Skulduggery strolled calmly through the halls of the Sanctuary. He didn't look like a man who had just lost his two best friends and his partner. Skulduggerys coping methods were simple. Denial.
He knew Ghastly and Shudder were gone but he didn't have to let Valkyrie go too. She could still be saved.
Skulduggery was in the Sanctuary for one reason. That reason was a vision in gray elder robes. With full, painted lips, cold yet glittering eyes, straight black hair that shimmered where the light touched it and a smile that made most men forget their names.
Grand mage China Sorrows.
She greeted Skulduggery with one of her disarming smiles but Skulduggery was unaffected. He nodded at her and sighed a hello.
"China, you know why I'm here. I have to get Valkyrie back. You said you had a way to help?
China smiled again and Skulduggery pretended to take no notice.
"Yes, I heard a few things. What's in it for me if I tell you?"
"My appreciation and gratitude?"
China laughed and walked over to Skulduggery.
"I'll help you now and claim my prize after Valkyrie is safe. I promise you it won't harm anyone, not even the bad guys, and it won't be anything you couldn't handle. So, let's shake on it"
She held out her hand.
"I think I can manage that" His gloved fingers wrapped around Chinas hand, firmer than most men who had shaken her hand. Skulduggery didn't see China as a delicate doll, he saw her as a possible threat and someone who he wouldn't mind putting a few bullets in.
"Valkyrie was sighted by Serpines old castle."
Skulduggery tensed. "And….?"
Chinas smile turned into a deadly smirk.
"With an old friend of yours"
Skulduggery jerked to attention. "What?" He asked slowly.
"Apperantly Darquesse is evolving. She can bring back the dead"
China held up a photo. It was Valkyrie, dressed like a bride of the blood tears, shaking hands with a man Skulduggery had thought was dwelling in the very pits of hell.
Nefarian Serpine