Dance with the Devil

[Diana Ward]

She flinched, as attacks went that one hit it's mark. Silas knew her. He knew her tortured past, and he was preying on those weaknesses. She knew he was doing it to distract her, to disrupt the ruthless machine she had become since the deaths of those two little girls.

He probably wouldn't have been successful were it not for the resurgence of Christian in her life. Christian made her feel things. Made her happy. He evoked emotional responses and so she had reacquainted herself with her emotions. Sometimes she couldn't shut them off. She had Liam to blame for that as well.

"Shut up!" she hissed throwing a curse his way out of anger, the wand she held wasn't responding well to the heat and passion inside of Diana, it didn't react as quickly as her own might have and then it seemed as if the intensity was too much for the wand to handle.

[Christian Ward]

Silas dodged the hastily thrown curse, taunting her with his cruel laughter. He so easily got to her, it was clear that his words alone could ruin her. Silas had been inside her head, he knew her darkest secrets. This would be a walk in the park.

"You don't want me to talk about them, then? What about their father? Should we talk about the man you betrayed?" He kicked aside one of the knives that had fallen to the floor as he moved closer to her. She was weak and her wand was even weaker. "Crucio!" he shouted as a red bolt of lightning made it's way for Diana's chest.

[Diana Ward]

Diana was tired. Her rest had been anything but peaceful as her subconscious tried to convince her to kill her husband. As Silas had tried to convince her to kill her husband. She’d be lying now if the idea of simply waking up and having the entire nightmare be over, wasn’t vastly appealing, but Diana couldn’t risk Liam’s life on a maybe. She would fight tooth and nail for her son’s life.

She saw the attack coming, and though she was distracted by Silas’ words, she had enough time to block the attack and jump out of the way. She proved herself to still be lithe and spry despite her pregnancy, as she dove forward and rolled to the side, easily getting back to her feet. The only casualty was the wand she carried. Blocking Silas’ attack had caused the useless twig to splinter and it was now hanging by a few fibers.

[Christian Ward]

Christian stood on the edge of the crowd, watching with clenched fists as the duo fought. He couldn't hear the exchange of words over the cheering and booing from the Death Eaters who thought this to be some sort of spectator sport. He could see a few of the more downhearted followers as they reacted to Diana moving out of the way of Silas' latest attack. When they saw the broken wand, they cheered and laughed. Christian glared at them as he added their names on to a mental list of who he would kill next.


"Looks like my job just got a lot easier," Silas said as Diana's pathetic excuse for a wand became apparent. He threw a curse at her that would bring her to her knees as he moved closer still. "Although, it's already so easy. All I have to do is point out all the times you've f*cked over the people who care about you - which there weren't many to begin with, or to recount the times people you cared about screwed you over. Those are a lot more fun. And then there are the dreams. I particularly enjoyed the one where your children were slaughtered. Their blood splattered on the walls was such a lovely sight. Perhaps I'll make that dream a reality for you; cut the little one right out of you and paint this room red."

[Diana Ward]

Diana dropped to her knees as she moved to block with the broken wand and found it useless. The pain was searing, but it wasn't anything she hadn't felt before. Just as she had with Christian many moons ago, she recovered quickly enough to attack. She swiftly picked up one of the knives she had conjured before and hurled it at Silas' chest.

"You talk too much." she said breathing heavily. She refused to listen to his taunts. One or two had caught her off guard, but she wouldn't let her emotions get to her. She had to live for all of their sakes, but that outcome seemed slim.

[Christian Ward]

Silas managed to evade the knife just in time, expecting that she would lash out in some primitive display of self-preservation. He smiled as the knife was thrown to the side and he hit her again with the same curse. Now he was standing over her, his eyes gleaming with delight. Silas would win his master's affection by killing Diana, resulting in Christian's death and a vacant place at Lord Voldemort's side as the Dark Lord's private hit wizard. Silas raised his wand, ready to strike.

