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FIFTEEN | A PRICE TO PAY

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THE COUPLE WAS once again inside the Narthex, rotating the Eye to check for any magical anomaly. "As always, nothing's going on. Guess we'll just have to head back to the training area and well, you know what we'll do for the rest of the evening." he said with a sly smirk on his lips.

Cassandra bit her lip to stop smiling, and pretended she didn't hear him, keeping her eyes focused on the globe. That's when she suddenly noticed a strong magical signature on the Shady Acres Care Home, a retirement home in New York city.

"Take a look at this, love." she zoomed in the signature and showed him. "This is an Asgardian magical signature. It's like Odin's."

Stephen furrowed his eyebrows. "So,  we have another Asgardian here on Earth?"

"Yeah. But, this one's different and familiar to me. I remember the Ancient One showing me this one before. Cassandra's eyes grew wide as she recalled whose it was. "Oh, shit. It's Loki's!"

"Wait, what? The one who attacked New York? Are you sure?" This caught Stephen's attention and he sauntered over to her to get a closer look. The woman swallowed as she remembered the destruction this god brought before. The Ancient One and Cassandra along with her parents defended the Sanctum from the invasion that day.

"Are you seriously doubting my knowledge right now?" A scowl formed in the sorceress' lips.

"No, I-I meant -- "

She rolled her eyes. "It looks like he's with someone else. Thor, his brother, I assume."

Stephen pursed his lips and nodded. "Then we must know their intentions here on Earth."

The two then headed to the New York Sanctum to begin their preparations. Cassandra then took a card from a little jar that carried their address, smiling giddily. "Ah, always knew this would be handy at times."

"You ready, sweetheart?"

"'Course, I am." the sorceress smirked then opened a portal above them that would trap Loki in a pocket universe. Stephen tossed the address card above just as the woman beside him closed the portal.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, the two felt the presence of Thor near their Sanctum. "I'm surprised he didn't get lost, I was silently hoping to trap Loki longer." the brunette pouted, swiping her emerald cloak to the side, letting it sweep across the floor.

"You'll have the opportunity next time. For now, let's go."

Thor knocked on their door and Stephen teleported him to the Chamber of Relics immediately. The brilliant sorceress was already chuckling at the way how Thor appeared dumbfounded. She had to admit, he was really good-looking and if she wasn't madly in love with Stephen, she'd shamelessly flirt with the god of thunder. But, then, she knew she really wouldn't have to make too much effort to be noticed, she was charismatic, confident, and beautiful enough to catch his attention.

"Thor Odinson. God of Thunder." Stephen came unexpectedly at the window, and the woman rolled her eyes at his dramatic style. As the god of thunder lifted his umbrella in defense, he approached Thor with caution. "You can put down the umbrella."

As soon as Thor placed his umbrella down, Strange teleported them to another part of the chamber, catching the god off-guard. "Show off." Cassandra whispered under her breath when an idea appeared on her mind, a smirk forming on her lips.

"So, Earth has wizards now?" The Asgardian god picked up a relic and attempted to start a conversation. He then placed back the object and accidentally destroyed it. This surprised Thor and he attempted to fix it, only to destroy it again.

Cassandra then decided it was time to make an introduction. She made her presence known by taking one of the pieces from Thor's hand, snapping her fingers. "The proper way to put them back together is piece by piece gently; the stronger you put them back together, the more you destroy it; this relic teaches us the art of patience and gentleness. Also, this is a weapon that turns into a small knife when held by a right sorcerer," she explained as the object in her hand glowed, before placing it back on its holder.

Thor's expression softened as he listened to her explanation, she noted. "Thank you," he added, flashing her a flirty look she was sure her boyfriend observed. "And, my fair woman, what is your name?"

"Cassandra Mason."

Stephen cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "The preferred term is Master of the Mystic Arts." he grumbled. "You can leave that now, she can do it."

"All right, wizard. Who are you? Why should I care?"

"My name is Doctor Stephen Strange, and she, as she introduced herself to you earlier, is Cassandra Mason, my partner. We have some questions for you. Take a seat." The three of them were then teleported to the living room, now sitting in high-backed chairs.

"Partner as in your..."

The Sorcerer Supreme didn't answer his question and instead offered tea, resting his fingers at the side of his head, scrutinizing the god from head to toe.

"I don’t drink tea." Thor proudly answered as he put down the teacup he never remembered he had.

"What do you drink?" Cassandra tilted her head, smiling slightly.

