And The Darkness Rained Upon Them
Book 4 Skulduggery Pleasant
1
A Change Of Heart And Magic
Valkyrie Cain walked down the murky street in the pouring rain. Her mind was set on one thing and one thing only. Ever since Skulduggery was pulled through the portal to the universe of the Faceless Ones, she was determined to get him back. Valkyrie climbed the steps of a derelict building, glad to be out of the wind and rain. She stepped through an old door, walked along a corridor that opened up into a large and empty room. As she looked around one of the things she noticed was a young girl leaning against the opposite wall, Valkyrie could only see her face and the rest was hidden in shadow but as the girl stepped into the moonlight that was cast on the ground by a high window, Valkyrie saw the rest of her. She was tall with long brown hair, a magician's top hat tied with a red ribbon, a double breasted black coat with long, thin coat tails. The lining of her coat was blood red and seemed to shine in the gathering gloom. The girl lifted her head and Valkyrie stepped back in shock; the girl's eyes were deep purple. Just as Valkyrie was about to run for the door, Solomon Wreath stepped out of the shadows
"Valkyrie Cain, what a pleasure to meet you again" Wreath said. He smiled, but the smile didn't touch his eyes.
"Likewise" replied Valkyrie, unsure of what to say, her expression blank.
"This is my associate, Miss Blaize Carpentire"
"Please to meet you." her voice was soft and lilting.
She stepped forward and offered her gloved hand to Valkyrie, Valkyrie shook but jumped in surprise at the shadows that slithered around her wrist, Wreath looked like he was about to say something but stopped when Blaize withdrew the shadows and placed her hand by her side with a sly smile.
Solomon Wreath was a Necromancer and so it appeared, was Blaize. Valkyrie was here to learn the art of Necromancy in the hope of saving Skulduggery. Valkyrie had thought about her decision many times, but it seemed the only way of getting her friend back. Valkyrie was snapped out of her daydream by Blaize nudging her arm impatiently.
"I'm sorry… I'm just…" Valkyrie said
"I know, I felt the same. I was a strong Elemental before I became a Necromancer; it's a hard change to adjust to"
"I just want Skulduggery back" Valkyrie said
"Me too" Blaize said under her breath.
Wreath interrupted the conversation;
"Now the first step is to close your eyes and think of an object that best reflects you or your personality, for example, mine is my cane. Now think of pulling the shadows from around the room and sculpt your object to make it your own."
As she worked, Valkyrie heard Blaize laugh with delight, but Valkyrie blocked out her laugh and focused on shaping her object with increasing detail. She focused on weaving the handle tightly with black leather, making sure the end tapered into a sharp point. When she had finished Valkyrie opened her eyes and stared in amazement at the leather handled, tightly woven whip in her hand, the fine end writhed in the shadows like a snake and Valkyrie looked up at Blaize and smiled.