I do not own anything but Anita Heathers and myself.

Warning: Death Bringer spoilers

Lord Vile

The armor, swathed in darkness, came closer. Skulduggery watched Anita, alive most when in danger, dance away. Fright shone in her eyes, and Skulduggery realized that she still did not know. He still could not tell her.

He was Lord Vile. The armor about to destroy them both was…his.

And then she cocked her head. A dagger slashed, and something that looked like the shadows Necromany produced whipped out, these all white, shining brightly. The armor staggered and she leaped, feet landing on the breastplate, shadows piercing her. Even as her mouth dripped blood, mania crept into her eyes, twisting her mouth in a smile. A crazed laugh echoed through her mind and the room as the armor clanked open.

Alphonse cringed at the knowledge that she could do that, when he was in armor form, but he blinked and relaxed, scratching his hand.

The armor's shadows dissipated, and Alphonse was reminded of the portal as the white shadows, now little hands just like those that had taken him, once, stripped away the darkness. The armor faded, and Anita turned on her heels, lurching as a dagger tip came out of her stomach. She put her hand behind her back and pulled out the metal before turning, bringing the hilt onto her attackers head with a hysterical laugh.

Skulduggery knew it was coming—he had read ahead in the book she had, The Death Bringer, and it had the information he wanted her to know. But would she hate him? If she knew what he did, would she still love him?

Anita stared ahead, face pale, and Skulduggery knew she had read it. She knew.

"Well, then. Hello, Anita," Skulduggery tried. She stared at him blankly. "Have things…changed, then?" It was uncharacteristic of him to pause, but he couldn't help it. Today was the day where he either lost everything or secured his position in Anita's heart, and he depended on her to decide which it was.

"Well…I have to say, it's a shock that I'm married to Lord Vile…but…no. I love you, and honestly this just gives me ideas of advantages I might have," she responded slowly. Her voice shook slightly, and she was quiet, but the declaration was obvious, firm.

Skulduggery had to resist the urge to collapse on his knees as he strode over to sit with Anita.

Something felt wrong. He felt a chill, and then he watched Lord Vile stride through the door. Anita stood, irate, but looked between the two with confusion. She couldn't feel it, the space around her bending and shifting, but Skulduggery felt it. It felt as if the fabric of reality were plastic, melting slowly.

Anita strode up to the figure, mostly unafraid. He tilted his head, and Skulduggery couldn't move as a gauntlet slipped around her neck, lifting Anita into the air. She smiled faintly, said something he didn't quite catch, and kissed Lord Vile.

Skulduggery's mind was reeling silently, and then he was gone, watching through the eyes of Lord Vile as she touched her lips to his visor yet again. The armor melted away, and Skulduggery let her go, weakness taking him over. But even as he collapsed slowly to his knees and then fully to the floor, conquest rang through him. Lord Vile could not comprehend love. And because of this, he could not fight it, and the simple act of someone Skulduggery—and, thus, his alter ego—loved demonstrating their bond would always melt the shadows, unclench their hold on him.

This was good.

A/N: So I just realized I've been leaving the line breaks as (line break). Oops. I didn't mean to, sorry! You'll have to deal with the ones already out, but I'll try to be more attentive from now on and actually insert the line breaks where I dropped the reminders to.

K?

And sorry this has all been such short chapters, but they'll probably stay that way for the rest of the time.

Some memories will not be entered for the meaning of the story, but they're in the next fanfic after this, so you'll still get the story.

And remember to tell me your thoughts. Review, people!