Thor noticed her and suddenly gave another flirtatious grin towards her. "Not tea."

The former neurosurgeon frowned at this and used arcane magic to transform the teacup into a stein of beer, catching his attention. "So, my partner and I keep a watch list of individuals and beings from other realms that may be a threat to this world. Your adopted brother, Loki, is one of those beings."

"He's a worthy inclusion."

Stephen then magically refilled Thor's beer glass. "Then why bring him here?"

Thor examined the glass of beer that he had brought close to him. He couldn't figure out how it had replenished itself. In Cassandra's opinion, he resembled a befuddled koala. "We're looking for my father."

"So, if we were to tell you where Odin was, all parties concerned would promptly return to Asgard?"

"Promptly."

"Great! Then I'll help you."

Cassandra coughed.

"Then we'll help you."

"If you knew where he was, why didn't you call me?" Thor questioned, not trusting the sorcerer in front of him. His gaze then fell once again upon the beautiful sorceress at the side. He then began to wonder if she was still available.

"I have to tell you, he was adamant that he not be disturbed. Your father said he had chosen to remain in exile."

Odin, the Asgardian King, arrived on Earth months ago, feeble and frail, and asked for their help. He didn't want anyone to know where he was or that he had decided to be exiled. Cassandra was curious as to why he was acting in this manner, but all she could do was obey the king's desires.

"Hmm." was Thor's only answer as he focused his eyes on the fair woman, trying to trap her attention to him.

"And you don't have a phone."

"No, I don't have a-a phone, but you could have sent an electronic letter. It's called an email."

The event planner raised her eyebrow. "Yeah, do you have a computer?"

He shrugged, but smiled. "No. What for?"

In her peripheral vision, she could already see how Stephen clench his jaw. Subtly glaring at Thor, he sighed. The god of thunder only returned his gaze to her lover, still oblivious of how Stephen was restraining himself. "Anyway, my father is no longer in exile. So if you could tell me where he is, I can take him home."

Stephen then smirked and grabbed Cassandra's hand as he stood up. His grip was different this time was different. She could feel his jealousy and fear radiating through and the woman felt guilty of her actions. She just wanted to make her boyfriend jealous. "Gladly." They then teleported to a library as Strange flipped through mystic books, keeping the sorceress at his side. "I'm just seeing whether this incantation requires any Asgardian modifications. Nope." They teleported again. "We don't need that."

Once again, the Sorcerer Supreme used another spell to teleport them, now making Thor spill his beer and destroy the shelf of books at the corner. Cassandra caught Stephen smirking as he scanned an incantation. It was clear he waa enjoying his little activity with the Norse god of thunder. "Stephen--" she began to warn him, but she was cut off by Thor stumbling towards them.

"Will you stop doing that?"

The master of the mystic arts turned to him. "Can I ... I need a ... just one strand of your hair?"

"Let me explain something," he began, his words slurring from the dizziness he was feeling. "My hair is not to be meddled with--"

Strange was clearly unfazed by this, as he yanked a strand from Thor, causing him to scream in pain. Strange teleports them back to the main hallway, sending Thor sliding down the stairwell. Cassandra sympathized with the god of thunder. Her original goal was to tease Stephen, but she had no idea it would escalate to this. "We could have just walked."

Stephen paid no attention to him and opened a portal to Norway. "He's waiting for you."

"All right."

"Oh, don't forget your umbrella." Stephen reminded him.

"Oh, yes." With a big smile, Thor extends his hand to summon his umbrella. As his umbrella made its way to him, shattered glassware and broken artifacts could be heard. Stephen frowned and rolled his eyes. "Sorry," the deity said, realizing he had undoubtedly destroyed countless relics. When he eventually got his hands on the umbrella, he was able to remove the shattered glass from it. "There we go. I suppose I'll need my brother back."

"Oh, yeah. Right. Cassie?"

With a loud thump, Cassandra groaned and opened a portal, through which Loki falls back. She had to admit, seeing the god of mischief, the one who almost conquered the Earth, moan in pain was somewhat nice.

"Impressive." Thor commented to her as he slightly chuckled.

Loki grumbled, exasperated. "I have been falling for thirty minutes!"

"You can handle him from here."

"Yes, thank you very much for your help." Thor shook his hand and Stephen returned it. "Good luck."

The Asgardian bowed to Cassandra and extended his hand in gratitude. A kiss on her knuckles replaced what she thought was a conventional handshake. Her eyes widened in response to the motion, and blood raced to her cheeks. "May we meet again, Lady Cassie."

