Well guys, here it is. The sequel to Children of Criminals. If you have not read that story, it is all right. It may be a bit helpful but not in anyway will get in the way of this story. Please review and tell me what you think! :)

"WHAT!?" The Council Room erupted into a mass of shouting and yelling. Erskine Ravel and Ghastly Bespoke winced at the response to their proposal. Madame Mist, the third Elder, remained as unresponsive as always.

"You can't do that!" Valkyrie Cain yelled out from the small group formed in front of them. "It's suicide! Especially for me!"

"We don't have a choice." Ravel said. "We need to fix this problem now."

"There must be some other way." Fletcher spoke up.

Ravel shook his head. "Sadly, it has come to this. Valkyrie and Skulduggery, you haven't gotten a lead in months. This can't continue. We need to finish this."

Ghastly nodded gravely. "Agreed. I'm not happy it has come to this, but we have the proper tools to pull this off and now this is the time before this gets any worse. We're counting on all of you to make sure this does not get out of hand however, because if it does."

Mist took up the last bit. "This could be the end of the Sanctuaries as we know it."

There was a minute of silence. Then Valkyrie spoke.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course not Valkyrie!" Skulduggery said cheerfully. "That's what makes it fun!"

Valkyrie scowled. "This is not fun. Shaving Fletcher in his sleep and TP-ing your house is fun. Putting the people who hate me on a team with me is the opposite of fun."

"You're the one who TP-ed my house? I thought that was Fletcher!"

Valkyrie shrugged. "Eh. What can I say? I like to do things then pin them on Fletcher. It's fun."

Skulduggery shrugged. "Very true. And don't worry about this Valkyrie. After all, you love to chase Scapegrace right?"

"It isn't as fun anymore since he turned to our side though." Valkyrie grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Then it's settled." Ravel said. "I'll make the calls and by this afternoon, we'll have a team."

…

Sanguine was sprawled out on his couch when his cell phone rang. The Texan reached over lazily and picked it up. "Hello, this is Billy-Ray Sanguine, hit-man deluxe. What can I do for you?"

"Hello Sanguine."

Sanguine sat up straight, spilling the bowl of popcorn he had in the process. "How'd you get this number?" He said.

"Simple really," Ravel said. "Just interrogated one of the prisoners who hired you and asked for your number."

Sanguine scowled. "I really need to change that….. Now what do you want?"

"I have a proposition for you…."

Sanguine listened and nodded and agreed to the meeting. Then Ravel mentioned his son and girlfriend and asked if he might be interested as well. The Texan thought for a moment then said that they would come as well.

"Great." Ravel was obviously pleased. "Now, could you maybe supply with me the number for Dusk?"

…..

Dusk was sitting in his kitchen reading the newspaper when his cell phone rang. He picked it up without looking away from the paper.

"Hello Dusk."

"Who gave you this number?" Dusk asked immediately.

"Sanguine did." Ravel replied. "Now, before you hang up or threaten me or something, I just have something to ask you."

Dusk listened for a few minutes. He agreed to go to the meeting as long as there wasn't a trap. Then they mentioned that he was in contact with someone else who might be interested. Dusk hesitated before saying that she might come as well and hung up.

….

Spring-heeled Jack was up on the roof tops of London watching his twins, Scratch and Shoe chase each other around. A sound behind him made the creature turn to see Ravel walk up.

The Terror of London straightened his top hat and looked at the Grand Mage curiously. "What's a bloke like you doin' here in my neck of the woods?" Jack asked in his high, scratchy voice.

"I." Ravel said smoothly. "Am here to give you a deal, Jack."

"What kind of deal?"

"Come to the meeting tomorrow at the Sanctuary and you'll find out."

Jack's eyes narrowed. "This sounds awfully like a trap."

"Really? Well, even if it was, it sounds like a rubbish one of you ask me."

Jack shrugged. "True. Now, if you want me in on this deal, then why don't you tell me now? Or do you have something to hide?"

Ravel laughed. "I don't have anything to hide Jack, but this way it's easier."

"To do what?"

"To explain to the other members of the team. This way, I only have to say it once and not repeat it every time I made a call. Now, what do you say?"

"What's in it for me?"

"Money. Lots of money. Now, before you say that you don't need any, do I need to bring this matter down there?" Ravel gestured to Scratch and Shoe, who were still chasing each other. "I'm sure they would love money. And they can be on the team too."

Jack thought for a few moments. It was something to do…..

"Alright. Fine. When's the meetin'?"

"Tomorrow at three. Don't be late."