[Diana Ward]

She was tired. She was more than tired. But being tired wasn't an excuse. Somewhere in her broken mind Silas had already won. He won when he revealed how truly f*cked up Diana was. He won when he made her realize that things would be alright if she didn't fight anymore. If Diana were to lay down arms and let go, no one would overly grieve for her absence. She was only sad that her son would never have lived, but it could be argued that the world was far too harsh a place for a baby, particularly her world. That is, if there were no complications in the pregnancy. Maybe a part of her even doubted her ability to give birth, after all Alyx's birth had been a nightmare.

She had made it this far, but everyone had a time. She had done well in this fight. Further than most would have with a flawed wand and exhaustion alone, without being nearly five months pregnant, to say nothing of Silas' considerable skills. Even the crowd who had so eagerly sought Diana's death and Christian's subsequent fall from grace had been impressed with her tenacity, but no one expected her to live. Silas was one of their best. She was an unknown. Now the battle was at an end, and though some cheered gleefully, others were disappointed that the promising brunette would be killed. Even now she wore a determined expression on her face as she dared to stare down their leader. She didn't lack for courage.

***

Diana's intense stare was more than the onlooker's initial assumption of defiance. Images were suddenly pushed into Voldemort's head rapidly as he met Diana's eyes, and many things became clear in that moment.

His hand rose to stop Silas' actions, much to the crowd's interest and disappointment. Voldemort could hear all their thoughts. They accused him of having favorites, and while it was true, he couldn't afford the weakness, but he could assuage his curiosity.

He turned to Christian and shared part of the communication that had happened between Diana and himself moments ago, revealing the loophole Christian had forgotten.

'She is asking for your life. If you kill her now before Silas does, you will survive the lifebond.'

[Christian Ward]

Silas' actions stopped immediately, his eyes shifting between the woman on her knees, Lord Voldemort, and Ward. Were they plotting against him? He kept his grip tight, holding his position and awaiting permission to finish her.


Christian's fists were clenched as he watched all unfold. It took everything in his power to not strike Silas dead from where he stood at the edge of the onlookers. Their lives, his and Diana's, were bound together. So whether she died at Silas' hand or as a result of Lord Voldemort's orders to kill Christian for interfering, they were both doomed. Unless Diana could make it out of this with a broken wand and a spirit to match.

But something happened. It was sudden and made Christian's chest ache. Lord Voldemort had ordered Silas to halt. There was a chance, perhaps. It was simply a test and he had never meant for Diana to die. Could it possibly be true? Would Voldemort risk demonstrating such weakness.

No.

He was offering something different entirely. Christian looked from Lord Voldemort to Diana, only his eyes betraying the confusion that his face refused to show in a room full of witches and wizards who would cheer his death. Christian could survive Diana's death by killing her himself. What a twisted loophole - one that Christian could not use.

'I will not kill her.' Perhaps if he had learned of this loophole earlier, maybe then he could have been free of this Life Bond but Christian cared for Diana. They were having a child together. Not even if the Dark Lord ordered him to do it, could he take her last breath from her.

[Diana Ward]

Diana relaxed. It was a subtle relaxation, or rather it was acceptance. She had offered Voldemort a solution where everyone won. Mostly. Voldemort would keep his key assassin. Christian would keep his life. Diana would be at peace. Alyx would be safe with Roselyn.

It all worked. And then...it didn't.

Diana wanted her last memory to be of the man she loved. She mentally said her goodbyes as she managed a small uncertain smile in his direction. She gave him permission to end her life in her own way. And then...he refused.

Stubborn jackass.

Voldemort's response was quick and brutal. 'So be it.' He lowered his hand and gestured permission to Silas.

Diana's heart rate sped up. Confusion and desperation ripped through her. She stared hard at the man she loved and angrily willed him to finish her before Silas could take them both.

The air was charged with certain death, she could almost feel the energy gathering in Silas' wand threatening to end them all.

