𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter Seventy Six ~

A/n: Just wanted to give a brief trigger warning, sexual assault is mentioned in this chapter. If you're uncomfortable, skip ahead a few paragraphs where the scene's ending will be in bold.

Mission accomplished, Dusk! We got Victoria on the team, now we can only hope this truce with the Sparrows goes smoothly. The tiny voice inside the raven's head spoke as she walked down the hall, back to the lobby. She made a few twists and turns before coming to the upstairs level where the pool tables and shuffleboards were laid out. Her ears perked up at unusual kissing sounds, and through the tiny space in the potted plants, she could see Luther and Allison.

What's going on? I thought Luther was with the brunette. Her confusion halted when they both stumbled over their words. " A-Allison, I used to-" "Oh my god..." she pulled away, resting her hands on the pool table, shaking her head. Dusk was conflicted, unsure if she should get involved, given her sister's current mental state. "I'm gonna go see Sloane, so I'm gonna go," Luther muttered.

As the ape-man began to walk away, Allison scoffed under her breath. "You can't be serious. You're blowing me off for some knockoff you've known for five minutes?" Alli, you got married to a man in the 60s. Can you blame him for moving on? "Be honest with me. If you had Ray and Claire back, would you even be here?" Luther questioned. Allison stormed towards him, making the raven's heart race as she continued to eavesdrop.

"I get that you need a distraction, but you can't use me for that!" Number One scolded. " I can if I want to!" That statement shocked Dusk and Luther, and it made the phoenix reflect on her sister's whole life. It's how she got an easier life in the academy, how she obtained her career, and how she got her husband and daughter. It soon made Dusk feel sick to her stomach.

As Luther tried walking away a second time, Dusk clasped a hand to her mouth as Allison said what she feared she'd say. "I heard a rumor you stayed," Luther's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he slowly turned around. He saw Dusk out of the corner of his eye, slightly mouthing the words, help me. "I'm done letting other people decide how much I can stand to lose," Allison snarled, folding her arms across her chest.

Though her body was trembling with fear for Luther's safety, Dusk's right hand jerked as she tried to conjure a fireball. She didn't want to hurt her sister, but if she tried to pounce on him, she had no other option. "Allison, stop!" She spoke up, coming out of the shadows. The Rumor shifted her gaze to the raven, scoffing. "He doesn't want to be with you. He's happy with someone else. Can't you see that?"

"This is none of your business. Now, piss off!" Allison ordered. "It is my business when you try to take advantage of my brother!" the phoenix defended. Luther stood behind her, unsure whether to take his chance to leave or stay to protect Dusk. Who knew what Allison would make Dusk do if she tried rumoring her? "Go see Sloane!" Dusk whispered, not taking her gaze away from Allison. "A-are you sure?" the ape-man questioned, having a sinking feeling. "Yes, go!" she insisted.

But as Luther tried to walk away a third time, Allison opened her mouth to speak. "I heard a rumor that you walked away," the speech vortex flew right toward Dusk, making her eyes roll back into her head. She tried desperately to fight back, but she found herself caving into the power and started walking out of the room, though her inner demon was screaming at her to go back and protect her brother. Luther stared at Allison in shock, "You didn't have to do that!" He nearly shouted. But Allison continued, rumoring him to want her.