A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Tanith, Ghastly, Lord Vile, China, or Valkyrie. I'm calling telepathy linking here. This takes place about six months after the main action of Chapter One, so Val is almost 21, still holding on to 20.
The cat rode happily on the skeleton's shoulders as he sauntered through the flea market. The sun felt good on her warm fur, and she purred in pleasure, kneading her paws rhythmically into his shoulder, her claws sheathed. You're enjoying yourself, aren't you? He linked.
The cat butted her head against his facade-covered skull in adoration. Of course I am. You're very warm and the sun is so nice, ohhh look, catnip toys! Can I have one?
Skulduggery laughed softly, reaching up to stroke the cat's fur. "You do remember you are human, right? But yes, I'll get you one. It will make a good cover for our investigation if nothing else."
The cat jumped down lithely, pranced over to the box, rearing up to put two paws on the rim. She reached in a deft paw and tossed a multi-coloured pompom to him, so doused in catnip she was practically drooling. That one, please!
Skulduggery laughed, paying the amused seller, his unfocused eyes taking in his surroundings. There was no suspicious activity here, but in America they had had to start all over again, hence following up a vague lead of "supernatural" activity. He waved the toy at the cat who weaved figure eights before him in delight, hopping about and dancing on her back paws, singing to him prettily. He grinned at her, leading her to an open area away from the sellers and tossed the toy.
The cat did an acrobatic leap for the toy, continuing up even as she snagged it with one claw, looking at him in delight. But her words in his head showed him she had the case firmly in mind. We were followed.
Skulduggery turned casually, resisting the automatic urge to grab his gun. Before him stood a woman in a flowing black robe like a Necromancer, but she smiled and shook her head.
"Hello, daughter." She crouched down and called to the cat, who after a moment, ran to her and greeted her with purring adoration.
"I apologize for the disguise, but I can hardly wear my true form here." The cat was rolling in ecstacy now, and Skulduggery stared at her in disbelief.
Stop that! He linked.
But this is Bastet, Skullduggery, I literally can't help myself. She did manage to flip herself over at last however and trotted to Skulduggery, dropping the pompom she still held in her jaws in his waiting hand. Sorry. She leaned into him, and he picked her up, cradling her into his chest.
I was afraid for you, you must remember people can hurt you when you're this small. He soothed. Go find an empty area and return to me in your normal form. He set her down and she trotted off, soon disappearing into what seemed to be an empty tent, she emerged a short time later and walked back to him, a soft smile on her face.
Bastet smiled at the both. "My daughter can transform due to the gift of the necklace. All who become feline or are witches are my daughters. I've come to warn you, my child, danger lurks here and neither of you are safe. Not even my powers can thwart what will happen."
"What will happen?" Skulduggery asked.
"That I cannot say. I only know it involves the element of fire. Something I am linked to, but that was a very long time ago. I am less the war goddess and more of the contented hearth cat now, I afraid."
"You aren't either. Gods and Goddesses don't exist." Skulduggery stated flatly. He turned to Valkyrie. "With all due respect to whatever you mother taught you, the woman before you is a clever witch at best, a charlatan at the worst." He turned to confront the woman who called herself Bastet again, but she was gone.
They were at lunch, and Valkyrie had questions for him. "If she wasn't Bastet how did I know her name, why would I react so strongly?"
"It was her magic, much like China's ability to make people love her. It worked on you because you were feline, and also because you wanted very much for it to be the real Bastet, which of course there isn't one. I've taught you before about Gods and Goddesses, Valkyrie, they aren't real. Depending on that woman would only get you hurt."
She sighed, consuming some of her burger before answering, making a mental note to train more before all the fast food she'd been consuming caught up with her. "You're right, of course. I even knew it. Well I guess we've met who is causing the disturbances. But she seemed so nice."
"China seemed nice too; we were good friends until I found out she helped murder my family."
"Point taken. Which reminds me, why wasn't Ghastly at your execution?"
"I can't imagine, and it is hardly something I can call the man and ask him about."
"Why not?" Asked a familiar voice. They both turned and froze, seeing Ghastly Bespoke. Tanith stood beside them and they smiled at the frozen detectives, but there was no malice in it.
"How did you find us?" Skulduggery asked dully, sounding as if he were sure he was about to be killed, Valkyrie right along with him.
Ghastly and Tanith sat down, ordering burgers themselves. "Who do you two think helped keep your pursuers busy after your escape? We had to flee ourselves shortly after, and heard about you by chance when we reached America."
"But your mother-" Skulduggery began.
"Was a fool to face Lord Vile alone. I knew for a long time to be honest. Vile mirrored too many of your traits and fighting skills to be anyone else. I don't blame you for one second for how you reacted to loosing your family. But you came back to us, Skulduggery. You're like a brother to me, and you know that."
"You've known for that long?" Skulduggery breathed, speechless.
"Yes, and seeing the mercy you chose to show China confirmed what a good man you've become. You could have killed her that day, but you didn't, I know, partially for Valkyrie's sake."
Ghastly turned to smile at Valkyrie and her bunched shoulders relaxed at last. Tanith reached out a hand, squeezing her younger sister's hand. "Hey sis, pretty impressive with the cat magic. But that woman is bad news for sure. Remember I'm an Adept so trust me when I tell you anything you saw was all smoke and mirrors."
Valkyrie smiled at her friend, grateful to see that they all at least had each other in this strange New World.
Hope you liked it!
