When You Play With Fire

[Christian Ward]

Lord Voldemort

With the elimination of Silas there left a gaping void in the Dark Lord's ranks. Someone would pay for that and Christian knew it would be himself. After the challenge wherein Diana had saved not only her own life but also Christian's and baby Liam's lives by murdering Silas, Christian had been waiting on pins and needles for the summons. He hadn't been sleeping, and on top of the chaos that was his spectacularly failed relationship with Diana, he had begun drinking more in expectation of the punishment that awaited him. And drinking more for Christian was quite a lot. It was lucky then that the summons came early in the day, before Christian really had an opportunity to get sh*tfaced drunk.

He cleared the wards that protected the old house which the Death Eaters had come to know as the headquarters for their meetings. After passing over the threshold, the protective enchantments took hold once more, locking unwelcomed visitors from the premises. His footsteps echoed ominously down the corridor as he made his way to the small banquet room where their meetings were usually held. There was a dark figure in the corner and Christian bowed.

[Lord Voldemort]

As promised, Christian was afforded a private audience.

With all the urgent matters at hand, his business with Christian was more of a nuisance, but it did provide an opportunity.

Yes, he was bitter over the loss of such an asset, but he had the foresight to see that Silas would become a problem. He only wished he had removed the problem without the added loss in numbers in the attack against Ward. No, Silas' death wasn't cause for Voldemort's anger, it was the bond that tethered his most valuable assassin to an unknown entity that caused a deep rage, and almost perverse jealousy.

But Diana had turned out to be quite the surprise herself. Clearly the woman could handle herself, and he liked the fire in her eyes. Still she was wild and no where near taming, it would require leverage to bring the latest Ward to heel.

Voldemort's leverage bowed. Voldemort smiled thinly.

"What a mess you've made for yourself Christian..."

[Christian Ward]

"My apologies, my lord. It was...unforeseen. I am working to resolve the issues." He had a man looking into the Life Bond and how to unlink two people from each other without killing either. Apparently the only other option that had been discovered thus far is to not have consummated the marriage. That ship had sailed ages ago.

Diana's betrayal had hurt Christian, deeper than even Christian was aware could be possible. He needed to be rid of her. He was certain Lord Voldemort would demand as much.

[Lord Voldemort]

"Are you?" he asked mildly surprised. Christian was one of his right hands due to the man's unwavering loyalty and nearly unmatched skill at getting certain dirty jobs done quickly, quietly, and efficiently. That wasn't to say that Christian was the best killer he had on hand, but Christian was all business. He didn't enjoy the kill, nor did he shy away from it. That kind of cool logic appealed to Voldemort as some of his other members were either too squeamish or too excited.

It was surprising that Christian would make such a grave error to begin with, and more surprising still that he would be so willing to break the bond he had created. A life bond was not a simple matter. It was old magic. It was powerful magic. The feeling between the pair had to have been exceedingly strong in order for the bond to even take place. Christian was not the sort to walk away. How very curious.

"You were all but willing to sacrifice your life when last I saw you, have things changed once more in so short of time? How fickle you've become."

[Christian Ward]

Voldemort was right, he had changed recently. He was not fickle, though he would never dare to argue with his master about such a thing, but Christian's change of heart had been many months in the making. He tried hard to resist the temptation that was Diana Crawford for months after rediscovering her by chance at the Rusty Nail. Except it wasn't be chance and by that time, though Christian had no memory of such things occurring, he had already given himself over to the painstakingly gorgeous woman who was pregnant with his child. Now, after months of arguing with himself over whether or not he had feelings for her, Christian realized it didn't matter. They needed to separate themselves from each other, they couldn't survive as they had been. Too much trust had been ripped away and there was no gaining it back.

"No, my lord. Her life was not mine to take and I had faith that neither of us would die that day." He had seen an inkling of her skill, and heard far more stories of her abilities from Derek. The two had talked plenty during their time in the safe house. Christian had been scared that Silas could kill Diana, but it hadn't occurred to him to worry about his own life.

