Valkyrie hated car journeys, but she hated the Canary Car even more. Travelling in the Canary Car was just pitiful.
"Behold," Skulduggery had said proudly when they'd reached it.
"You're kidding," Valkyrie had replied, but she could tell that her skeleton friend was being completely serious.
"The Bentley and I fell out."
"Fell out?"
"Apparently I am incapable of changing a headlight bulb."
That was the reason why they'd arrived at the Sanctuary in a bright yellow excuse for a car. She was just glad that her dad hadn't seen it – one glance at this car and he'd have been smitten, and the only thing worse than Skulduggery having a Canary Car was her dad having a Canary Car. She shuddered as she imagined the family reunions; him showing off his car to everyone else, admiring his polishing skills and being generally oblivious to his relatives' judgemental stares and hushed voices. And then, inevitably, there would be that one family member (probably someone Valkyrie had never seen before) who would praise her dad on such a car, make a big fuss and probably force her to have a picture inside it. Valkyrie didn't think that was a good thing.
.
"How does anyone at the Sanctuary take you seriously?" Valkyrie asked as she stepped out of the car, brushing her sleeve to rid herself of a fake feather stuck to the edges of the seat.
"They don't," Skulduggery answered simply. "I'd be surprised if anyone did, really."
"So would I," Valkyrie replied, smirking.
The two of them walked over to the gallery, Valkyrie still cringing at the car, and soon they were inside the Sanctuary waiting to meet the Grand Mage.
"I'm afraid the Grand Mage and the Elders are otherwise engaged," Tipstaff said before Skulduggery had even opened his mouth to speak. "They won't be able to speak to you today."
"I assume they're talking about the slight problem of Tanith Low's activity," Skulduggery replied.
Tipstaff almost faltered in his answer, but managed to keep a firm tone to his voice. "I cannot disclose details of their discussions."
"So I'm right," the skeleton detective said. "What if I was to say I had the thing that is currently her most wanted item in my possession?"
Tipstaff bit his lip. "They have specifically asked not to be disturbed."
"I know what Tanith Low will do next. I know the route she's most likely to take, and the people she's most likely to contact."
"Come with me."
Valkyrie smiled and followed Skulduggery and Tipstaff through the Sanctuary. Skulduggery slowed down so he was walking next to Valkyrie, then crouched to talk to her.
"Nice going there," she said.
"Nothing to it," Skulduggery answered, but Valkyrie knew he'd be grinning if he was able to.
"So what is Tanith going to do next?"
"Secret."
"You have no idea, do you?" Valkyrie said, stifling a laugh.
"Only a little. Trick of the trade to get what you want, Valkyrie. Do try and keep up," the skeleton replied, and with that rushed off to catch up with Tipstaff.
.
Valkyrie had forgotten how long it took to walk through the Sanctuary – it was a lot bigger than it looked – so sighed in relief when Tipstaff eventually stopped at a large door.
"They're in here," he informed them both, before knocking on the door. There was a mumble and a scrape of chairs, then the door swung open.
"Tipstaff." Ghastly Bespoke answered them, a weary expression on his face. He looked upset, almost in mourning, and Valkyrie could understand why.
"Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are here to address the Council, Elder Bespoke," Tipstaff replied, smiling weakly.
Ghastly pinched the bridge of his nose. "Were we not clear enough when we requested no interruptions?"
Tipstaff shuffled his feet nervously, and Skulduggery took the opportunity to take over the conversation.
"Ghastly," the skeleton began. "Elder Bespoke. I demanded that Valkyrie and I address the Council as a matter of urgency. I believe we may have obtained some new information on the whereabouts and activity of Miss Tanith Low – or rather, the Remnant that is controlling her."
"And will be forevermore…" Ghastly muttered, the sorrow flashing across his face once again. "I'm afraid that rules have to be adhered to, Skulduggery. No interruptions means no interruptions."
"Elder Bespoke!" A voice called out from inside the room. "What is going on out there?"
"I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave," Ghastly said.
"And I'm afraid I'm going to have to respectfully disobey you," Skulduggery answered, slipping through the gap left by the partially open door. Valkyrie moved just quickly enough to follow him.
Ghastly grumbled something incomprehensible, glared at Tipstaff and then reluctantly slumped back into the room.
"Council of Elders!" Skulduggery shouted as he strode inside, acting like the Grand Mage himself. "I have come here today to announce to you the plans of a certain Tanith Low, whom I know you have been trying and perhaps… not completely succeeding to locate."
"Skulduggery," Valkyrie hissed, trying to get him to appear less cocky than his usual self. Unsurprisingly, it had no effect.
"I know exactly where Miss Low is likely to be right now, and I am certain of her target."
"With all due respect," Grand Mage Ravel began, chuckling, "I'm not sure you can be trusted, Mr Pleasant. It does seem a tad… odd for you to know her location."
"Deduction," the skeleton replied. "Detective skills, Grand Mage. That and some rather… unpleasant encounters with her in the last couple of days."
"Encounters?" the Grand Mage asked, raising an eyebrow. "You aren't painting a good picture of yourself here, Pleasant."
"He's second on her hitlist." Valkyrie stepped forward.
"The first being who?" Ghastly questioned.
"Me."
Grand Mage Ravel leant backwards into his plush-looking chair, cracking his knuckles. Valkyrie assumed he did it to assert some sort of authority in addition to his title, but she found it somewhat laughable.
"You're the first person she wants to kill?"
Valkyrie swallowed hard. "I'm more powerful than you think."
"You're a teenager."
"With all due respect," Skulduggery interrupted, mocking Ravel using his earlier phrase, "I think the more pressing matter isn't why, but rather what will happen to her and when."
"And you're telling me you know this?" the Grand Mage said.
"Indeed I am. Tanith Low herself is going to burst through the ceiling of this room in three, two, one…"