A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this took so long to upload, life's been pretty crazy. My town was practically washed away during floods at the beginning of the year and I'm in year 12, so yeaaahh... You get the picture. I have written a few more chapters of the 'new version' of this story. I'm really liking it. Anyways, I'll let you read. Peace.

Chapter 1

An unsuspected surprise

Skulduggery Pleasant burst into the sanctuary. Everyone knew he wasn't happy. His Dark blue suit was clearly a Ghastly Bespoke design, something that was now considered rare. The skeleton detective hastily walks to an interrogation room. Passing many familiar faces, who quickly averted his vision, on the way. Just outside the room were two teenage girls. Skulduggery tried to continue walking into the room, but one of them stopped him.

"Skulduggery, going in their mad as hell won't help her." She whispered, the grip on his arm was firm and strong, if Skulduggery didn't know her he might have thought about being intimidated. Her long curly black hair fell over her face as she turned her head to face him.

"You need to calm down first." Her voice was soothing, ever since he had met the teenagers six months ago it had always had a strange affect on him.

"Braeyln, just leave him." The other teenager, Casey-Jane whispered. Braeyln ignored her friend.

"Skulduggery, please." He stared into her big beautiful aqua eyes, in all the years he had 'lived'; he had never found eyes as perfect as hers.

"Fine." Her grip let loosened, but she kept her hand on his arm, for when he tried to make a break for it. Skulduggery looked at Casey-Jane's and Braeyln's clothes.

"Who made those?" he asked.

"Ghastly. He's been working on them since we started working with you. He finally got them done last night. Aren't they amazing?" Braeyln looked down, so did Skulduggery. They were some of the most amazing outfits he had ever seen. Braeyln was wearing long tight black protective pants, just like Valkyrie, with a protective black singlet, and a medium dark blue jumper over the top. Casey-Jane on the other hand had full length dark purple protective pants, a black protective singlet and the same coloured purple on the protective jumper.

"I love them. Much better then Valkyrie's old ones." Casey-Jane said, replacing a black headband in her reddish-brown hair. Her ice blue eyes were staring at Skulduggery. A mage that Casey-Jane and Braeyln knew walked passed.

"G'day." They say with a nod, there Australian accents almost overwhelming their voices. The skeleton detective loved hearing it.

"Good morning, Braeyln." The mages eyes went to Casey-Jane's "Casey-Jane." He whispered. "How are you today?"

"I'm well. And you Kishan?"

"I'm fantastic, now that your here." Upon hearing this, Casey-Jane turns a dark shade of red. Kishan was an Elemental; his black hair was just long enough to cover part of his wonderfully dark brown eyes. Casey-Jane could stare at them all day. Kishan turns to skulduggery, and nods before walking away. Skulduggery waits until he was out of site before speaking.

"What was she charged with?"

"She was charged with her murder, first degree. And using magic in front of mortals." A deep growl escaped from Skulduggery's throat.

"Who arrested her?" both girls remained silent, they had agreed not to tell him. A long few seconds went by.

"Girls, tell me." They remained silent. Skulduggery looked at Braeyln. Even though no façade was present she knew he was hurting.

"Skulduggery, I'm sorry but we aren't going to tell you. Not until you need to know."

"I need to know."

"No. You don't." Braeyln wasn't one to back down, not even against Skulduggery. It was something of hers he admired. It was something that made her desirable, he had often wished they had met earlier, even by two weeks. Then maybe they could have been, Skulduggery mentally punched himself for thinking that way, he refused to finish that thought.

"Braeyln." He paused and looked deep into her eyes, making her stomach do flips. "Please." They were interrupted by a door opening. Braeyln quickly grabbed a hold of his arm as one of the new detectives walked out. He had been the one to arrest Valkyrie Cain, and Skulduggery knew it.

"Detective Braeyln, I trust you can keep a hold of the situation." The recently appointed detective didn't dare look at Skulduggery. He had been one of the many mages the supreme council had kindly forced upon the Irish sanctuary, to help them out in there time of need. Even though nothing major had happened for almost thirteen months now. Skulduggery hated every single one of them except Braeyln and Casey-Jane.

"You trust correctly." Braeyln didn't like most of the new mages either, her and Casey-Jane were the only ones from Australia because they were the best ones, and the grand mage trusted them the most. He raised them, almost eighteen years ago both of their parents died whilst protecting the grade mage. He figured it was only fair he looked after them. He trained them, taught them anything they wanted to know, they were only seventeen but they were skilled fighters and mages. Only very few sorcerers stood a chance against them, and they knew that.

"Alright, he's the case files." He quickly glanced at Skulduggery. "Make sure no prying eyes see It." he glances at Skulduggery again. "Or eye sockets." He hands Braeyln a folder and walks away. Braeyln's hold loosens on Skulduggery's arm. Casey-Jane walks on the other side of Braeyln and whispers something in her ear.

"Maybe you shouldn't go in Skulduggery. The English sanctuary's grand mage is in there."

"I'm going in. End of story."

