Hey yo guys, an update, finally, right? Anyway, It may just be me, I don't know, but I'm feeling kind of neglected on the reviews _. I'd love if you guys would review every time you read a new chapter please! It keeps me motivated to write, otherwise I feel as if no one is reading the fic. I really want to continue on with it but I will not if no one is showing any interest in it. Sorry.
Anyway, here is the new chapter, and I hope you guys enjoy. CC is encouraged! Read, review, enjoy!
"Valkyrie, sit down." Skulduggery said. I ignored him.
"Seriously, Val. You're making us all nervous." I ignored her, too.
"I have to agree with the both of him." Damnit, Ghastly.
I paced back and forth across the room nervously. I was back to normal, the wound on my back healed and the immense pain that I had to endure was now just a mere memory seared into my brain. They had explained to me just a few minutes ago what had attacked me, and I was terrified.
A Rouge Faceless One. A bastardised version of the actual Faceless Ones. And Serpine had control over it.
This was not good.
A small throbbing formed at the back of my skull, sending annoyance through me. Out of all the torture that I have been through, out of all the pain and wounds and split skin, a headache was the only pain left over. Joy.
Tanith was perched on the bed in our dorm room, a few bags filled with the rest of our clothes. The Sanctuary and school officials claimed it was perfectly safe to keep staying in the academy, but we had different ideas. Skulduggery and Ghastly stood leaning against the wall, out of the way of the path I was probably digging into the carpet from my walking. I could feel their eyes on me as I paced, chewing on my bottom lip and trying to figure out some sort of plan of action. Skulduggery and Ghastly didn't have any idea, either. Tanith was just as clueless.
Ever since I moved to the academy, life had been so eventful. Even with growing up with magic my entire life, moving here has been such an adventure. A talking skeleton that tried to kiss me, a god that tried to kill me, a psycho killer who has a personal vendetta against me.
I sometimes wonder if I should have stayed at home with my parents, decided to live life normally with magic only whispering in my ear instead of it screaming in my face every waking moment. Every time I do start feeling regret, I wonder. Would Serpine still have come after me if I lived at home? Would he still have tried to kidnap me and eventually kill me? Am I just lucky that I managed to get to a magic school and make some of the closest friendships that I could have never even dreamed about having?
Something else bothers me, too. If I stayed at home… Would I have met Ghastly? Or Tanith, who has grown to be like a sister to me?
Would I have met Skulduggery, someone who has helped save me countless times? Someone who has made me smile, made me laugh, and filled me with warmth I haven't felt before? The almost kiss has left my feelings toward him reeling. I still couldn't tell if I… If I had feelings for him, or if they were just me feeling complimented because someone has shown an interest to me.
Did Skulduggery truly have an interest in me? Not one word had been spoken about that night; maybe he realized that it was all just a mistake.
A sharp pain shot through my chest at the thought of that.
Burying my face in my hands, I sat beside Tanith, and she put a comforting arm around me. I suddenly remembered what happened with my hands when the Rouge was attacking me, and slowly pulled my palms away from my head, staring at them.
"What is it?" Skulduggery said, turning his whole body toward me. My eyes traced at the lines of my hands. They looked completely normal. They weren't burning, or red, or shooting double massive balls of fire at anyone.
"Something weird happened when I was fighting the Rouge thing." I responded, flexing my fingers.
"Well?"
I sighed. "When we were fighting, I felt this… These weird powers go through me. I don't know what caused it. One minute I was just trying to keep myself alive, the next I felt something pulsing inside me and shoved my hands out like this," I pushed my palms straight for the wall, "And two huge fire balls just shot out. I didn't click my fingers or anything."
"That's so cool! Can you do it again?" Tanith said excitedly. Skulduggery stayed silent. I met his gaze for a few moments, almost as if I was asking for his blessing. Standing up and pursing my lips, I went over and opened the window. Backing up a few feet from it, I held my arms out in front of me. Squinting, I tried to feel the same power that I had when fighting the Rouge. A few moments passed and I let out a huff of air, frustrated.
"I can't… I don't feel the same like I did then."
"If my memory serves me right, which it usually does, I recall Serpine saying something about you having blood of the Ancients in you." Skulduggery interjected.
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, you were under stress during the fight, correct?"
"Well, duh, who wouldn't be? I was under stress with Serpine torturing me but I don't remember becoming a human flamethrower."
