Frost by E. Latimer Page A

eyes too blue. Part of me dreaded going to see Erik, but mostly, I needed to know what the hell was going on. I had to get answers today.
The stream of hot water felt good in spite of the hotel's lousy water pressure. I pressed my forehead against the slick wall and shut my eyes for a second, just breathing. When I finally stepped over the lip of the tub and into the steamy exterior of the bathroom, I felt slightly more human.
The thought made me roll my eyes, and I leaned forward to scrub the condensation on the mirror away, which did little but leave a trail of smears. Well, never mind makeup anyway. This wasn't a beauty contest. I was going to meet a frost giant for breakfast.
I groaned. Even the thought sounded ridiculous.
 
~ * ~
 
The sandwich shop looked bright and cozy from the outside. I pushed through the doors, ignoring the cheerful ringing of the overhead bell, darting a suspicious look at the customers.
No Erik yet. I slid into an empty booth at the back, pulling the knit cap low over my new, crystal-blue eyes. Keeping my back to the wall allowed me to keep the street in sight. The smell of bacon frying made my mouth water, and I promised myself a massive sub as soon as he got here.              
That reminded me of the couple of dates I’d had back home. I'd always picked at a salad, fearing I would look like a pig, or dribble on myself or something. Well, screw that. I was hungry . I planned to shove mouthfuls of sub into my face right in front of him. If he didn't like it, he could kiss my ass.
The bell jingled, and I looked up from under the hat.
There was Erik, his blue eyes scanning the shop. He was dressed in torn jeans and a teal-colored T-shirt. His brilliant, blond hair was tousled, and his sharp jaw bristled with the start of a beard. He’d probably look like some kind of Viking if he let it grow.
He spotted me, and his face lit up. Then he strode over and slid into the booth across from me. "Amora, I'm so glad you came. I wasn't sure if you would."
"I was debating not coming," I said. "Little spooked lately with all these nut cases chasing me."
The side of Erik’s mouth quirked, but the amusement didn’t reach his eyes. "I'm going to assume you're talking about Muspel."
“Loki, you mean? What's his deal?" A mix of fear and anger flared up inside me, and I held my breath, waiting for Erik to answer.
He rubbed a hand over his cheek, and his mouth twisted in a grimace. "The sons of Muspel sent him after you. They know you're valuable to us, and they'll stop at nothing to take everything from us. They hate us."
"So he...he really would have tried to kill me?" My voice sounded small.
His brow furrowed, but thankfully, he didn’t ask me how I knew that. I didn’t feel like telling the bed and breakfast story. It was embarrassing.
"I'm sorry, but it's likely." He shook his head, and the look of pity on his face made me grimace.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Loki got to you, didn't he? He made you trust him." His voice was gentle.
I nodded, feeling incredibly foolish.
"Don't blame yourself." Briefly, he rested his hand on mine, his fingers long and cool. "Loki is a trickster. He plays havoc with emotions. He can get anyone to trust him, and he does whatever he wants. Takes whatever he wants." His gaze was probing.
I sat up with a jolt of shock. "No! Oh my God, no. We didn't—I mean..." My cheeks burned as the memory replayed, the bed and breakfast—lying in bed with Loki, holding his hand, his arms around me as he showed me how to freeze the water in the basin. I felt my face grow even hotter.
"I'm sorry." Erik shifted in his seat. The tips of his ears were red. "Forgive me. I didn't mean—”
"It's fine," I said, too quickly.
There was silence while I worked up the courage to finally ask what I'd been meaning to. "I think something weird is happening to me."
He quirked a brow, and I took a deep breath. "My hair is getting lighter. It's white now..." I pulled the knit cap