A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, China, Billy-Ray or Valkyrie. Val's in her 20s, story is in her POV. And yes, my Billy-Ray still talks funny.
I'd been chasing the bad guys without really knowing why. Nothing seemed to matter anymore, not without Skulduggery by my side. He'd promised me until the end, and apparently that end came when he went off with China. So I didn't watch where I was going and soon had slid on some loose rock in the Texas canyon and ended up trapped under a landslide. Perfect way to die.
I wondered as I listened to the shifting rubble if it would cave in first and crush me to death, or I'd suffocate. I could have got out and easily with my magic had it still been working right, but what was the point? I closed my eyes, then snapped them open at the sound of another ominous rumble coming from below me. I felt the ground beside me erupt then a steely arm wrapped around me as an icy cold blade came to rest on my throat. "Well, well, looky what we got here. Always said I'd kill you iffen I got the chance, and here you all are all wrapped up with a pretty little bow." A masculine voice with a rich Texan accent hissed in my ear.
I didn't move, didn't answer, and I swore I could sense his frown even in the darkness. "Now you see, Detective, this here's the part where you say somethin' smart back at me and then I get to kill you." Billy-Ray Sanguine said cheerfully. "Come on now, you can do it." He encouraged.
"And if I don't?" I asked, my voice a monotone.
"Uh- Well- Now come on, now. I'm bein' right nice about this. Go on then, get yourself a good one in, somethin' for me to remember you by." I felt the hand with the razor move away and he was caressing my hair gently.
"You have a lot of things wrong with you, Billy-Ray. I could have elbowed you a good one when you took the razor away."
"But you didn't. And that ain't exactly what I was thinkin' of. Make it somethin' memorable, so I can feel good about killin' you." I laughed, I couldn't help it. "You think I'm funny?" He growled and the razor was back, with slight pressure this time.
"No, I am. My partner ran off and now I'm actually happy you'll be the one to kill me. At least you'll be quick about it. Go on then, do it." I steeled myself for the sudden slice, but felt instead his arm loosen and the blade go away.
"I ain't gonna, not if you're fixin' to die. Ain't no fun that way. How 'bout you let me get you outta here, then we can fight proper-like? Wait, funny bones ran off on you?" He started to laugh and I wanted to fight him then. I wanted to hurt him since I was in so much pain. But then he continued and I realized he was laughing at himself. "Well if that don't beat all. I got myself dumped by the roadside as well. Let's say I get you outta here, huh? How come you didn't do it yourself?" He voice was tender now, his arms gentle as they looped around me.
"I- My magic hasn't been working right, Billy-Ray. I don't know why, maybe because I just don't care anymore. You do what you want with me. I won't fight you."
"Now, you come on now. You quit talkin' like that, like you're fixin' to die. Come on now!" There were tears in his voice. I figured out real quick that he was six kinds of crazy I'd never even thought of at that point. He'd gone from wanting me to suffer to wanting me whole again.
Billy-Ray wrapped his arms around me more securely. "I ain't lettin' you die, you all are comin' with me." I nodded, knowing he'd see me and soon we were moving straight into the ground and soon we were traveling. We came up a short distance later in time to see the landside collapse inwards.
"You saved my life." I said, stunned that Billy-Ray of all people had done it.
"That I did. Now you owe me, little darlin'. And I don't mean nothin' by that except you're gonna live for me and make somethin' of your life. You ain't allowed to die on me." He was staring at me from behind his sunglasses, and he brought up a hand to cup my face gently. Oh, God, no. Anyone but him. He must have seen my disgust because he turned his back to me and started walking away. "I didn't say you'd all have to do it with me, take care of yourself."
"Billy-Ray, wait." I said and he turned to look at me hopefully. "I'm sorry, I just- I don't trust anyone, not anymore."
"Neither do I, little darlin', but at least we wouldn't be alone." He held out his hand to me and I went and took it, wondering exactly what I'd gotten myself into.
That was what it was. Hope you liked it.