Here is the next chapter, like I promised.
1
An Old Friend
Tanith's eyes were closed, and one was swollen. There were a few cuts on her face, but otherwise she looked unharmed. Ghastly looked at her face and felt weak. He went to grasp her hand and saw a heavy shackle. He knew that they were necessary, but his heart still felt like it had turned to lead. At his touch, she shifted slightly. It wasn't much, but it still made his heart leap. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and opened. She looked at him and for minute he was sure it was Tanith looking out at him through those tortured eyes. The moment passed and Tanith tried to break out of the shackles. Failing that, she attempted to bite him. The door flung open and Skulduggery stepped inside. He hurried to Tanith's side and pressed something to her arm. Valkyrie came and stood next to Ghastly. She led him out gently. Ghastly followed her and slumped against the wall. He slid all the way down until he sat on the ground. Valkyrie sat next to him. He looked at her. "For a minute, when she first woke up, it was her looking at me. Not the Remnant, but her. And she recognised me. I know she did." He said, more to himself than Valkyrie.
"We'll help her, Ghastly. You know we will. Skulduggery knows what you told me. But, until we can help her, it might be best if you stay away from her. Just in case anything happens." Valkyrie stood up and held her hand out to him. He looked at her. He reached out and grasped her hand. She pulled him to his feet and led him back to his office. He sat in his chair and she approached the door. "Good night, Ghastly," she said with a smile on her way out. She stepped outside and shut the door. She hesitated only a moment before heading back to Skulduggery. She opened the door to see Skulduggery standing over Tanith who was sleeping peacefully again. Valkyrie stood by Skulduggery and touched his arm. He lifted his head and looked at her. "Should we try and track down these mages Ghastly told us about?" Skulduggery asked her.
"Yeah, maybe," she answered. Skulduggery started to walk off, but Valkyrie didn't move. "Do you think it's possible? Getting rid of the remnant?" She asked him.
"I don't know. There are so many types of magic in the world, that it may just be possible. But I honestly don't know." He said. She nodded. Now it was Skulduggery's turn to place a hand on her arm. She looked one last time at Tanith.
"Let's go find these mages," she said. They walked out of the room. Skulduggery shut the door behind them and produced a key. He locked the door.
"You told me once that a key wouldn't keep you out, you would just break the lock. Remember, when we first met and we broke into the Vault."
"Yes," Skulduggery smiled. "But I am not the one we need to keep out." He lost the smile and straightened up and they walked out the Sanctuary. He opened the door of the Bentley and got in. Valkyrie did the same. "Let's go," she repeated to herself.
Just another short one. I'm working on the next. It should be here soon.