Technically, this chapter should be in italics, going with the Derek Landy scheme, but I personally find them hard to read on computers, as whole chapters. So please don't be confused. This is pretty much the last chapter from Maldrave's POV and explains some things. So again, please don't be confused.

Maldrave and Dark

Maldrave watched out of the corner of his eye as Skulduggery leant forward and clasped his hands in front of him. "I told you, I did it under my own will."

"No, I don't think you did." Skulduggery said. "Now, I will ask you again. Was it your idea?"

"Yes."

"Gale, why are you protecting him?"

"I don't know you are talking about. I am not protecting anyone."

Skulduggery reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the letter. He held it up and Maldrave looked at it. For some reason, it made him flinch as something buried deep inside his mind recoiled from watched as Skulduggery opened the letter carefully and read it. Skulduggery flicked his wrist and the letter landed to face Maldrave. He glanced at it, and didn't recognise it. He looked back up at Skulduggery as he, "have you seen this letter before?'

"Never." Maldrave said honestly.

"Let me ask. Does your power, this blood alchemy, work on one's self? Or does it make you immune to only your power?'' Skulduggery asked.

Maldrave looked at Skulduggery warily. He thourght for a moment. ''I-I suppose that it might work. I haven't tried it," he shrugged. "I have better things to do with my time."

Skulduggery mutterd something Maldrave didn't catch. Skulduggery stood up and looked at Maldrave a little longer. He walked out of the room and two cleavers stepped in. They shackled Maldrave's hands and led him off.

The cleavers led him past Dark, who was going in the opposite direction. They met eyes and suddenly, something in Maldrave's mind clicked. He nodded, just the smallest nod, and the moment passed as soon as it had arrived. When they were only a few turns away from the holding cells, Maldrave pretended to stumble. It dragged the cleaver holding him off balance, and he swung his shackled hands at the base of his neck. His aim was true, and the cleaver dropped without a sound. Maldrave turned and lashed a kick at the second cleaver, who had come up behind him. The cleaver flipped back and swung his sythe in a overhead strike. Instead over dodging or backing away, as the cleaver expected him to do, he held his hands out. The blade of the sythe cut through the shackles like a hot knife through butter, and Maldrave seized his chance. He ran at the cleaver while it's guard was down, and rammed his shoulder into it's stomach. The cleaver stumbled back and Maldrave grabbed the sythe of the fallen cleaver. He swung, but was unused to a weapon that large and missed. The cleaver stepped forward and used the handle of the sythe it held to block, and swung under his guard. Maldrave scrambled back, but wasn't quick enough and the blade passed over his ribs, opening a shallow cut. He grimaced and knew he was outmatched, and so decided to end it, incase someone came along. He swung again, but pretended to fumble. The cleaver, sensing his chance, stepped in to attack, but stopped in surprise. The end of the sythe protruded through his chest, the tip an inch from Maldave. He strainghtened watched his opponent fall triumphantly. He walked towards the holding cells and glanced inside. Seeing no one, he stepped in and walked over to the desk. He rummaged through the drawers, one at a time, and found a key to the shackles. Grinning, he unlocked them and felt the intoxicating feeling of his magic returning flood through first thing he did was conjure up his blood sword. When that appeared, he felt complete. He lcosed his eyes and extended his mind. He felt his way through the Sanctuary, until he came across what he was looking for. Come to me, he commanded, and felt the sleepy repsonse. He opened his eyes and waited, with growing unease.

Eventually, shuffling footsteps sounded from the door. He stepped back into the shadows, and gripped his sword tighter. Valkyrie stepped in through the checked the connection between them and found it as strong as ever. "I need you get me out of here, without anyone raising the alarm. Got that. But first-" Valkyrie turned her dark expressionless face towards him and said, "of course. What ever you say."

Maldrave pulled out a cloaking sphere and twisted it. They hadn't been waiting long when Skulduggery led Dark in himself. They heard the murmer of voices and Skulduggery shut Dark in the cell. Skulsuggery tilted his head and walked out of the room. They waited as the cloaking sphere clicked back into it's original position. Dark looked at them, but didn't say anuthing. Maldrave gestured and Valkyrie sent a spear of shadows into the lock. Dark nudged the door open with his toe and stepped out. He nodded to Dark, and the three of them snuck out of the room. Valkyrie led Dark and Maldrave out through the twisting corridors and soon they reached the doors. "Get in the car," Maldrave said, and watched as she climbed into the car he pointed out. Dark slid into the drivers seat and Maldrave into the passenger seat. They started to drive off, and Maldrave looked back as the car sped off. Skulduggery stood there, hat in his hands. Then they turned the corner and Skulduggery was hidden from Maldrave's view.

Ok, chapter 12.