I blinked as the door was blown off it's hinges. Tanith stepped into the light as I was trying to stand. "Sweet little Valkyrie, there you are." Her smile was sickening. Darquesse lashed out at her face, and I pulled her back. I would be doing you a favour! Urgh the way she wants me so badly, its creepy! I smiled at her disgust. "Tanith" Skulduggery started but Tanith cut him off, "Later skeleton, I'm here for Darquesse.". I was now on my feet "She's not available at the moment, why don't you leave a message?" My sarcasm didn't go unnoticed as Tanith growled and Darquesse laughed. Billy Ray-Sanguine appeared from behind her "Now lil darlin' we don't want too much of a scrabble, com'on now." Skulduggery's gun was out and aimed straight between Sanguine's eye sockets. Tanith smiled "Just you and me now little sister.". I stepped back as Tanith drew her sword out.
That's when all hell broke loose.
Two figure lunged through the door, one with a sword at Sanguine's throat with shadows echoing her movements. These are the people you sensed earlier...Darquesse mirrored my thoughts. The other figure was quick, quicker than Skulduggery. In between Tanith and I in a flash, a bright silver bow loaded and aimed for her heart. Nobody moved, the two newcomers were both girls. From the looks of it the necromancer would give Tanith a fair fight with her sword alone. I couldn't see the face of the woman protecting me, but she was tall. About Skulduggery's height. Skulduggery now moved to my side "Everyone, lets take a step back." Again no one moved. Something caught my eye on the newcomers back...Underneath her quiver something almost furry moved...
Wings, she has wings... Darquesse was quicker than me, and I noticed a sense of... Respect in her voice. "Skulduggery" I whispered "She has wings on her back..". Skulduggery nodded and I watched the room unfold quickly. Tanith tilted her head around the newcomer "I'll see you soon my dear. Tell Darquesse that she'll soon be free." She winked and disappeared out the door, pulling Sanguine from the other woman. Both women un-tensed and turned to us.
I took in what each one looked like. The necromancer was typical, black clothes but tight fitting- obviously not the traditionalist. Tight black jeans with a tank top and leather jacket with a small heel on her boots. Her sword belt hung low on her hips. She was quite pretty, deep blue eyes and brown hair a pale face. I turned my attention to the other one, who looked uncomfortable. She was in a baggy grey top with natural blue jeans and black pumps. Her face is what got me, forest green eyes and blonde hair curling down her face that had been pinned back. I couldn't hold my eye contact with her for too long.
"You're the ones that have been watching me." I said to them both. They turned to each other and nodded silently. "You have to understand that we were hired to do this... Job." The blonde said to me with her eyes downcast. The necromancer continued "We seemed to have breeched it now. And we haven't decided what to do about it.". Killers- for hire. I couldn't help the thought and it made sense. If they had been hired to kill me, they just saved me from dying- they just stopped someone from doing the job for them. I saw Skulduggery nod from beside me, he had known what I was thinking. The wind blew in from the door and blondie twitched to it, the necromancer turned her head sharply. Skulduggery raised his hand and the door floated back to lean in front of the door.
"We have a lot to discuss" Skulduggery said to them.
Blondie looked at me suddenly and Darquesse growled at her, in return she bared her teeth. Sharp small teeth. They were sent here to try and kill us. I was surprised, Since when were me and you an 'us'? Darquesse laughed bitterly Since we needed each other, and a fallen angel was sent to kill us.
I physically took a step back from her. Blondie stood up taller and a straight face came back onto her features. Skulduggery whipped to me "Valkyrie, what's wrong?" I shook my head at him.
"When were you going to tell him that she is just as much in your head as your own thoughts? That you can hold a normal conversation with her?" Blondie was taking steps towards me, and with each one I could see the difference in height. She loomed over me "That she is trying to earn your trust and take over that way?"
I tripped over my own feet, not braking eye contact with her.
"Valkyrie? Is Darquesse there?" Skulduggery asked me. I nodded slightly.
I am a version of you, everything that happens to you, happens to me. Are you going to let them kill us? You know I won't die. I'm trying to keep you alive. She was an angel. Darquesse spoke to me, I hadn't heard her so sincere. Angels are meant to be good...right? Even as I thought it, I doubted myself because Blondie reached down for me and everything went black.