SP fanfic Chapter 23

He sighed and stared into her beautiful blue eyes.
"I'm sorry...I have to get this...could you go into the bedroom?"
He got off of her and went to the door. He waited until she was out of sight before opening the door to Saracen. Dexter rested his head on the door. This was the second time he had interrupted them.
"What is it?" Dexter asked.
"Why have you not got a shirt on?"
"I just came out of a shower."
"Then put one on now."
"Why? nothing you haven't seen before."
Saracen glared at him.
"Fine"
He walked to the couch and sat in front of the laptop. Dexter tried to stop him but Saracen looked even more angry now.
"You have to leave her alone, Dex. We need to see if the barrier will work without you there.
"Which means putting her in harms way if it doesn't!"
"But what is if doesn't and you're not there? if we keep her in the sanctuary we can place a higher barrier on her mind and hopefully keep her father out."
Dexter paced the floor and took a quick glance at his bedroom door, but Saracen noticed.
"You're an idiot. She's here isn't she?"
He didn't wait for an answer. He opened the door and looked around. It was empty. Saracen narrowed his eyes and went back into the living room. He opened the bathroom door and noticed Chione's wet clothes on the radiator. He turned to Dexter with a murderous look in his eyes.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing! nothing happened!"
"Then why are her clothes here, soaking wet?"
"She was filthy and I let her use my shower!"
"Then where is she?"
"Here" Came Chione's voice from the kitchen.
Dexter looked down at the floor as Saracen stormed past him. She was just finishing her pancakes as Saracen burst in.
"Morning" she smiled.
Saracen looked her over, saw her wet hair and that she was only wearing a shirt.
"What did he do?"
"Nothing, I got all dirty, I fell in the park and luckily Dexter was walking by and found me. He let me use his shower and let me borrow a shirt."
Saracen nodded, believing the story.
"Right...well as soon as your clothes are dry, go straight to the sanctuary."
He left the kitchen and the door closed. Straight afterwards, Dexter came through and leaned on the door frame.
"I'm sorry" He said.
"Dexter it's alright. I can handle Saracen."
"No..it's my fault...I should just leave you alone until the ball..."
"No, Dexter!"
She got up and went to him.
"I can't be without you right now...please don't leave me alone..."
He cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Me neither...but it's what's best for you."
Her head fell, her hair covering her face. He held her tighter and kissed her head.
"I better go check if my clothes are dry yet."
"Yeah, ok"
She left the kitchen and checked her clothes, they were almost dry. Chione went back into the living room and sat in front of his laptop. On the top of the screen it showed the search bar. In it were the words "The Element Four" and of course below it were the words "No results found" Just then Dexter came through and saw her on the laptop.
"As I said, you're like a ghost."
"What can I say? we're good at our jobs." she smirked.
"So, only rumours can tell of your existence?"
"Just the way we -" She stopped and thought of September and Star, trapped in the ice. "Just the way I like it."
Tears threatened to escape but she kept them in. Dexter noticed though, of course he did. He sat beside her and pulled her to him so she was sitting on his lap.
"You did the right thing you know...They took Mithria's body from her. They deserved it. They even tortured you, Chione! They don't deserve your mercy."
She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
"Hey, what is it?"
He put an arm round her and held her hand with the other.
"Nothing, just...thank you, for everything"
He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"You're welcome"
He looked at his watch. Wow...he'd spent almost 2 hours with her, that's the longest that they had ever been together...
"I'll go check if your clothes are dry."
He went to the bathroom and picked up her now dry clothes. She was looking at the laptop again. He threw them and hit her head.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, then started laughing.
"Hurry up and get changed, i'll take you back."
"Alright."
She got up and walked towards the bedroom, when he smacked her ass as she walked past. He gave a cheeky grin and she smiled and shut the door. She got ready quickly and not even 10 minutes later, they were back at the sanctuary.
"I better not go in with you," He said, "Just in case"
"Alright, Thank again Dexter."
"You can stop thanking me, it's my pleasure to help out a beautiful women like yourself."
He winked, she laughed and said bye then went into the sanctuary. Saracen, Skulduggery and doctor Adra were waiting for her in the Medical Bay. She lay on her bed and they put her to sleep to do more tests, to see if her father would try to speak to her in her dreams like he did sometimes. But there was nothing. Only silence, and the picture of Dexter Vex in her mind.

SP fanfic Chapter 22

He opened the door and walked in. Her jaw dropped as she walked in behind him.
"What do you think?" he asked as he smiled at her.
"It's amazing..." She walked over to the wall of glass on the right and stared out over the city in awe. She turned back to Dexter as he was taking his jacket off, she could see the muscles under his white T-shirt. Her heart rate quickened. He turned round, locking eyes with her.
"Quite a view huh?"
"Oh, yes..." Obviously she wasn't talking about the window.
"Have you had anything to eat today?"
"Uh, no actually..."
"Here, i'll make you something. I'll take your jacket."
She took her jacket off and handed it to him "Thank you"
"No problem" He went to hang up her jacket then went to the kitchen.
"What would you like?"
"What do you have?"
He laughed and looked at her over his shoulder.
"Go check the fridge"
She went over to the fridge which was full of colour. He was very healthy, and no wonder, with a body like that.
"Do you know how to make pancakes?" She asked
"Yeah, do you know how to flip them? I always get them stuck to the roof." He replied
She laughed and nodded. She took out the ingredients and gave them to him. They made the mixture together, Dexter blew flour in her face and she laughed, a little shocked. She threw a handful at him and they were soon covered in flour and so was the kitchen floor. They laughed.
"You'll need to clean that up." Dexter smiled
"I know, and you'll have to flip the pancakes...oh my god, the pancakes!" Chione panicked
They looked over to the pan to the cremated pancake.
"At least that was only one of them, there is still enough mix, right?" She asked.
"Yeah, there should be."
"You go clean up, i'll make the pancakes." Chione offered.
"Alright, call me if you need anything." He said
She smiled at him as he left. She poured the mixture back into the pan and flipped the pancakes. She repeated this process until the mixture was all used. She got a dish cloth and wiped down her jeans and T-shirt a little. She started mopping the floor and by the time she was finished, Dexter was ust coming out of the bathroom with a towel around him.
"Thought you said I was to clean up" He smiled.
"I got bored and it was dirty so..."
She went over and places two plates of pancakes on the table.
"Those look great, thank you.
"No problem"
"Um...can I use your shower? I got most of the flour out of my clothes but it's still in my hair."
"Of course you can, let me find you a towel"
He went into his bedroom and came out with a long white towel.
"Here you go."
"Thank you"
She went into the bathroom and stripped off her clothes. She turned on the shower and got in. She washed her hair and decided to wash her clothes too. When she was finished she turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping the towel around her body and putting her wet hair into a bn so it doesn't spray water everywhere. She lifted up her wet clothes and opened the door. Dexter wasn't in the kitchen, his pancaked were finished.
"Dexter?"
"In here"
She went round to where his voice was coming from and he was standing in his bedroom with only trousers on, he turned to her and they just stared at each other. Finally Chione looked away, bright red.
"I-I'm sorry, i'll leave you to get dressed"
He reached out for her.
"No, it's fine, what is it?"
She tried her best not to stare at his chest, especially now that he was so close to her.
"I just wanted to know where to put my wet clothes and if you had a shirt that I could borrow until they try..."
"Oh, one minute" He looked through his drawers and pulled out a white shirt.
"Is this ok?"
"Yes, thank you"
"I'll put your clothes out to dry"
"Thanks again" She smiled.
Dexter picked out her underwear and grinned.
"I think you might need these."
She blushed again and snatched them out of his hand, he laughed and walked out the door, closing it behind him. She sighed and collapsed on his bed. It was so warm and comfy.... she took the towel off, took the bauble out of her hair and dried it a bit. She then put her underwear back on and slid into the shirt, then tied up her hair again. She opened the door and walked to the living room. He was there, sitting on the couch, looking at something on his laptop.
"You're like a ghost" He said as he looked up, his mouth gaping open.
"Wow"
She took a seat beside him.
"What?"
"You really suit that..."
"Really?"
"Mhm"
He turned his shirtless body towards her and moved his hand to the shirt collar.
"Although, I think it would look better with a few buttons undone..."
He started unbuttoning the one at the collar, then another, then another. He paused as he was one away from the one below her bra. He locked eyes with her. There was nothing in her reaction showing that she wanted him to stop. Her skin was warm to the touch...but that was impossible...she had a heart of ice...he continued un-doing the buttons and slid the shirt off of her shoulders. He lay her softly back on the couch, hunched over her. He leaned down and was about to kiss her...when the door went.