Stephen scoffed. "Cassie? No, no, no. I'm the only one who calls her that. Call her Cassandra..." verbalized he before murmuring, "and yeah, let's hope you never meet her again."

"Handle me? Who are you?" Loki stood up and pulled out his blades, positioning himself for an offensive stance.

"Loki..."

"You think you two are some kind of sorcerers? Don't think for one minute, you second-rate..." Loki charged at Stephen who was about to defend himself when Cassandra pulled out her dagger. In a flash, the woman's robe and cloak transformed into purple and black and her dagger stretched into a long staff which she used to push against his chest. Wild wisps of purple and black circled the sorceress and silver cracks appeared beneath her eyes. Tendrils of violent magic broke free from the ground she was standing on as she glared at the god of mischief.

"Oh, no, she turned purple." uttered Thor.

What was once a ocean green eyes turned into a blazing purple in seconds. Her eyes glistened like opalescent amethysts in a lake of celestial maidens cowering like a gargantuan beast compared to her long, fluttering eyelashes. When she said she won't hesitate to venture into the darkness and live in hell just to save Stephen, she meant it. "Take one more step further and I will not hesitate to turn you into ashes."

Loki barked a loud laugh. "You would -- "

Without any warning, she blasted a powerful beam of dark magic on one of the clay jars in the foyer, turning it into mere dust.

"What kind of magic do you have?"

"The kind you wouldn't like to mess with." hissed Cassandra, her purple aura bursting in flames behind her. They burned nothing as they crept their way to Loki, slightly frightening him.

"Dark magic. Interesting."

Stephen must've caught the tendril of magic that was about to attack Loki behind his girlfriend since he immediately moved the portal to send them to Norway. "All right, that's it. Show's over. Bye-bye."

"Thank you." The brilliant event planner breathed out as her purple aura died down and her cloak and dagger reverted into their original form. She was about to hold his hand when he walked away from her. She winced, aware of the reason why he was behaving that way.

He continued to tread up the stairs and then paused midway. "Seriously? Thor?"

She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. Her plan had to make him jealous had absolutely worked. Cassandra felt guilty for teasing him like that, but she couldn't help it. It was the first time she had saw him acting like that. "Are you jealous?"

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Me? Jealous? No, I'm not. Why would I be?" He huffed in frustration. "A kiss on the knuckles? Really?"

Cassandra chuckled.

"Oh, you find this amusing? Good. Well, I don't, Cassie. He was obviously flirting with you, but you didn't shut it down. I was in front of you!"

"I will ask you again. Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange, are you jealous?"

"Yes, isn't it obvious? Look at him, he's a god! And me?" he shook his head, as if realizing his flaws all over again. At his broken expression, the woman's face softened. It was as if she was seeing Stephen Strange for the first time since he arrived at Kamar-Taj. Broken and in need of hope. She clutched his hands in hers, feeling genuinely sorry for her illogical and immature behavior.

"Stephen, look at me, my love. There is always something missing, when you’re not here with me." She brought his hands to her cheeks and was reminded of the first time they met.

The beat was vibrating off the walls as Cassandra sat down on the bar stool, ordering a dry martini. The crowd around her was out in force and the drinks were flowing across the tables just as fast as the bartenders can make them. Conversation was loud and patriots were struggling to hear over the thumping music and the dance floor is filled with sweaty bodies swaying to the beat. As soon as the bartended slid her drink, she imbibed her poison, allowing the bubbles to massage her throat.

"Heterochromia Iridis."

Cassandra turned her head to the tall, attractive man beside her, cocking her head to the side. She clicked her tongue. She didn't know if the alcohol was already getting to her head, but she was already interested in this man. He had perfectly angled jaw, chiseled cheekbones, broad chest, and a cute lop-sided smile. Not to mention, he had the most beautiful eyes she had seen. They were both blue-green with tiny specks of gold in them. It would be a crime for her not to entertain him.

"You know," she circled the rim of her glass, now facing him fully. "A gentleman would at least offer to buy me a drink first."

He smirked. "Chris, one whiskey on the rocks for me and martini for the lady, stirred not shaken."

"Got it."

The incredibly handsome man crossed his hands on the table, capturing her attention. "James Bond was wrong, you know. Whether you drink martini with gin or vodka, stirred is the way to go when ordering one."

