In fairytales when the prince finally gets the princess usually they ride off into a happily ever after. But no one ever mentioned the little problem of the apparently awkward morning after. Certainly Damian wished that someone had bothered to warn him about because it was very disconcerting. Granted Red had royally ripped them after Thierry Descoudres's vermin whore had escaped from under their very noses, but he had assumed she would be more bothered about them than that small trifle. Instead she had scarpered faster than a startled rabbit after their lecture. Then he had foolishly supposed she'd be over it by the morning, instead he got a get brief glimpse and a quick goodbye as she left to do god only knew what.
It hurt his pride to ask his father, but what Red didn't know about this world from his time in it was probably not even worth knowing. Red would be pleased at least to know that he and Scarlett had progressed in their relationship. As usual his father sensed his unease before he even spoke. "What has happened?" he demanded in a bored tone, still regarding the intelligence reports in his hands.
"Scarlett and I slept together." He told Red plainly, his father stilled but did not look up. "Last night, before all that nonsense happened." That did not provoke or move Red who continued to read and listen at the same time.
"Is there a point to this? Besides bragging?" Damian flinched, feeling like a child all over again.
"She was being…strange, this morning. Distant, but I thought everything would be alright now." He tried to stop the whine from reaching his voice but failed. Red finally looked up exasperated.
"Did you do something wrong perhaps? Not perform properly or act as I told you to?" Damian wanted to pout, he knew what to do with girls, and it wasn't like he was a virgin or something! Knowing his voice would give away his petulant feelings, Damian simply nodded. Red looked thoughtful then put his piles of reports aside. "Well clearly you were not as well informed as you believe; you obviously did or said something wrong. Do not harass her, I will speak to her." Damian wanted to argue, to protest that he wasn't that stupid but he knew when he was dismissed.
But it was Red and he trusted his judgment, especially when he had no idea himself. Like now. "Yes father." He nodded and left, his faith in his father unwavering. Scarlett was his; she was obviously just a little slow in fully embracing his father's plans for them. Of course ending her soulmate would probably help matters, but yesterday proved that she had clearly made up her mind about that damned Night World traitor.
Curious as to what Scarlett herself would say about their night of passion Damian helped himself to one of the spy holes that looked in on Red's study – with his permission of course. Scarlett looked as amazing as usual, even if his opinion was now biased by having seen her out of her cloths. Red broached the issue with his usual bluntness and Scarlett almost seemed to be blushing. Damian smirked to himself, liking the thought that it was due to him.
Red too wore a knowing smile and he pushed Scalett on it, leaning towards her to force her to look at him. But when Scarlett lifted her eyes up Damian suddenly felt chilled at the dark expression she wore. Damian seemed to see everything in slow motion, realizing in horror that as Scarlett leaned towards Red she drew something from her waistband. He moved before he thought about it, knowing Red would not see the danger until it was too late. Bursting into the room Damian could swear he was already too late. With a viciousness that scared him Scarlett thrust the silver tipped stake through his father's chest then withdrew a long dagger from the back of her bodice.
Acting instinctively Damian slammed full force into her, sending the knife flying and putting Scarlett off balance. As she staggered towards her fallen weapon he reached for his father, his eyes frantically taking in the stake buried deep in his chest. Red's eyes blazed and Damian heard in his head what his was supposed to do. Cringing he pulled the dagger out, her father's black blood spilling over his hand. Disgusted despite himself, Damian dropped it and spun to check for Scarlett's renewed attack.
She was gone.
Merrick knew Scarlett too well to think she would forget her crazy plot against Red just because she now knew she was the fourth Wild Power. This was after all the same girl who had risked her own life and their future together to kill the vampire who had threatened her best friend, even though he was more powerful than she. Now Red was the threat to people she cared about and she wasn't going to sit by and let it happened.
On cue alarms blared and Scarlett came flying out one of the side doors. Calmly his turned the ignition key and cranked up the headlights. Scarlett stopped only long enough to register that it was him before changing direction and diving into the passenger seat. "What are you waiting for moron?" she gasped between her teeth and Merrick found himself grinning at this familiar behavior, dangerous and insane situation be damned.
He pulled away cleanly, still grinning like the moron she had named him. Just for a moment it felt like it always had between them: antagonistic and fiery. They didn't speak as he drove like a bit of a nutter, both staying weary for signs of pursuit. Despite their mutual tension Merrick couldn't help but notice the patches of black blood on her cloths and hands. Crazy and infuriating she might be but he still found himself admiring her guts, world ending suicide aspect aside.
The guys on the gate to Thierry's mansion eyed Scarlett wearily but did let them through. Merrick hadn't been sure when he'd set off to rescue his soulmate whether he'd actually be bringing her here so hadn't thought to warn anyone in advance. He more abandoned his car than parked it, eager now to hold her But when he got around to her side of the car she flinched from his outstretched arms.
"Scarlett…" she looked surprised at his use of her preferred name but still kept a good distance between them. The occupants of the mansion had obviously been warned of their arrival by the guards on the gate and a slew of people came out of the main doors cautiously. Scarlett strode forward, her eyes zeroing on Thierry.
"You want me to side with you, fine." Astonishment seemed to feel Theirry's entire face. "But you will keep him away from me" she slung a finger in Merrick's direction before pushing her way past people into the mansion. Merrick stood there, a little shell shocked at Scarlett's latest crazy personality twist.
Even worse, Thierry enforced it. When Merrick tried to go into the conference room they had Scarlett in he was informed in no uncertain terms that he was to stay away from her or be turned out of the mansion. Screw this, he decided and barged into the conference room, trailing guards. His interruption however did not seem to be the biggest problem at that point however.
Jez Redfern was being held back by the guy Merrick thought was her soulmate – Morgan? And the other Wild Powers, including Scarlett looked very tense and did not notice his arrival. "I said I would side with your stupid circle I did not say I would work with those who killed my family!" Scarlett declared loudly, the venom in her words and eyes scorching.
"Scarlett…" but again she didn't allow him to finish his sentence.
"And I swear by the Goddess if I see him again I will just bloody leave!" Silence swallowed them. Scarlett could demand all that and more, he knew. They needed her and unlike the other four she was completely unpredictable and uncontrollable. He left, the argument gone out of him if not the fury and the questions.