A/N: I don't own Dusk, Valkyrie, Darquesse or Caelan. A billion thanks go out to Tes-The-Beast, MyNameIsClassified, DeadGirl19, Nightmaredrak01 and Mya2015 for the review, fave and follow!
Everyone was kind to me, and they all assured me it wasn't my fault that Dusk had used his powers on me, but I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare world. The Darquesse side of me was still around, people who shouldn't have been there were alive and well, and everything just seemed a tad off.
It is. The voice whispered inside my head as we reached the Sanctuary. Go to sleep. That didn't make much sense but I knew the truth. I was Darquesse, so the small voice was there to protect me, to help me. I went to bed in my assigned guest room, and for the longest time I lay staring into the darkness, but at last sleep claimed me and Dusk was waiting for me in my dreams.
He looked at me calmly. "They haven't told you yet, but I evaded capture. Did you enjoy the dead end they drove you to?" He asked, coming forward to embrace me. I froze in his arms and he sighed. "I meant to shadow-walk the car to impress you." He admitted.
"How did that work out for you?" I joked feebly and he laughed and kissed me.
"Great, great. Your Sanctuary is down a few Cleavers, but I did the best I could to keep the number of dead to a minimum. I know what they told you, Valkyrie. And I warned you about this. Bringing Darquesse to the surface? You are Darquesse. You know if you've been tricked or not. Have you?"
I shifted in the dream and I was Darquesse. "Why did you lie to me, about emerging in the parking lot?"
"You weren't ready for the truth. Had I told you you'd have shut down and never emerged. I'm trying to help you. You are who you are. Find out the truth from me." Dusk stepped away, leaving himself open to an attack. I was wary. I'd seen whatever broke off from me tricked, I wasn't going to assume I was any brighter, but I could sense the truth and it frightened me.
I awoke, knowing what I had to do, what I could do as Darquesse. One good thing about mind control that Caelan had passed on without knowing it, was that it worked only once. As soon as the connection broke the victim was freed. I concentrated, breaking the control over everyone. It puzzled me that Skulduggery had been under a vampire's sway as well, but when I made my way to his room he met me with his Smith and Wesson drawn. "Darquesse." He said evenly, holding it pointed at my chest, his hand never wavering as he thumbed the hammer back.
"Go ahead and shoot." I said calmly. He stared at me for the longest time then sighed and put his revolver away.
"We were tricked, weren't we?" He asked, sagging slightly.
"Yes. And maybe I was as well." I shifted back. "I'm not going Darquesse full time but you all needed help. Dusk is on our side."
"And Caelan?"
"He was never there, Skulduggery. Neither was Kenspeckle. What we had in the van with us were two very clever vampires, but it doesn't make sense why they didn't attack me then and there."
"Then there's something we don't know. Dusk is loose. You'd better go find him." He said and I nodded and left. Skulduggery knew I had to see this through on my own. And it didn't take long to sneak out of the Sanctuary and meet up with Dusk who'd thoughtfully stolen back his car. He smiled at me as I go in.
"I owe you that steak and that's where we're going. Your friends will be safe for now."
"Why didn't the vampires kill me when they had the chance?" I asked as he handed the sigil over and I slipped it back on.
"I'm assuming your blood is the answer. You'd have to be killed without shedding your blood, it could be so potent that even a drop to the skin could cause a cure."
"But you drank my blood." I said doubtfully.
"I spat it back out, remember? And before your Surge. Before you ask, no, this isn't a dream. And I am on your side, Valkyrie."
"You just seem different." What I really wanted to say was cold and Dusk picked up on it.
"You saw the one you wanted, the one you loved." He said quietly. "And I know that isn't me. Even without the sigil we are forever linked so do show me the respect of not lying to me. I felt you reaction to seeing Caelan again. You were so very happy he was there to rescue you from the evil vampire again." Dusk said bitterly.