Chapter 21

Chione woke up in the Medical Bay again with Skulduggery beside her.
"What time is it?" She asked sleepily
"It's just about 10am" He said.
"Wow, i've been out for ages, it was around 6pm when i went under, right?"
"Yeah, about that. It took about 3 hours to get your father out of the way, he kept trying to keep us out. Then when we finally got clear it took a couple of hours to put in a level 4 barrier. We're starting to work on a level 5 in case he gets through." Skulduggery explained.
"Thank you for trying so hard to protect me, Skulduggery, you're a really good friend." And she hugged him.
"My pleasure, Miss Asahina, That's what we do."
She smiled and got out of her covers.
"Where's Dexter?"
"He went home to keep his distance, remember? we need to check if the barrier works."
"But if it does, how will we know?"
"Well, i think you'll still hear your father's voice as a whisper, but it won't hurt anymore, and it won't be strong enough to control you, or that's what we're hoping for at least. Otherweise there is no telling but i'll say to give it till the ball. I won't keep you and Dexter apart there, I assume you're coming?" he tilted his head.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Good, i'll probably not see you until then. Apparently Tanith and Valkyrie want to go out on the 24th in the afternoon and get make-up and girly things. I'm staying far away, i'm not being the driver again." He tilted his hat towards her and walked out.
Chione gave a little laugh and thought she would practice her dancing before she met with Ghastly in the throne room. She danced around the room a couple of times then left the Medical Bay. Ghastly was setting up music when she walked in, he turned round and smiled.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were meant to be resting."
"But yet here you are, setting up the music like you expected to see me." She smiled, Ghastly chuckled. They met in the centre of the room and practiced the waltz before Ghastly moved on to the more complicated dances which she picked up fairly quickly. She had learned 3 new dances in the 2 hours they were there before he got called away again.
"You're a natural", he said as he left, "just keep practising, see you tomorrow."
"Bye!" she said cheerfully. She sat down and thought about the ball, imagining all the beautiful gowns and how wonderfully everyone will dance as they have had years of experience. She smiled and left. She decided to try and walk home. She had the next two days to do what she wanted. She walked out of the sanctuary into the cool Winter afternoon, hair flying backwards in the breeze. This made her smile more, she loved the wind. It made her feel alive even though she couldn't feel the cold of it, a tear came to her eye from the force of it. She raised her arms and made it snow as she walked through a park. It was completley empty, whcih was weird for this time of day. She danced and swirled around with the wind and the snow as her hair was whipped back and forth.
"You really are beautiful, you know that?" said a man from behind her. She stopped her dance and grinned. She turned around and Dexter was smiling at her dressed in jeans, army jacket and scarf.
"Dexter!" She ran towards him and hugged him tightly. He laughed and lifted her up then put her back down.
"I thought you were supposed to keep your distance?" She said against his chest.
"I couldn't, not from you. Especially when you were dancing like that." Dexter held her head with one hand and her waist with the other.
"Ghastly is teaching me how to dance for the ball." Shw pulled away and smiled up at him.
"Lucky him" He smiled.
She blushed and looked around, still empty.
"I wasn't going to go to the ball, but i'll definectly have to go now" Dexter said, touching a hand to her cheek.
"Why is that? she said as she turned to face him.
"To try out your beautiful dancing skills of course."
She laughed, "Dance with Ghastly then."
"Nah,i've danced with himso many times already,it gets boring after a while. You're muchbetter anyway fromwhat i saw."
She looked around again and people were suddenly walking round the park. Dexter followed her gaze and smiles. "Want to go to my place?"
She instantly snapped her head backto him with a shocked expressionon her face."What?"
"Do you want to come to my apartment? you keep checking that no one is watching you, don't you?"
"Y-yes.."
He smiles and took her hand, leading her to his apartment which was practically round the corner.

SP chapter 20

I actually mixed up the chapters in my book, i started at 21 when i stopped at 19...so if this isn't as good, i'm sorry, i'm typing this one straight up, which obviously took longer too. The thing with the reflection hasn't happened yet. That was bad. I didn't want that.

Skulduggery quickly dropped Valkyrie off at her house then went back to the sanctuary to watch over Chione. She had used the air to launch up to her bedroom window, she changed into a pair of jeans and a red and black T-shirt. She took her backpack and went back out the window. Valkyrie opened the door and walked in. Her dad was watching TV and her mum was in the kitchen making dinner.
"That smells great mum"
"Thanks honey, it's pizza."
"So that's why it smells so good"
She sat next to her dad on the couch. She put the bag next to her.
"How was...who's house did you go to?" Her mum asked, not turning round.
"My friend Lucy."
"Ah...Lucy..." Her mum nodded.
"The Blonde one who's Halloween party i went to? She's also having the Christmas eve party that i'm going to. I'll be back later to spend Christmas with you obviouisly."
"Ah good."
"Hows Alice?"
"She's upstairs, hopefully sleeping."
"I'll go check on her."
Valkyrie went upstairs to check on her little sister. She walked into her mum and dad's room. Alice was standing up in her crib.
"I think you're meant to be sleeping little miss. But i haven't seen you in a while so i'll let you off with it."
Valkyrie picked up her little sister. Alice squeeled with delight.
"Oh you're so cute, i love you Alice," She kissed her head, "you were the best news that i have ever gotten. You know that right?"
She giggled. "I'll take that as a yes." Valkyrie smiled.
She threw her up in the air and caught her. She threw her up again. Her mum walked in.
"Stephanie what are you doing! she's meant to be sleeping!"
Valkyrie yelped, getting a fright then remembered she had to catch her little sister. She caught her, just.
"Sorry, she was up and i hav- haven't played with her properly in a while. Totally swamped with homework and stuff lately..."
"Alright, but put her back now. She hasn't had her nap yet."
Valkyrie put Alice back in her crib and kissed her forehead. "Bye bye Alice. See you later, " She looked at her mum who was still standing at the door, "Maybe."
She went back downstairs with her mum. Her dad was already tucking into the pizza.
"Thanks for waiting Desmond"
"I didn't think you wanted me to wait... and anyway, when something smells this good you can't expect me just to look at it as i wait for you girls. I know how long you take to get ready."
"You take much longer desmond."
"Cause i like to look good"
"So do we but we do it quicker."
He began to eat his second slice of pizza. Melissa sat down and so did Valkyrie. They all tucked into their dinner.
"So when is this Party on till?" Her mum asked
"I'm not sure, i might stay over as well. She's having a sleepover again, i don't want to be the only one not staying overnight... But i'll be back for Christmas dinner."
"But you'll miss your father tearing open all of the presents at a rate of lightning."
"Mum, i see that every year. I won't be missing much."
"True, but we'll miss you. Alice will want you to see her open her presents."
"No she won't, she'll play with them as soon as she manages to take the paper off, but with the amount of cellotape you use, you will probably have to help her again."
"I don't use that much" Her mum mumbled.
"Mum, we had to melt the cellotape off before we cut it last year, You use too much."
Her mum's face turned pink. "That wasn't me, that was Alice..."
"Stop blaming the baby mum! Alice couldn't even get it off of her hands if you gave her some!"
"Ok, ok, i put way too much cellotape on the presents."
"The first step is admitting you have a problem" Her dad said.
"I'm not a drug adict or something Desmond!"
"You are an obsesive Cellotape user."
Her mum sighed. Valkyrie laughed. Her mum got up from the table with the dishes and started washing them. "Is it gang up on mum day or something?"
"Yes, but it isn't a specific day, that happenes almost every day." her dad replied.
"I don't like it"
"I don't like it when you and Steph gang up on me but that happens every day too"
"Because some things you do, we have to laugh it."
"Almost everything, every day." Valkyrie added.
"Ok Steph, how about you stop ganging up on your parents, and we'll gang up on you for once"
"Nah, i prefer laughing at you two. I have homework to do so i'm going up to my room"
"Ok honey"
Valkyrie ran upstairs and did homework. Maths. She hated maths...
She got changed and just lay in bed for a while, thinking. She hated what Chione was going through. She hated that everything in her life revolved around her father and they didn't even know what he was, where he was or how he was getting into her head. She hoped she was ok...she dosed off.

Update.

I would just like to tell my readers that i will be posting more frequently now as i can't type it up at home and i post the chapters at school now in my free periods. Thanks for reading guys! Elleni. I will kill you. Blake is mine, not Rose. You will die 1 million times when i get back! Blake i love you so so so so so much, please don't forget me ;-;

SP Chapter 19

Skulduggery and Valkyrie ran in, Valkyrie helped Forbis into thecar and Skulduggery tried to calm Chione but nothing would stop herso he swiveled the gun in his hand and hit her on the head.
"I'm sorry" He whispered as he carried her unconsious body to the car and sat her gently beside Forbis inthe back.
"What did you do?" Forbis asked, worried.
"I just knocked her out, I don't know if Tyron still enters her dreams."
"Thank you..." Forbis said, calming down a little.
Skulduggery paused then got in the car and drove to the sanctuary. They carried Chione to the Medical Bay and sat her on one of the beds.
"What's wrong with her?" Dr. Adra asked.
"Her father got into her mind and she couldn't stop screaming" Valkyrie informed her.
"Then why is she knocked out?"
"Skulduggery hit her with the butt of his gun..."
"Of Course he did. Thanks for that Valkyrie... anyway, we need to monitor her condition, this is the first time she hasn't been able to stop, yes?"
"Yeah" Valkyrie replied.
"The other times... what's different. Who was she with? Where? How was she before?" Skulduggery muttered to himself.
"It first happened the night that she met Saracen, Anton and Dexter. Twice actually..."Valkyrie added.
"She had her love with her. He stopped the pain." Skulduggery concluded.
"Her love?," Valkyrie thought for a moment,pieceing the puzzle together, "Dexter...She's in love with Dexter."
Skulduggery nodded and looked down at her.
"Her pain can only be stopped by a thought that overpowers her father. Something she can cling onto. And it's Dexter. But it seems that when she's not with him, she can't concentrate on him and her father takes over," He looked at Forbis, "She may grow to love you like she loves him, in time... but she has to get used to you first."
"I understand" Forbis nodded sadly.
"Valkyrie, wait with her. I'm going to call Dexter And get some of out men to try and block her mind." Skulduggery said and left.
Valkyrie sat next to Chione on the bed. Dexter came in half an hour later and took a seat next to Chione where Valkyrie was sitting.
"Chione" He whispered.
She moaned and opened her eyes. She instantly flinched back after seeing him.
"D-dexter?...what are you?-" She looked flustered seeing everyone, her eyes resting on Forbis,"Oh..."
"I heard about what happened in your grandfather's house from Skulduggery. I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop it..." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She turned bright red and suddenly heat up.
"What do you mean? you couldn't have stopped it." She said.
Dexter looked at Skulduggery.
"I'll explain then shall I?" Skulduggery sighed, "your love for each other is strong enough to keep your father out. That's why the only time that you couldn't stop him was when Dexter wasn't there."
"W-what...?" She turned beetroot.
Dexter laughed and squeezed her hand.
"Chione, we're going to try and set up a barrier between you and your father. We'll need to test it out so you'll have to stay away from Dexter untill he contacts you again." Skulduggery said.
Chione nodded and followed him. She looked back to see Dexter following.
"Just in case it doesn't work, i'll be nearby." He said.
She smiled and followed skulduggery into a room with a team of people and a bed. She lay on the bed, staring up at the roof.
"Try and stay calm" Skulduggery said as the team gathered around her. She closed her eyes and they began their work.

