Hello /waves

just so you all know, i have deleted my story 'goddess within' i didnt feel it going anywhere so i decided to start with something new

i have been thinking of this story for quite a while now and have finally stopped being lazy and wrote something

The OC's i had in 'goddess within' will be in this story but their names will be changed around slightly.

the GOOD news is that Valkyrie wont be dead in this one XD

ENJOY

It was a cold day. Valkyrie Cain was use to those kind of days by now. It was cold, windy and there was no speck of light in the sky. Worst of all it was raining and she couldn't help but shiver. Besides her was her partner in crime Skulduggery pleasant. Who was wearing his usual choice of clothing. Wide brimmed hat, scarf and his fake wig.

"Why do we have to go to the sanctuary now?" Valkyrie asked him. She dipped her hands into her pockets.

"it's a new case Val, I told you about it two days ago" He informed her as they headed towards the old sanctuary building.

"So soon after the last one?" Valkyrie remembered the last criminal they had caught and how long it had taken to finally track him down…

"I thought you loved adventure" He said smugly.

"But when was the last time we were called by Guild?. I hate Crux and Guild, you know that plus im tired" She whined and tried remembering the last time she had gotten some decent sleep. Skulduggery looked at her and sighed.

"We'll just walk in there and be out in about five seconds!" He promised. They entered through the doors. Valkyrie smiled.

"Counting….NOW" She spoke sarcastically. Skulduggery shook his head and nodded a hello to Phil Lynott as he opened up the secret door and allowed them through. They had quite talk as they waited for Guild to arrive and about an hour later he welcomed them with his appearance and Valkyrie sighed, making them always wait. As usual.

"Detective" Guild greeted, only addressing Skulduggery. "Come this way" He gestured them forward and without a word they followed him down the corridors and into his office. It was surprisingly big and there was a large wooden desk. Guild sat himself down on a chair behind the desk and waited for them to find there own place to sit.

"So" Skulduggery said after he found a small chair to sit in.

"Please, no funny comments. Just read the file" Guild scowled and handed them the file. Skulduggery glanced at Guild and then shrugged and opened the thin file, while he read Guild begun speaking.

"Now, I don't like the fact that I had to call you in here and request your help"

"And we don't like the fact that we had to drag ourselves here either" Valkyrie added. Guild sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Detective, do you by any chance remember the Childs family?" He asked, ignoring Valkyrie's comment. Skulduggery ever so slowly glanced up at Guild and Valkyrie could of sworn she saw him flinch at the mere mention of that name.

"Yes. Zach and his wife Alice Childs?" He asks slowly, making sure it was the right family.

"Also formally known as Ignitus Flames and Cynder Kai, They also have a niece named Isabella"

Skulduggery paused.

"Niece?"

"Yes. Her mother unfortunately passed away a few years back" Valkyrie sat there. Utterly confused about what they were talking about and went to say something but decided to ask Skulduggery later.

"Their whole family has gone missing one by one. Ignitus, Cynder and Isabella are the only ones who actually haven't gone missing yet" Guild explained. "The latest one to go missing was some late uncle that wasn't even in contact with them"

Skulduggery nodded and processed all the information into his head.

"We will try to make contact with the remaining family members" Skulduggery told him.

"I was very disappointed when Ignitus came requesting YOUR help instead of Crux" He said flatly.

"Maybe he knew who the better detective was" Skulduggery said smugly and stood up from his chair. Taking the file with him. "Have a good day Guild" Valkyrie had shut the door before Guild could protest and explain anymore about the case.

It was quiet as they headed back to the Bentley and Valkyrie had questions running around in her head. Then Skulduggery spoke as if he had been reading her mind.

"I suppose your wondering how I know the Childs family?"

"Yeah…." Was her simple reply as they got into the Bentley. They sat there for a few more moments and Valkyrie thought he wasn't going to reply until he turned his full attention to her.

"As you already know. The Childs name our there given names. But they both had different names during the war" Valkyrie waited for him to continue.

"Zach Child- Ignitus Flames. Was a friend of mine during the war and a general. His family was quite rich" He started the engine and drove a slow pace down the road.

"And Cynder Kai?" That's when Skulduggery flinched.

"She, as you know is Ignitus's wife but she was also my wife's best friend" Valkyrie's face softened and she looked out the window. She knew It was a sensitive subject but chose her words carefully.

"So that's how you know them, because of your wife?"

"Yes. After the war we barely kept in touch" Skulduggery sighed and Valkyrie smiled softly.

"Were are we headed?" She asked. Changing the subject for him before it got to painful.

"China's library"

"Why?"

Skulduggery handed over the file and Valkyrie read it quickly.

"A what? What's a paranormal?" She asked a few minutes later and raised her eyebrow at Skulduggery.

"Im not to sure. that's why im hoping China can help"

About ten minutes later they were walking up the stairs that led to China's library. They knocked on the door and it was opened for them. They walked through and found China scanning the selves. As always she was breath taking, but Valkyrie kept her feelings to herself.

"What brings you two here?" China asked without having to look away from the shelve.

"Just doing some research" Skulduggery replied and disappeared behind the book cases. Valkyrie went to follow him but China stopped her.

"Valkyrie my dear, how are you?"

"Im good thanks" Valkyrie said and slightly hesitated. "How are you?"

"Good but slightly irritated. I've been searching for this book for ages now but it seems no were in sight" China looked at Valkyrie and smiled. She slowly smiled back and felt someone bump into her. She turned around to see the stranger. Soon realising it was actually Skulduggery who was holding a very old book in his hands.

"Paranormals: Beings who weld the power to seek the dead and lost souls of both good and evil. Abilities to move objects with their minds and act as ghosts themselves" He paused and slammed the book shut. "Ah…." He realised and Valkyrie frowned at him.

"I remember now. During the war, a whole group of Paranormals were taken over and reeked havoc upon towns and cities. I thought all of them had died out…."

"Taken over? By what?" Valkyrie asked and glanced at the book.

"Remember how it said 'Beings who weld the power to seek the dead and lost souls of both good and evil?'" He continued when Valkyrie nodded.

"It means my dear Valkyrie, that whoever is a paranormal has a soul that is both good and evil"

"Like split personalities?" Skulduggery nodded.

"Paranormals are very rare. It only happens to the eldest child of the family. Or sometimes it just doesn't happen"

"So what have Paranormals got to do with the missing members of the Child's family?"

"Because dear Valkyrie. Isabella Child is a Paranormal"

*gulps* well?..........