"We'll try again in a few days," Loki decided. "Maybe he'll stop shielding after a while, or maybe he's just out of your range right now."

"And I'll talk to Shadow," he promised after a moment of hesitation. "It might not lead anywhere, but it can't hurt too much to try."

Of course it could hurt. Considering his last encounter with Shadow it probably would, but he still had to do it. He just couldn't give up that hope without trying.