SP chapter 18

"Skulduggery..." She said, covering herself with her bundle of clothes.
"Sorry" He said, and turned the other way.
She quickly slipped into her apartment and wrapped a towel around herself. She went back to Skulduggery.
"Please, come in." She said.
"Are you sure? you can get dressed if you want, i'll wait out here." He replied.
"No, I'm going in for a shower in a minute anyway, I'm guessing this is important so come on in." She let him come in and sat on the couch as he sat on the chair across from her.
"Before I get to why I'm here, why are you in your underwear and are soaking wet?
"Uh...I em..." She sighed. She knew that there was no point in lying to him. "I was going up to the reservoir to train my new powers."
"I see...I suppose your sister was helping you?"
"Yes, she's a good teacher." Chione smiled.
"What are your new powers like? have you learned to do anything with them yet?"
"Yeah, I just learned how to walk on water."
"Interesting...very useful," He said, "Anyway, I think this is the right time to tell you that you have a relative that loves you very much. Not any of your siblings."
Chione stared at him, mouth wide.
"He's your grandfather. His name is Forbis."
"I-I have a grandfather...? do I have a grandmother?"
Skulduggery shrugged. "We only saw Forbis, we didn't ask."
She stared out of the window. She had family she didn't know about...she never even thought that she had anyone else but her sisters.
"I want to see him" She blurted.
"I was hoping you would say that. Let's go just now."
Chione lunged and hugged Skulduggery, careful that her towel didn't come off.
"I'll be a couple of minutes, wait here." She closed her bedroom door and went in for a shower.
Skulduggery had to admit it, he was excited to see her reaction, and her grandfather's. This is what he loved. He loved solving crimes and punching people, sure. But bringing families together...it would have made him smile if he could.
She quickly got out, pulled on another pair of jeans and a black tank top. She dried her hair as much as she could, pulled it up into a bun and stuck on her ankle boots and leather jacket.
"Ready" She said as she walked back to Skulduggery.
"Valkyrie is waiting, let's go."
They went out to the car after she locked up.
"Hey Valkyrie" Chione said cheerily, "Oh, how was the case?"
"No problem for us, turns out it was an accident and the man who killed him was hiding, rocking back and forth in the corner of the attic." She said.
"Will I be able to go on a case with you one time?" Chione asked.
"Don't see why not, Skulduggery?" Valkyrie said.
"Alright, Valkyrie can teach you everything she knows, that will be a good test, for both of you."
Chione grinned at her and she grinned back. They travelled back to Forbis's house. Chione stepped out slowly and took a deep breath.
You ready to meet our grandfather, Mithria?
No *laughs* are you?
Chione smiled and walked up to the door. Skulduggery and Valkyrie stayed in the car, wanting to give them privacy. She knocked the door and a little man answered.
"Hello?" he said.
"H-hi...um..." She looked back to the car and Valkyrie nodded. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking. "I'm Chione..." She mumbled.
The little man's eyes opened wide. "Chi-chione Asahina?"
She looked at him straight in the eyes. "Yes"
His deep brown eyes teared up and he hugged her tightly, he was strong for an old man.
"Grandfather..." Tears ran down her face.
"Chione, where are your sisters? Oh you look so beautiful...just like you were as a baby." He said as he brought her inside.
"Mithria's body is no more...but her mind has latched onto mine. We are one. Star and September are...they're frozen at our old house..."
"Why? what happened my dear?" They sat down on the chairs together.
"Star kidnapped me from my friends and tortured me...then my friends came and started fighting with my sisters. Mithria helped us but Star...she burned her body...."
He shook his head and held her hands tightly. "Your father has driven your siblings mad." Forbis said angrily, "I'm glad you and Mithria are still sane though."
Mithria, can you appear in the sink if I fill it?
Yes sister, but only my face.
Chione went through to the bathroom, plugged the sink then filled it with water. Chione dipped her finger tips into it and Mithria's face appeared.
"Hello grandfather" Mithria smiled.
"My darling Mithria...you look so grown up..." Forbis said.
"Well grandfather, we are 20 years of age." Mithria giggled.
"20?!", Forbis exclaimed, "god now I feel older than I am."
"Grandfather...do we have a grandmother...?" Chione asked.
Forbis looked down at the floor "You did...she died a couple of years after your mother and father...I don't know of any family your father had, he never spoke of them."
"What was our parents names?" asked Mithria
"Amelia and Tyron Feller" Forbis said
"Amelia is such a beautiful name..." Mithria said
"Thank you. It was really your grandmothers choice but i helped a little." They stood in the bathroom talking about the past, what their mother was like, how they died...then it happened

Enough! Don't listen to anything this man tells you! it's not my fault my Amelia is dead...we were killed! Chione, Mithria, get away from him! Kill him if you have to!

"No!" the girls said in unison as they screamed. The glass of the windows and mirrors shattered splaying glass everywhere. Forbis's face was cut from the glass but he pulled out the plug so Mithria disappeared and then joined Chione under the sink. Chione was still screaming, she couldn't get him out.

Chione you shall pay for what you have done to Star and September, Mithria too.

"But they killed her!" Chione screamed louder.

She is at fault. she helped the enemy. You and your Dead men friends are no match for me Chione. All will die. Even Dexter.

Tears flooded down her face as she screamed louder and louder, the voice whispering in her head.

SP fanfic chapter 17

The next morning Chione got up from the couch and had a bowl of cereal and milk then Tanith knocked on the door to take her to the sanctuary. She lead her down lots of corridors to a room with the scarred man boxing.
"This is going to be your dance teacher, Ghastly Bespoke." Tanith smiled.
Ghastly stopped punching the bag and looked at them.
"Hello" He said.
"Eh, Hi." Chione gave a little wave. Tanith turned and left the two of them.
"What do you know about dancing, Chione?"
"Not much, I've been locked away for 14 years."
Ghastly nodded. "Ah, I suppose we'll start with the Waltz.."
Chione nodded slowly, pretending she knew what he was talking about.
"Wait outside. I'll be out in a few minutes"
She waited on the chairs outside as he showered and got changed into jeans and a shirt.
He led her to a room with 3 thrones in it. It was a massive space, perfect for dancing she expected.
"Where is this?" She asked.
"This is where the Grand Mage, Elder Mist and I sit and listen to boring people give us boring but important information." He moaned.
"You're like a king?" She asked.
Ghastly laughed "I suppose you could say that about Ravel, we're just his...helpers I guess."
"What's it like? everyone looking up to you?"
"Not as nice and relaxing as it sounds. It's a royal pain in the ass."
She laughed.
"Seriously, I have no time to myself anymore, I used to be a tailor but I had to close my shop because I had no time to make clothes." he huffed
"Then why are you doing this for me, teaching me, aren't you very busy?"
"We couldn't have you standing alone when everyone else is dancing now could we?" He smiled.
He put on some music and slowly but surely, she learned the Waltz.
"Great! you're quite a fast learner, Chione."
"Only because I have such a good teacher." She grinned.
"Skulduggery is the best formal dancer I know, but him and Valkyrie are on a case. But thank you, that's a very nice compliment.
"oh?"
"Yeah, just another murder, nothing special."
"This close to Christmas?" She said in shock
"Chione my dear, killing doesn't stop. It's not as if the murderer thinks 'Oh no, it's near Christmas, can't kill anyone or Santa won't come."
She felt like an idiot for asking such a silly question.
"I hope I get to go with them one time" She said, hopeful.
"I'm sure they will." Ghastly said, "anyway, let's get back to the task at hand."
Chione nodded.
"Let's try traveling around the room and adding spins."
Ghastly lead her around the room, his arm firmly held against her waist, hers lightly pressed on his shoulder. Soon she was perfectly in step with him and then it happened. He tried to spin her. She tripped over her own feet and landed on her rear end.
"Whoops" He said smiling and held out a hand.
She laughed and he helped her up.
"Again?"
"Hell yes"
He smirked and lead her round again. When it came to the spin she aced it and she cartwheeled with glee.
"I can dance!" She collapsed on the floor laughing.
Ghastly clapped for her then the administrator called Tipstaff came in and told Ghastly he had a meeting.
"Sorry Chione, duty calls. I'll teach you more complicated dances tomorrow so practice and you'll be fine." He said as he pulled on his robe.
"No problem, thanks for today." She smiled as she got up.
"You're welcome, see you tomorrow." and she was left in the big hall by herself. She danced around for a few minutes then walked out. She went to pay doctor Adra a visit but she wasn't there. Her assistant Clarabell told Chione that she went out on a date.
"Oh ok, do you know if anyone's here that could give me a lift home?"
"No, sorry, I don't. I could drive you, but I need to stay here in case anyone is hurt." She tilted her head. "Are you hurt Chione?"
"No, I'm not, thanks though Clarabell, cya later."
"Bye Chi!" She said cheerfully.
Chi...That was the only time anyone but Mithria had called her that. It was the nickname her sister had given her when they were younger. But other than that, she got called 'Chione' and 'Sister'. She smiled. She liked being called by her nickname. She also really liked Ghastly, he was nice, kind and hopefully would become a very good friend. She walked out of the sanctuary and tried to find her way home. It took almost 3 hours but she made it. She went straight up the hill, stripped down to her underwear and jumped into the freezing cold water.
Cold?
Nah
The first trick I learned was standing on water.
What do I do?
 concentrate the water under your feet to push you up to the surface and keep you steady.
She tried, she felt the force under her feet and she screamed as she rocketed out of the water and fell back in with a massive splash.
Oh, I should have told you not to put that much pressure underneath you, it depends on how deep you are. You just need enough to get to the surface level. I should also ask if you noticed you can breath underwater?
Chione's eyes widened as she stopped holding her breath. She could breath underwater!
This is amazing...
I know, now focus.
She judged the depth to be 20m and she was touching the bottom. Last time was too much. She focused the force under her feet and she shot upwards, slowing as she got to the surface. She stayed still, making sure the water was still under her feet and she took a shaky step forward.
Mithria I'm doing it!
She took another step forward.
Well done, Sister. Now try and run.
One step at a time, Mithria.
She took faster steps.
Run.
She began to run around the reservoir.
This is like flying...
The splashes of water sprinkling her body and creating ripples around her. She spread her arms wide like wings. She ran faster, almost sprinting. Suddenly, Mithria's face appeared below her and she yelled and face-planted the water. All she could hear was laughing in her head.
Mithria! what did you do that for?!
I'm sorry, it's just too funny. Did I tell you I live in water too? I can even make my own body appear.
Mithria appeared in front of her, smiling.
Chione grinned and went to hug her but Mithria shook her head.
Made of water, sis.
"Oh" Chione said out loud, "Forgot"
It's getting dark and the water is getting colder, you should probably call it a day.
Alright, thank you.
Chione swam to the surface and sat beside her clothes. She didn't even bring a towel. She picked up her clothes and walked back down the hill. When she got to her apartment, someone was waiting for her. She stopped dead as Skulduggery turned to face her.

