China had always wanted an attack dog. There was something so appealing about the thought of unleashing a beast on some poor, deserving person. Of course, China hated dogs, the slobber, the mess.
But people were the best attack dogs. Hatred did amazing things, and when that hatred was aligned with her… Delicious.
Especially when China wouldn't have minded ripping apart someone personally; but she was a Grand Mage, and that behavior wouldn't abide. So attack dogs would have to do. Even if she really wanted to be the one—
"Valkyrie," China greeted.
Valkyrie stood there, the mirrors reflecting her like an ink blot across the mirrors. She held her chin up, questioning and defiant. She didn't smile, or greet China. Not anymore.
"Why did you call me?"
China let out a sigh. "What happened to the old days? We would gossip, and laugh, and you would cower in fear and awe of your Grand Mage. I miss them."
Valkyrie didn't say anything, but China wasn't going to budge. Valkyrie knew she had called her here for a reason, and despite Valkyrie's reputation, China was a friend. A useful friend, all things considered.
"China," Valkyrie said.
She did say it sad. There was so much in that name. It was layered, it was irritation, something underneath that swirled and threatened to break into sadness or boundless, futile anger.
"I found him."
Valkyrie blinked. "Him? China, there is no him. I've looked." She gave a smile, sharp and pointed. "Trust me, I've looked."
"Have I ever let you down before?"
And maybe that was a joke, and China hoped that Valkyrie would take it. China was dying for some banter, anything. If there was one thing China missed, it was her lost books and banter.
But Valkyrie didn't answer.
"He exists. I've found him." China held up a slim file. "A name and his last known location. I'm sure you can do the rest."
Valkyrie stepped forward. "He doesn't exist," she said, but her voice was hoarse. She took the file. "He doesn't exist."
And China wondered if that was what Valkyrie had comforted herself with. Late at night, waking up screaming from nightmares, stalking through alleys and blackening bodies with electricity—he doesn't exist. Something to stop the slaughter.
Valkyrie opened the folder, mouthed the name to herself. And then rage twisted across her face, still so pretty. The folder crackled, caught fire, and Valkyrie left, leaving the room smelling of smoke and ozone.
...
"Val?"
Valkyrie didn't blink. Tanith stood in front of her, sword drawn but lowered. Tanith didn't want to fight. Of course she didn't, but it had been her trailing after Valkyrie, making sure she behaved herself, begging for an argument.
"Val, you don't have to do this."
The house was behind her. It was a nice neighborhood. Tanith wondered if Valkyrie would raze it to the ground. It wouldn't be the first time. She was surprised Valkyrie wasn't in a Gaol right now for even being in the country.
"Do you think he would want this?"
Valkyrie jolted. She gave the first laugh Tanith had heard in a long time.
"Yes, I do, actually. He'd want me to say something clever and kill the person who killed him. But I don't have anything clever planned. I think he'd understand."
Tanith swallowed thickly. "Do you think he'd want you to kill everyone else?"
Valkyrie looked around the neighborhood like she just remembered where she was. It took her longer than Tanith would have liked for Valkyrie to meet her eyes again.
"I never said I was going to kill them."
"Do you know what everyone calls you?" Tanith tried. "They call you Darquesse when you're not around."
Valkyrie's gaze moved past Tanith, to the house behind her. "Do they?"
"They do," Tantih raised her sword slightly. "And at first I couldn't understand why. And then I saw what you had done to that place in France. Val you… It would be better if you were Darquesse again."
Valkyrie smiled at something Tanith had said. "Oh?"
"Because then I'd know it was her. But all that you've done—everyone you've killed—it's been you. It's been Valkyrie."
"We're the same person," Valkyrie said softly. "As much as Skulduggery denies…" Something flittered across her features, something that made Tanith raise her sword and get into stance. "Denied it, she was me and I was her."
"Val, please."
Valkyrie looked so sad. "Please don't make me hurt you."
"Then go home. Do you really think this will help?"
Valkyrie considered the question. "No. But what else can I do?" She laughed again, and Tanith's heart sank. "What else can I do? Do you know what it's like? He's gone, and every time I turn around, I expect him to be there, and he's not. He's not. Every time."
"Do you know for sure this man even killed him?"
"It doesn't matter."
Tanith stepped forward, and electricity crackled across Valkyrie's skin, turned her skin translucent.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter?!"
"Tanith, move."
"No."
"Move!" Valkyrie snarled.
...
China smiled at the Sanctuary agent, and she saw her knees shake. The agent had come, as China has expected, and they were all making a big fuss. They hadn't even seen poor Tanith, twisted and crying and cursing. They had only seen the neighborhood.
Could anyone really blame Valkyrie? China certainly couldn't. She wouldn't, and in her opinion, Valkyrie could have done a lot worse. China would have. She wouldn't have left the family, for one.
"We demand you release Darquesse into our custody," the scared, little agent said.
"I'm not Darquesse," Valkyrie said from China's side.
The agent's teeth chattered. "We demand you—"
"I don't think," Valkyrie said slowly, "you demand anything. China does not control me. No one controls me. Do you really want me in your custody? All on your lonesome?"
Cleavers stepped forward, bolstering the agent. China doubted Valkyrie was too troubled by them.
Valkyrie had strolled in, carrying Tanith. China had expected smiles, or laughter, or banter. She had gotten a hollow look. Valkyrie had dropped Tanith off at the medical room and had showered the blood off.
The doctors had told China Tanith had been bleeding for hours, that there was little they could do. China had told them they could tell Valkyrie that. Now, Tanith was predicted to make a full recovery.
When the agent had arrived, in ridiculous fashion, face pulled into a controlled, practiced rage, China had welcomed her. After all, Valkyrie Cain had quit the detective business and was no longer employed under the Irish Sanctuary.
Valkyrie was a friend, albeit a dangerous and slightly unhinged friend, to China. All affiliation to the Irish Sanctuary was, in fact, in affiliation to China herself.
The agent looked ready to faint. "You're harboring a fugitive."
China smiled again. "I've invited Valkyrie over for tea. I'm not harboring anyone."
And all that black Valkyrie wore seemed to seep around the room, making it dark and dangerous, and the agent fled. China reclined in her chair—throne, really—and watched as Valkyrie walked to the center of the room, lazily following the agent.
And then Valkyrie stopped, looked at her reflection. China wondered what she was thinking. What she could possibly be thinking. And China wondered if Valkyrie would ever joke again, or if Skulduggery's death had taken that from her.
China wouldn't blame her.
In which, I realize New Lord Vile fics are overdone.