No one was prepared for the next moment.

In the blink of an eye Diana moved, shifting her weight behind her knocking into Silas' knees. She brought her elbow up between his legs, and as his body bowed over on instinct, she brought her other hand up in a hard swipe to his windpipe. Finally she turned and shoved the broken wand upward, plunging the surprisingly sturdy stick under Silas' ribcage - just barely touching his heart. As Silas fell to his knees Diana rose from hers. She wiped her hair from her face leaving a trail of Silas' blood on her cheek as she stood behind him. Her hands on either side of his head she met Voldemort's eyes and without hesitation snapped Silas' neck, effectively killing the man.

He fell, and despite the challenging look in the beautiful brunette's eyes, Voldemort's lips twitched in amusement and desire. She would make a marvelous addition to his army. Christian had indeed chosen well.

[Christian Ward]

If he could have done something to save her, he would have. But Diana wasn't asking him to save her, she was asking him to save himself. Under most any other circumstance he would have fought for his life, but he couldn't bring himself to kill her in order to live.

Diana glared at him for refusing to end her life. It was only the briefest of moments but he felt as though he had betrayed her in that moment. He shook his head slightly and whispered "no".

And then it happened.

Diana was glorious as she moved with speed and grace. In less than a minute Silas was broken and on the floor, a small pool of blood forming beneath him. Christian felt a surge in his chest as he watched Diana's willful gaze toward his master. The rest of the room nearly faded away as he stared at Diana. For a moment, there was only her.

[Diana Ward]

The room went still. Shock reverberated throughout the crowd, until suddenly there was a roar of applause and approval. They were a carnal lot and Diana's utter ruthlessness was received and respected by all - including their fearless leader who deigned to smile at the victorious brunette.

He lifted a hand to quiet the crowd after a few moments.

"It would appear your wife is not without skill Ward."

[Christian Ward]

Seeing the smile on Lord Voldemort's face did little to ease Christian's mind. There was a loophole to the Life Bond that would leave Diana free of him. He understood why she hadn't told him about it, for multiple reasons. But the news of its existence paired with the excitement of seeing the bastard Silas dead, having his life spared for at least the moment, and the sudden urge to take Diana in a fit of passion was all rather overwhelming. And he was still in the presence of his master who had already learned far too much.

The rest of the room exploded but Christian remained relatively neutral, at least outwardly. Voldemort silenced the crowd and addressed Christian directly. He approached, unsure of what would happen next.

"She is free to go, then?" he asked, his head bowed slightly demonstrating his respect.

[Diana Ward]

"For now." he replied evenly, though his tone clearly implied that their business was not finished. Diana had proven herself, but Christian had still acted in a disappointing manner and he would not escape unscathed. Diana's impressive display had earned Christian a private lecture, but did not absolve him completely.

***

Derek had been in a daze since the battle began. It was of the utmost importance that he shield his thoughts from not only Voldemort, but other DEs who would gladly pounce on any weakness. He remained impassive as Diana came very close to certain death taking Christian with her, but under the surface every cell in his body was screaming to help her. The only slip in his careful facade was a smirk as Silas' lifeless body crumpled to the floor.

He was still worried though. Diana had come far too close to death, and while Silas was good, Diana had all too easily accepted death. The woman he had known would have fought until the end, not waited until the end to fight. Something was wrong. Perhaps it was simply fatigue, a faulty wand, and the pregnancy, but perhaps it was something else.

***

Diana was breathing heavily, the battle and the past few days wearing heavily on her shoulders. She felt as though a breeze could knock her over, yet she stood tall, proud, and strong. She wasn't sure what energy she was using to remain standing, but now that the threat of death had passed, her reserves were quickly running out. She knew well enough not to let her weariness show and was inwardly grateful when Christian asked if she were free to go. Somehow she still had the energy to be angry with him.

