China's daughter

This is a little idea I had, I'm visualising a 'Primadonna Girl' by Marina and the Diamonds, or maybe someone a little, (lot!) more insecure. Also, it's set in a war, going to change a lot of stuff that happened in the series ;)

Her footsteps made noises.

Nora walked in the room at her own pace, not slow in a way that suggested frailty, or even difficulty in walking in high-heeled boots. Nora walked with a swagger, sophistication.

In that way, Nora was exactly like her mother.

Nora was tall, six feet or thereabouts, and with heels she looked like a walking target. In Tanith's experience, tall women had lots of grace and strength, but little speed. Nora, however, wasn't like that at all. Her speed made it hard to tell how much strength she had, and not encountering Nora personally, Tanith wasn't quite sure whether Nora had much strength behind her.

Tanith had always been able to tell how China despised her and her 'common brawler's' get up. She also reckoned China would hate her own daughter's clothing.

Nora wore a red shirt with a strange material. With a pang, Tanith realised it was Ghastly's tailoring. Nora wore a dark grey, short cotton jacket, which looked musty and hung slightly askew. Nora wore blue jeans which Tanith thought weren't specifically made for her. Though dressed better than Tanith, Nora was a few more kilometres away from China in matters of dressing.

"How was your mission?" Tanith asked Nora as she plonked herself down in a chair. Tanith was always surprised when Nora did things like that- she looked lady-like, but knowing her, Tanith was aware that looks were deceiving.

"Tiring- Skulduggery only ever supplies half of what we're doing, and when I complain about it-"

"He says you didn't ask."

They both smiled.

"We succeeded, though."

"I always believed in you."

Nora threw Tanith an odd look.

"Before I left, you told Skulduggery to send me back if I did anything suspicious."

"He would have anyway."

Nora sighed. "China makes her own decisions, Tanith. We don't always agree."

Tanith let it sit for a few minutes. When China had left their side for the winning one, Nora had been expected to go with her. They were up against great sorcerers and a long list of followers and Hollow-men, she had to admit. They knew for sure Baron Vengous was on the other side, and there were rumours of Nefarian Serpine returning to the fold, as well as the Children of the Spider, somewhat surprisingly, they usually stuck to the good side, using unorthodox means, but still on their side.

Nora was quite negative, so it was surprising she would stay on a losing side, and neither Tanith nor Valkyrie could fully understand Nora's motives. Whatever they were, Nora was on their side, and Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Dexter, Saracen and even Tanith herself, needed to trust her and appreciate it.

A young operative burst into the room. "There's been a raid!" He shouted, gesturing for them to follow him. Tanith and Nora sprang up and Tanith unsheathed her sword. They all ran up the corridor as the young man continued to explain in a panting rush.

"We suspect there is a spy, they knew when there were the least sorcerers on duty."

"There were still Cleavers on duty, right?" Nora asked.

"Yes," replied the breathless man. He was red-faced and wheezing. "The Bat-men took care of them."

"What?" Tanith said as they turned a corner. She heard the sounds of a fight.

"Bat-men, a nickname we use for the Winged Sheeras. They pick up their prey, or predator, and tear them apart. Winged Sheeras feed on flesh, any kind. They have been known to eat Cane Toads, but not often, they're just too small."

"How many are inside?" Nora asked, steering the conversation to a more useful topic. The sounds of fighting became louder.

"None, strangely, they can only live off natural light, sunlight and moonlight. No artificial light. Strange, since bats are nocturnal."

"Yes, that's the strange thing about Bat-men who tear people apart and are helping raid the Sanctuary." Nora said.

The man stopped and Tanith came to an absolute standstill, despite him giving them no warning. Luckily for him, since she was running with a sharp and deadly blade.

The fight looked like it was a third-way through, and already her side was almost defeated. Simultaneously, Nora and Tanith leapt into action. Tanith noted not even half the Sanctuary was here. Probably cowering behind the brave, Tanith thought bitterly as she whipped her blade across a man's arm and followed him as he stumbled away, barely holding her footing amongst the blood and gore that was spread across the floor.

Tanith and her friends were turning back the tide, slowly beating them back, when a large part of the roof caved in. The chunk had been pushed down by the so-called Bat-men, squishing the majority of their people and Tanith saw people start to celebrate, relief in the faces of blood-soaked heroes, but she looked at Skulduggery, his skull was tilted towards the floor.

Tanith followed his eyeless gaze and saw the blood glitter, in the sunlight. Sunlight, Tanith looked at Skulduggery as the Bat-men, the Winged Sheera's streamed in, screeching and swooping.