Short Story - The Dead Men Live

They were all sitting in Gordon's house, talking, eating biscuits, drinking tea, things that normal people do. But these weren't normal people. The Dead Men and Tanith were sorcerers of Ireland. They could never be normal.
"So", Skulduggery said, "We have decided to put on a one-time-only show."
"What?" Valkyrie said.
"It's called 'The Dead Men Live', great isn't it?" Dexter said.
"No" Anton and Ravel said in unison
"Aww guys, lighten up, it's a special Easter gig. Just like the old days." Ghastly said
"You guys play instruments?" Valkyrie said, shocked,
"Of course we do" Skulduggery said, chuffed with himself.
"Why are you telling us this?" Tanith asked.
"Because you girls are going to be in it, that's why we called you here" Saracen said.
"What?!" They exclaimed.
"You two are going to be dancers" Skulduggery replied.
Anton and Ravel stayed quiet, in a huff.
"What instruments does everyone play?" Valkyrie asked, trying to avoid the fact that she couldn't back out of this or they'll kill her.
"You'll find out soon enough but i'll tell you what ones the others are playing, that aren't playing in the show. Saracen plays triangle, Anton plays Violin and Ravel...he's just no fun, he doesn't play anything." Dexter smirked.
"I am fun!" Ravel shouted.
The Dead Men laughed.
"So when is this taking place?" Tanith asked.
"In a few hours so we better get there and start practising" Ghastly replied.
"Where?" Valkyrie questioned
"Dublin city, right in the middle."
She turned bright red.
"W-with all those people?"
"You'll be fine Val," Tanith smiled, "This will be great."
She sighed and they got in a van and set off.
When they got there, there was a stage and curtains set up with a banner reading 'The Dead Men Live'. There were no people yet so Valkyrie took a sigh of relief. The Dead Men got changed into suits and ties in the van, each had a different colour of tie with a black suit. Dexter came out, dressed in his immaculate Suit with a sky blue tie with red costumes in his arms, he held them out.
"Get changed into these".
Tanith took one and held it up. It was a red bunny costume with a tail, fishnet tights and bunny ears.
"I am so not wearing that" Valkyrie said.
Tanith squealed "This is so cute! Val come on let's change"
"You two will look amazing in these, go on." Dexter laughed at Valkyrie.
Tanith took Valkyrie's costume too and dragged her behind the curtain. They got changed and slipped on the pairs of Black high heels that were left for them. They went onto the stage, still no people yet, where the Dead Men were setting up their instruments. Tanith cleared her throat and they all turned round and their jaws dropped. Not literally, obviously, then Skulduggery would drop a very useful jaw.
"Wow" They all muttered.
Valkyrie turned bright red whilst Tanith was loving the attention. Ghastly went up to Tanith and everyone else went towards Valkyrie except Skulduggery who sat at the drum kit, staring at her.
Dexter whistled "I told you, you would look great, I certainly wasn't disappointed." He said with a charming smile.
"Give us a twirl, Valkyrie." Ravel said.
She spun round, her hair flying outwards. The Dead Men looked at Ghastly.
"Great job with the costumes..." Saracen muttered.
Ghastly was still staring at Tanith's "Yeah...I did good..."
Tanith gave a little laugh and bit her lip. Everyone went back to setting up but Skulduggery was still looking her way, sitting at the drums, so she wandered over.
"You play drums...? I never expected you to play an instrument."
"There are still a lot you don't know about me." Still not taking his eyes off her.
Valkyrie looked down "I might actually have begun to think this outfit is cute too... Ghastly did do a good job. The material is really soft too..."
"Turn around again for me?"
She turned around again and he flicked her bunny tail.
"H-hey!" Valkyrie's heart pounded on her rib cage, wanting to go to him.
"That he did," He pulled her closer by wrapping his arms around her waist, "You were right, this material is soft."
She hugged him, standing in between his legs.
"My bunny girl..." He muttered.
She started to heat up, heart still pounding but faster, face as red as his tie. She pretended she didn't hear.
"S-so who's teaching Tanith and I to dance?"
"Dexter, I'm the best at formal dancing, closely followed by Ghastly, but Dexter is, shall I say, up-to-date with the sort of new dancing you kids have started."
Skulduggery called him over and he started to teach them both the very embarrassing bunny girl dance. Soon it was show time and they all got ready at their instruments. Skulduggery was playing drums with his red tie, Dexter on guitar with his sky blue tie, Ghastly on keyboard with his yellow tie, Saracen, with his purple tie and Anton, with his dark green tie were also dancers and Ravel, with his black tie was...singing?!
There was hundreds of people in the crow cheering as Tanith and Valkyrie came on. Dexter and Ghastly started taking their suit jackets off which made all the women in the crowd, including their bunny girls, go nuts. (Valkyrie for Dexter and Tanith for both. Obviously. Dexter and Ghastly never liked wearing the suit jacket anyway so why the hell not?) The show started, Ravel had an amazing singing voice, Skulduggery and Dexter were giving it their all, Dexter even had a guitar solo. Even Anton and Saracen started smiling through it and were very good backround dancers. It was a great night and the crowd loved them.
"Now," Ravel said through the microphone when the gig was done," We were only going to do this for one night, but who would want us to do it again next year?"
The crowd screamed.
"I'll take that as everyone," Ravel smirked," thank you and goodnight!"
They all took their bows and went behind the curtains
"That...was so fun!" Valkyrie said, taking a seat.
"Glad you had fun Val" Tanith smiled, taking the seat beside her.
There were only 5 seats so Anton, Saracen and Ravel sat down, leaving Skulduggery and Ghastly standing. Ravel pulled out beer and vodka.
"Who wants a drink?" He asked.
Everyone cheered.
"You are fun after all, Ravel." Saracen grinned, taking a gulp of his beer.
"Told you." Ravel said, taking a drink of his own.
Skulduggery and Ghastly smiles and nodded to each other. They walked towards the girls and lifted them up.
"Sorry ladies" Skulduggery said.
They sat down on the chairs, Skulduggery with Valkyrie on his lap and Ghastly with Tanith.
"You know, if you boys wanted a seat, you could have just asked." She said.
"But where would the fun in that be?" Ghastly laughed.
Skulduggery took out a bottle of wine "This Is much more classy, don't you think?"
He poured some in a glass he took from a box he brought in from the van.
He looked at Valkyrie "Would you like one too? or would you prefer the beer, with the un-classy people?"
She laughed. "Wine please."
He nodded, impressed, and poured her a glass of wine. They held them up and clanged them together.
"Partners" She smiled.
"Partners" He replied.
They took a sip together and Tanith walked outside. Ghastly followed her and Valkyrie took the seat beside him, taking another sip of wine.
"I wonder what's up with her...", She frowned, "Oh, the wine matches your tie"
"And your bunny costume" He flicked her bunny ears.
She rolled her eyes but laughed.

"Tanith, are you ok?" He asked.
She turned round once they were next to the van and grinned. "Perfectly fine."
"Then why did y-" He was broken off mid-sentence as Tanith cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.
"Ghastly, thank you for tonight, I love my costume."
"It was no problem...really..." He looked up at her, sadly. "Why did you do that...? are you just trying to tease me or something Tanith? Because I don't appreciate it..."
She shook her head so her Blonde ringlets loosen. "Ghastly, I would never do that...I wouldn't do that to you..."
"Then why?"
"B-because I love you." she looked away so her ringlets covered her face.
Ghastly leaned in closer, cupping her face and moving her curls behind her ear. "I love you too, Tanith," He kissed her softly.
Tanith put her hands round his neck and pressed her lips against his, not wanting to break the kiss. Ghastly put his hands round her waist and held her tightly to him. She could feel his muscles through his shirt as she was pressed against him. He pushed her against the van, not too roughly so that he would hurt her, but enough that their fiery and fierce sense of need was still present. He pinned her against it by her hands and kissed down her neck then back to her lips. She let out a slight moan and closed her eyes. He let his hands slide down her arms, down her hips and place themselves on her thighs.
They heard a glass smash and broke apart as Valkyrie came out to the van so find something to clear the mess. She didn't ask questions, but she knew. She gave Tanith a smirk and Tanith giggled, knowing she would make her spill everything as soon as they were alone, because that's what sisters did.

Chapter 16

They went back to the Sanctuary to drop everyone off, Chione got her body fixed up, as did Dexter, then Tanith and Skulduggery took her back to her apartment. It was still in one piece except her beautiful dress that Star burned. Tanith came in after her s she had something to get from the car. She brought in a Lipsy London bag and placed in on the couch next to her.
"Been shopping again Tanith?" Chione asked.
"Yep, and I think you'll like it, Take a look." She looked inside and pulled out the same dress that she had bought 3 days ago. But this time it wasn't black, it was royal Blue, like Mithria would wear...
You'll look beautiful in it, when is the dance? 4 days right?
Chione gasped. "I don't know how to dance...what about the ball...it's in 4 days...."
Tanith thought for a minute "you're right. Dexter is a good dancer, want me to ask him to teach you?"
Chione blushed "No, that's fine, i'll find someone else."
Tanith laughed. "Chione, we all know you and Dexter like each other."
"That obvious huh?"
"As plain as a sheet of paper," Tanith smirked, "I know someone else. I'll ask him to start teaching you tomorrow."
"Oh thank you Tanith!" Chione gleamed.
"You're welcome. Have fun in your new apartment."
"I will, thanks again!" She shouted as Tanith walked out.
"I wonder who the teacher is going to be..." She lay back on the couch and watched some TV then got hungry after a few hours.
"Better go look around the area for some shops..."
She got up and looked down, she was still wearing her bloody dress. She sighed and went into the bathroom to have a shower. She got in and turned the water on. Her body tingled as the water hit her body.
That feels good, Sister.
"You can feel?"
Yes, it is water, it is a part of me and now it is also part of you. You might want to try your new powers.
"I don't think I should do it in a confined space Mithria...I might break something..."
Ah, good point. You know where I learned?
"Where?"
The lake round the back of the old house.
"Oh, that is a good place...but it's too far to walk without everyone find out I'm training my new powers..."
Why wouldn't you want them to know?
"They might be scared I'm getting too powerful."
Not if they're on your side.
"Mithria please...I just don't want to...I'll find a local pond or something out of the way."
Alright, whatever floats your boat.
Chione Laughed
What?
"Boat joke, really?"
Too much?
"Just a tad"
Sorry, i'll leave you for now
She washed her hair  then got out and got dried. She looked in her wardrobe to see what to wear. She pulled out a pair of Black jeans, a silver top with wavy straps and a low back and her leather jacket. She pulled everything on, stuck on her knee-high boots and went out. She walked around and found a street of shops. She went into the local store and bought herself some pasta, a box of cereal, milk, crisps, tomato sauce and a loaf of bread and butter. She walked out with 2 bags and started looking around for a pond or lake. There was a big hill behind her block of appartments so she climbed up to take a look and she laughed at the ironic discovery. There was a reservoir right behind her house. This must be on the very edge of the city. She looked at the water and it sparkled, even in Winter. She would start her training tomorrow after her dance lessons with this mystery man. She went back to the house, put the food away except the pasta and sauce and made herself some dinner. She crossed her legs and sat there, Just watching TV, enjoying her new life. It got boring really quickly though. She changed to laying on her stomach and onto her back until she dozed off. It was lonely being in an apartment by yourself.