"I know." conversed Cassandra, brushing her hair aside. "How did you know I was drinking martini?"

"Your glass."

"How observant of you."

"So I am often told." He smiled and extended his hand for a shake. "Dr. Stephen Strange. Resident neurosurgeon in the Metro-General Hospital."

Giving her best dazzling smile, the woman responded, "Cassandra, newly graduate of Hospitality Management in Cornell University."

"No last name?" He took his time with holding her hand and lifted his chin when they pulled away.

"I believe we won't be needing that later." She smirked.

He gave her a lopsided smile in return. "Heterochromia was in reference to your eyes, Cassandra -- "

"Please, call me Cass. Everyone calls me that since Cassandra is a bit too mouthful."

"How about Cassie?"

"Yeah, I prefer that."

"Great." He drew closer as he admired her eyes. "As I was about to say, your eyes are incredibly stunning. One green, one blue. Sectoral heterochromia. One wouldn't even notice it because of the light shade. They are a mix of two different colours."

She snickered. "First, you proposition a girl and then you thoroughly discuss her condition. How is that seduction technique working out for you, Dr. Strange?"

"I'll tell you in the morning."

They both laugh.

"One whiskey on the rocks and martini coming up." announced the bartender as he slid the two glasses. Without even looking, the man before her caught them and gently handed her drink to her. "No, I'm serious. I, myself, have the condition too. Look closer," he softly said, making Cassandra curious and lean in further to see his eye color. Their faces were now mere inches from each other and she could his breath on her lips, sending a delicious tingle that ran from her neck down to her toes.

"Mine appears to be both central and sectoral. They change from green to blue, and sometimes to gold, depending on the light, but they are really a mix of both blue and green colours. Sometimes, I would even have a brown freckle on my right eye." expounded he, his eyes fixated alone on Cassandra, anchoring her attention only to him. Her cheeks started to burn from his penetrating gaze as if he saw her already inside out, her soul bare to him and she felt it. She felt as if she was starting the rest of her life and didn't know why.

"That's interesting."

"Are you alone here, Cassie?"

"No, I'm not. My colleagues are here. It's our graduation party." She explained. "Oh, why don't you come and let me introduce you to them?" Then, she leant near his ear, letting her lips purposely graze against his skin. "And then we get out of here, yeah? Unless, you're with someone here, of course."

"I would love that. Take me away."

In the present, Stephen's hands remained on her face as she talked. "I love you, okay? And no, I'm not exchanging you for anyone no matter how godly they are."

The Sorcerer Supreme stared into her blue-green eyes as if searching for the truth behind them. "Good."

He then pulled her forward and kissed her, passionately. Cassandra mentally cursed her height for being short as she had to stand on her tiptoes just to keep lips attached to him, but that was all set aside as she immersed herself to his passion. She could really feel his emotions through the kiss. Passion, pain, fear, love, all was said in it. Once they pulled away, the woman then placed her hands on his stubbled jaw. "Can I just say that I did it on purpose? I really planned to make you jealous and I'm really sorry that I upset you--"

He kissed her again.

"Yes, you made me upset. And now you have to make it up to me."

Cassandra smirked. "Gladly."

Just as they were about to teleport to his room, Wong appeared at the top of the stairs. "Cassandra! Strange! There's a necromancer roaming the streets of London! Get yourselves over here now!"

"Shit!" cursed the sorceress, running up the staircase with Stephen following behind. She patted her pockets. "Dammit! Where's my red lipstick? I can't save the world without my red lipstick!"

"Is that even necessary, Cass?" shouted Wong.

"Yes! I refuse to save the world without looking good!"

Suddenly, her companion reaced out into his pocket and handed her her MAC matte red lipstick as they got inside the Narthex. "You left it on my bedside drawer this morning."

She smirked, snatching it to put on her lips. The woman had always believed that saving the world should always be done in style. At the very least, do it for the photo ops, in her opinion. Cassandra didn't want to appear strained and weary in the images in the newspaper. She was well aware of how they would always choose the worse photo to present to the public.

"You, and your shenanigans." complained the librarian, pushing the doors of the London Sanctum open.

"Oh, you all love me for it!"

THE QUIET OF an older neighborhood was what Cassandra first noticed when she arrived.

There were some granite and brownstone structures, as well as newer ones, but the majority of the buildings were red brick. Two women in jogging suits walked back towards the highway, most likely on their way to a restaurant for lunch. An apartment complex stood in the heart of a transitional neighborhood, where ancient single-story houses from the forties and fifties were being slowly renovated or demolished.