"Ah, there is the difference, Valkyrie. The Rouge Faceless One, while weak, is still a Faceless One, an enemy of the Ancients. No doubt that the Rouge recognized you as its adversary, and no doubt you subconsciously knew the bad blood, no pun intended, between the two from eons ago. I'm thinking that perhaps being around an enemy like that activated hidden potential from the Ancients."
We all thought on it for a moment. The more I spun it around my head, the more it made sense.
"Okay, but what happens if I'm not a descendent of the Ancients?"
"Then you're just a bigger freak that we thought you were."
"Says the 400 year old skeleton."
A few hours later, I phoned my parents. I felt like I owed it to them, telling them everything that was going on. After that was finished, I walked around the school grounds, nodding to every Cleaver that passed by. I realized that they were here for our protection, but the fact that they had to be called upon in these numbers was horrible.
My shoes crunched against the fallen leaves that lay along the path, providing a soft noise that filled the mostly silent property. Classes had resumed for the remaining students, and the officials were requiring for all students to attend. Of course, we didn't listen. Tanith and Skulduggery had gone to find Bliss and discuss matters with him, and Ghastly wandered back to his shop with his father. I was alone, not even the Cleavers were in this area at the moment.
Trees loomed over my head, the slight pattering of water from last night's rain accompanying my footsteps. Wind played with my hair, and I shoved my palms deep into my coat pockets.
I don't know what to do. Should I just give up? No… Not after everything that I've been through here. If I survive this Serpine situation, though. Do I stay at the academy? Or should I return back to my home?
But.. I am home.. The academy. Skulduggery. Ghastly. Tanith. They have all become my family…
"You're not the only one that has been hurt by Serpine." A voice called out. I whipped around, surprised to see Ray Scribe walking my way.
"What?"
"Serpine. You're not the only one that he's hurt." He shivered against the cold.
"What are you talking about, Ray?" My head was spinning. Serpine has dug his heels into Scribe, too?
"I hate him, you know. I've never told anyone this, by the way. I have this friend. She was, ah, she was kidnapped by Serpine a long time ago. No one believed me. The truce, and all that." Ray sniffed as I pursed my lips. "I guess it took him almost killing one of their most prized students for them to realize he was an issue." He let out a short bark of laughter.
"Most prized students? You can't be talking about me." Now I was even more confused.
"Of course I am." He spat, anger showing in his features. "Valkyrie Cain, the girl wonder. I've heard rumors that you're a direct daughter of the Last of the Ancients. Is that true?"
My body tensed, and I resisted clenching my fists. He was starting to look a little crazed. I couldn't tell what his problem was. Was it because they didn't believe him about his friend being taken? If I was him I'd be angry, too, but not like this… Not at someone who has been almost murdered by the same man.
"You need to leave, Scribe." I said, wary. He pitched forward, both of his fists balled up.
"Surely that's not Valkyrie that you're about to hit." Skulduggery said, his tone cold and angry. He was walking toward us casually, but the way he held his shoulders and arms said differently. Ray straightened up, and then his shoulders drooped back down. He seemed to be back to normal, and his hair hung in stringy clumps over his face.
"I'm… I'm sorry." He stuttered before turning and running off, stumbling over his own feet. Skulduggery watched him leave before making his way over, observing me with that emotionless skull. I averted my gaze, something fluttering in my stomach.
Okay, so you might have a little crush on him. There's no way he'd go for you. Not a little girl. He'd want someone strong. He'd want someone beautiful.
Like China. China is strong. She's beautiful. What is keeping him from choosing her over you, huh? Nothing!
"That was strange." Skulduggery spoke, and I watched him out of the corner of my eyes. His stance had returned to normal. He was completely comfortable. He didn't seem awkward, he didn't seem to be looking at me for a second too long. He also didn't seem to not want to be around me.
See, you're only a friend. A really good friend. He probably thinks of you like a sister or something. Damnit, Valkyrie. Get it together!
I shrugged, not trusting my voice. He observed me in that strange way of his for a moment before clearing his throat.
"Stephenie, eh?"
"Sorry?"
"Your given name. I remember… A few weeks ago. When I dropped you off at your parents' house."
"It's my house, too." I said defensively, but my resolve faded fast.
