way.’ Mike stuck his hand out in a peculiar
way. Loki mirrored him and Mike took Loki’s hand in his, shaking it firmly.
    This new world was a strange one, indeed.
    ‘Well, let’s get home.’ Mike turned the key, the engine coming to
life with a loud roar.
    Loki tried to relax into his seat, passing the time by watching the
small clock on the dashboard change as they drove away from the cave. It had
moved almost the whole way around when Mike slowed the truck and pulled into a
driveway.
    Up ahead, there was a small house with a wrap-around porch. A woman
appeared in the doorway, smiling at Mike through the windscreen.
    ‘That’s my wife, Nancy,’ Mike told him, unclipping the strap crossing
his body and getting out. Loki followed, shivering with the drop in temperature
when he slipped out of the cab.
    ‘Nancy, this is...ah, say what is your name?’ Mike asked. Loki
approached the porch cautiously, unsure whether to give his real name or a
false one. Did the humans still know of the gods? Even if they did, would they know
who he was?
    ‘I am Loki,’ he answered, watching them both for any reaction.
    ‘It’s nice to meet you, Loki,’ Nancy said with a smile. ‘Won’t you
come in?’
    Loki glanced at Mike who nodded. ‘Go on. You can make your phone
call and have dinner while you wait for whoever is going to come and pick you
up.’
    The house was warm inside. Loki looked around, able to name all the
things contained within it. He still didn’t understand how it was possible, but
that snake knew everything there was to know about this new world.
    ‘Would you like some coffee, Loki?’ Nancy asked.
    Loki looked at her, knowing his eyes must have been wide. He nodded.
‘Please.’
    Nancy smiled warmly and disappeared around a corner. Mike took his
elbow then, turning him around. ‘The phone is right over there.’ He indicated
to a small table near the door. ‘Call whoever you need to call.’
    Loki’s gaze lingered on the phone, but he took no steps toward it.
    ‘I do not have anyone to call, Mike,’ he finally admitted.
    Mike gave him an uneasy smile. ‘And you don’t remember how you got
to the caves today either?’ His voice had dropped in volume.
    Loki shook his head.
    Mike motioned to remove his hat, remembered he wasn’t wearing one
anymore, and dropped his hand. ‘The police station won’t be open right now, and
if you don’t have anywhere to go, I won’t turn you out. You can stay here
tonight with us then tomorrow, I can drop you off at the police station in
Carlsbad. The folks there will be able to help you out.’
    Loki nodded. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Mike?’ Nancy called from the other room. Mike looked over his
shoulder then excused himself with a smile. Loki was left alone and his stomach
twisted into a tight knot of anxiety. He had been alone for far too long
already. To take his mind off the gnawing sensation, he wandered around the
room looking at the photographs and trinkets lining the shelves of a bookcase.
    When Mike reappeared, Loki was sitting in one of the armchairs
facing the television. He had been watching the news, learning about stories
like the current government and war. He guessed not everything had changed
then.
    ‘Here’s your coffee, Loki.’ Mike handed him a white mug. Loki peered
over the rim, seeing his haggard reflection in the dark liquid. He knew all
about coffee. He just had no idea what it tasted like. Bringing the mug to his
lips, he took a shallow sip and forced himself to swallow it down.
    Mike laughed, taking the mug from Loki’s hand. ‘If you don’t like
it, don’t drink it,’ he said. ‘Nancy isn’t well known for her ability to make a
decent cup.’
    ‘I heard that!’ Nancy yelled from the kitchen. She sounded upset,
but Mike was still grinning at him.
    Loki and Mike watched the rest of the news in silence, although the
human made some strange noises while watching a story about a football team.
    ‘That’s my team,’ Mike