"We need to hide Ethel." Skulduggery stated. Valkyrie glanced at him. They were sat in the Bentley, driving to get supplies for Ezra.
"That's a stupid idea." Valkyrie chided.
"Not as stupid as sending her into a fucking demon nest untrained." He fired. Valkyrie worried about him. He was angry, uncontrollably angry. He's never more dangerous.
"I understand. But we have a week. A sorcerer as strong as her might not take as long getting the swing of things. Maybe something will jar her memory and she'll come back."
"And if it doesn't? What then? What're we supposed to do then? This is counter productive if nothing else. We go in there and fight half heartedly because one eye will be on a demon and the other on Ethel."
"That's why we have partners."
"Dexter can't deal with Ethel and his evil father all at once, Valkyrie. He's barely holding it together. What do you think it's like to look at someone you love and them not having a clue who you are?"
"I know what it's like! I love Ezra too! I'd die for her, no questions asked! She looks at me like she's scared of me. She doesn't trust me anymore. And I miss her. Because you know who I talk to when something is wrong with you? When you're like this? Her! And I can't right now!"
A thick silence filled the car.
"I'm sorry, Valkyrie." Skulduggery whispered. Valkyrie rested her hand on his. They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Dexter was forcing himself to eat. He was sitting alone in the cafeteria, his half eaten sandwich sat in front of him, taunting him. A tray slammed down beside him. He looked up, startled. Ezra, no Ethel, was standing there.
"May I sit?" She asked. Dexter opened his mouth, closed it again. Nodded. She sat down beside him, her knee touching his. He tried not to think about it. He took a drink of his coffee.
"We're engaged." She stated. Dexter choked on the coffee, spitting it back into his cup.
"What?" He blurted, trying not to get his hopes up. She slid a piece of lined paper across to him.
"Zafaria gave it to me. It's my hand writing. You're Dexter." She thrust her hand in front of his face, showing the ring. Dexter took a moment to compose himself. He wanted nothing more than to grab her, hold her. Lay with her, whispering sweet nothings into the early hours of morning. To kiss her. Instead he nodded slowly.
"We are- we were- I don't know." He admitted.
"I don't know who you are. I'm not sure why I can't remember. I know you've all decided to hide something from me, you're not great actors. But I'd like to get to know you." She said. She was always so confident.
"What would you like to know?" Dexter asked, taking a bite of his sandwich. Ethel thought for a moment, dunking her slice of bread into her soup.
"Favourite colour?" She asked. He smirked.
"Green. Yours is yellow."
"Favourite season?"
"Autumn, yours is spring."
"Favourite food?"
"I'm a sucker for a burger. Yours is soup."
Ethel was smiling. Dexter deliberated for a moment, then took his phone out. He deliberated a moment more then showed her his lock screen. It was a picture of them from Valkyrie's birthday. Dexter's arm was around Ezra's waist, her hand on his chest. She was looking up at him, smiling. He was laughing. Ethel smiled sadly at it.
"What made us laugh?" She asked.
"Valkyrie dropped a glass and tried to blame Sku- Nathanial." Dexter mused, the moment so vivid in his mind.
"That was the night I proposed." He continued. Ethel took the ring off and handed it to Dexter.
"I don't remember it. I want to. So when it feels right, do it again. I'm not saying no. I'm just not saying yes right now." She said. Dexter half smiled. Ethel leaned over and quickly pecked his cheek.
"I guess I'll see you around." She said, then left. Dexter touched his cheek softly, smiling into his cup of coffee. Maybe this could work. Maybe Kaden's idea was the solution. His smile disappeared when he saw China stalk up to Ethel. She spoke calmly, Ethel's face paling. Her eyes widened. She shook her head, said something. China shrugged it off. Ethel raised her voice slightly and Dexter strained to hear. All he heard was "No." China's gaze turned icy. Dexter couldn't take it. He stood up, walking to the two women.
"We don't have a choice- you don't have a choice." China said flatly.
"There a problem?" Dexter asked, his voice carrying venom. He was glaring at China. Her head swivelled towards him. She was far too emotional, by China's standards.
"A week. You have a week. Get your girlfriend in order, Vex." She sneered, then turned on her heel, disappearing through the double doors. Ethel turned and stared at him.
"Demons?" She asked.
"Yes." Dexter didn't see the point in lying.
"And you want me to fight them?"
"Me personally? No. I argued against it. We all did. We were overruled."
"By that woman?"
"Yes. By that woman."
"That's not very democratic."
Dexter chuckled.
"No, it isn't. China isn't a very democratic woman."
"So train me. Maybe I can help." Ethel said.
