Hey everyone! It's been a very long time indeed. It feels good to be here at my laptop writing chapters for
(hopefully!) your satisfaction. I'll be putting a chapter up for How That Happened later on today. I hope you
still like my stories after so long, but I had a massive idea shortage, and I lost track of time completely.
Sorry! Anyway, on with the story! This one is dedicated to Rosa Lilly 5 for getting me back into writing. I'm afraid you're going to be in it without this story now... Hope you like it! Xxx

Valkyrie rolled over in bed and looked at the time. 7am. Too early to get up. She had had a late night last night, planning ways to find and get Tanith. It hadn't helped at all. Every plan they made had a fault or a problem involved. It was no use. They couldn't plan ahead with it. She threw herself out of bed and grabbed her dressing gown, slipping into it as she skipped down the stairs.

Skulduggery was in the kitchen, making breakfast. He looked at her and tilted his head.

"I didn't expect you to be up this early." She shrugged at him. He put a large plate of food on the table and she sat down to eat.

"So, what's on the schedule today?" She shoved a forkful of food into her mouth and looked at him.

"Well," he began, "Seraphic's friend is flying over from London to meet everyone. She'll be here in two hours, so if you could speed it along..." He gestured to her food.

Val nodded. "Sure. What's her name?" Skulduggery opened his mouth to speak, then stopped and shrugged.

"Haven't been told. If I have, I wasn't listening. Now, go and get ready. Lord knows how long you'll take."

She threw a nearby towel at him, then put her plate in the sink and walked upstairs.

Erskine was awoken by a shaking feeling. He opened his eyes and saw Seraphic standing over him, already dressed and made-up.

"I told you that you needed to get up by 6. It's now 7:30. I'm not happy Erskine." She walked downstairs. He stood up and pulled some jeans on, then grabbed a top and walked downstairs.

"Come on," he pleaded as he walked into the living room after her, "You can't expect me to work late then get up really early the next morning! That's literally impossible!" She glared him and he shut up.

"Anyway," she said, walking into the kitchen, "There's an egg in the frying pan and bacon under the grill. Plate it up, shut up and eat." He smiled. She couldn't help but smile back. How could you be angry at such a good looking face for so long?

They sat at the table and talked for half an hour, then Erskine went to get ready. Seraphic was sat at the table when she got a message.

Only an hour away! Can't wait! Still meeting me at the train station though? Xxxx

Seraphic smiled, then wrote back Of course! :D Xxxx . She ran upstairs, got her coat and shoes on and dragged Erskine out.

Ghastly got up and went downstairs. The house was silent. As usual. No one waking up to see him. No one making him breakfast, or to make breakfast for. Lonely as always. He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of orange, then sauntered into the living room and switched on the T.V. This Morning was on. Not much on then. He flicked through and eventually found last nights football results. He finished his drink, then went upstairs to get ready.

Half an hour later, he was at the train station waiting for the others. The next to arrive was Seraphic. She looked excited and the air around her was happy.

"Where's Erskine? What did you do to him?" Ghastly looked behind her, but there was no sign of Erskine.

"He's still in the car. He wasn't totally ready when we left. He got up late, I was ready and we needed to go. So I dragged him out anyway." Ghastly frowned.

"How unready is he?" His question was answered when Erskine walked up the steps to the train station with his jacket and tie off, several of his top buttons undone and only one shoe on. "Oh..."

"She just threw me in the car! I only had my jeans on! People were staring at me!" Seraphic laughed.

"You should have seen this old lady's reaction!" She laughed even harder. Valkyrie and Skulduggery walked up the steps. Skulduggery pointed to Seraphic and shrugged. Ravel shook his head.

"Best not to ask." There was a screech of brakes as the train pulled into the station. After a few seconds, it came to a halt and the doors opened. After a few seconds, it came to a halt and the doors opened. A woman with long blonde hair, a body warmer and skinny jeans got off the train. Her nails were a shade of rose pink, matching her body warmer perfectly. They weren't too long, or too short, but kept nice. Her skinny jeans were a light blue, matching her suitcase. Everything complimented everything else. She turned her head and saw Seraphic. Walking up, she dropped her stuff and gave her a hug.

"Wow!" Seraphic exclaimed, pulling away. "You look so good! It's been ages since I last saw you!"

"Me? You look good! And yes, it has been ages. Too long." She looked around at the others.

"Oh, yes, introductions! Everyone, this is Rosa Lilly. Rosa, this is Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Erskine and Ghastly."

"Hello Valkyrie. I've heard a lot about you. And you Skulduggery. Hello Erskine, nice to meet you."

"Hands off. He's mine." They laughed.

"Hello Ghastly." She shook his hand. Ghastly looked at Rosa. She was pretty. not that she would like someone like
him.

"Hello Rosa. May I ask what age you are. You don't look very old. 25? 26?"

"That's very flattering, but no. I'm 216. I started very young."

"Well, you don't look it at all." Rosa blushed. Seraphic looked to Val and they shared a smile.

After they were all sorted and in cars, they travelled to the Sanctuary. As they entered through the doors, they
were greeted by Tipstaff. He stood at Rosa's heel, not sure of her.

"It's okay Tipstaff," Seraphic assured him, "You can go now." He stayed where he was. "Tipstaff, I swear she's
safe. We're friends." He stayed still. "Tipstaff!"

"It's fine, Tipstaff," Erskine addressed him. He glared at Seraphic then left.

"What's up with him?" Rosa asked Seraphic.

"My guess is he likes Erskine. It's a theory I've had for a few months now." Erskine looked at her and his eyebrows
raised.

"He likes me? Seriously? The worst it could get is that you get more attention from me than he does. But he doesn't like me."

"Really? Watch this then." She opened the door to Tipstaff's desk. "Tipstaff, could I get a drink of water please?"

"You know where the cups and sink are," was his muttered reply. Seraphic turned to Erskine. He went to the door.

"Tipstaff, could I have a cappuchino?" Tipstaff stood up.

"We haven't got any milk in. I'll go get some now." He left for the shops. Erskine turned to everyone. They all stared at him.

"That doesn't prove anything!" Seraphic shook her head and lead them to Erskine's office.

"Right," she said to Rosa. "First thing's first, you'll be going with Skulduggery and Valkyrie. I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all."

"Good, You'll be hunting a known murderer named Harry Carter. He's killed thre of our mages in the past week. You'll find him near Drogheda. He's set up camp there."

"Come on then girls." Skulduggery lead them out. "Oh, and Seraphic? Next time, try not to make me work with two
females next time. It's bad enough with one." Valkyrie punched his arm and they walked to the Bentley.

Hope you will continue to read this. I know it's not great, but it'd mean a lot. Thanks. Xxx