"How dare you?" I asked. "How dare you not tell me we were still linked?"
"Because I care about what happens to you! Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot, vampires can't have emotions." Dusk said sarcastically and I couldn't help it, I laughed.
"Sorry, you're just sulking again. It's cute."
Dusk growled at me but he finally relented and smiled before laughing himself. "I do love you, you know. If anyone else talked to me the way you do I'd kill them."
"That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me. I just don't know if I can trust you. I feel like I've been stupid trusting you as far as I have. Who but the village idiot lets a vampire this close to them?"
I felt the pain my words caused him. "So that's it? I'm an unreasoning monster to you? You expect that sooner or later my true nature will win out and I'll kill you, is that it?"
"I don't know. I'm just confused." I didn't add that Darquesse herself, or myself had taken off the sigil, a move that made no sense if Dusk could be trusted. Unless she, well, I, knew it would be to my advantage, but how?
Dusk was civil as we got to the diner, but he'd reverted to the cold and emotionless vampire that I got the distinct feeling hated me.
That's because he's in love with you, idiot. Dusk didn't seems to notice the interaction and kept glaring at his menu. Interesting.
You told me to leave his car. I thought back.
How better to prove he loves you? He kept watch from a distance. The two vampires went missing. Three guesses why. No stop being stupid and shallow for once and show him you feel something in return.
I winced, she, well, I, was right. Dusk seemed to feel that and he looked up in concern. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." I said managing a shaky smile as I reached out for his hand. Dusk gave me a faint smile in reply and I could feel how nervous he was. "Women don't have the corner market on fear." He said quietly. "Or emotions."
But he was more relaxed and even half way friendly as he placed an order for not only steaks but burgers and almost half the menu by the time he was finished. The waitress didn't seem to notice and he smiled at me contritely. "I haven't been eating since we separated. I know it feels like I'm pushing you into something and I know that doesn't work with you, but you are my chosen companion, Valkyrie Cain."
I tightened my grip on his hand before letting go and I knew he understood. "I just always thought life would be Skulduggery and endless adventures. I never thought past that, you know? I just always assumed it would be him beside me and I wouldn't have to try or put in the work an actual relationship takes."
"I know."
Dusk was friendly and relaxed the rest of our time in the diner and when we at last headed for home I rested my head sleepily on his shoulder, enjoying his warmth. Dusk looked at me and smiled, then wrapped his arm around me, pulling me as close as my belt would allow and at home he held up his hand so I'd wait for him to get my door.
I did, and as soon as he's helped me out he swept me up in his arms and carried me into Uncle Gordon's mansion. I laughed and wriggled. "Dusk, put me down, I can walk."
"Never, I'm never letting you go, Valkyrie Cain." He whispered, nuzzling into me then giving me a playful nip. I giggled but snuggled in deeper it felt nice to let my guard down for once, to be with someone I could trust. We made the bedroom by about dawn, Dusk cradling me protectively in his arms and we both fell into a deep sleep.
Wake up.
"Hmm?" I mumbled sleepily.
Wake up now.
I groggily opened my eyes just in time to see a vampire in full vamp form crash through the window, sending shards of glass flying in all directions. I lashed out with a whip of light but he twisted through the air like a cat to land heavily on Dusk, who met him with rending claws and teeth. The two struggled and I switched to my shadows, all too happy to accept they were back and made a garrote out of them, encircling the vampire's neck.
He gagged and fought, his clawed hands scrabbling at the shadows as they tightened. "Not after you." He managed to wheeze. "Dusk. He was sent to assassinate you." I let go of my shadows in shock and he gulped in a deep breath, hammered Dusk with a final punch that knocked him out, then hefted him in his arms. The vampire panted, looking at me. "Believe who you want, but we do not want a war with you, Darquesse." He grinned diabolically then and I realized I'd been tricked, too late I lunged at him, but he simply vanished, taking Dusk with him.
The dramas!
