Valkyrie Cain was not happy!. She fumbled with her house keys (Gordon's house). She opened the door and walked straight in dropping her bag on the floor. She was on the verge of tears.

A meet a nice guy. I on a couple of dates with him. Then he tries to rapes me!. Valkyrie thought to herself. She couldn't told the tears in any longer. She started crying. She fell onto the couch and just sat there. Letting the tears fall down her face freely. She heard footsteps and jumped from the couch hoping it wasn't him!. Instead of it being him a tall skeleton appeared in the doorway wearing a suit. He gasped when he saw her crying.

"Valkyrie what's wrong?" Skulduggery asked grabbing her by the shoulders. Valkyrie didn't say anything she just started to cry again. Skulduggery hugged her.

"Shhh, its ok, what happened?"

"Zach…he….he…tried to rape me". Skulduggery's hands clenched into fists.

"Why do men always treat me like this?" Valkyrie whispered. Skulduggery broke the hug and wiped away her tears.

"He's not good enough for you" Skulduggery said to her. Valkyrie smiled a little and then sighed. Skulduggery is so right Valkyrie thought to herself.

"Is there a reason why you're here?" Valkyrie asked trying to change the subject.

Skulduggery's hands drop "What can't a friend visit?" He was pretending to sound hurt.

"No" Valkyrie said laughing.

"Fine" Skulduggery said. He reached into his coat and pulled out a single file. He handed it to Valkyrie and she sat down and read it.

Name : Harrison Gordon.

Sex: Male

Birthday: 1921, 25th of May

Country: Ireland.

Crime: Murder and torture.

People's names :Unknown.

Valkyrie put the file down. And looked up at Skulduggery, who had his hands in his pockets.

"Harrison has escaped from prison and wishes to continue his life work"

"Which is?"

"He's like a mad scientist. He'll take any random person then do tests"

Valkyrie raised an eyebrow "Then how do they die?"

"Either the test will kill them or he will"

"So now we must stop him!" Valkyrie said rising from the couch. Skulduggery laughed then nodded. They headed out the door then into Skulduggery's Bentley. They drove down a normal road. But after about half hour they turned down a road. The road was made of dirt and besides them was lots of green tree's and plants.

"Where are we going?" Valkyrie asked.

"Where going to go visit Bella Gordon" Skulduggery answered.

"Who the heck is Bella Gordon?"

"She happens to be the only person who ever survived Harrison's torture and she also happens to be a friend I haven't seen for a while"

"Wait did you say Bella Gordon. Is she related to Harrison"

"Yes, she happens to be his daughter"

Valkyrie's face turned sad. Skulduggery looked at her.

"What's wrong?" Skulduggery asked.

"Nothing, Its just that who in there right mind would wont to torture there own family?"

"Someone like Harrison, That's how her mother died"

"Poor girl" Valkyrie whispered. The Bentley turned another corner and they arrived at a small cottage. It was in a open space with tall tree's surrounding it. It was made out of stone and had a small chimney. They got out of the car. Valkyrie heard something coming from behind her. Valkyrie turned and nearly screamed. Skulduggery turned to look at her and Valkyrie pointed to the ground.

A Black snake was sliding on the ground towards Valkyrie. It was the size of a full grown python. It's eyes where huge and a blue green colour. It was coming at Valkyrie fast. Skulduggery stepped in front and summoned a fireball into his hand. The Snake beard its teeth and was ready to strike.

"Viper enough!" Yelled a voice from behind. The snake didn't stop but instead of attacking them it went straight passed them. Skulduggery and Valkyrie turned around to the owner of the voice.

Before them stood a young girl about the same age as Valkyrie. Her skin was very pale and she had the most raven hair. She was slim and was wearing a black sun dress, bear foot. Her eyes where blood red and around her neck was a silver chain with a single black crystal.

The snake went up her leg and wrapped itself around her waist and rested its head on her shoulder. Watching Valkyrie very closely. The girl smiled revealing white teeth and ran at Skulduggery. Valkyrie thought she was going to attack. But instead of attacking she hugged him.

Skulduggery hugged her back. She broke the hug and did a small bow.

"Am sorry Viper tried to attack you" The girl said. "Just doesn't like much strangers"

"Viper knows me" Skulduggery said.

"Yes but not her" The girl said looking at Valkyrie. Valkyrie notice something about her. She didn't seem human. More like a Vampire.

"Ah Valkyrie this is Bella Gordon. Bella this is Valkyrie Cain" Skulduggery said gesturing to Bella.

"Its not only Bella" The girl called Bella said.

"Ah so you've finally picked a name" Skulduggery laughed. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"

Bella smiled "Raven Shadow at your service" Skulduggery lightly laughed.

"Your mums name" Skulduggery whispered. The girl now known as Raven nodded. Raven turned to Valkyrie and took out her hand. Valkyrie smiled and shook it.

"I've heard about you. Such a brave girl"

Valkyrie smiled. Skulduggery suddenly reached into his pocket and brought out a small package.

