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A few seconds later, Heimdall's voice echoed in his mind.
"I cannot track her movements, Thor. She keeps veiling herself with sorcery."
"But… moments ago she cast a spell and revealed her location."
A set of coordinates flashed directly in front of Thor.
"Stark Tower?"
"No… it's called Avengers Tower now."
Thor read the coordinates aloud, his brows knitting into a deep frown.
"What business does she have there?"
...New York, Manhattan, Avengers Tower.
The atmosphere was relaxed, carrying the languid calm of the post-battle days.
Tony Stark sat at the bar, legs crossed, swirling a martini.
Bruce Banner lounged on the couch, tablet in hand, still wrestling with the scepter's data model.
"Hey," Tony said, sipping his drink, "where's Clint? He said he's bringing a new friend—please let her be a bombshell."
"Clint said he's on his way," Natasha Romanoff said, glancing at her watch. "Should be here any minute."
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open.
Clint Barton stepped out.
Behind him followed a woman.
A sultry, bewitching woman.
"Whoa."
Tony whistled, setting down his glass.
"Legolas, what have we here?"
Tony slipped off his sunglasses, gaze flicking between Barton and Lorelei, smirk in place.
"If I remember right, Laura's still pregnant. Planning to give your kid a hot stepmom?"
Banner shot Tony a weary look—told-you-so written all over it.
Natasha frowned; feminine instinct screamed discomfort the instant Lorelei appeared.
"This is…?" Natasha asked.
"Lorelei,"
Barton answered.
"She helped me on the road. I think… she should lead us, as our queen."
"Queen?" Tony snorted. "Wow, Clint, you've been busy. Role-play these days?"
"Shut it, Tony."
Natasha sensed something wrong.
Her hand slid quietly to the holster on her thigh.
Lorelei smiled.
She stepped past Barton into the lounge, stopping at the bar in front of Tony.
"You're Stark?"
Her eyes were hooks, her voice dripping honey.
"The mortal smith who wraps himself in iron?"
Tony blinked, straightened his jacket, flashed his most charming grin.
"Correction: genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. But if you prefer 'smith,' I could forge you a sword."
"I have no need of swords."
Lorelei brushed a fingertip along Tony's cheek.
The touch was ice; Tony shivered.
"Look at me, smith."
She leaned to his ear, whispering with entrancing power.
Tony's gaze turned hazy.
"I need only… you."
"Yes… my lady."
Eyes full of devotion, Tony stepped behind her like a loyal squire.
"Hey! Bitch! Hands off him!"
Sensing danger, Natasha yanked her pistol free.
Wh-shnk!
An arrow flashed, knocking the Glock from her grip.
"Clint, have you lost it?!" Natasha stared, stunned.
Clint said nothing, nocking another arrow, its point aimed between her eyes.
"Stand still, Nat," he said coldly. "Don't spoil Her Majesty's fun."
Queen… Natasha's heart sank.
Clint was enthralled again—just like with Loki.
"Hulk!!"
Seeing Natasha attacked, Bruce instinctively tried to summon the Beast.
The Hulk's rage can be provoked, never mind-controlled.
His skin tinged green, muscles swelling.
"Shh…"
Lorelei was suddenly at Banner's side.
She laid a single finger to his lips.
"Such a mighty Beast."
"Calm yourself, my warrior."
And miraculously the green faded before it fully surfaced.
No transformation, no return to reason.
Bruce Banner, one of Earth's brightest minds, gazed at Lorelei in adoration.
"I'm calm… I obey you, my queen."
He moved to stand beside Barton.
In mere minutes the Avengers' three heavy-hitter men were down.
Only Natasha remained.
"Damn it…"
She knew what she faced: mind control—devastatingly effective on men.
"All alone now, little wildcat."
Lorelei turned, eyes cold with disdain.
"I dislike your gaze."
"Kill her."
She issued the order without emotion.
Clack.
Barton drew his bow.
Tony's watch unfolded into a palm-cannon.
Banner, still human, hefted a bar-stool.
Friends, best friends, boyfriends—now her deadliest foes.
"Goodbye," Lorelei waved.
As Tony's repulsor prepared to fire—
BOOM!!
Thunder exploded; the tower's vast window shattered under a bolt of lightning.
Shards rained like hail.
A crimson-caped figure gripping Mjolnir strode through the storm into the lounge.
"Lorelei!"
Thor's roar shook the room.
"Your games end now—back to Asgard with me!"
The sudden gale staggered Tony and Clint, breaking their assault.
"Thor?"
Lorelei showed no fear, only playful mockery.
She flicked her hair, voice sickly sweet.
"Oh, my dear Thor—so long apart and you'd arrest me at once?"
"I heard… you have a new love?"
"That mortal, Jane Foster?"
Thor's face darkened. "Speak not her name!"
"Hmph, heartless man," Lorelei sneered. "Six centuries ago you knelt like a dog, begging me to love you."
"Silence!" Thor flushed, glancing at Natasha as his shamed past aired.
"That was your sorcery—I am immune now!"
"Immune?"
Lorelei laughed.
"Perhaps—you always were stubborn."
"But…"
She indicated Tony, Clint, and Bruce before her.
"…Barton tells me these are your friends?"
"Since you no longer love me,"
Her eyes turned vicious.
"let your friends entertain you in my stead."
"Attack!"
At her word
Tony Stark raised his arms; the Mark XLIII armor snapped into place.
"Sorry, blondie," Tony's voice held no warmth. "The Queen commands your death."