Monster

Never Again

"Not again," I thought as I heard the door slam. I sighed as I could hear the yelling start up. It was like this every Friday night. Darren would go out with the other mages from the Sanctuary and drink way too much. Then he would come home and argue with Valkyrie about something. I was staying at Valkyrie's house while Ghastly was away on Sanctuary business. Valkyrie had sworn me to secrecy about her fights with Darren, so Skulduggery didn't know what a total ass Darren was but I figured Valkyrie knew what she was doing. At least I hoped. Something shattered downstairs. "Another vase," I thought. "Gordon will be upset." I continued polishing my sword when a blood-curdling scream come up the stairs. "Valkyrie?!" I shouted, running to the door and to the top of the stairs. "I am fine Tanith," Valkyrie voice called up to me. Pain filled her voice. "Go back to bed." "Are you sure Valkyrie?" I asked. I could hear her crying softly. "She is fine!!!" Darren yelled. I felt my face twist into an angry scowl. She didn't sound fine. I stalked back to my room and grabbed my sword. I made my way downstairs and walked into the living room. There I found Valkyrie kneeling on the floor and picking up the pieces of yet another broken vase. Blood spots surrounded her and I could hear the faint dripping sounds of blood falling to the floor. "Valkyrie," I asked walking over to her. She looked up at me and I felt my heart break. Her beautiful brown eyes were full of tears with a black shadow forming around her right eye. Her arm had a long red gash going from her wrist up to her elbow. Almost as if she had tried to protect herself and her arm had taken the brunt of whatever had hit her. A bruise seemed to be forming around her neck and her face had the imprint of a hand mark. She seemed to be in a lot of pain from the way she was moving her body as she picked up the glass. She stood up and swayed slightly. I grabbed her good arm and steadied her. "Valkyrie?" I whispered. She smiled as a steady stream of tears poured down her face. "I tripped and broke another vase," she said. "Do you think Gordon will notice?" I could feel my own eyes start to water. "Come on Valkyrie let's get you to Nye." I had her place the glass on the table and started to lead her out of the living room when Darren appeared in the doorway. "Where do you think you are going?" he asked Valkyrie. I felt her shiver next to me and I glared at him. "I am taking her to the Sanctuary. She is cut up pretty badly." Darren walked over to us and put his arm on her shoulder. "It's not that bad. All she needs is some rest right Val?" I saw his hand tighten on her shoulder, adding pressure to her. Valkyrie winced and looked up at me. "I am fine Tanith really," she whispered. She swayed again. "I am taking you and that is it. You are about to pass out," I said, pulling her away from Darren. "Why don't you leave her alone Tanith? She really doesn't want to go," Darren said, his voice cold and unyielding. I leaned Valkyrie up against the wall and walked over to Darren. "If I were you, I would look for a hole to be hiding in right now. Because when Skulduggery finds out what you did..." "I didn't do anything did I Val honey?" Darren said, a smirk on his face. I could hear Val whisper from behind me. "I told you Tanith I fell." Darren looked up at me. "See the skeleton detective will know that she fell because she was clumsy. Nothing that I did." "Then you will have no problem if I take Val to Nye because of her 'clumsiness'. After all she has lost a lot of blood." I could see in Darren's eyes that he was wondering if I was worth hitting or not, then he shrugged and went over to the couch. "Don't be long Val honey," he said.

I'm terrified that she'll wind up dead in his hands,

She's just a woman

......

I had no idea what to do. I felt broken in more ways than one. Pain was shooting up my arm and I felt really dizzy as Tanith drove me to the Sanctuary. "Val please tell me what happened," she begged as lightning lit up the sky around us and rain poured from the sky. "Tanith I already told you...." "Don't give me that shit Val. He beat you. I can tell. How many times have we been in fights and seen the other? I can tell the difference between a fall and a beating." "Please don't tell Skulduggery," I whispered, wringing my hands in my lap. "I don't want him to know. He will kill Darren." "I am sure that is what he deserves," I heard her mutter. I turned to her. "Please Tanith. Really I am fine. A couple of stitches and I will be as good as new. I don't want Skulduggery getting hurt over me." Tanith stared at me as if I was completely crazy. "And what makes you think that Skulduggery can't handle himself with Darren? He has fought Faceless Ones Val. I don't think some drunk mage is going to be too difficult for him." "Darren is an Adept. He can increase his fighting power tenfold making his punches three times more powerful. He could shatter Skulduggery with one hit." Tanith bit her lip and turned into the Sanctuary's parking lot. "Val," she said softly turning off the car and looking over at me. "Skulduggery would make it so you didn't have to deal with Darren again. He would get rid of that creep. Just tell him. He cares alot for you Valkyrie." I nodded. "I know but really I can handle this myself. Don't worry." I smiled at her and could tell that she was upset about all this but would keep it a secret for me. I would get rid of Darren myself. I didn't need Skulduggery to get hurt over my stupid decisions.