Chapter 6: The Cullens and Hales

" No seriously," Valkyrie said sharply as Edward inhaled slowly and carefully." What the hell just happened?"

Edward stared at her strangely.

" What the... stop staring at me like that," Valkyrie snapped. Edward looked away obediently." What... why the..."

" I'm not sure," Edward cut in." It shouldn't act that way in response to your scent."

" So what your saying is, i'm a wierdo," Valkyrie concluded bluntly. Edward smiled humourlessly.

" I'm a vampire that hears voices in his head and you think your a wierdo?" He shook his head." Honestly Valkyrie, you get some wierd ideas sometimes."

" Since when have i ever had any wierd ideas?" Valkyrie argued. Edward shrugged.

" I could ask Skulduggery."

Valkyrie rolled her eyes.

" Never ask Skulduggery anything, he will give you a very long, complicated answer, which will get on your nerves," Valkyrie said. Edward raised an eyebrow at this.

" So, i should never ask Skulduggery anything?"

" No, just not something he can turn into a long and complicated answer."

" Right, i'll keep that in mind."

They walked to the sidewalk in silence.

" Valkyrie," Edward said as she made to leave. Valkyrie stared at him questioningly.

" Yes?"

" Would you meet my family if they wanted to meet you?" Edward asked.

" I suppose, yes, i would," Valkyrie narrowed her eyes." Do they want to meet me?"

He nodded and smiled briefly before going in the opposite direction. Valkyrie made her way to her first lesson.

" Alice, Rose, Emmet, Jasper, this is Valkyrie and Skulduggery," Edward said after the school day. Alice smiled a friendly smile at Valkyrie.

" Hi Valkyrie," She said. Valkyrie smiled back. Rosalie looked wary, but smiled a little at her.

" Hello," She said shortly. Next Emmet introduced himself.

" Hi, Valkyrie," He glanced at Edward with a teasing expression." Nice to meet my brothers new girlfriend."

" What!" Valkyrie glared at Edward." You told them i was your girlfriend!"

Edward scowled at Emmet, who laughed.

" Emmet was just being Emmet," Edward assured her." Ignore him."

Skulduggery chose this point to exit the Bentley and introduce himself properly.

" Hello, i am Skulduggery Pleasant," He said. Alice smiled again.

" I am Alice Cullen," She stated. Skulduggery inclined his head.

" At your service," He turned his head in an enquiring way to the rest if the vampire family. They obliged instantly.

" Jasper Hale."

" Rosalie Hale."

" Emmet Cullen," Emmet studied Skulduggery's disguise." Why is your head covered up like that?"

" Umm..." Skulduggery fought for the answer. Valkyrie decided to intervene.

" His face is scarred," She said quickly. Edward narrowed his eyes suspiciously but kept his word and didn't attempt any mind reading. So he decided to start a 20 questions.

" Really, is it?" Skulduggery nodded vigorously, and Edward refrained, but he didn't look very convinced. Nor did the rest of his family it seemed.

" How did it happen?" Alice chirped up cunningly, catching Skulduggery and Valkyrie off guard momentarily.

" An explosive accident envolving a firework," Skulduggery seemed to send Valkyrie a signal, for she backed it up.

" Oh yes, it was Halloween," She nodded, pretending to remember." He didn't get out the way in time."

The vampires all seemed to consider this.

" Do you like shopping, Valkyrie," Alice said suddenly. Edward groaned.

" Alice, what are you planning," He said warily. Alice pouted.

" I was just asking her if she liked shopping," She pouted, then turned smiling to Valkyrie.

" Umm, i don't mind it," Valkyrie said, noticing Edwards tone and expression.

" Oh good!" Alice said." Are you free on Saturday?"

Edward saved her.

" No she isn't, i expect she has work to do, don't you?" He turned to Valkyrie imploringly. She shrugged and nodded.

" I am sorry, but we really must be going," Skulduggery said. " It was nice meeting you."

" Yeah," Valkyrie said shortly." It was."

She got into the Bentley. Alice waved enthusiastically as they left.