Aeries woke with her hands bound behind her back. She growled, and opened her eyes, grimacing in the glaring light.
She heard a scuff of boots and growled.
"Good, your awake."
She looked up and at the figure standing before her. He had an eyepatch, and he had skin the color of dirt. He stood tall and wore black clothes. He had no hair on his head, other than his black eyebrows.
She tried to speak but something covered her mouth. So, she growled loudly instead.
"Can't speak? What a pity." The figure stooped in front of her face, and she growled again. "I have some questions for you. Will you answer them?"
She snarled, but she nodded anyway. If only to get the muzzle off. The man stooped low and unclasped the muzzle from her face. She growled as it came free.
"Don't growl at me." He tutted. "Will you answer my questions?"
"I might..." she growled again.
He only sighed. "What is your species?"
"Fae. Next?"
"What powers do you have?"
"I can control fire, and I can shapeshift into a large wolf. What else?"
"Hmm." He looked at her with thought. "What is your name?"
"Aeries Greythorne." She growled. "What is yours?"
"Nick Fury, at your service." He started to circle her, and she followed his movements. "What abilities does your body have, that aren't magical?"
She growled again. "I have very sensitive hearing, the ability to smell very good – especially you and your cheap cologne, along with your natural scent of pine trees - and i can run super-fast. Why do you need to know?"
He ignored her question. "How did you find Earth, Aeries?" He put his hands in his pockets.
"I found a portal in my realm. It must have brought me here, Fury." She growled and crossed her ankles. She leaned against her seat and eyed Nick. "Why do you need to know?"
He ignored her question again; this caused her to growl. "Why did you attack an Avenger?"
"Avenger?"
"They are a league of superheroes who protect Earth and surrounding galaxies from villains and aliens, such as yourself."
She paused to think for a moment. "Was that man of spiders and that man of iron an 'Avenger?'" She growled.
Nick nodded. "Spider-Man and Ironman."
"I cornered Spider-Man because I wanted to know how he has his powers. He then decided to call this Ironman for help, and I fought them both." She snarled as he stepped closer to her. "Again, why do you ask?"
Nick sighed again. "Because you might be able to join the avengers, should you prove to be trustworthy."
Sparks flung out from her bound hands. The sparks started to warm the metal on her wrists.
"Why me? Is it because I am powerful? Is that it?" she asked, deflated.
"Correct. It would be useful to have you on our side, not against it." Nick said. He stopped circling her and looked at her. "Would it be so bad?"
"Yes. I do not know these people. How am I to earn their trust if I do not know them?" She growled.
"You will earn their trust, starting tomorrow. For now, follow me. I will bring you to your room for the night," He unhooked her wrist cuffs, and pulled her up. "Keep in mind, that room is heavily guarded, so escape will be ill advised."
She growled but nodded. Aeries allowed him to drag her to the hallway. There were lots of guards in the white, pristine hallway. Some were hauling prisoners to and from places. One prisoner, however, caught her eye.
He had a muzzle on as well and had shoulder length black hair. He wore gold and green clothing, and his boots were pointed. He had a cape, and his eyes were a brilliant blue. He glanced at her, and their eyes caught and held. Neither of them broke away until they were pulled away, him by his guards, her by Nick.
She warred with herself, debating whether to stop and confront the mysterious man, or to just shrug it off and obey. She hated both options. But she chose the one that would give her the best chance.
With one last glance at the man, she walked forward with Nick Fury.
* * *
Aeries paced in her room. She was well on the way to treading a path in the rug, but she didn't care. All she cared about was how to get the man out of her head.
Many times, she almost teleported to him. Almost. But she quickly thought against it.
This was not like her. She has never, never been drawn to anyone. Never. Not once in her two hundred- thirty years. And she hates that. She hates that she feels drawn to him.
Once tonight, she almost burned her room up, but she quickly gained control of her fire.
Aeries sighed and stopped her pacing. She scrubbed her face and growled. Why did she feel drawn to this mysterious man? She growled again but looked at the bed in the corner. She sighed and walked to it, plopping down on the bed.
She found herself holding a flame in her palm and watched it as she fell asleep.
She did not dream that night.