Tanith was quirky, to say the least. Her charisma with her good-looks ought to make many girls' eyes go green with envy. Valkyrie, on the other hand, was content with herself to find Tanith a very likeable character. Her body, usually head-to-toe in brown leather as she had just told Valkyrie, was instead covered in standard everyday attire. Her ripped denim shorts showed of her long, toned legs while her tank top accentuated her flat stomach and athletic arms. Her hair flowed down her back in blonde tendrils as she smiled at Valkyrie with ease.

"Skulduggery said you immediately chose me to help you find an outfit for tonight. I'll try not to be offended that the only probable reason you chose me was because it was a choice of me or China Sorrows," Tanith joked. "It's okay, I would have chosen me too."

Valkyrie laughed. "I see we aren't so different on the Sorrow front then?"

"I've only ever met her a couple times and each time wasn't great," Tanith explained. "She's an arrogant woman who only cares for her own personal gain. Skulduggery isn't too fond of her either, but they have this back-and-forth thing that they do that I'm sure other people think it's flirting. It's not though, it's just how they are."

Valkyrie stored that information away for future use. It had become clear that Skulduggery Pleasant was willing to use important figures in any way he saw fit. Valkyrie knew she wasn't necessarily an important figure, but she did have assets. But then the question remained, what assets did Skulduggery want to use? That is, if he was intending on using her.

"So, where are we going?" Valkyrie asked.

"In here," Tanith pointed into a shop that seemed too expensive for Valkyrie. Formally designed dresses lined the windows on vintage mannequins in rich hues. Tanith saw the look on Valkyrie's face and pulled her by the arm and into the store. "This place is owned by sorcerers, but it's available for the general public, obviously."

They were the only people in the shop, so an employee rushed forward to greet them. "How can I help you today?"

That was the very moment Valkyrie became a living mannequin. She had dresses shoved into her arms and been pushed into the dressing room by two overly-eager women. She hadn't thought anything wrong with any of the dresses she'd tried, but according the professionals, "it just wasn't right."

Finally, they'd decided on one and Valkyrie was mentally exhausted enough for a nap, until she looked at the price tag. "Tanith!" She whispered. "This is way too much!"

Tanith rolled her eyes, plucked the dress from her hands and went to the front desk. "Can you please send the bill to Skulduggery Pleasant?" She said sweetly.

The cashier smiled in return. "Oh! Tanith and Valkyrie, yes? We were expecting you. Sure, the bill has been sent to Mr Pleasant. It was a pleasure serving you, please come again!"

Valkyrie wasn't ready for the day ahead. She had wanted to go home or go out and do some work because she felt as though she had been slacking off. However, Tanith had some very different plans.

Apparently, the day would be dedicated to the sanctuary event. Valkyrie had fallen asleep while having her hair done and almost again when makeup was being applied. "You just aren't about this life are you, Valkyrie Cain?" Tanith laughed.

Three hours later and Valkyrie had become a finished product with an hour to spare before the event. Everyone had left Gordon's mansion, including Tanith, to get ready themselves or go home. She entered the bedroom she usually slept in and had a look in her full-length mirror. She was impressed by the work everyone had done and she was sur the dress was going to finish the look off perfectly.

One more glance in the mirror and it was too late. She didn't have time react when the shadow emerged from the dark corner near the door of the room. Within seconds hands encircled her throat and she was struggling for air.