Sorry this is short but I reaaaally felt like updating this story. Anyone got any ideas for the next chapter? I don't want Skul and Val to admit their feelings yet but I need something to happen for the build-up. Don't be offended if I don't use your idea!

Onyx looked around, puzzled. It may have been huge mansion but it couldn't be too hard to find one person. She looked in all the rooms and returned downstairs. Tanith was passed out on the lounge after a big night of drinking and dancing meanwhile Skulduggery was sitting there staring at the floor. Onyx knew what that was all about, Valkyrie's behaviour towards him tonight which left not only Skulduggery confused but everyone else who witnessed it. Ghastly was sitting next to Tanith reading a book.

"Hey, have any of you seen Valkyrie?" Onyx asked. "I just checked all the rooms but no sign of her," she added. Skulduggery sat forward immediately. Valkyrie was the 'wanted' girl for every bad guy in the magical community so he had to think the worst sometimes. Anything is possible and these past few years have certainly shown that. Near-death experiences were too common these days.

"Are you sure you checked every room?" Skulduggery asked.

"Yep." Onyx replied. Skulduggery stood. It was pouring rain outside and a storm had picked up as well.

He went to the kitchen checking any signs of a fight but there was nothing. A flash of lightning caught his attention the window across the room and it also lit up a person sitting outside in the rain. Valkyrie's hair was plastered to her face and the rain drenched her beautiful dress to. Skulduggery scooped up and umbrella and walked out the door. Before he sat next to Valkyrie he took his suit jacket off and hung it over wet shoulders then covered them both with the umbrella.

As soon as Valkyrie saw Skulduggery she wiped her red eyes quickly. Skulduggery was shocked; he'd never really dealt with an upset Valkyrie. Well except for that time her tooth came out and they took her to Kenspeckle and he jumped away from her. He felt very bad that day.

Skulduggery stayed quiet, he didn't want to say the wrong thing and have her even more angry at him. Apparently he'd said something earlier that night to annoy her even though he couldn't recall any time he'd said anything bad to her. The night went well. Skulduggery replayed the dance in his mind. The moment when it seemed they were about to kiss. Even though Valkyrie was probably just leaning in to tell him something but he'd like to tell himself Valkyrie actually had mutual feelings for him to.

"You should be very angry at me right now yet here you sit," Valkyrie's voice was shaky and she stared straight ahead. She knew if she looked at Skulduggery's heart-throbbingly beautiful face the guilt will be even worse. She felt bad about treating Skulduggery the way she did. But she couldn't apologise properly without telling him she was jealous of him and China talking and how much she loved him.

"I'm not angry at you, just confused really," Skulduggery said softly.

"I'm sorry I acted that way towards you, I really am but I can't tell you why. Remember how when I found out I was Darquesse I was acting weird and you already knew something was up? But you didn't pry because you knew it was my business, it's kind of like that except it's not life-threatening like Darquesse is," Valkyrie's voice regained its confidence and she wiped her eyes once more and finally looked at Skulduggery.

Skulduggery nodded. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious but okay. I'll try my hardest to not try and figure it out."

"Thank you."

"Want to go inside now? I'm afraid this umbrella has a metal tip and the lightening is awfully close," Skulduggery stared up at the sky.

Valkyrie laughed and received a half-hug. They returned back inside and Valkyrie's hair and dress was dripping all over the floor.

They both walked into the lounge room just in time to see Tanith roll over and fall off the couch.

Please review!