A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Dusk or Skulduggery. Thanks go out to The Cheesling King, MyNameIsClassified and Hellsgun for the reviews and follows. My apologies if I missed anyone my FF account is going wonky.
I came to my senses and pulled my hand away. This was Dusk I was protecting, and if he could give me an answer, he could do it just as well from a Sanctuary cell. I rang Skulduggery, fully expecting him to agree, but he didn't. "So you are telling me he showed up, you healed him, and now you want him arrested?" He asked doubtfully.
"You could just come over and shoot him." I offered hopefully.
"I already did that once. Tonight as a matter of fact. I'd run into him, you don't need to know why, and he wanted to know where you were. I took exception to that so I shot him."
"Skulduggery!"
"You should have killed him when you had the chance." Skulduggery said firmly. "Why didn't you? Don't tell me you're in love with him. He isn't a romantic hero, Valkyrie. He's not some dark and troubled prince. He'll rip your heart out of your chest the first chance he gets."
"Then why didn't you just charge in and kill him?" I responded angrily.
"I thought that part would have been rather obvious, don't you?"
"Let's pretend it wasn't."
"He's a vampire, Valkyrie. If he could enter your house, you had to let him in." I awoke from my nightmare with a startled yelp, only to find myself cocooned in warmth. I'd somehow ended up in bed and Dusk had wrapped himself around me protectively. I froze. I had to still be dreaming, this had to be a nightmare. I'd shifted my arm, hoping I had enough strength to crack a rib and make my escape when he spoke.
"Good morning, Valkyrie."
"Dusk. I want to ask you something and please don't be offended, but are you on drugs?" He laughed releasing me and sitting up.
"Would you feel less guilty about me being here if I were?" He arched a brow.
"I'm not guilty!" I growled and got up, intending to leave him there, but Dusk trailed me to the kitchen, intent of watching me from his seat at the kitchen table and it finally clicked. "Someone wants me dead, don't they?" I asked, turning to him and he nodded.
"They do. And I took exception to the idea. I've had my revenge, my time to understand how you of all people could scar me. And I understand now."
"Understand what?"
"I can't tell you, not now. You aren't ready yet. But I'm here for your protection." He fell silent staring at me as of he was waiting for a reply but I could only turn away. "I'll be your constant bodyguard until this is over whether you want me or not."
D'aw, a homicidal, revenge-driven, undead bodyguard. How romatical.