"Told you I wouldn't forget. Happy eighteen birthday" Skulduggery said handing her the package. She was the exact some age as Valkyrie. Raven smiled and took the package. She opened it slowly and gasped when she saw what was in side. It was a big black bracelet

With blue swirls.

Raven squealed and jumped into skulduggery's arms. "Thankyou so much Skulduggery" She yelled.

"Happy birthday" Valkyrie said. Raven smiled and gave Valkyrie a hug.

"Thanks" Raven said. She slid the bracelet on her wrist and looked at it. Viper slid onto the ground again and slid of into the trees. Raven watched her pet disappear and then starting walking into her house. Skulduggery and Valkyrie followed her in. The inside of her house was cute. When you walked in there was the lounge room. It had wooden floors and walls. There was a blue rug and a white couch. The TV was in front of the couch. In the corner was about 3 bookshelves that was stacked with books The kitchen was in the same room it had white counters with stools. It had everything you needed in a kitchen, fridge, stove, dishwasher etc. There was one thing Valkyrie notice. Laying on the couch was a sword. Its handle was black and had a black piece of string handing from it. But that wasn't the thing Valkyrie notice. It was the shadows that were circling it.

"I see you changed you weapon" Skulduggery said, also noticing the sword. Raven looked at Skulduggery and smiled.

"Yeah my jacket broke" Raven shook her head "Shame to it was my favorite jacket". Raven sat on the couch and patted the space next to her for Skulduggery to sit down.

"So what brings you to my place" Raven asked as Skulduggery sat down. Skulduggery handed her the file and she took it. She read it for one moment until her face went sad. She put the file on the small coffee table. She sighed.

"So my crazy dad has escaped" Raven whispered. "Am guessing that you wont my help?"

Skulduggery nodded. "But you don't have to"

Raven sighed again. "I'll think about it" They all heard a noise from outside. Raven was outside in a flash. Skulduggery and Valkyrie followed her. Raven picked up Viper and put her ear to Vipers mouth as if she knew what Viper was saying. Ravens face turned serious and then the snake went into the house. Raven turned to the house and went inside. Before Valkyrie and Skulduggery had a chance to follow her in she was back outside in a flash with her sword.

She's to fast to be human Valkyrie thought to herself. Raven turned to face them both.

"Someone's on there way and they don't sound friendly" Raven said. "You guys have to go inside and hide"

"No were going to help you" Skulduggery said.

"Your cant. Its properly someone my dad has sent. He cant know you're here so please Skulduggery go inside and hide" Skulduggery looked at her for a moment before nodding and going inside. Valkyrie followed them. The hid bellow the window so they could watch what was happening. The tree's shuffled a bit before a person appeared. He was bald and his body was so big and muscular it looked like he might explode. He was tall like a troll and was marching towards Raven who was sitting on the ground like she was doing nothing. She looked towards the person and smile

"Little Timmy its been awhile"

"Don't call be little Timmy!" Timmy shouted.

Raven shook her head "What has my dad done to you?"

"My uncle has made me stronger and better then you and your brother"

"Must of made you more stupid as well by the looks of it" Raven started laughing

"Don't you dare laugh" He roared "Speaking of Family, thats why am here. To take you back"

Raven stood from the ground "There's no way am going back so you can just run along now"

"I'll make you then" Timmy roared before charging at Raven. Raven jumped in the air and did a flip twisting her leg so she could kick him. She kicked him hard on the nose and landed back on her feet. He swung his arm at her but she jumped in the air again. Bringing out her sword she slashed it across his arm. He hissed in pain and watched at the shadows moved up his arm, making the pain worse. He roared again. Then his body expanded and he become much bigger.

"Oh shit" Raven muttered. He swung his arms again and this time he hit Raven hard in the stomach. All the wind was knocked out of Raven. She took a deep breath. She dodged his punch and flipped threw the air. She slashed out her sword and got him across his chest. He hissed and as Raven went to land on the ground he swung his fists and caught her legs. Raven fell to the ground and held onto her broken leg. Timmy went to kick her but she rolled. She stabbed her sword into his foot. He jumped back and pulled the sword out. Which was a huge mistake. If you touch a Necromancer weapon without permission the shadows will crash you.

Once he touched the sword the shadows spreaded quickly around his arm. There was a noise that went quack and Timmy dropped the sword, holding his broken arm.

"You stupid girl!" Timmy yelled. He brought his foot down on Ravens chest and then there was another quacking noise. Raven grabbed her side and screamed. Before he could do it again. Viper came out of nowhere and wrapped himself around Timmy's neck. Timmy tried to remove viper but he held on tight, starting to choke him. From the inside of the house Skulduggery stood when he heard Ravens scream.

"No!" He yelled before running outside. Skulduggery appeared outside and ran straight for Raven. Her breathing was hard and blood was running out of her mouth.

"Take my sword" Raven whispered before fainting. Skulduggery turned to see that Timmy had fainted as well. Thanks to Viper. Skulduggery picked up Raven and her sword and ran to the Bentley with Valkyrie following him. Viper wrapped himself around Ravens waist again. They all got into the car and drove off.