Yuletide Mischief by Dahlia Rose Page A

even dare.” Her voice was a fierce whisper, and she looked around to see if anyone was close by.
    “Miss, I don’t have any clue what you mean,” Loki said and made a move to step around her.
    She blocked his path, and he felt his irritation rise. “Oh, you know what I mean. And I’m telling you, not here, not this city, not this holiday.”
    Could she? Loki pushed that thought aside before he could finish it. She was human, and no mortal had ever been able to see who they really were. Even mortal wives have to be given the gift of sight in Valhalla or Asgard.
    Loki gave her a cold look. “I don’t know who you think I am, but if you don’t leave me alone, I will call your manager and have you fired.”
    “Go ahead. I’m rich. I work here for fun,” she retorted. “But don’t think I don’t see you for your true self, Loptr. Or should I call you by the name that myth knows you as? Loki.”
    He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her off to one side where they would be partially hidden. She protested, and he gave her a rough shake to shut her up.
    “How do you look past the glamour?” Loki demanded to know. “Tell me, mortal, how do you see me?”
    She raised her head defiantly. “I’ve always been able to. And don’t think that you can wipe my memory or try to make me forget. Vampires can’t do it and neither can fairies. You won’t be able to either.”
    Her statement left him in shock. “You know of the second natured as well?”
    She gave him a slow smile. “I know about them all and of you, Loptr, not born of Odin but of his giant brother, Farbauti and his wife Laufey. Cousin to Thor, Nicholas Claus, and Jack Frost, the latter two having taken mortal wives.”
    It was unsettling hearing of his family from a human, and it angered him to be called out. He took a step toward her and whispered harshly, “Insignificant beings should not speak of what they know nothing about.”
    “It seems I know more than you would like, and don’t threaten me,” she snapped. “It doesn’t work when a werewolf does it, and it sure as hell doesn’t work from you.”
    Her bravery impressed him and he smiled, trying another tactic. “I’m sorry for being so rude. A human seeing my true form is unnerving, you must understand.”
    He watched her roll her eyes before speaking. “Really? You are going to play the charm card? Listen, buddy, go home. I won’t have you ruining Christmas for anyone, especially me.”
    “Really? How will you stop me?” Loki asked, amused. She was entertaining him. Plus, under that elf costume, she was a beauty. Soft brown eyes and full lips and in that formfitting green suit he could see her every curve and full bosom. He wondered about the hair beneath that cap. Her next words brought him back to the present.
    “Oh, I can follow your ass around, buddy, trust me. I don’t mind doing it as long as kids are happy for the holidays and you’re not making people’s lives shit. Just remember, I’ll be watching you.” She began to move away and he grabbed her arm.
    “What is your name?” Loki asked. “You seem to have me at a disadvantage since you seem to know everything about me and I know nothing of you.”
    “Why would you want to know?”
    “Are you scared?” he shot back.
    She shook her head. “Of you? No way.”
    “Then tell me.”
    “Vivienne Gallant,” she said and pulled her arm away. “And don’t forget it because if you start chaos, I’ll be on you like white on rice.”
    Her comment as she was walking away made him laugh. He came into the store expecting to start a little trouble and instead found this Vivienne Gallant—a human who could see the true nature of the immortal and Halflings. Oh, yes, she intrigued him. Instead of starting chaos, Loki went up to the ninth floor where an exclusive restaurant was housed. He would eat and relax while waiting for the store to close all the while watching her. His focus was set on a new goal and it was the woman