Loki by Keira Montclair

Hamish’s words sliced deep into his belly, more so than he wanted to admit. Was that why he’d never been able to thank Brodie and Celestina? Or thank Alex Grant for giving him the name of Loki Grant? Or why he had such difficulty admitting that he loved Bella more than anything in the world? If Hamish’s words about his sire were true, then mayhap he had more in common with him than he would ever care to admit.
    “Your sire’s a heartless man, Loki, and you are the same. Cold and calculating, always looking for ways to outsmart others. You were a clever lad, always outthinking your sire. I believe his fear of your talents was the true reason he…”
    “He what?” Loki wanted to grab the bastard by the throat and choke the words out of him. “Finish it, you piece of scum.”
    Hamish’s eyes glittered with mischief. “Nay, I’ve said all I care to say.”
    “You’ve told me what I got from my sire, then what did I get from my mother?” Loki locked his gaze on the dirt floor in front of him, not wanting to give Hamish a chance to see how much the answer to this question mattered to him.
    “Your mother? Hmmm…what did you get from your mother. She was a comely thing, but she was too soft-hearted to survive life with your sire. If the bairn hadn’t taken her, your sire would have sucked the life from her. Naught…you got naught from her that I can tell.”
    “You have me chained to the wall. Why can I not speak to my sire? I’d like to see if some of my memories are true. Will you not ask him to come down? You know it will be some time before the message arrives in the Highlands.” Loki decided the only thing that could bring his father down was the threat of his memory returning. Of course, naught had returned to him, but it would interest him to know if his father was threatened by that possibility—and if so, why.
    Hamish shoved himself away from the wall. “We’ll pass the word on to your father. See if he’ll consider blessing you with his presence. Glad to see you’re enjoying your chains.” He winked over his shoulder on his way out.
    The irony of all that had transpired was not lost on him. He remembered telling everyone in Ayr that his mother had died birthing him, and he’d never known his father. The truth had been that he had no recollection about his past. He realized that faulty memory had served to be a blessing. Remembering his true sire would have made him ill and angry.
    Loki would see that Hamish got what he deserved someday.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    A few hours later, the door opened and one set of footsteps crept down the stairs. Whoever it was carried a torch in his hand since night had fallen. Loki opened one eye to look at the visitor. The earl.
    “Hamish said you have questions for me. At first, I was determined not to answer, but then I decided there was no harm in it. I’ll not see you again, so ‘tis of no concern of mine if I answer your questions.” He stood outside the locked door after he set the torch in the wall holder. “You have big questions, mayhap I’ll give you big answers.”
    “They are not the most revealing questions. I’d just like to know more about my mother. I have no memories of her. What was she like?”
    “Your mother? That wee bitch?”
    “You did not get along?” Loki knew this could be his only chance for freedom. Who knew if his sire intended to let him go if his ransom was paid? Mayhap his own father would kill him at the end of this ordeal. Escape was the only way he could guarantee his survival.
    Edward Blackett sat on the stool by the staircase, settling his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together in thought. “Aye, we got along well enough, at least ‘afore she carried your sister. Then she didn’t want aught to do with me. I didn’t take kindly to that, so I let her know.”
    Loki didn’t wish to hear about this man beating his mother, but he needed to keep him talking. “You let her