Dexter went back to his fancy apartment in the centre of Dublin. He didn't mind the noise of the cars that much, he was rarely in the apartment because he was always working on something or traveling somewhere. He stripped off and went in for a shower. He was an idiot. He was moving way too fast for his feet to catch him if he fell. He loved Chione, he knew that much, but they only met 3 days ago...So much has happened these last 3 days that he couldn't get his head around. He knew one thing: He had to back off for a little while. She just lost her little sister. She needed friends to comfort her, something to keep her mind off her family. She didn't need a relationship. She didn't need him. He got out of the shower and dried off. He looked at the time. 6.43pm. He wasn't hungry. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a short sleeved top and his army jacket an went out for a walk. The air was getting colder and colder. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up as he walked along the bright street. He shoved them into his pockets and headed to the river bank. When he got there he sat on the grass and watched the water glisten. He didn't know how long he spent there but it was night when a voice called him out.
"Dexter," he gave a little laugh, "Thought you would be here."
Dexter remained there, eyes fixed on the water, when Saracen walked over and sat beside him.
"How long have you been here?" He asked
"Since around 7, what time is it?" Dexter replied
"Dex it's 11:25, you've been sitting here for over 4 hours, come on."
Dexter shrugged him off "It's a good pass time", After all, it gets lonely living in an apartment by yourself.

SP fanfic Chapter 15

When morning came, Skulduggery woke Valkyrie and started to walk out. The door was flung open and a girl came running out.
"Valkyrie! Skulduggery!" The girl said.
They reached her and she was about to hug Valkyrie but stopped.
"Ch-chione...?" Valkyrie peered at her.
Chione felt her torn face and gasped.
"Sorry, i forgot." She said.
"What did they do to you...?" Valkyrie hugged her softly so she didn't hurt her.
"It's ok, Star had a change of heart, Mithria convinced her."
"But look what they did..."
"I'm fine Valkyrie, really, it's just a little nippy now."
The others emerged from the tree line. Dexter walked towards her, horrifed. She walked towards him as Star came out with September and shot him from behind.
"Dexter!" Chione screamed. She ran towards him as they continued to shoot, he cried out. She reached him and brought up a wall of ice. She took him into her arms.
"What did they do to your beautiful face...?" he asked weakly and stroked her hair.
"It doesn't matter...i need to get you out of here." She helped him up and he shot fire from behind the wall as she fired spears of ice from the other side, still trying to hold him up. She made a ledge next to him so her could hold onto it so she could concentrate on shooting her sisters. Star fired straight at the wall, ignoring them, beginning to melt the ice. September fired at both Chione and Dexter. Skulduggery and Valkyrie joined in, shooting fireballs back at them. Tanith, Anton and Saracen made their way up to the door and started fighting them up close.
"Mithria get out here!" Star called.
Mithria appeared behind them and sent the three of them into the wall of ice with a wave of water. She gave a quick smile to Dexter and Chione before getting back to helping her other sisters.
"Don't kill Mithria please" Chione said to them, "she's on our side, she's just scared of them."
"We'll kill her if she attacks us porperly." Tanith said.
"Fine" Sighed Chione, knowing that was the best she was going to get from Tanith.
Tanith nodded and went back to fighting Star and September. Mithria stayed back, staring at her sister and the man she loved. She gave a little smile and nodded to herself. She sent another wave, this time keeping it steady. She kept Star and September pinned up against the ice wall as Dexter and Chione were sprayed with water.
"M-mithria" Blubbered Star as she was drowning. Sweat trickled down her forehead as the force of her magic was weakening her. Chione realised this and stood up from her crouching position behind the wall. If she helped she would just freeze them, they wouldn't die. Star would set them free after a while. Mithria was growing paler. She looked at Dexter and he saw the pain of her expression as she knew what would happen if she kept this up. Dexter got up and walked to her. He put his hand in hers as she stood still.
"Pull her away, i'll make sure Star and September don't go anywhere." He said calmly. But it was too late. Mithria dropped to the ground and the water wave stopped. Star and September were gasping for air on the ground as Dexter and Chione ran over to Mithria.
"Mithria?" Chione asked as she picked her little sister up. A moan escaped her lips. Relief flooded through Chione and she held her close. A scream. A sound of fire. A cloud of black. The smell of burning. When Chione looked down again the body of Mithria was gone. She was now kneeling in a puddle of water. Grief struck her, the water pulsing underneath her. Dexter pulled her close and held her as she cried.
"I'm so sorry...I couldn't do anything" He whispered into her hair and kissed her forehead.

Sister, just because my body is gone does not mean that I am dead.

Chione gasped and pulled away from Dexter wide-eyed, A tear fell into the puddle and it rippled. The water began traveling up her body and under her skin.
We have joined together sister. I will always be here when you need me. Farewell for now.
Chione got up, smiling then turned towards Star and September who were staring at her.
"This is for Mithria." Chione spread her arms wide and a Tsunami toppled ontop of them and froze. The water tainted red as there was hidden blades of ice that were now frozen inside her sisters.
Dexter stood gaping at her new powers and she blushed.
"That'll keep them for at most a year. A few months at least." She said
Skulduggery and the rest just sat on the porch watching from when Mithria burst into a pool. Skulduggery got up.
"I guess we can go home now." He said.
"Yes, I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused."
Valkyrie stood and hugged her. "Sorry about Mithria, Chione. But you haven't bee trouble at all, not for me anyway. I have a new friend thanks to you." She smiled up at her.
Valkyrie was right, now Chione had new friends too. No, not new...there were her first real friends and she intended to keep them.

Short Story - WARNING FOR NON-VALDUGGERY FANS!

Happy Birthday My dear Mithria <3

The gleaming Bentley looked so out of place against the old backround of the city as it glided through. The people of Dublin still stared but as they got closer to Harogen, the townspeople have gotten used to the unusual sight. They give a quick glance and go back to their business, they don't even try to see who the driver is anymore, they've given up. Valkyrie hated coming here since the reflection took over her life but there was only one place that still calmed her. The port looking out to the dark blue Ocean, her and Skdulduggery sit for hours, staring out at the choppy water, just talking. They stopped there now, moonlight shining and reflecting off the car, Skulduggery got out, took off his shades and scarf, throwing them on the seat and pressed on his collarbones where the hidden symbols China drew were. A face appeared over his skull and she grabbed the handle of the door tightly to stop herself from going over to him. The face he wore had chestnut brown eyes, plush pink lips and soft flowing brown hair that falls just past his ears. That beautiful face turned towards her and she froze.
"Are you getting out?," he noticed the expression on her face, "what is it?"
"Skulduggery...your face..." she gasped
He looked at her, confused, then looked at himself in the side mirror. He looked in closer and suddenly stopped dead, his expression unreadable.
"Skulduggery...is that - is that your face? your real one?" Valkyrie asked, still staring.
After a long pause, he looked at her again. "Yes...it is"
Skulduggery looked at that mirror and thought back to the days when he looked like that, before he died, before his family died in front of him, before Vile. The man he used to be.
"You're beautiful..." Valkyrie muttered then quickly covered her mouth.
Skulduggery turned back to her, here with his partner, here with this wonderful women he has watched blossom since she was 12, he wouldn't have changed a single thing.
"As are you." He said.
Valkyrie blushed and got out of the car and walked over to the edge of the port and had her legs dangling over it. He walked over and sat beside her.
"You know...you remind me of her sometimes..."
"Your wife?"
"Yes...she liked watching the moon rise too."
"What was she like?"
"A lot like you. She was funny, very stubborn at times, beautiful and caring."
They turned to each other and the wind blew her hair across her face. He reached over slowly and tucked it behind her ear but didn't pull away. He cupped her cheek and leaned in close. Those lips. His lips, touched hers and he was about to pull away when she kissed him back, not wanting it to end. He hesitated, a bit shocked, then moved his other hand to support her back. Her arms went round his neck and pulled him closer. They kissed passionately under the glow of the moon as it rose higher into the night.
He pulled away. "Valkyrie...-" he broke off as she leaned in to kiss him again. He leaned back.
"Valkyrie stop, I shouldn't have done that...you're still a child." He looked out at the Ocean.
"Skulduggery, I'm 18, I'm not a child now, we're partners, we're best friends. you can trust me...but you can't leave it like this."
He leaned back so much that he now lay on his back, Valkyire leaned over him, hair tickling his face. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, not wanting to push her off but not really wanting her to continue. She pressed another kiss on his lips and leaned down towards his neck. He tensed as he felt the warmth of her breath and screwed his eyes tighter as she kissed his neck. He lost control and flipped her on her back so fast she didn't even see it happen. He rested his head on her chest, still hunched over her on all fours.
"Why do you tease me so...?" He asked, almost a whisper against her ear.
"Because I love you Skulduggery." She said.
He shot up to look at her, laying there, eyes sparkling in the moonlight with fiery, playful eyes. "I love you too, Valkyrie."