"Skulduggery, anger and threats aren't going to do anything this time. She was charged with murder, we all know she didn't do it, but they don't we need to prove her innocents, not threaten the grand mage of a different country." Skulduggery knew Braeyln was right, he shouldn't go in. he had to though; Valkyrie was almost his whole world. He had to see her; it hurt not to be around her, like someone had cast a spell on him that made her irresistible.

"Braeyln." Skulduggery used his broken man voice. If anything happened to Valkyrie or Braeyln, he would be broken. "Please. I promise I won't do anything wrong. I just need to see her." Braeyln felt a stab at her heart, Skulduggery putting Valkyrie in more danger wasn't the only reason she didn't want him in there. She hated it when Skulduggery and Valkyrie were in the same room. Feeling their love for each other broken her heart. Braeyln was not only a skilled fighter she was also a very powerful sensitive. Her mother, Corona Brown was one of the world's best sensitive's she helped win the war ever so long ago. She was so powerful she could control when she had visions and what they were about, when she died; her powers seemed to go to her. Braeyln was an adapt who could take the powers of someone else if they died and if they were close to her heart. Braeyln didn't have a choice about taking their powers of in the adept power at all. She was part of a rare few who didn't get to choose their adepts powers. About 2% of the adept's population didn't choose their power. Braeyln had very strong feelings for Skulduggery, and she knew that he had equally strong feelings about her.

"Fine. But the second you do something you're out. I'm a prime detective in this case not you." Braeyln hated being so mean to him, but it was better that letting him know how she felt. Casey-Jane walked into the room, Braeyln followed and Skulduggery followed her, trying not to stare at her butt in those tight black pants. When He walked into the room he saw Valkyrie sitting on a metal chair. Tears were falling down her face. She looked up as Braeyln cleared her throat, her beautiful smile returned when she saw Skulduggery she got up and ran into his arms. She presses his façade and once the skin flows over his lips she kisses him with so much passion it makes Braeyln want to kill her. She tries to block out their thoughts but fails.

"Excuse me." Casey-Jane says. "Sorry to interrupt but Braeyln and I are here to interview you. Not join in on your foursome" Valkyrie dethatches herself from Skulduggery and goes and sits down. Casey looks at Braeyln, she nods a thank you. Braeyln takes a seat directly in front of Valkyrie, and Casey sits on her left. Skulduggery stands in the opposite corner of the English grad mage, who is sitting silently and deadly.

"Miss Cain, I'm detective Braeyln Tazzalana, and this is my partner Casey-Jane Sake. We are the prime detectives on your case, and were going to work twenty-four seven to find out the truth, no matter what that is." Valkyrie was almost hurt by this, being the smart nineteen year old she is she figured she was only following protocol so much was because a grade mage was watching her closely. "We are both on loan from the Australian sanctuary to help out you guys out. I'll remind you that we aren't the bad guys."

"I'm aware."

"Are you also aware that an English mage on loan to the Irish sanctuary went missing a few weeks ago?"

"Yes."

"Are you aware that her name was Amber flame? She was a very skilled elemental, who was far better than any other mage in the fire department, other than your very own Skulduggery pleasant."

"Yes."

"Are you aware that she was found several hours ago?"

"Yes."

"Are you aware she was brutally murdered? Her body was cut with necromancer shadows, and burnt with elemental flames."

"No, I wasn't."

"Are you aware we think you did it because of those facts?"

"Yes."

"No other person can use elemental and necromancer magic in this country."

"Did it ever occur to you that two different people kill her?"

"One set of foot prints, they belonged to a female. Eight and a half feet, weighting about 75 kilos. Ring any bells?" Valkyrie remains silent. Skulduggery was slightly confused with Braeyln's methods. With her physic powers she could just ask, did you do it and find out the truth with one question. Everyone in the room was glued to her eyes. Waiting for them to turn brown. Another power she had 'received' was that if she was lied to her eyes turned a dark milky brown.

"Miss Cain, what were you doing last night around ten thirty and 4am?"

"I was at home. Sleeping." Braeyln's eye turns slightly darker. Meaning that what she was just told wasn't the complete truth. Braeyln blinks her eyes to try and get rid of the pain that comes from them changing colour.

"Miss Cain, as I'm sure you are aware I am a physic I also have a rare power to know when people are lying to me. I decided not to invade your mind and intentionally read your thoughts, but if you lie to me again I will find out every dirty secret you have." Braeyln could sense a jolt of fear coming from Valkyrie.

"Now, what were you really doing?"

"I was in my bedroom. With skulduggery." Braeyln's heart breaks. Of course they were having sex, or at least what they could do seeing as he's just a skeleton. Braeyln wondered how she could have been so stupid; of course nothing would happen between her and Skulduggery. Casey took over for Braeyln for the few moments she needed to recover.

"What were you two doing?" Valkyrie looks at Skulduggery, he give her a slight nod.

"He asked me to marry him." Braeyln looks down at Valkyrie's hands; the right hand was covering her left. Valkyrie moved her right hand and they saw a huge ring on her left ring finger. Tears begin to form in Braeyln's eyes.

"Did you kill her?" Braeyln asks still looking down.

"No." Despite what Braeyln wanted, she felt no pain in her eyes.

