Valkyrie absentmindedly munched on her chips as she highlighted her textbook. She sat across Livia Thorn, a young mage her age that had the power to memorise everything she came across. Basically, she was super smart.

While Valkyrie studied for her Physics test that was on next week, Livia was reading one of the books on magical theory that Hopeless had given her from his collection. It was in latin.

Suddenly, Valkyrie's phone began ringing, breaking the silence of the study hall with the opening of Michael Buble's cover of Mr and Mrs Jones.

"Shit," She hissed, dropping her bag of crisps, "Sorry!" She called to the hall monitor.

Livia shook her head, going back to her book.

"I'm at school, Skulduggery!" Valkyrie hissed, wiping the salt on her fingers on her uniform.

"We're going to Galway," Skulduggery replied in his velvety, smooth voice.

"Galway?" Valkyrie grimaced, "Why on earth are we going to Galway?"

"There's been a string of murders with a suspicious amount of exploding brains involved."

Valkyrie raised her eyebrows, "Wow, okay- I get to control the music."

"I think not."

"Skulduggery, please- I'm not spending-" She tilted the phone away slightly, "Liv, how long does it take to drive to Galway?"

"Two hours and fifteen minutes."

"Skulduggery, I'm not spending two hours and fifteen minutes listening to bloody violins," Valkyrie told him.

"Oh lord, you're whining- I knew there was a reason you were my third option."

"Third? Who were the first two?"

"Satya and Dexter."

"You hate Satya's music taste and Dexter would spend too much time talking."

"Yes, you have that in common."

Valkyrie rolled her eyes, "You're going to let me control the music otherwise I'll tell the others about the Grace Kelly autograph you keep."

Livia put down her book, looking up in interest.

Valkyrie was met with silence, "See that's funny because I was joking," She grinned widely, "Where do you keep it? In the Bentley?"

"Fine," Skulduggery grumbled, "You control the music."

"And we stop for food whenever I feel like it."

"Now you're just pushing it."

"Good thing Satya's on my speed dial, do you mind holding-"

"Fine."

Valkyrie grinned triumphantly, "You can call my mum and tell her I'll be going to Galway while you're at it."

"I'm remembering why I was trying to convince Hopeless to fire you."

"Aw, don't be like that- You know you love me- We're going to have so much fun jamming out on our road trip!"

She heard Skulduggery sigh, "You're going to hold this over me for a long time, aren't you?"

She grinned, "Of course, dear," She imitated him.