Chapter 14

They followed China's lead to a strange little man called Forbis,
"Are you Forbis?" Skulduggery said from behind the 4ft old man.
"Who's asking?" he turned round and looked at them.
"I'm Skulduggery Pleasant, this is my partner, Valkyrie Cain." Valkyrie stepped out from behind him.
"And Dexter Vex" Dexter said as he got out of the car.
Skulduggery shook his head and Forbis nodded. "I've heard of all of you, saviours of the world, eh?" Forbis said.
"That's us" Valkyrie beamed.
"What so you want?" He asked, losing his polite, little old man tone.
"We need information about the Element 4." Skulduggery said.
"Well you certainly came to the right place, but what did the girls get themselves into this time?"
"You know them?" Skulduggery tilted his head.
"I'm their grandfather." He said gruffly.
They all looked at each other. Forbis took them all into his house and sat down.
"Why do you want information on them?" he asked
"Chione has became our friend but her sisters took her from us and we want her back." Valkyrie said
"I guess you want their hide out location then?" He asked
"That would be very helpful." Skulduggery said.
"Only if you don't kill them, they're my only family although they don't know it."
"They don't?"
"No, the only time I saw them was when they were born. Their father was an idiot, he kept them from me. I hated Tyron from that day, then he went and got my daughter killed."
"Wow..."
"Their old house, that's where they hide out. It's on the outskirts of Dublin in the middle of a forest. My daughter...she liked...nature..." Forbis started crying and Valkyrie couldn't help but reached out and touched his arm, He looked up at her with those big sad eyes, her heart bled for him.
"What happened to her...?"
"Tyron and my darling Amelia went on a car journey to a job thing he had whilst there was a terrible storm...a van flew into the car, killing them both instantly..." Forbis sobbed
"He doesn't sound like a very cruel man." She said.
"He was, did Chione tell you what he did to her sisters? he only wanted one child so he pampered Chione whilst her sisters were starving in the basement. My poor Amelia could do nothing, he was too strong for her, if she spoke out he would have killed her and maybe even the children."
"That's...horrible..." Valkyrie whispered, also with tears in her eyes.
"You better go..." Forbis said in a hushed voice.
"Thank you." Skulduggery said as they left.
"It's dark already...we'll go tomorrow." Skulduggery said.
"But she's not safe there...they'll torture her..." Dexter said
"Dexter, they have the advantage in the dark, we'll attack at dawn. Think logically, I know you care about her but wait." Dexter looked up and nodded. They got back in the car and drove to the Sanctuary. Dexter went in to get Tanith, Anton and Saracen. They all gathered outside in front of a big black van.
"We know where they are, we'll attack in the morning, i'll make up a brilliant plan once we get there." Skulduggery said.
They all got into the van and Skulduggery drove off. Dexter sat next to him and Anton, Saracen, Tanith and Valkyrie were in the back.
"He loves her Saracen, I can see it, everytime they look at each other. Anton smiled.
"It's too soon though...they've known each other for 2 days..." Saracen replied.
"There is such things as true love."
"I know that but still..."
"Oh you do? how so?"
"I've been in love before Anton"
"Oh? was it love at first sight?"
"Yes..." Saracen glared
"Was it a girl?"
"I'm not gay!"
Anton laughed "I'm sure you're not. I was just saying that in case it was food or something."
Saracen sneered at him and sat in a huff.
"I'm happy Dex has found a girl, he needs someone to care for."
"A 20-year old?" Saracen said grumpily
"Time and age does not matter to people like us."
Saracen sighed "Fine, you're right, I'm happy for him. Yipee..."
Dexter opened the hatch and said "We're here"
Anton burst out laughing, Saracen smiles but then realised he was angry so frowned again. Dexter looked at them, confused.
"Right then, brilliant plan Skulduggery?" Dexter said. He looked around at the clearing where the house was and the trees around it.
"No surprise attack...Valkyrie and I will go straight to the house, Dexter and Tanith come from the left, Saracen and Anton from the right and we all walk in happily together." He said.
"Terrible plan" Saracen huffed.
"We're doing it anyway." He replied.
They all went into their positions at the tree line and waited for morning to come.

SP chapter 13

The screaming had finally stopped the next morning. A full 24 hours of constant screaming and pain. Mithria got up from the grass and walked back to the house. She went down to the basement to find only a single body chained to the wall, no Star, no September. Chione's skin was torn, some pieces hanging off, blood everywhere. She didn't move. She probably couldn't. Mithria ran down the stairs to her. She pushed the hair from her blood covered face and raised it. She gasped and fell back and fell back. Her sister was hardly recognisable. Her pale skin was red and covered in ripped pieces of flesh, her pale blue eyes were blood shot and baggy from no sleep, tears were dried in as well as the blood.
"Oh sister..." Mithria cried
Chione looked at her, without moving her head, she tried to say something but her torn lips only let out a wailing sound.
Star and September came down the stairs laughing with wine glasses in their hands. Their eyes fell on Mithria crying and stopped dead.
"What have you done..." She said.
"She deserved it Mithria, think what we went through." September spat.
"Never anything like this! she helped us, cared for us, she never had a life of her own because she was trying to make up those 6 years to us. She did come down with food and was scared if father caught her, she would be beside us and we would all starve. She finally had a life of her own and you took her away from it to do this!" Mithria shouted.
For a slight second, doubt crept into the back of Star's mind, seeing her little sister this upset. Mithria always had a way with people...The spark grew into a flame.
"We can't take her back...they will kill us." Star said.
Chione had regained some of her strength and looked up at her to see if she was joking. Satisfied, she gave a twitch of a smile, which was as much as she could manage. Star unchained her and they went upstairs, helping Chione and being careful not to cause her more pain. Star and September went outside to let off a little steam whilst Mithria tried to sooth her wounds.
"Thank you Mithria, I fear they may have killed me down there." Chione said, looking into her eyes.
"Sister, I would never let them do that...even if it costs me my own life, I like you the most, don't tell them that." Mithria giggled and Chione tried not to laugh as her wounds healed.
"They didn't want to kill you anyway, they wanted to kill your...boyfriend? in front of you." Mithria said.
"He's not my boyfriend," Chione blushed, "and they certainly knew how to make me suffer."
"So you love him?" Mithria pushed
"Yes, I do. I think he feels he same way...I hope he does...I can't stop thinking about him Mithria. Even when I was down there, all I could picture was him and he soft of...took some of the pain away." She said happily.
"What's his name?"
"Dexter Vex."
"Ooo, mysterious."
"He is, and gorgeous."
"Can't wait till I meet him, he'll hopefully drop you and pick me instead." Mithria teased.

None of them knew anything about Chione or the family so they had to start from scratch.
"Are you sure she never told you anything about where her sisters and her hid out or something?" Valkyrie asked.
"I'm sure," replied Dexter sternly, "What about you? you seemed pretty friendly with her."
"Why would I ask you if I knew something?" Valkyrie spat.
"No time to be getting angry at each other." Skulduggery said. The car journey was long and they were all still annoyed Chione had been taken in the first place. They just met the girl two days ago and Tanith, Valkyrie and Dexter were trying so hard. Anton and Saracen stayed at the Sanctuary and researched from there with occasional help from Ghastly. They stopped outside China's house. Valkyrie got out but Skulduggery, Tanith and Dexter stayed inside. She gave a sad look to him then went to the door. China must have heard them pull up because she opened the door before she knocked.
"Skulduggery drove you?" Chine asked, She was wearing a silk bath rope and a pair of white slippers."

"Yeah, he won't come in though." She said.
"No wonder, he should have killed me for what I did...I don't expect forgiveness." China sighed, "Come in."
Valkyrie walked through to the living room and sat down on the couch.
"What can I do for you?" She asked
"Have you heard of the Element 4?"
China pursed her lips. "I have, the last time I heard of them they were in Greece, before that Japan. They travel all over the world for these assassinations, whatever they get paid, it must be a lot."
"They don't get paid, they do what their father asks them."
"So you know one of them? you know more about them than me I'm afraid."
Valkyrie sighed. "Alright, we just wanted to know where they lived. Chione, the oldest, has been taken by her other sisters and we want her back."
"Sorry, I don't know where they are, but I may know someone who does." China smiled.

SP chapter 12

Chione tried to scream but Star covered her mouth.
"Nu uh", she waged her finger and tapped her nose, "Don't want any of your pesky friends coming running."
Chione tried to make an armour but Mithria and September cuffed her hands, sealing her magic.
"You were always the favourite, the prettiest, most talented. Just because you were born first. But now father has turned to me to take charge and we're going to make your life a living hell." Star smiled. She took the dress out of the wardrobe and Chione's eyes widened in alarm.
"Don't!" she cried then September and Mithria covered her mouth again. Star lit the dress on fire and all Chione could do was watch it burn into ashes as a single tear fell.
"Whoops, were you going to wear that? oh well." Star laughed. Father told us you have a little boyfriend. I'll make sure I burn him in front of you too."
Chione's heart sunk. If she even touched him...
"Time to go" Star smiled. Her sisters hauled her out the window into a black van. Star drove and Mithria an September sat in the back with her. 'sorry' Mithria mouthed to her. Chione gave a weak smiled and nodded but went back to staring at the floor. It was morning before they reached their parent's old house on the water's edge, the other end of the country from Draco's villa. They dragged her in by her arms and Star walked in front like she was some sort of Goddess. Chione hissed.
"No point in hissing sister, you will only bring yourself more pain." Star said. Chione knew she was right but she still didn't want Star to be able to control her. Chione stayed silent but glared at the back of her sister's head instead. They took her down to the basement which was shrouded in darkness and the smell of blood lingered in the air. The three pairs of chains still nailed into the wall, stained red.
"Remember what happened here Chione? oh wait, just because you were born first, Mithria, September and I had to live In poverty whilst you shone in the full glow or our parents, pampered little princess. When we were down here starving, we heard you playing music with father and singing with mother...over those 6 years before their death, my hatred for you grew stronger." Star snarled.
"I came down with food whenever I could! if I did come down all the time I would have been sitting next to you and none of us would have had any food! is that what you wanted?! Chione screamed.
"Enough!," September shouted, "Chione we've heard that story hundreds of times throughout the years and we still don't believe you tried to help us."
Star and September shackled her wrists and ankles to the wall, Mithria stayed far back.
"Mithria, go get salt and a knife from the kitchen" September said.
Mithria nodded and went upstairs. She hated this. She had always believed Chione was only trying to help and she didn't want to hurt her, but nothing could stop September and Star now. She took a kitchen knife and a bag of salt and handed them over then went back upstairs and to the garden. The screaming started. Mithria walked further away where her sister's screams could not be heard as clearly and sat in silence.

September cut along Chione's arm slowly, a trickle of blood running onto the metal. Star grabbed some salt and rubbed it onto the wound. Chione thrashed and kicked and screamed but nothing would happen. September and Star smiled then repeated the process over and over for hours.

