A/N: Sorry! I've taken a sudden trip so I'm off a day, but I'm trying! (I also finally saw the Red Hood pre-order ad and I died a bit.) But I'm alive now, here to bring you the next portion of this "cheerful" arc! Also, to answer kaoru12211991 because I didn't earlier, I'm taking bits and pieces from the books, but I'm mostly using them as reference for character behavior and I'm using Instinct as assurance.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Work Song

Grim huffed as he sat on his throne. Of course, it had to be his dungeon. War would never risk her own- even in something as sure as what she'd claimed her plan was.

It was her idea to kidnap the protector instead of the protected.

The only thing that ensures war more than anything is the lost of love. We want the Malachai, and he'll want his boyfriend back, she'd promised.

She'd also devised more of a plan, to really bring everything together and to ensure that the Malachai they received wouldn't be the bleeding heart that was Nick Gautier. Granted, he doubted that her plan would end flawlessly, but he'd already covered his ass. Too many years of riding with War had taught him that one way or the other, she always screwed her partners over.

At least she's dedicated, he smiled to himself. He knew he was excited. Being in control of a Malachai was unreasonable for someone like him, but if he handed him over to Noir, the primordial god would owe him a favor. Just the idea of that brought the grin that made so many run for the hills cross his lips.

Betraying War was dangerous. She'd be angry and every bit the vindictive horseman she was known for being, but in bigger picture, it was nothing.

Closing his eyes, he could sense the daeve fighting in one of his lower dungeons. Malphas had never really flown too brightly on his radar. A problem here, and itch there, but never a full on problem. Nothing like his master. Honestly, he felt it was almost too easy to pluck him from the sky as he glided through the air- probably on his way to the younger Malachai.

He's not going to be trouble, and we are going to secure the Malachai, he chanted to himself as he heard the rattling of chains mix in with the screams and pleas of the damned. He's not going to be any trouble...

So, days are weird and time is madness. But thanks so much to those who patiently (or impatiently) waited for this chapter to answer what the mess was going on in the last chapter! I hope it illuminated things a bit, and I am so sorry that I hadn't updated sooner! (And I had a head start and everything!) Anywho, thanks so much to all those who read this fic! Also, thanks to The-Echrichta and Rin for reviewing! Also, since we're at another mile marker, thanks to:

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