In true me fashion, I tell you a chapter should be up sooner and then look what happens. I go against my word and am only now uploading. However, I am sick and have consequently had time off work and uni to do some writing!

Anyway, sorry for any missed mistakes as per usual!

Skulduggery decided not to tell Valkyrie about his meeting with the sanctuary but rather he'd gotten his information from Ghastly. He didn't want her to meet them just yet, then he'd have to tell her about the real reason he had to follow her in the beginning. He was sure she would not take that lightly. If there was anything he'd learned about Valkyrie, it was that she was a tough, tell-it-how-it-is kind of girl. She may even walk away and want nothing to do with him again, but with her in danger, now just isn't the time for anything like that. The sanctuary had no information after all, and he told her so.

"Were you at the sanctuary?" She asked, suspicion in her voice.

Smart girl, Skulduggery thought. She was suspicious for good reason, but he couldn't tell her the truth yet. "Ghastly looked into it for me," he lied. Lying to her made him uncomfortable, but it was simply a means to an end. Hopefully that end still has Valkyrie in it, he thought.

"Right," she replied. "So, we are back to square one. Or, no squares," she pondered, "because we literally have no plan whatsoever."

"We will," Skulduggery resolved before speeding off in the Bentley.

XxXxX

"What kind of organised chaos are you leading me into this time?" Valkyrie asked as they raced through Roarhaven. She had come to trust his driving within the couple days of being is passenger.

"Excellent choice of words," he replied, "because I'm taking us to see China Sorrows."

"And why are you taking me to see this devil woman?" Valkyrie asked.

"You know of her then," Skulduggery couldn't hide the amusement in his voice. "Do I need to warn you of her little charm?"

"She makes people fall in love with her," Valkyrie shrugged. "We'll see."

"Everyone falls victim to her powers, Valkyrie. Don't take it personally. One day I was the same, but I'm desensitised."

Valkyrie smiled. "I won't take it personally."

What Skulduggery didn't know was that Valkyrie was China's ultimate challenge. In fact, China didn't know this fact either, so this encounter was going to be interesting to say the least. Valkyrie had visited a woman called Cassandra Pharos when she first found out of her magic and needed some kind of advice. Cassandra had told Valkyrie that she would be very great. Valkyrie had been concerned when she saw a dark version of herself in a vision. Details weren't clear but all she could see was this darkness within herself. However, Cassandra said sometimes visions aren't clear if certain events of the present haven't yet occurred. That sometimes these things are bound to occur and once they do, the vision opens up and more details are revealed. She had also told Valkyrie that she was a woman of many natural talents that surpass the abilities of most others.

XxXxX

"What do you mean?" Valkyrie had asked.

Cassandra smiled lightly, "I don't suppose you've yet heard of China Sorrows?" Valkyrie shook her head in reply. "She is a beautiful woman. Some would say this is a natural talent, however, it's how she uses this to her advantage. She can make anyone fall in love with her. Many can become immune to her powers, but only over long periods of time and only if they have multiple encounters within short time periods."

"Interesting," Valkyrie pondered. "But how does this relate to me?"

Cassandra smiled again, almost proudly. "You are immune to such powers."

"How?" Valkyrie asked.

"You're a strong woman. You've come into this at a later age. It's interesting because I've only ever known of such powerful people from long ago. And yet, here you are, brand new and I feel so much power. You're a beautiful, smart woman and I think you'll do great things. You're so advanced beyond your current stage in this world and that will have some great advantages."

"I still don't quite understand how I would be immune to these powers," Valkyrie replied.

"You'll see, and you'll learn."

XxXxX

They took the long trip up the staircase to her apartment that was apparently a whole floor of apartments transformed into a library. Valkyrie had to admit, it sounded pretty cool. At the door, a large man stood guard. He opened the door immediately and Valkyrie assumed it had something to do with the whole skeleton thing. How many of those do you need to ID, right?

The library was clean and opulent, but Valkyrie wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings. Only the people within it sparked her curiosity.

"China had some interesting information on our situation," Skulduggery murmured quietly. "We're here to see if she has any more to tell."

"Skulduggery, another visit? Lucky me," China emerged from a corner they were about to pass.

"China," he nodded. "This is Valkyrie Cain."

"Ah, child, how lovely to meet you."

Valkyrie bit her tongue and shook the lady's hand. "How are you?" she replied curtly.

"Just grand, and yourself?"

"Fine," Valkyrie said through a tight smile.

"I was wondering if you had heard any more information about Valkyrie," Skulduggery interjected.

"I can't say I have," China's voice was theatrically kind. She was lying, and Skulduggery saw right through it.

"China, I need to know what you know," he replied.

"I don't talk business with little girls around," she replied with a smile at Valkyrie. "Tell me, child, what is it you want with my dear Skulduggery and this life we live?"

"China," Skulduggery warned. She was using her charm to compel answers from Valkyrie. Valkyrie was not lost on her efforts.

"I'm sorry," Valkyrie said. "I don't dignify anyone with respect if they don't show me any."

Skulduggery was about to speak but paused and tilted his head at Valkyrie. She had just defied China Sorrows' charm.

China smiled and tried again. "I'm sorry dear child, I just want to know more about you. How about we sit?"

Skulduggery, immune to her charms because of time, didn't sit down. Neither did Valkyrie.

"We won't be here long," Valkyrie replied. "I'd rather stand. My name is Valkyrie by the way, maybe you didn't hear Skulduggery introduce me since you're insistent on calling me child."

"I haven't heard anything else but the same information floating around," China's reply was cold. "There's a bounty on your head, and I've already given Skulduggery my word that if I find anything else, I will contact him. So, do not test me or I will not help you again."

Valkyrie smiled. "China, I am not testing you. I am merely not falling for your tricks."

"We will be on our way then," Skulduggery added. "China, please, if you hear anything…"

China turned to Skulduggery with kinder eyes, "I will let you know."