Skulduggery drove Tanith and Valkyrie to Chione's apartment early the next morning. Valkyrie quickly ran up to the door and knocked. She jumped up and down with her hands in her pockets, both with excitement and cold. She knocked again. She frowned at the door and turned round.
"She's not answering, Tanith, go to the back windows." Valkyrie chittered.
Tanith got out of the car, went round the back and looked through the windows. When she came to the bedroom window, it was open. She gasped and quickly climbed through to open the door for Valkyrie. They walked back into the bedroom along with Skulduggery. Skulduggery bent down over the pile of ash.
"It's silk." he said
"The dress we got Chione yesterday..." Tanith said sadly.
"It must have been Star...they found her." Valkyrie said. Skulduggery nodded in agreement.
"Let's go back to the sanctuary and inform the rest." He said.
They ran back to the car and drove to the sanctuary. During that time, Valkyrie called Anton, Dexter and Saracen to meet them there. They rushed to the conference room where Ravel and Ghastly were already sitting. They looked up from their work.
"We need to borrow this room." Skulduggery said.
"Why?" Ravel huffed, "I thought you were getting Chione."
"Because Chione has been taken by her sisters."
Ravel and Ghastly stared at them then Ghastly got up.
"We're not doing anything important anyway." He said.
"Actually we are, special sanctuary stuff." Ravel said.
"Which we can do elsewhere." Ghastly strained. Ravel sighed and got up.
"Thank you" Skulduggery said
 Ghastly and Ravel left and the three of them sat and waited for the rest to come. Twenty minutes later, Dexter, Anton and Saracen were sitting round the table too.
"What is it?" Anton asked.
"Something about Chione?" Saracen added
Dexter turned pale.
"Her sisters took her" Valkyrie said.
"Someone should have been guarding her...we knew this was a high possibility that they would come after her and no one bothered keeping her safe?" Dexter said, frustrated.
Everyone stared at him, he sank back into his chair, with his head in his hands. They stayed silent for a while.
"We knew this might happen, true but we thought she was safe where she was as only us three knew where her apartment was..." Tanith said finally.
"They must have been watching you all day" Anton said.
"Do you know where they took her?" Saracen said
"No, we have no idea." Valkyrie sulked.
Dexter looked up. "Then we better get started."

SP chapter 10 and 11

Valkyrie showed her to her new room in the sanctuary, it was small and white, tidy and organised. She laughed a little inside, it was the same as her.
"Thank you so much" Chione smiled.
"You're welcome, do you not have any clothes or anything?" Valkyrie asked. She shook her head.
"Wow, we need to take you shopping. Do you have any money?"
She nodded and pulled out her purse showing £20.
"Right, that should get us started... let's go tomorrow alright? have a good sleep, you'll need it." Valkyrie smiled and left. After a couple of minutes of looking around her room and thinking about how much fun it'll be...she realised she'd never been shopping for clothes before, only food for her sisters...

Sister where are you? we're hungry. Come home or we'll find you. Father told us you betrayed us, it that true?

She screamed and fell to the floor, blinking away tears. She heard running feet and the hiss of her sisters getting louder and louder. Then it stopped.

How dare you do this to your sisters, your mother would be so disappointed.

She cried out again, then she felt warm, strong arms holding her gently, like an injured animal. She looked up through the tears to see Dexter kneeling beside her.
"D-dexter..." She mumbled
"I was coming to see you and how you were settling in when I heard you screaming - Are you ok? What happened...?" Dexter said with a worried expression
"My father...gave my sisters his power somehow," she said through pauses of tears, "they spoke to me...all of them...even him.
"What did they say?" He said softly in her ear as he held her head.
"That they would hunt me down if I didn't come back."
Dexter's eyes widened.
"They would do that?"
"Yes, I'm sure they would, under his orders." She looked down at the floor.
Dexter pushed a hand through his hair and sat silent with her, just watching her.
"I won't let that happen." He said finally.
Chione raised her head gently and looked at him.
They sat, eyes locked for a couple of seconds then Dexter moved in slowly. When they were nose and nose she closed her eyes, skin burning, heart racing. She parted her lips and... Saracen walked in and they quickly broke apart. Saracen raised his eyebrow at Dexter who was blushing too. He stood up and narrowed his eyes at Saracen.
"Did I...interrupt something?" He asked.
Chione stood up, shaking her head. "My father spoke to me again, this time he gave my sisters the power too and they all spoke. Dexter heard me scream and tried to calm me down." She turned to him, looked him straight in the eyes. "Thank you for that."
"No problem." He nodded once and walked out.
Saracen watched him go then turned back to her. "Sleep well, sorry about that." and quickly followed. She sat on the bed and felt her heart beat rapidly. She was in love...
"What was all that about, Dexter?" Saracen asked. Dexter ignored him and kept walking.
"You like her don't you?" he continued. Dexter just kept walking faster. Saracen ran to catch up and grabbed his arm. Dexter shook him off roughly.
"At least answer me, Dex..." Saracen pleaded.
Dexter turned swiftly, face like fizz. "No alright, I just want her to stay safe, find out who her father is, why he's doing this to her, and finish this. Better?"
Saracen backed off and nodded. Dexter clenched his fist and punched the wall which cracked, then strode off again. Leaving Saracen next to a pile of rubble, staring in disbelief after his friend.

Dexter checked to see if anyone was in the Medical Bay before quickly getting bandages for his bleeding knuckles. His first love in decades... The first moment he saw that beautiful face he was taken aback. How could he be so stupid? She needed his help, not a relationship. It was good Saracen broke in when he did or he would have done something he regretted. He went outside for some fresh air. He thought he should probably go apologise to Saracen but he just didn't want any questions to be asked. He slid down the wall and watched the moon. As pale white as her skin... He shook the thought from his head. When he figured it out, they could maybe be together. He smiled to himself like a love-sick pup.

Chapter 11

Chione woke up and rubbed her eyes. She got up and put her dress back on just as a tall man walked in and stared at her.
"Who the hell are you? he glared.
"I-um..." She pondered.
"She's with me Ravel." Valkyrie said coming round the corner.
"Valkyrie, who the hell is she and what's she doing in the sanctuary's spare room?" Ravel asked.
"This is Chione Asahina and this is her room now, Chione meet Erskine Ravel, Grand Mage of Ireland."
"This is my Sanctuary and you're not staying here, sorry" Ravel said
"It's alright Valkyrie, i'll find somewhere else to stay." Chione smiled. Valkyrie glared at Ravel then led Chione outside where a women on a motorcycle and Skulduggery with a...was that a Bently? The women on the motorcycle got off, she was covered with tight Brown leather and had bleach blonde ringlets, she walked over to Chione, smiling.
"Hello I'm Tanith Low and I'm glad we're going shopping together, I love shopping." She said in an English Accent.
"Nice to meet you, I'm happy you're coming shopping with us too, I've never been shopping for clothes before." Chione smiled.
"Then we're gonna have a lot of fun today." Tanith grinned, she went to the motorcycle and put her helmet on.
"Sorry, I had to invite them too, I don't have any money and they don't need it so they're gonna be paying, we're driving with Skulduggery, don't tell them." Valkyrie whispered. Chione felt uneasy about spending other people's money but she followed Valkyrie anyway.
She got in the car and they drove off.
"What shop do you want to go to first?" Valkyrie asked.
"I don't know any...i'll let you and Tanith choose." Chione mumbled.
"Great!," Valkyrie exclaimed "We'll get your hair done and everything, Skulduggery head to Lipsy London." Skulduggery sighed and drove faster, Tanith right behind. They arrived outside 'Lipsy London'. Chione stared in awe at the glittering, shimmering dresses.
"Yay! Lipsy!"Tanith squealed as she got off the motorcycle. Skulduggery stayed in the car as the driver. The girls went into the shop and started looking around.
"Remember Tanith, dresses for Chione, not you."
Tanith groaned "Nothing pale or light coloured or it would blend into her skin, I know"
Chione spotted a long Royal Blue dress and thought of Mithria and how good this would look on her. She quickly stepped over to the black and silver dresses. Her colours. She glanced around and saw lots of beautiful dresses but the one she loved was a long black silk dress with a slit up the leg and a sparkly belt across the waist. She called Valkyrie and Tanith over who agreed it was perfect for her. She tried it on and looked herself in the mirror. She didn't normally buy something this beautiful but Tanith insisted. She showed the girls and their jaws dropped.
"You look gorgeous Chione...I'm totally buying that for you. We need shoes and a purse too." Tanith said excitedly."
"And maybe a hair clip?" Valkyrie added.
They raced away and left Chione standing there. They were getting way too excited about this...
They went to the checkout with all her stuff. She didn't even want to know how much it all cost so she looked away.
"Now you have a formal outfit which is usually easier, now the hard part: casual." Valkyrie said.
"Primark?" Tanith suggested
"Good idea," Valkyrie nodded in agreement, "Let's go"
They both got back in the car after putting the bags in the boot. Skulduggery drove them to a shopping centre in the city. They walked in, linking arms to 'Primark'. She was actually starting to enjoy this. Valkyrie dragged her and a basket to the jeans. She put in three black, two blue and a grey pair.
"Do I need that many?" she asked, a bit concerned.
"Trust me, you do." Valkyrie shoved the basket In her hands. Chione followed her to the tops. She threw in purple, navy blue, black silver and red tops of every style, long and short sleeved. Tanith came over with a pair of boots up to the knee, ankle boots and a pair of shoes, all black.
"Is this really alright...I mean...this is way too much money..." Chione said worryingly.
"Chione I'm having fun picking this stuff out for you. Me and Valkyrie enjoy seeing you look this good so don't worry about it." Tanith smiled.
"You're like a real live doll to us, playing dress-up" Valkyrie added.
They went to the underwear isle and threw in sets left, right and centre. She lifted up a pair of really frilly underwear, rolled her eyes and threw them back in. Finally they moved over to the Jackets. They tossed in a long coat, a leather jacket and a body warmer and raced towards the checkout. They placed the three baskets on the counter and the girl stared wide-eyed.
"She needed a whole new wardrobe" Valkyrie whispered.
The girls shrugged and started putting the things through. Again, Chione turned away as she did not want to see what they spent on her. They walked out with 3 bags, one each. Skulduggery shook his head when he saw them coming and opened the boot again.
"That was so fun!," Chione said excitedly, "I feel great."
"You'll feel even better in a minute" Tanith said as she fired past.
Skulduggery followed her and Chione looked confused. Valkyrie laughed and clapped her hands, obviously she was in on this too. Ten minutes later they were across from a block of apartments.
"Where are we?" Chione said as she peered out of the window.
"Your new apartment" Tanith said as she jingled a set of keys in front of her face, which lit up.
"Really?!" Chione screamed. Skulduggery had covered the sides of his head where his ears were meant to be. Chione rushed out the car and ran to the door to unlock it. Her first real place to stay. She listened to the 'click' of the door as it opened. She pushed it open slowly and stepped in. It was small and cosy but ready to move into.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she hugged the two women behind her.
"By the way, on Christmas Eve there is a dance at my Uncle's house you're now invited to, you can wear your new dress.Well, we'll leave your stuff here and you can get settled. We're going to bring you back to the sanctuary tomorrow, they're going to try block your father and sisters out." Valkyrie said. Chione nodded and they closed the door. She danced round the room and collapsed on the couch. She looked over at all the clothes and decided to put them away to keep her busy. She picked up all of the bags (which took a lot of skill) and carried them to her new bedroom. She dropped them in front of the wardrobe and started to unpack. Jeans in the drawer, tops in the one above it, Jackets and the beautiful Lipsy dress hanging up. Shoes in the corner of the room. She nodded at her hard work and she started getting a bit hungry. Thinking back when was the last time she ate? last night before she met...Dexter. Instantly the thought of food vanished and was replaced by the images of Dexter Vex. His shock of blonde hair, his toned body, his cute Irish voice...she was totally drunk on this man. She needed more, she needed to see him again. She took off her dress and slipped under the covers. They almost kissed last night...she felt it, he liked her too, or at least she hoped. Stupid Saracen, butting in like that. It made her so angry, although maybe they were moving too fast...they only just met. Maybe she could ask him on a...what did they call it? Oh, date! did girls do that? even if she did, she didn't know what to do. Maybe she could ask Tanith and Valkyrie. Somewhere in her tizzy of thoughts she had drifted off and continued them in her dream. When it was dark, she was woken by a hand over her mouth. Star stared down at her and smiled "Hello sister."