"She's innocent. This interview is over." With that Braeyln walked quickly out of the room. As soon as she shut the door tears burst form her eyes. She couldn't help herself. She had been in love with Skulduggery from the day she had met him. She had heard of his work before she had met him. He had been her role model before Valkyrie Cain was even Valkyrie Cain. Why did she get him? How did she deserve him anymore that she did? Braeyln started running. Avoiding as many people as possible. She reaches the main entry of the sanctuary and runs out. She sees Skulduggery's magnificent Bentley, and right next to it is a Bright orange, 2012 Yamaha limited edition bike, one of only five-hundred made. Braeyln's runs to it, puts the helmet on and speeds off. She doesn't know where she's going nor does she care. She just needs to get away from her. From magic, she needs to go into the mortal world, and have some mortal fun.

Casey didn't care that Valkyrie and Skulduggery were getting married but she knew that Braeyln did care. The second Braeyln spoke she knew just how much pain she was in. When she ran out of the room, Casey knew that Braeyln needed some time, by the time Casey returned home tonight, Braeyln would be ready to talk.

"Valkyrie Cain. You are free to go." Casey says as she takes off the new 'cuff ring' the English sanctuary made. It bounds people's power and if they do something they don't like, or start burrowing underground a huge electrical shock enters their bodies and they become instantaneously unconscious no matter whom they are. It was originally designed to stop billy-ray sanguine from running away if he ever gets caught. They were very hot on their tails. Casey had never meet Tanith, but she had always wanted to. Tanith was Casey's role model. She wanted to be just like her, sexy, dangerous. Has an awesome catch phrase. Casey had spent days in bed when she had found out about the remnant inside of her, and ever since she has spent every spare second researching and testing ways to remove remnant inside of people's body. Casey will get that thing out of her. No matter what.

Skulduggery didn't like that they had to announce their engagement like this. He hadn't even meant to ask her that night. He had bought the ring a few weeks before he met Braeyln, he had gone to Valkyries last night to break-up with her. He had forgotten that he had placed the ring inside his coat jacket. He had given it to her because she was cold. He didn't allow his self to think about any of this until Braeyln had left the room. 'Maybe it's for the best." He thinks. He knew Braeyln cares for him, but that doesn't mean that anything could ever happen between them. Skulduggery really did care for Valkyrie. He always had. He still loved her, just not as much as he did before Braeyln. Maybe his feelings would come back once Braeyln was out of his life. Casey detached the new, experimental 'cuff ring' from Valkyrie and left the room. Valkyrie turned to Skulduggery.

"You know I didn't do it right?" she whispers. Skulduggery tilts his head to the side, turns around and leaves the room. He keeps walking even when Valkyrie calls out his name. She catches up.

"Skulduggery? Answer me please." He remains silent, and keeps walking towards the exit. She stops trying to get him to talk after a while. The leave the sanctuary and arrive at Skulduggery's car. Valkyrie and Skulduggery notice that Braeyln's Bike is missing. They hop in the car and Skulduggery begins to gracefully drive off.

"Okay we aren't in the sanctuary anymore, are you going to answer me now?"

"Every move we make in the sanctuary is being watched. There are so many sanctuary operatives from different countries; we can't trust any of them."

"Not even Braeyln or Casey-Jane?" Skulduggery takes a minute to think.

"Braeyln we can trust. The lie detecting thing works on her to. We have her trust."

"Are you sure? She was raised by the grade mage of Australia. He trusts her, she trusts him. They have a special bond, and if push comes to shove. She'd pick him."

"I'm not so sure. Over the last six months their bond has faded."

"Skulduggery, be rational here."

"I am being rational."

"Skulduggery, the grade mage of Australia is basically her father. He taught her everything she knows. Everything how to walk, how to talk, how to speak different languages, how to fight, how to use magic. He's taught her how to master all of her different magical techniques that kind of bond doesn't just disappear over a couple of months."

"Valkyrie, to me it sounds like someone is getting jealous."

"One, I don't get jealous. Two, you know I have a point. It would just be like me choosing dusk over you."

"No, it wouldn't."

"How would it be different?"

"It just would be." Skulduggery knew that Valkyrie was probably right, but he didn't like the fact that someone had that sort of power over Braeyln.

"Hey, would you mind dropping me off at my house? I haven't seen Alice in a while."

"Of course" Skulduggery knew Valkyrie was crazy worried that her reflection may have paid them a visit. It had been almost six months since they had found out that it had killed Valkyrie's cousin. She still blamed herself, her uncle knew she was dead, her aunt and other cousin just thought she went missing. Valkyrie had made the painful decision to force the reflection back into her mirror, it didn't seem right to pretend that everything was fine. That she was still alive, her family's heart broke almost every day, but at least they weren't living a lie.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the story. :) Please Review, if I don't get many reviews I'm not going to worry about continuing. Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to SWAY DARK, if you haven't read the old version she comes in a bit later, anyways if it wasn't for her this chapter would have never had been updated. So yeah, READ AND REVIEW PEOPLE! PLEASE *Puppy dog eyes* Peace out everyone.