A Shadow Returns

Avril's Threat

I'm saying a massive thank you to Valkyrie_Cain22 for helping me with this chapter and getting me over my writers block! You're amazing and I love you so much Bae!!!!! Now, on with the story!

(Note some parts are written by Valkyrie_Cain22 )

Valkyrie tried her best to focus on the idle chatter going on around her and stop thinking about the skeleton and the intruder in the corner. Avril looked so, so sweet. Standing there laughing along to whatever it was that Skulduggery was saying. Valkyrie tried to concentrate on the conversation she was having with Jess, nodding and answering when appropriate. However, her mind was wandering. What if what Saracen and her were planning turned disastrous? What if Avril saw through their plan? What if, by some miracle, she foiled it? Then what? Valkyrie would be stuck with her that's what! The hitwoman would stay here forever and nothing would be the same...

No! Positive thoughts Valkyrie! Positive thoughts! Saracen knows things. He knows that whatever plan they come up with will work!

Valkyrie couldn't help but feel as if she could trust Saracen. He wouldn't just trick her would he? She had know him for years and doubted he would be on Avril's side all along like everyone else seemed to be. Her lips tingled from when they had kissed, she felt so content and happy to know that she could trust at least Saracen. She knew she liked him. But that kiss... Did that mean they were together now? She sure hoped so. She looked over to Saracen for confirmation but his face was an unreadable mask of nothingness.
She couldn't look away from him as he joined in with the conversation.
"Valkyrie?" Jess asked and she snapped back into reality to see the group giving her concerned stares.
"Sorry I was daydreaming," she fumbled over the words and Saracen smirked. She really wanted to sock him in the jaw. But at the same time, she wanted to snog the hell out of him.

That's when Avril inclined her head slightly towards Valkyrie, her soft lips forming a tiny smirk. Valkyrie could see the look of pure hatred in her eyes, and the way the smirk turned to a glare. She shivered, and turned away. Whatever Saracen had in mind, they'd better get to it fast. Chills ran down her spine, and Valkyrie knew that Avril's piercing blue eyes where still locked on her, watching her like a hawk. But at the same time, Valkyrie heard her smooth velvety laughter. She sighed, and found Jess staring at her with a concerned expression on her face.
"Valkyrie? Are you sure you're alright? You look really unfocused."
"I am, really," she answered. But deep down, she knew that she wasn't.
"So Valkyrie I was asking how long you had been with Skulduggery," Jess continued.
"Oh right," Valkyrie responded, "well he saved me when I was just twelve and I stole his hat and refused to give it to him until he let me go with him."
Jess laughed and the sound was a pretty thing that echoed through the whole house. Avril and Skulduggery turned to see what was happening and when her ice cold stare met Valkyrie's she felt another shiver roll down her spine. That was it. She needed to escape.
"Excuse me," she said, turning away and hurrying into the kitchen, away from Avril's eyes. She leant against the sink and sighed, closing her eyes. Saracen's plan had better be a good one...
"Since you were twelve hey?" A velvet voice asked from behind her. Valkyrie's eyes shot open and she spun around to see Avril standing in the doorway, the door shut behind her, a smirk on her face again.
"What do you want?" Valkyrie snapped. Avril grinned, and wandered around the room, hands fixing up her beautiful blonde hair as she did so.
"Well?" Valkyrie asked. Avril stopped walking, and let her hair fall freely over her shoulders.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"What do you want Avril?"
Avril smirked again, and came to stand in front of Valkyrie. So close that their foreheads were almost touching.
"I wanted to tell you that, no matter how much you want me gone, I'm not going anywhere. I spent 400 years thinking that Skulduggery was dead. And now that I've found him, do you really think I'd just get up and leave?"
"That's what I was hoping you'd do."
"Well, not all your hopes and dreams are gonna come true. And this is just one of the many."
"Why are you here?"
"To start over with Skul. I was seriously hoping that he would take me back, but now that he's got you well, that makes the task a whole lot harder."
"Skulduggery will never take you back."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because I'm his partner now and he loves me more than he'll ever love you!"
Avril chuckled.
"Really Valkyrie? You think he loves you after the stunt you pulled with Saracen upstairs half an hour ago?"
Valkyrie stiffened.
"How did you know about that?"
Avril shrugged. Valkyrie scowled. This girl was really getting on her nerves.
"Just keep your mouth shut okay? I don't want word getting around to any of the other Dead Men about me wanting to get back together with Skul okay?"
"Why would I ever say yes to anything if it involves helping you?"
"Because if you don't, then I will make your life hell."
Valkyrie looked into Avril's piercing blue eyes, and stared as the girl smiled a wolffish grin. Avril turned and walked back out through the door.