So I did manage to finish it! No more updates for a while, but please read and review whilst I'm away! Thanks for all your support! Hope you like this!

Chapter 10

Sunlight filtered into the room and birds chirped outside Valkyrie's window. Skulduggery still watched over her protectively, although he was no longer sat bolt upright, and had slumped somewhat in his chair. Valkyrie's eyelids flickered and she yawned as she woke, enjoying the peaceful sense of security that filled her. With Skulduggery here, she thought, she was safe, at least for now.

She pulled herself into a sitting position, marvelling as she did so at Kenspeckle's healing powers. Although she was stiff, and her arm still ached slightly, she felt a thousand times better than she had felt the previous night.

Valkyrie shuddered, recalling the pain from her ordeal. She remembered the man with the green eyes, she remembered him flicking his hand and slicing into her skin and worst of all, she remembered his motive. She paled, terrified once more. That there were people out there who actually wanted Darqusse to emerge was not good news.

Thank god it didn't work, she thought to herself. However, secretly she knew she missed having Darquesse stepping in to save her.

She shut these thoughts out, angry at herself for even thinking them; she was much better off with Darquesse gone.

Skulduggery's smooth voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Morning Valkyrie. How are you feeling?"

Valkyrie shook herself, clearing her head as she answered. "Never better." She tried to stop her voice shaking as she spoke.

"I guess you want to know what he wanted?"

Skulduggery tilted his head. "Obviously we need to know, but only tell us when you're ready." His voice was gentle and concerned.

Valkyrie answered quickly though, trying to sound strong as she spoke.

"He wanted Darquesse." Her voice faltered and she slumped slightly. "Skulduggery, he was desperate for her to come out. If it had worked, so many people could have died, and it would have been all my fault."

She hung her head. "I know she's gone now, but it won't take much for her to come back. I can feel it."

Skulduggery laid a bony hand on her shoulder.

"Valkyrie, calm down. It won't happen again. This man with the green eyes is being hunted down as we speak. He's not a threat anymore. And neither is Darquesse; not if you don't want her to be"

Valkyrie's eyes filled with tears and her body shook with suppressed sobs.

"This isn't something I can control, Skulduggery! And I can't fail, I couldn't live with myself, if I became a monster who destroys the world, who kills my family."

Skulduggery only hesitated momentarily before enveloping her in a cold bony hug. "I understand Valkyrie, honestly I do. I promise, I won't let you do anything bad."

They stayed like this, Valkyrie wrapped in a skeletal hug, until she broke away, wiped her eyes and put a smile on.

"So, when are we going to the Amazon?"

Skulduggery voice sounded relieved. He wasn't used to dealing with a tearful Valkyrie. "If you feel up to it, we can leave in a few hours."

"I feel fine. Seriously, I'm not going to miss a chance to go the Amazon. The Amazon, for Christ's sakes! For once, a case where we get to go somewhere cool."

Sarcasm rippled through Skulduggery's velvety voice. "Oh, I'm so sorry that our usual cases disappoint. Next time someone gets murdered, I'll make sure the crime scene is on a nice hot beach somewhere tropical.

Valkyrie shrugged. "That's all I ask."

At this point, Kenspeckle knocked on the door and entered.

"Ah,Valkyrie, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling great, thanks Kenspeckle."

Valkyrie decided not to mention her aching, stiff arm or the headache that was beginning to press fiercely against her temples.

After a thorough check from Kenspeckle, she was cleared and allowed to leave, and the professor departed, not before a quick glare at Skulduggery and a curt warning.

"Although I relish any opportunity to see my favourite patient, Valkyrie, I would consider it an achievement if I don't see your face here again for at least another three days."

"I'll try my best." Valkyrie laughed.

Soon, Valkyrie and Skulduggery stepped out into the warm morning and got into the Bentley, which was now fixed. Valkyrie, for one, was extremely glad; her ego couldn't have taken any more driving in the Canary Car.

As she got in she found a large and beautiful bouquet of flowers and a small box of chocolates waiting for her on her seat. When she picked the gifts up a note fluttered down from the flowers, and as she read it she blushed.

Skulduggery voice was teasing. "Let me guess, you have an admirer?"

Valkyrie blushed even harder and Skulduggery sighed.

"Oh well, I suppose you could do a lot worse than Dexter."

"Excuse me?" Valkyrie spluttered. "How did you know...?"

"Only a blind man wouldn't have noticed." He laughed as Valkyrie blushed harder. "And anyway, he was the one who brought the Bentley here."

"Not a word, Pleasant. Not a single word or I swear..." Valkyrie threatened him, already dreading the mockery she would get from Saracen if he found out.

"Oh I won't. This is too good to share."

Valkyrie turned away, still embarrassed and now a little confused. If Dexter liked her back then maybe they had a chance?

"Anyway, after your last choice of boyfriend, I can't exactly disapprove. I've never seen you sulk so hard; I'm glad I wasn't the one you were breaking up with. And before that; Calean..."

Valkyrie cut Skulduggery off with a glare.

"We don't talk about vampires. Now drive; fast."

Skulduggery swallowed down his teasing and drove away fast.

After a quick stop at Valkyrie's house for Valkyrie to shower, pack a bag of clean clothes and have a bite to eat, they arrived at the private strip of runway that the sanctuary owned.

Their plane was waiting and Ghastly had arrived to send them off. To Valkyrie's surprise, so had China. Valkyrie recalled her once saying that she "didn't do courtesy calls" so she figured that there must be a reason behind China's visit.

Ghastly hugged her goodbye, and pressed a slim parcel into her hands. She opened it, and found that he'd made her another jacket. Cropped tight, with a zip across the front, it was black and beautiful.

"It's completely waterproof," Ghastly assured her. "And it should also repel mosquitoes. May come in handy where you're going."

"Oh Ghastly, thank you so much!"

Valkyrie slipped it on. As per usual, it fitted brilliantly, like a second skin.

Ghastly turned away, but paused as he remembered something.

"A certain someone would have loved to be here." Ghastly winked. "He told me to tell you that he's glad you're feeling better-and not to get yourself killed in the Amazon because he's hoping to see you a bit more after all this is over."

Once again, Valkyrie flushed red as a Ghastly moved away, sniggering. China stepped up, beautiful as usual.

"I wanted to come and wish you luck."

Valkyrie raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

"Ok, there is more than that." China's beautiful lips raised into a smile as she gave up her pretence. "I've heard rumours of something far bigger than what we've suspected. It's all rather vague, but it may be linked with your kidnapping. I couldn't tell Skulduggery because he probably wouldn't have let you go, but I trust you understand that the possibility of the Unamed returning is of far greater importance. So what I'm trying to say is be careful. Although I hide it well, it is possible I would feel a small degree of sadness at the news of your untimely death."

Valkyrie smiled; this was as far as she would get with China where compliments were concerned.

"Don't worry. I'm too pretty to die."

"And I'm too smart," Skulduggery cut in.

China laughed, and wished them both luck before turning and driving off. Valkyrie knew China wouldn't look back.

With this, they climbed on the plane, and Ghastly waved them goodbye as they took off. Soon they were obscured in the clouds, and Valkyrie curled up comfily in her seat, trying to quell equal amounts of excitement and dread.

She tried busying her mind with more trivial thoughts...maybe Skulduggery would let her come back with a pet monkey? At this last idea, her mind wandered off, and still tired from the last few days, she soon fell asleep, leaning her head on Skulduggery's bony shoulder.