The Descendants; The Return of the Unnamed

Cassandra's letter

"You knew we would survive?" If skulduggery had an eyebrow it would be raised.

"Something had to be stopping me from unleashing hell on Hansard. You've been in my life for the past several hundred years, Detective Pleasant. I don't think I even remember what it was like without you. I'm not prepared to remember any time soon. I've rather enjoyed your company these past few years." she smiled.

"It hasn't exactly been torture," he replied.

"I'm charmed," she stated, her smile growing even wider. 

"So, this letter?"

"Cassandra Pharos sent in a letter telling me to give you the instruction to go visit her with Valkyrie for a vision update once you were rescued." China handed a folded letter from her pocket to Skulduggery. He scanned it before tucking it away in his dusty suit jacket.

"First things first, I think we need some proper attire." Skulduggery straightened his tie.

"Of course. Fletcher Renn will be waiting in the medical wing to teleport you to Cassandra's cottage. Do what you must, I've some clothes organized for you in my private chambers. Ophelia, will you please take Mr Pleasant and our friends to my room to freshen up." China nodded to her Elder. "Elder Shade, can you please give Evania Zerea the signal to begin?"

"Evania?" Dexter perked up. "Why is she here?"

"Your daughter has volunteered to get her magic boosted. She's been tested and cleared, ready to fight. She is instrumental in fending off the army raining carnage upon our own. She's been gifted with her mother's psychic abilities and can inflict mental pain upon the opposing sorcerers to distract and weaken them while our soldiers attack." China explained.

"Dexter, she's old enough to make her own decisions now. If she wants to fight, you can't stop her." Valkyrie reassured him and despite everything in her body telling her not to, she placed her hand on his arm, feeling the bicep stiffen beneath her touch.

"Where is she?" he choked out. "I need to see her."

China nodded to further up the wall and Dexter moved straight to his daughter's side. As she saw him approaching she stood from her seat and opened her mouth, expecting an argument about why she should go back inside where she was safe but instead he hugged her tight and she felt the kind of love her mother never gave her. She felt warm and safe and protected in her father's embrace.

"Be careful out there," she said.

"Stay safe." He whispered and kissed her cheek, taking a step back and patting her hair down tenderly. "I love you, have no doubts about that."

"I love you too, dad." She smiled, tears in her eyes. Then she turned and the symbol on her wrist flashed and disappeared. It was her time. She closed her eyes and focused, reaching out with her mind and stabbing wherever she found an enemy.

"Come on, Dexter. We've got to go." Valkyrie urged him, and he followed her.

.............................................................................................................................................

"Now that you all are presentable and don't smell like damp mildew, welcome back," China said as she took a seat at the head of the meeting table.

"Where are Gracious and Donegan?" Tanith questioned.

"They're recruiting as many magical creatures for our cause as they can. They seem to have connections from their many monster-hunting escapades." Came China's answer.