This chapter is dedicated to the one and only ReaderMagnifigue for being my first reviewer. They have given me a lot to thing about. Thank You.

So without further ado, I now present to you my second chapter.

Tanith's long blonde hair blew in the wind behind her as she drove down to Ghastly's place. Ghastly previously rang her to tell her that he needed to talk to her but didn't specify what that was exactly. She finally arrived at her destination, as she walked towards the front door she could see Skulduggery through the window pacing the floor. Oh this is going to be bad... Tanith thought to herself.

"Hey guys," Tanith said, "You said you wanted to talk to me Ghastly?"

Ghastly was sitting on his sofa, with a black expression across his face staring at the floor. He then snapped out of his gaze as he felt a weight of Tanith sitting beside him and looked back at Tanith, with tired eyes. Okay, now someone better tell me what the hell is going on! Tanith said internally.

"It's Valkyrie..." Ghastly mumbled.

"What do you mean; what happened to her? Is she OK?," She exclaimed, whilst jumping off the sofa so she was able to switch her eye contact between Skulduggery and Ghastly in a more effective manner.

"Well...she sort of collapsed." Skulduggery stated.

Tanith stood there speechless, her eyebrows raised so high that they could of been touching the ceiling if they still weren't attached to her face.

"Wh- What?" Tanith whispered, finally finding her voice.

"Darquesse come back," Skulduggery responsed dully, "Valkyrie phoned me to come around because she needed to talk to me, but she sounded really weak..."

As Skulduggery continued to tell the story about what happened when he got to Valkyrie's house he started to become more annoyed, his bony hands forming into fists. Even though Skulduggery was very clearly annoyed about the previous events, this didn't stop Tanith from questioning Skulduggery.

"What's wrong with her? Is it because of Darquesse? Is she awake yet? Why aren't you with her?" Tanith said. Meanwhile her brain was thinking other things: 'I'm away for one week and Valkyrie, my best friend and sister, has collapsed...well this is just great!'

"Tanith, are you OK?" Ghastly said as he walked over to her. Ghastly knew Tanith inside out and was able to read her like an open book - especially when she had conversations with herself.

"Yeah," She said, wrapping her arms around Ghastly's neck and hugging him tightly. "I'm just really worried about her." Ghastly responded by gently stroking her hair.

"We all are," Ghastly said placing his chin on top of her head, "We just need to think positive, don't we Skulduggery?" He said looking over at the Skeleton, as an attempt to try and lighten the mood.

Skulduggery remained silent.

"Skulduggery... do you want a hug?" Tanith said, breaking out of her hug with Ghastly and slowly creeping over to Skulduggery.

"Don't you dare...", Skulduggery said.

As Tanith was getting closer and closer to were Skulduggery was sitting, Skulduggery was about to manipulate the air to cause her to fall back in Ghastly's direction but just before he could do this, he heard a voice come from another side of the room.

"I think I deserve a hug," said Valkyrie with a cheeky smirk. All their heads quickly turned to see Valkyrie leaning on door frame with her arms folded.

Tanith screamed with excitement: "Valkyrie!" She ran over to Valkyrie and scooped her up in the air and swung her around. "Oh my goodness Valkyrie, never scare me like that again! Do you hear me? Never!"

Valkyrie couldn't help but laugh: "You miss me then?" she replied with a giggle.

"OF COURSE! Did you bump your head when you blacked out?" Tanith said, trying to make a joke out of the situation. Valkyrie laughed and punched her arm lightly: "Oh shut up you!" Valkyrie said smiling.

Skulduggery was standing across the room, Ghastly moved over to Skulduggery and said quickly so Valkyrie didn't hear: "She's fine. Now stop worrying".

Skulduggery didn't respond but Ghastly knew that he was listening.

"Glad you are feeling better Valkyrie, you gave us all a fright." Ghastly said, resting his hand on her shoulder. Valkyrie looked up at Ghastly: "Thanks G", she replied with a soft smile.

Tanith gave Ghastly a look which suggests 'let's give these guys some alone time'. Ghastly smiled back at her and gave a slight nod.

"Okay guys, me and Ghastly are going to go back to mine...It's been a long day. Glad to see you are still alive Val" said Tanith, walking over to Ghastly and putting her hand in his.

"I left the keys on the table, just lock up when you both leave," Ghastly instructed whilst putting on his coat. When Tanith and Ghastly left, the room fell into silence.

"Is everything okay?" Valkyrie said, maintaining her distance from Skulduggery.

"Yes of course, relieved that you are still alive." Skulduggery replied, "Well let me take you home. You must be exhausted."

"Wait" Valkyrie said stepping forward, "Something seems wrong...I know you like to pretend that nothing bothers you but you know you can tell me anything right?"

Skulduggery looked into Valkyrie's eyes. I wish I could tell you... He thought to himself.

"Nothing is wrong, now come on. Bed." Skulduggery said as he put his arm around Valkyrie's shoulder and softly pushing her forward in the direction of the door.

The thought of being in bed made Valkyrie realise how tired she really was. After they locked up Ghastly's place, Skulduggery drove Valkyrie home. The car journey was quiet for the duration of it. This was partly due to Valkyrie falling asleep the moment she leaned her head against the car window. Once they arrived outside her house, Skulduggery opened to passenger door and lifted Valkyrie out of the car, who was going in and out of sleep as he carried her up to her room. Skulduggery looked down at Valkyrie and couldn't help but smile to himself. As he gently laid her down on her bed, he couldn't help but take a moment to take in all of her facial features. Everything about her is just perfect... He thought to himself. Once he knew Valkyrie was completely settled and safe, he started to climb out of the window but decided to take one last look at her for the night.

"I love you Valkyrie..." Skulduggery said.

Then he was gone.

Please tell me what you think, I would really appreciate it!

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~Onyx Shadows~