But, the sorceress wasn't there to observe and take note of the neighborhood, she was there to visit Jonathan Pangborn since she discerned that her best friend, Karl Mordo, was there with him. She had been searching for him some time now and he had done well in hiding his tracks and magical signature until now.

Entering a small, decrepit workshop, she put her hands behind her as she made herself known.

"Why are you doing this?" cowered Jonathan in shock and fear.

At this, Karl knelt down in front of him. "Because I see it long last was wrong with the world." he proclaimed. "Too many sorcerers."

And then as if he sensed her presence, he spun around and pointed his weapon to her. However, this move unfazed the sorceress and never did she blink, she only stared at her longtime friend, phlegmatic.

"Cassandra! Help me! Please!" cried Jonathan, writhing in pain. Wordlessly, she reached out and lent her magic to him, healing his condition.

"Thank you, Cassandra!"

"Don't thank me yet, Jonathan. Power has a purpose. Now that lent you my magic, what are you going to do with it?"

He swallowed. "I..."

"I'll give you some time to think so keep this in mind, if my magic will only be put to waste, I will take it back as easily as I gave it. Understand?"

"Y-yes."

"Good." She rose to her feet and inclined her head to Karl, tilting her head for his weapon was still drawn.

"Are you here to stop me, Cass?"

She shrugged, nonchalant. "I can, but I won't." Reaching inside her pocket, she pulled put a deck of Uno cards. "I'm here to play with you."

And that's how they found themselves in an isolated building in the neighborhood, playing poker. Cold air breezed inside the room as Karl took another card from the deck. "Game night isn't the same without you." announced Cassandra, expressionlessly glancing at her cards.

He was silent.

"You're sure this is the path you want to take?" She continued. "You can still come back."

Karl sighed. "I cannot follow a path that is built on lies, Cass. The Ancient One strictly prohibitedus from using dark magic, sometimes even using your experience with it as warning, but then she herself was siphoning energy from the Dark Dimension. Hypocrite." He explained. "And then, there's your boyfriend who's doing the same. Breaking and bending Natural Laws to his will as if he's some higher being. He's now the Sorcerer Supreme, right?"

"Yes."

"Does he know you're his guardian?"

"Not yet."

He sighed, tossing one of his cards that had to make Cassandra grab two more cards from the deck. "I'm sure you're aware I will come for him, right?"

She took two cards, silently cursing since Karl was winning against her. "What about me? I mean, I am using dark magic as much as I please. Am I your enemy too?"

"You are my most trusted friend, Cass. We've always been there for each other. I can never hurt you. You can be assured that I will be there when you need me." He explained, leaning against his chair, casually as he placed another card on the table. "As a matter of fact, if I have to choose between saving you or Strange, I'll choose you even if he's the Sorcerer Supreme."

"Karl..." She shed another card from her hand, sighing. She knew it was futile to convince her beat friend to return. His decision was fixed. "When you're ready to return, Kamar-Taj's doors will be open for you."

Karl looked at the remaining card in his hand. Cassandra already knew he was going to win their game, but that wasn't what bothered her. Karl Mordo, her longeat friend and ally, was about to venture into a path he can't return from. They were going to lose him to the other side. "Our actions will reap consequences, and the bill will come due. All of our judgements, all of our pride, and all of failings will reap consequences that will cycle back around." expounded he, flipping the corner of the uno card he was holding. "Our bill may not even come to pass on us - it may be something the next generation is left to pay in our stead."

Cassandra watched him as he fially laid down his card, winning the game. Closing her eyes, she leant against her chair. She then observed him as he stood up, the chair screeching as he did so and walked away from her. Pain's knife stabbed her heart and she felt it bled. Karl Mordo was still alive, but it was like he died and she lost him forever.

"When the bill comes due, are you willing to pay the price, Cassandra?"

And then he left the room, just as she lifted herself up and placed her hands on the table. The sorceress let her fingers graze against the surface of the Uno cards, grieving for the loss of her best friend. As a tear escaped her eye, she realized that she had been holding it all together because she felt like she had to, carrying grief and fear within her when she thought it would crush her. But, she came to conclusion that one won't get over grief by denying it. One must feel it and give it its due.

Karl Mordo will be always be Cassandra Mason's best friend even when he chose to leave and she could only hope that the day where she has to choose between him and Stephen will never come because she knew she what she will choose.