Page 12 of Competing Against Thor

"Thanks," I muttered.

"And you're losing me right now."

"What? I don't even know if he's into guys..."

"Doesn't matter, I want forging tips," Danny said, downing his drink and heading over towards the man.

I shook my head and set down my drink, leaning against the bar and watching Danny approach my competitor. I genuinely had no idea how this was going to go, but even so, I was surprised when I saw Brandon nodding.

Danny slid into the booth opposite and they seemed to get into an animated conversation, though from what I could tell, it didn't appear very flirty. Maybe Danny really did just want forging tips.

At least that would mean one of us got something out of this party. I wasn't really surewhatI was supposed to get out of it. In theory, I was supposed to get to know my other competitors, butas everyone had brought someone with them, that didn't really seem possible.

Someone cleared their throat and I looked to see Thor standing beside me. "Mind if I join you?"

"Erm sure."

"Do you want another drink?" He gestured to my empty glass.

"Does your girlfriend not mind?" I asked.

"Girlfriend?" he echoed, flagging down the bartender, presumably so he could order a drink of his own.

"You came with her," I pointed out.

"Oh, that's Hel."

"And that doesn't clear anything up," I responded.

"Ah, so you don't know your Norse mythology," he said.

"I know the basics. You're supposed to be really strong and wield a hammer with skill." I ordered a new glass of wine. If he doesn't have a girlfriend, and wants to spend time with me, then who am I to say no? Especially when I can enjoy the view while we do.

"That's not all I wield with skill," he joked.

Without meaning to, I snorted. "That was terrible."

"It was, but I couldn't resist." He grinned. "And Hel is my niece."

I frowned. "Loki's daughter?"

"That's the one."

"And is she actually your niece? How does that work for gods?" My curiosity had gotten the better of me even if I'd meant not to let it.

"She's really my niece," Thor responded. "But it doesn't always work like that. Sometimes the family bonds are just what they say they are, like Loki being my brother. But other times, it's about who made who immortal."

"You weren't born this way?"

"Definitely not. Mortal, immortal, god. It's the standard path," he responded.

"Huh, I had no idea."

"I guess it's not as relevant to the world any more," he said.

Our drinks appeared in front of us, and I picked mine up with a grateful smile to the bartender.

"So to answer your question, no, Hel doesn't care that I'm here. What about your boyfriend?"