Valkyrie sighed. Why did Skulduggery make her go to school? Because of her cousin. Isabella, or rather Bella Swan. Bella and her mysterious boyfriend. She spun round. "Skul," she asked for the 500th time. "Why on earth am I here? Look, I'm a detective not a schoolgirl. I should be- I should be investigating... stuff."

Skulduggery tilted his head. "Stuff? What do you mean, Valkyrie?"

Valkyrie shrugged. "Y'know, murders, kidnappings... awesome stuff. Last time you sent me to school there were wizards with wands and a guy called Harry and I literally died. How long am I stuck here?"

Skulduggery sagged. "I wasn't expecting you to ask me that," he said. Valkyrie raised an eyebrow.

"What, you thought that I wouldn't be interested in how long I'm supposed to be away from my detective life? Seriously?"

Skulduggery looked at her and said: "A year or so... Don't get mad at me. It's not my fault! Well, technically, it is, but... Don't hit me. My disguise will fall off." Valkyrie resisted the urge to rip his hat to pieces and stormed off. Skulduggery smiled interiorly.