[Lord Voldemort]

Christian was usually better at hiding his thoughts, but the man was easily read, completely open as the beautiful brunette distracted him.

It was clear in Voldemort's expression that he was focused on the things Christian didn't say, as opposed to the things he did.

Finally as if hearing enough of Christian's inner dialogue he pulled back, "Your head is full of her." he nearly hissed.

"She distracts you. Confuses you. Thrills you."

Each word was an accusation, though Voldemort's tone didn't change, rather he appeared understanding yet firm.

"She will be the death of you." his voice hardened, "And I will have lost a most trusted ally. I do not take this portend lightly."

[Christian Ward]

Christian had yet to truly master the ability of closing his mind to others, but he knew he should have been able to do better than this. As Christian spoke, he looked at Lord Voldemort, but the dark wizard's eyes didn't meet his own. He wasn't listening to what Christian was saying.

Christian took a breath and tried to compose himself better. "Yes, my lord," he replied after each accusation. Diana was a distraction. She confused him terribly. And she thrilled him like no other had ever done. When the man claimed Diana would be the death of him, Christian knew it to be true. A sliver of self-preservation fought against the statement.

"I will not let that happen," he said confidently.

[Lord Voldemort]

"No?" he asked knowingly, "Then you will be the death of her." he said harshly.

"Your lives are tethered are they not?" he narrowed his eyes, "A union most foolish in the grander scheme of things. Something a loyal follower might have had reservations about."

Each word was darker and angrier than the last, Voldemort had come to the crux of his disappointment and anger. Christian was no longer his man, he belonged more fully to his wife, even if he didn't know it. Truthfully, marriage could be undone, divorce wasn't unheard of, and most marriages were made for convenience and status. Even love matches were flexible. But a life bond? That was one of the oldest, most sacred connections. Voldemort could not - even with his great power - come between that kind of love.

[Christian Ward]

Christian's jaw tensed at the very true statement, but he forced himself to keep a clear mind. He would not let the knowledge that he would be Diana's undoing affect his thoughts or his features. He remained stoic except for that one little spasm along the edge of his face.

"They are, my lord. I...I cannot explain my actions." That was true. No matter how many times he asked Diana, it didn't make sense to him. He didn't know what had happened that made Christian so in love that he not only married the beauty, but also bound his life to hers. From his broken memory, the action was inexplicable.

"Trust that I remain ever faithful, Lord Voldemort. The issue with Silas was a problem, but one that will not occur again. My personal life will not interfere with your plans.

[Lord Voldemort]

Mollified somewhat he pressed on, but without the edge in his voice, "Not just my plans Christian, but the future of the wizarding community at large. You are important to that vision. Any action which risks your life, or the lives of any of my followers are considered actions against me, against that future. Resolve matters with your wife, and do not disappoint me again."

His tone was grave, but Christian had still gotten off relatively light. With a final node of dismissal, Christian was in the clear, until Voldemort spoke again.

"Your wife..." he paused just as Christian moved to leave, he caught the other man's eyes, "She is an impressive creature."

The compliment was laced with dangerous interest. Diana had caught Voldemort's attention, and while his claws were not around her yet, the dark possessiveness in Voldemort's eyes said she was within grasp, and that Christian could very well be the net used to reign her in.

[Christian Ward]

"Yes, my lord," he said with a nod. He turned to leave, something inside of him screaming that something was wrong. He had not been punished, he'd hardly even been reprimanded compared to what Christian knew the man to be capable of. There was a danger lurking.

Christian's movements stilled as Lord Voldemort spoke again. He turned back slowly to face the man, unsettled by the look in the man's eyes. "She is," he agreed, somewhat hesitantly. What was coming next? What was about to be asked of him in regards to Diana?

[Lord Voldemort]

He gave a deceptive smile, "I would not mind getting to know her better." he said in a similarly deceptive way. There was more to Voldemort's words. Hidden meaning that Christian was thoroughly familiar with.

Voldemort wanted Diana. He wanted her as an asset in his arsenal, but he was subversive enough to be indirect.

With a final nod he dismissed Christian, leaving the man to ponder his next moves in regards to the fiery brunette.