China was interested in my story and gave me a ride back to town, we stopped outside an apartment building and went inside. I was cautious about China because I didn't know her, but after thinking back I had realized that I recognized Eliza's voice from the conversation I overheard in the Sanctuary and as the saying goes. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

When the elevator stopped we got out and walked down a hallway, and curiously, none of the doors had numbers, we stopped at a door where there was a small golden plaque that said library, and entered the door opposite. The door shut behind us and China turned to me.

"Why don't I make us some tea?"

I sat down. Now that she had left the room my thinking became clearer. Why did I come here? I'm alone in a stranger's house. What is wrong with me? China returned with a silver tray and sat it down and I almost forgot my recent thoughts, it's because she's a sorcerer. This must be her power… I watched her as she sat down and looked at me.

"You're right to be wary of me. I am a stranger after all."

"I am"

"I won't hurt you."

"How do I know you aren't lying?"

She laughed. "You don't."

She picked up her cup and took a sip.

"Who is Eliza? What were you arguing about?"

"That was Eliza Scorn, she and I have… different views on how the world should be."

"And those views are?"

"She wants the Faceless Ones to return and kill us all. I don't"

"Why would she want that?"

"She's a strong believer in the Faceless Ones and there are others who agree with her. They believe that the world would be better with them in charge."

"But they sound horrible."
"They are. But enough about ancient religion, what is your story?"

"Well I was kidnapped by a necromancer and zombie, twice now. And I'm just trying to get home before my mum finds me gone."

She leaned back in her chair. "Interesting. Why were you kidnapped?"

"The first time was because I was in the way I guess. The second time was because they were angry I got away the first time."

"So I was right, You are new to the magic business."

"Well, yeah. I mean, I know some elemental magic but I'm not very good. I don't know where to find someone to teach me."

"I would love to lend you some of my books but unfortunately they were destroyed when Eliza blew up my library. I'm just thankful my defensive charms worked to protect my home."

"Why did Eliza destroy your library?"

"Let's just say we have some bad history." She took another delicate sip of her tea.

I lifted my teacup and took a tentative sip.

China smiled her beautiful smile, and I relaxed.

"You may be new to magic but you seem to be right in the middle of everything that's happening."

"Yeah, I guess I just attract trouble."

"You don't happen to know what they plan to do with Meloncholia do you?"

"How do you know they have Meloncholia?"

"I'm kept in the loop too you know."

"Oh, well I think they plan to well, make her do whatever it is the Death Bringer does and end the world, or something like that. But I don't think they'll pull it off."

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

"Well I'm an unarmed 16 year old girl and I've managed to get away from them twice now, they aren't exactly that smart."

"Hmmm, you may have a point there."

"But they have some outside source that is helping them and they seem to be more of a threat."
"What outside source?"

"I… I think it's Eliza."

China looked at me quizzically. "Why do you think that? Eliza Scorn has no interest in the Death Bringer, or any necromancers in general."

"Well I… I think she was the person I overheard in the Sanctuary. She was using the necromancers to… "I jumped out of my seat. "That's it! It is her! She's helping the necromancers so they'll distract everyone from her own plans!"

I was so excited that I had pieced it together. I looked at China.

"Sorry but I have to go now, thanks for the tea."

"Of course" she replied, slightly startled by my sudden outburst. "Would you like me to drive you home?"

"No thanks, I don't think it's too far to walk."

"All right then, goodbye Sam. We should do this again sometime."

"Thanks I'd like that."

And with that I turned around and left the apartment, she seems nice. I think I can trust her. I turned a corner and saw the main street, busy with trafficand realised I didn't know how long I had been gone. Mum's probably called me a hundred times, but I don't have my phone. "Gah!" I exclaimed, startling an old woman walking past me so that she hurried down the street, clutching her purse. Ok, I'll go home first, and then tell Skulduggery and Valkyrie what I discovered. While I hurried home I realised that I didn't know how to contact Skulduggery, or even where the Sanctuary is, I had never heard of Roarhaven. I sighed, I'll have to figure this out later because right now I'm exhausted. When I finally arrived home I went straight to my room and collapsed on the bed. After about 1.38 seconds of peace my mum came in.

"Where were you? I tried to ring"

"I uh… I went out with some friends. My phone was on silent sorry."

"It's ok, next time leave a note or something."

"Right will do."

She can be so overprotective, if she knew what had really been happening to me over the last couple days she would never let me leave the house again.

"Dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes."

I looked at the clock and was surprised at how long I had been out. I reluctantly got off my bed and took a shower, letting the hot water run through my hair while I thought about what to do next.

I blocked my phone so Dragonclaw can't use it to text or call anyone, but somehow he knew where I was anyway… it can't be a coincidence that he was at the park with a rag full of chloroform. If my phone's battery hasn't died yet then he still has access to my contacts and other information. This was bad, Dragonclaw has too much information, and this Eliza woman seems very powerful, and where was the person Skulduggery said would 'keep an eye out' for Dragonclaw? I'll need to contact them somehow. I can't just sit and wait for them to come to me.

I got out of the shower and got dressed. Then I found a map and looked up Roarhaven in the contents. It wasn't there. So then I went to my computer and entered it in the search bar. There were very few results. One was a rant by some American tourist who had apparently had an argument with a store owner and then a weird looking man had insulted his kid.

When I finally found directions I copied them down and then had dinner before collapsing on my bed and instantly falling asleep.