Darling readers, time for something new! This was embarrassingly easy to churn out. I am also unusually pleased with it. I know the chapters may seem disjointed for now but if all goes to plan they should come together in the end. Hopefully. Probably not... Anyway thanks for the views and reviews! I love you guys Zenith xx

86

A Dish Best Served Now

That's what China liked about these kinds of people, and she'd seen plenty of them in her time. Young, strong, vibrant and cocky. Syc came at her and she smashed his face into the wall. It was so satisfying, making them hurt. She tapped the sigil on her palm and planted it over his face. She felt the power snap through him and his whole body jerked wildly and he collapsed.

She looked down. So, so satisfying. She allowed herself a moment to imagine how satisfying it was going to be, doing the same to Eliza Scorn.

China hated house visits. She never made them as a rule, and to think this was her second this week! Too much effort, too much sentiment. At least this one would be different. She smiled to herself as she strolled up the cracked path to the small church dedicated to The Faceless Ones. She took her time, her pace leisurely, taunting. It amused her that her old friend had not even tried to flee, not that she could. China had seen to that. She arrived at the door and smoothed her dress. It was black and tailored to hug her frame, she had chosen simple elegance to suit her purpose, and in this colour no stains would show.

China rapped twice against the door, it swung open instantly to reveal Eliza Scorn waiting near the far end of the chapel. "Hello China, a pleasure as always."

Eliza Scorn was beautiful. Many a man had sworn his love to her, that was until they met China. She was less of a traditional beauty, her hair was a deep red and her eyes were like two bright jade stones. However Eliza's bright eyes could not disguise the tremble in her voice. For the second time that morning, China smiled. "It's Grand Mage Sorrows now, my dear, and the pleasure is entirely mine."

"I have heard, yes. But what is the Grand Mage of Ireland doing paying a casual visit to an old friend? Shouldn't you have escorts?"

"Protective escorts for a casual visit to an old friend? Whatever for?"

Eliza sighed, her voice dry. "What can I do for you, China?"

China arched her eyebrows, in mock surprise. "Small talk over already? That's no fun. But since you're asking, you could perhaps beg me for forgiveness, mercy, really just appeal to the better nature I do not have."

Eliza backed up against the altar as China slowly made her way down the aisle, tracing her fingertips against the edges of the dusty pews. She stopped a few feet away from her. "Well?"

"China, whatever makes you think I'm going to beg you for anything?"

"My dear, I'm not in the mood for playing games. Not after all you have done to me. Me. You know who I am. Did you really think you would win it all in the end?"

"I'm sorry, China, I really am. It was a mistake taking it that far, I realise that now."

A look of fury came over China's face, her voice raised. "My books, Eliza. My books!" China closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply before she continued calmly. "Not only that but my relationship with Skulduggery was temporarily compromised. That is not something you want to be responsible for."

"I'm,…. I'm sorry. Please, China."

"Oh darling, I do pity you. And if I wasn't such a callous woman I might even consider allowing you to walk away from this. I suppose in the long term it would be so much more gratifying to watch you live in fear of me, knowing you owe me everything. I wonder how long I could draw it out."

Eliza's face collapsed into desperation. "China, please, remember what we had? The good old days. Just the two of us against the rest of the world. We were a force to be reckoned with. Remember all that power? We can have that again and more. Please, don't do this."

China carried on as if she hadn't heard this. "However, my dear, this is me we are talking about. Like they say, revenge is a dish that is best served now. I like instant satisfaction, I'm shallow like that."

"China." Eliza's voice was a plea.

She stepped forward and grasped Eliza by the wrist. She pushed her back and holding her against the altar she leaned in. Whispering inches away from Eliza's face she finally acknowledged Eliza's plea. "Of course I remember, Eliza. The two of us, invincible, we could so anything. Young, beautiful and dangerous, oh weren't we glorious!" China gave a smile and raised two forefingers to her lips, tapping them once, they glowed a deep blood red.

Eliza shook her head slowly as realisation dawned on her face. "No, no please, I'll do anything, please, no."

China's smile widened. Whispering a only a hair's breadth away, "Well darling, one last time?" China leaned in and slowly kissed Eliza, drawing the warmth out of her. Pure white light flooded into China as she consumed Eliza's living energy. She had never felt so magnificent, so empowered. Also Eliza's lip-gloss was strawberry flavoured. She felt Eliza's body slowly go limp as her soul departed her body. China let her fall against the altar and admired her handiwork. Yes, it was indeed satisfying, making her hurt. Vengeance was always so sweet. Of course, Skulduggery couldn't know. No amount of explaining would convince him to let it lie. However China still had many secrets from Skulduggery, what was another among them? She turned and walked towards the entrance of the church. Content, she sang softly to herself. It is always nice, once in a while, to do a little thing for oneself. She checked her watch and quickened her pace to the Sanctuary car waiting for her, failing to notice the heavy built figure observing her from across the road. She was late and she had a plane to catch.