"Is it?" I didn't respond. "Anyway, your father called you Stephenie. Stephenie Edgley. I suppose after ages of knowing Gordon I somehow never knew your full name."
"Ah." I rubbed my arms against the chill that the wind brought on.
"It's very pretty." He said, and I watched his fingers dance down his suit jacket. He reached over and gently placed it over my shoulders. I smiled at him, pulling it around me.
Damnit, Skulduggery. You are not helping!
"Thank you."
"I like Valkyrie Cain, however." Oh, god. I wish you did. "It's very fitting." I grinned at him, all my nervousness slipping away. Even if I did have a teensy crush on him, he was still able to make me feel completely comfortable.
Especially wearing his clothes.
"How did your conversation with Bliss go?" I said, trying to steer away from uncomfortable conversation. No doubt I'd say something stupid.
"It was interesting. He brought up a good plan."
"Which is?"
"Using you as bait." I blanched.
"Doing what?" Skulduggery sighed and took off his hat.
"I was very against it at first. But it does seem to be the only way. Serpine slithers out of his hole whenever he is trying to get to you. Otherwise, we don't hear or see a peep from him." I opened my mouth to interrupt him, but he held up one hand. "You won't be in any danger. And this time, the plan is staying between us four. I cannot have any more information being fed to Serpine."
"I think Scribe may be the traitor." I said slowly. Skulduggerys head tilted at me.
"What makes you say that?"
"Just a few minutes ago, he told me that Serpine kidnapped a friend of is."
"Was he distraught about it?"
"Well, he seemed pretty distraught."
"And understandably so."
"My point is," I continued on. "Anyway, he was angry and almost in tears. He's quiet most of the time and doesn't talk about is family or anything. He could have followed Ghastly and Tanith to your house. He also seemed really… Upset, that I was getting attention from Serpine."
"That's kind of farfetched, don't you think?"
"Probably. But it's the only lead I have. I can't think of anyone else that would do that."
"You would be surprised, Valkyrie." I turned to look at him, but he was staring toward the trees. The wind picked up, causing his tie to flap. "I have been around for many years. People have ways of being sneaky without letting anyone know any better."
"Are you speaking from personal experience?" I felt his gaze shift to me, but he didn't move.
"Let's go back inside. You're shivering." He was right. My fingers were cold and no doubt my nose was pink from the chill. Next time I see Ghastly, I'll have to ask him to whip me up some warmer clothes.
I don't get how Tanith can stay in those leathers all the time. We walked back to the dorms, and I relished the warm air that greeted us. Walking to the commons area, a few people gave us some strange looks. Skulduggery seemed none the wiser as he strolled toward an empty table.
With a blush I realized I was still wearing Skulduggerys coat. He gracefully sat down, and I handed it back to him. Just as we fell into a steady conversation that didn't involve Serpine, a handsome man in dark jeans, a black shirt, and tie walked up. Skulduggery shot back up out of his seat, and I watched as he shook the man's hand affectionately.
"Dexter! It's been ages." Skulduggery said. The man named Dexter laughed.
He's kind of cute.
"It truly has, Skulduggery. Are you going to introduce me to your friend here?" He turned toward me and smiled. I stuck my hand out to shake his but he grabbed it and pulled it up to his lips, kissing it. I grinned, and watched as Skulduggery bristled. "My name is Dexter Vex."
"Valkyrie Cain." I drawled, and Skulduggery made a coughing sound. We all sat back down, Dexter beside Skulduggery and I on the other side of the table.
"What brings you here?" Skulduggery asked, observing him.
"I hear you have had some trouble with a certain sorcerer. I sighed.
"You could say that." I responded.
"Well, I'm here to help. Whatever you need me to do, just call me up and let me know."
"I appreciate the offer, Dexter, but I don't want you getting hurt either." Skulduggery protested, shaking his head.
"Ah, you old fart. That's not an issue. I want to help my friends."
"I'm your friend?" I interjected. He looked at me and winked.
"As pretty as you are?" Before he could continue, Skulduggery interrupted, an unfamiliar tone in his voice. I looked at him strangely.
"Alright, Vex. Alright. You're as stubborn as she is." Dexter smiled and clapped his hands together.
"Perfect! Do you think the Elders would let me hang around the school until this issue is resolved?"
"As handsome as you are?" I joked. Skulduggery started to look.. Agitated. Was he jealous of our harmless flirting?
Do I want him to be?