Receiving 'permission' to leave, she turned on her heel, held her head high, and walked away through the quickly parting - and still awestruck - crowd. When she felt the disapparation barrier pass, she was gone.

Voldemort was simultaneously amused and disturbed. She would make a wonderful asset, but she was too passionate, too broken, and too alluring to his once predictable and loyal assassin. The draw of a beautiful woman and a loving family would siphon loyalty from him, and that was dangerous indeed.

[Christian Ward]

He could feel the heat from Diana's gaze before she left. She had wanted him to kill her but the dead body of the man who had been invading her mind only further proved that Christian had made the right decision. He didn't know it, he didn't remember how passionately she fought for her family. For him. He had no recollection of the panic in her voice after the explosion on the cruise ship, or the fury with which she attacked the guards who had nearly brought him to his knees. Christian had seen glimpses of his memories, small snippets of who Diana was to him, but he didn't realize until this moment how far Diana was willing to go to ensure her family was protected.

He didn't like it.

Christian watched her leave from the corner of his eye before turning his full attention to his master. He kept his mind clear, as clear as he could in the given situation, in the hopes of giving nothing more away. Too much had been made apparent already and Christian was about to pay for it.

[Diana Ward]

In more ways than one. But Christian's scolding would come later. Voldemort's look made that clear.

"You are dismissed." he said with an easy wave, again his look conveyed the unspoken thought 'For now.'

The rest of the crowd had dispersed easy enough, the bloodlust pounding in their veins causing them to seek other pleasures of their own.

Derek gave a solemn nod toward Christian, he would do as much damage control as he could within Voldemort's ranks. It was the easier job. Christian had to face Diana.

[Christian Ward]

With Silas gone there was the potential that they could leave the safe house, that Christian could return to his home. But that really depended on how well Derek did at soothing the angrier of the Death Eaters. Silas had friends, they wouldn't have been pleased to see him drop dead at the hands of Christian's wife. She had been given no choice, but emotions didn't always listen to logic.

He apparated at the door of the safe house and made to turn the knob when he hesitated. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, finally allowing himself to experience the emotions he had held back in the presence of Lord Voldemort. His face contorted with rage and he began punching the exterior wall of the house, over and over until his knuckles were bloody and his rage and terror had subsided. Mostly. There was a little bit of anger that he had reserved for Diana. The woman who had asked him to kill her. 

He opened the door and stepped inside.

[Diana Ward]

Christian didn't need to worry about the other Death Eaters. Voldemort's approval of the fiery brunette, not to mention the skill she showed in battle, as well as Christian's already renowned skills made Diana fairly safe against further attack - at least from Death Eaters.

Diana was another story however. In true Diana fashion, she was busy tearing apart the room they had occupied since moving into Kingston's house, although this time she appeared to be looking for something rather than just creating destruction for anger's sake.

[Christian Ward]

There was a clambering about in the bedroom and it sounded not unlike the ruckus Christian himself had made on the front porch. His knuckles were bleeding so he pulled a hand towel from the linen closet as he passed on his way down the hall toward the noise. He wrapped his right hand in the towel to stifle the bleeding.

"What the f*ck are you doing now?" he asked as he opened the door only to find it was partially blocked by the mess she'd created.

[Diana Ward]

"Where is it?!" she rounded on him, but before he could answer she moved toward the closet and began tearing clothes off of hangers.

Christian wouldn't remember it, but Diana's distressed manner was similar to her behavior after he had nearly died on the cruise.

When she had cleaned out the closet she returned to him.

"I want my weapons! I want my wand!"

He had kept them since her 'imprisonment' and she had let him, but she was through with any illusion of being docile.

[Christian Ward]

"Where is what? What the f*ck are you looking for?" But by the time he got the question out she was destroying the closet. He pushed hard against the door, moving it open and forcing the mess behind it out of the way.

Weapons, of course. He had kept them for a reason and her manic behavior wasn't enticing him any to turn them over to her. "Calm the f*ck down first!"