Woops I posted both by accident, oh well.

SP Chapter 9 (Chi x Dex Chapter 1)

After falling out with her sisters for letting the girl and skeleton go, Chione decided to go out and get some fresh winter air. It was a week till Christmas and she hadn't made it snow yet. Just once she wanted to make it snow for her own reasons not her sisters or her fathers. She wrapped the fur coat further round herself even though she could not feel the cold, she saw mortals do it and she wondered what the cold felt like. She rounded a corner and saw men outside the local pub, having a drink. She looked them over, three men, all well built. She stared at the tallest man who had blonde hair. He was gorgeous, everything about him was perfect, his tight jeans with his smart shirt and waistcoat which could be seen under an army jacket. She listened more carefully.
"it's a shame Skulduggery couldn't join us for a drink, and Ravel and Ghastly are too busy working.", One of the men said.
"I wonder how long Skulduggery will be in hospital for, twice in one day? he's never been as bad as that." The smaller man said.
"I went to see him earlier, he said the people who attacked them were the Element 4. I've never heard of them, are they a threat?" said the blonde man finally.
She gasped and ducked back round the corner. Typical, the first person she had ever had an attraction to and he was friends with the people she just beat up.
"We're being watched" The small man said.
Chione quickly turned away and silenced her breathing. The man with the blonde hair was whispering but she couldn't make out the words. She risked a peek round and found him towering over her as she crouched on the pavement. She shrieked and tumbled back, she couldn't take her eyes off him.
"Hello there", he said in a cute Irish accent, "would you mind telling me why you're spying on my friends and I?"
"I-I..." She stared blankly at him.
"Sorry, I must have startled you, here." He held out his hand to help her up. She dusted her dress and coat.
"I apologise, I wasn't spying on you, it just made me happy you and your friends were having fun but it's sad to hear about your other friends..." She blushed for the first time in her life. He rubbed the back of his neck and she looked down at her shoes. Snow started to fall around them, just them. The man smiled and tried to catch snowflakes on his tongue which Chione giggled at. He looked over at his friends and realised it was only over them.
"A-are you doing this?" He asked. She nodded slowly.
"That's really cool, so you're a sorrcer? She nodded again. He called over his friends and they stared in amazement at the girl covered in snow
"Hello there," The other man said "What's your name?"
"Oh dear, I didn;t even ask your name, that was rude of me." the blonde man shook his head, the snow melting and dripping from his hair. She stared at him for a while then the small man backed away.
"She's Chione Asahina, the eldest of the element 4."
The blonde man's face turned pale and the snow stopped as her eyes started to prick.
"I didn't mean to! my father asked my younger siblings and I to kill Draco Hellsworth, your friends weren't meant to be harmed!"
"Why would your father do that? why did you kill him?"
"I don't know! we do everything our father tells us to! he must have had a grudge." It took all her will not to cry. She hurt the blonde man's friends, he deserved to hate her.
"Dexter," the small man said to the blonde man, "She put Skulduggery in hospital, she hurt Valkyrie."
Dexter didn't answer, all you could hear was Chione sniffling back tears.
"Who is your father?" Dexter said sternly, not looking straight at her. She opened her mouth to speak but her words were taken from her before she could. She tried desperately to remember her father's name.
"I can't remember... He was an elemental, so was out mother..." She wiped her face.
"Was?" The small man asked.
"He and my mother died 6 years after we were born, they were killed."
The men looked at each other with both worried and puzzled expressions.
"What do you mean? how can he talk to you then?" The other man asked.
"Through our m-" She started screaming and fell to the ground sheltering her head in her hands. They all rushed over to her and tried to help her but nothing would. He was too strong.

You're telling them too much daughter, they're members of the Dead Men. They will kill you in an instant, don't trust them. The blonde, Dexter Vex, the middle one is Anton Shudder and the small one is Saracen Rue. Kill them Chione...

"No!" she screamed.
Dexter put his arms round her and the voice instantly stopped, like he had drove out the evil being in her head.
"I'm guessing that was your father, he gives you orders through your head?" Dexter mumbled and looked down at her. She nodded and continued to stare. The snow fell around all four of them and she started to...heat up. Getting a raised eyebrow from Saracen and Anton, Dexter let go and scratched his head awkwardly.
"So he just ordered you to kill us?" Anton asked.
"Yes but somehow I didn't follow through with it."
She glanced at Dexter who was looking at her with his arms tight against his chest, listening to every word she said.
"My sisters and I have been told to stay hidden until we were 7 years old. we're all quadruplets but I was the first born. We first killed at 7, we only came out of hiding for missions but since we turned 18 two years ago, we have had much more freedom, I've never killed without being ordered to."
Everyone fell silent for a while and the snow fell gently around them.
"So," Saracen sighed, breaking the silence, "are you going back to your sisters?"
"I don't want to...they and father are both angry with me for letting your friends go" She said.
"You let them go?" Dexter asked in astonishment.
"Yes...I had no reason to kill them, I don't know why I hurt them in the first place, my sisters kept saying it was because they saw Draco's body but...they didn't do anything wrong so I let them leave. Please tell them I'm sorry for me." She looked sadly at the three men.
"Oh...well sorry then for not knowing the full story, we'll tell them miss." Anton said.
"Thank you Mr Shudder." Chione smiled.
"How do you know my name?" Anton asked.
"He told me. He told me all your names, I don't know your friends names but he said you were part f the 'Dead men' or something."
"All we are, are Seven people who went on missions we shouldn't have come back from, hence the name. Although Skulduggery really is dead. He's the only true Dead Man among us." Dexter said and all 3 men gave a little chuckle. Chione laughed along with them in the silence of the white-covered world.
"Maybe she can stay in the Sanctuary, what do you think?" Anton said
"I don't think Ravel will let her, I know Ghastly will, and I'm sure Skulduggery will forgive her." Saracen replied.
"No no! I really don't mind, i'll just go home, it's not a problem, thank you for being so nice to me."
"No, we insist." Dexter smiled.
"I hurt your friends, I don't deserve it." She started walking back and felt a hand grab her arm. Dexter pulled her into a hug.
"Don't think like that," he spoke softly "You're in a tough patch with your family because you protected our friends, you were just doing what you were told." He wiped a trickle of blood from a re-opened wound.
"You're still hurt...come on, we'll fix you up." He led her back to Anton and Saracen, she was going bright red. They took her back to Saracen's car and they drove to this...Sanctuary place...She didn;t even know what it was. They arrived at a large building and got out.
"Where are we...?" She said quietly.
"The Irish Sanctuary In Roarhaven." Anton replied. She nodded slightly like she knew what is was or even where it was. The rest was a blur, she walked beside Dexter to a person who lead them down some stairs...then some long boring corridors and were now in some kind of medical room. The people she and her sisters beat up were here. The girl was sleeping and the Skeleton was playing cards with someone whilst laying in bed, healing she supposed.
He looked up. "Hello Dexter, Anton, Saracen," he rested his...eyes? on her and lowered his cards. "Miss Asahina..." the man he was playing cards with also turned round.
"She was one of the Element 4, wasn't she?" The scarred man said to him.
"Yes, she is," He looked back to the men beside her "What's going on?"
Dexter looked at her and nodded. She told her story and half way through, the girl woke up too.
"I'm sorry, to both of you, although my sisters won't be, neither will my father."
"We appreciate it Chione." The girl smiled. She walked over to Chione and gave her a hug. Chione stepped back, shocked.
"W-why...?" She stuttered.
"I forgive you," She looked at the Skeleton "Don't you?" he nodded. Chione grinned and hugged he girl back.
"What are your names?" Chione asked
"Didn't your father tell you?" Saracen asked.
"No, he hasn't spoken since then."
"I'm Valkyrie Cain, and that's Skulduggery Pleasant." The girl beamed.
Skulduggery groaned "I'm a that now?"
Valkyrie laughed. "Sorry" She turned back to Chione "He's not as Pleasant as his name suggests." Another groan.
Chione couldn't believe it, they forgave her and she couldn't help but feel she belonged here. Even though she only just met them, they felt close to her and she liked it. She looked at Dexter and smiled. He grinned back. That grin...it melted her frozen heart.