Valkyrie and Skulduggery were running; running faster than they ever had before. They were running from Sanguine. They'd been running for ages now and Valkyrie was running out of breath and falling behind. Feeling her distress, Skulduggery took her hand and pulled her alongside him. She smiled, and Skulduggery's non-existent, but definitely there, heart tugged. He knew he just HAD to tell her before he lost her again. "Hey, Val?"

"Yeah, Skul?" She asked clearly out of breath. Skulduggery cleared his throat, glancing over his shoulder while still running to make sure that Sanguine wasn't close enough to hear. "I, er...um… I love you." Skulduggery said feeling nervous for the first time in a long while.

"What?" Valkyrie blinked, and the duo slowed to a jog.

"I love you, Valkyrie." Skulduggery said, "Now run!" Sanguine was closing in on them again.

"What?" Valkyrie shouted. She had heard, but she wanted to hear it again.

"I, Skulduggery Pleasant, love you, Valkyrie Cain." Valkyrie smiled. They were near the Chinas house now and if all went to plan she would be there to help when it was time.

"Duck!" Skulduggery shouted and Valkyrie obeyed. A second later the street was filled with blue light which was being controlled by none other than China Sorrows. The light faded as did the life in Sanguine.

"There you go," China smiled, hands on her hips, "job done"

Skulduggery helped Valkyrie to her feet and thanked China. They were on their way back to the Bentley when China called to them, "Valkyrie, a word please," China looked at her then added, "alone"

"yes?" Valkyrie asked.

"You seem incredibly happy for someone who's just been chased by an evil sorcerer"

Valkyrie smiled "I know"

"You're not going to tell me are you? For someone of your age you are incredibly annoying. Well see you later Valkyrie"

Valkyrie joined Skulduggery and it wasn't long before she was in bed dreaming of wonderful things.


Thanks to Amethyst skulkyrie cain who without this chapter wouldn't have been possible.