A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Ghastly, Gordon, Lord Vile, or Valkyrie. Val is still 24 and the story is still from her POV.

Several hours later we were sitting in Ghastly's office. He'd demanded we come in after Skulduggery had called him. Both of us were puzzled, since knowing what the cave was might be a good thing. After all if the killer stayed down there for the eleven remaining days until his sacrifice of Skulduggery was due, he'd likely die.

The cave would be a problem then of course, powered by a god's lifeforce and with an endless appetite for more human prey. Ghastly paced up and down, clearly agitated. I looked at Skulduggery and he shrugged. Neither of us had any idea of what we were there for, so we both remained silent. Ghastly turned around, fixed us both with a glare before speaking. "You know I can't send anyone into a cave like that, right? That all we can do is wait, and hopefully he comes out and we arrest him. I'm not letting either of you go down after him, so don't even ask. Worst case scenario, the cave absorbs him and goes after the civilians in the hospital, but we can have people in place, try to be ready." He sighed wearily and turned to me. "This, Valkyrie, was the worst possible time for you to give up Necromancy, because it is the one thing we know of from the book that can repel the cave."

I nodded an apology, kept my head down. Ghastly was just getting started. "The temples have been destroyed in many places, but we have ways of contacting the survivors. Unless either of you have another option, which I'd love to hear."

I nodded, knowing full-well what I was about to suggest would anger Skulduggery to no end. "We store the power, my power, in my armour. Wreath taught me about it the best he could. Usually an expert would handle this, we don't even know if the armour can withstand it, but I can try."

Ghastly stared at me for the longest time. "You can do this?" He finally asked. I looked into his eyes and I knew. I knew he'd known the truth about Lord Vile for years, but had forgiven Skulduggery, had never moved against him. He was telling me in his own way he knew the path I'd have to take, that I too might be lost like Lord Vile was. His eyes asked if I was willing to take that chance.

"I can try." Was all I managed.

He nodded. "Give me time to think about it, Valkyrie. I don't have any right to force Necromancy back on you to fight this cave, but as you well know those Necromancers that might be left are not inclined to help people. God, they'd most likely worship the cave as the next Death Bringer."

Skulduggery stiffened. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was. With a trace of Lord Vile's personality in the armour I could just as easily rampage through the streets of Dublin spreading carnage. Thankfully, Ghastly pretended to misread his reaction. "I know you hate Necromancers, Skulduggery we all do." He winced, turned to me. "Sorry Valkyrie, no offense intended, you're the one decent Necromancer I've ever met. But that's my point, to both of you.

He looked at me grimly. "I know you wouldn't take advantage of the situation. I know you'll fight as best as you are able. We can provide backup, the entire Sanctuary will be there, though it will take a lot of convincing of civilians that they didn't see anything after. But we'll work out a ruse, we always do. Still, give me time to think. This isn't an easy thing for me to ask of you." He dismissed us and we walked slowly to the Bentley, neither of us saying a word.

Skulduggery turned to me in the car. "Wreath taught you how to do it? He doesn't even know how to do it."

"I know that, but Lord Vile did. He was nice enough to give me another flash of insight."

"I think you're daydreaming again. Lord Vile's armour was crafted by Necromancers for him, that much I do remember."

"But he was there for the forging. He, as the Death Bringer took over the process, worked his Necromancy into the armour himself. He stood there laughing at them while he did it too, nobody suspected a thing."

"I'd forgotten about that. But yes he did, still there's a difference. Your armour is already forged, Valkyrie. It won't work."

"Do you also remember Vile could transfer his Necromancy to his weapons by touch?"

Skulduggery folded his arms on the steering wheel and buried his head. "Yes." He said, voice muffled.

"Well then, let's be positive and think that feeling how he did it is a good enough lesson for me to be able to do the same thing."

Skulduggery sighed. "I never thought we'd see the day when Vile could be useful. I always wondered why your armour was black, that's just clicking into place now. God, I sincerely hope Ghastly never figures that out." His voice faint, he continued. "I don't want to loose him, but I know if he finds out the truth, I know he'll kill me, or at the very least arrest me. I don't mind that, it's the least I deserve. But if he were to hurt you as an extension of myself? Oh, Valkyrie."

"He knows, Skulduggery. He's known for some time, and he's forgiven you. " Skulduggery looked at me, utter misery written on his features, and silently put the Bentley into drive.

Skulduggery was silent for the rest of the drive home. At his house he went to his desk and put his head down, refusing to look at me. "Please, Valkyrie, I just need some time alone. Please." I knew not to push him. I shut the office door quietly, leaving him in peace. For the rest of the night I paced restlessly, keeping vigil outside the office door, half terrified out of my mind that Skulduggery would find a way to kill himself in his despair.

Around dawn my mobile rang. Ghastly. "Hello?" I answered. My voice was hoarse, raspy.

"Valkyrie? If you think you can do it, I need you to. I'm sorry there's no other way. How is he?"

"I honestly don't know. I've been outside his office all night. I haven't heard a sound. I don't even know if he's alive."

"Valkyrie Cain, what kind of partner are you?" Ghastly barked into the phone. "You get in there and you get in there now, and you tell him an Elder is ordering him to help you, you got that? Don't you dare leave Skulduggery alone for that long when he's like that ever again, do you hear me?" The line went dead and I meekly went to the door. I entered just in time to hear Skulduggery's mobile ring. He answered and I could hear an angered tirade from Ghastly, even from across the room.

"What kind of mentor are you?" I heard him roar. "You two are the absolute worst detectives I've ever seen as an Elder. If either of you had any brains you'd be dangerous. Now I don't want to hear about EITHER of you just giving up ever again, do you HEAR me?"

Skulduggery winced. "Yes, I hear you, so can Valkyrie." I came to the desk.

"Put me on speaker, Skulduggery." Ghastly's voice was slightly calmer. Neither of us dared tell him he didn't need it. Skulduggery did as he was told and Ghastly continued in a calmer voice. "You have to forgive yourself Skulduggery and man up. We all killed people during the war, and every single one of them had a family back home. I'd be lying if I didn't say I hated Lord Vile for a long time, but I also knew my mother made a mistake facing him alone. I've forgiven you, now you must find it in you to forgive yourself. You found a way back to us. Valkyrie is going to need you beside her or we'll loose her too. I've always thought of you as a brother, Skulduggery, and you know how much it hurt when you left. Valkyrie is like a daughter to me, and I don't have to tell you of all people how fathers get about their daughters, do I?"

"No." Skulduggery managed.

"Good, because if my daughter gets killed or lost, I'm holding you responsible Skulduggery and that I will kill you for, understood?" He didn't wait for a response, but spoke to me. "Now you know, Valkyrie, but don't expect me to be the doting kind of father who takes you everywhere and spends money on you. You have Skulduggery to do that for you. Though if you take advantage of my brother-"

I smiled before answering. "I'll behave, you know I wouldn't take advantage of him, ever. You are exactly like Gibbs, by the way. I almost felt the head slap."

Ghastly laughed, then rang off. Skulduggery looked at me, dumbfounded. I went and hugged him tight. "You've got an irate magical family now too, Skulduggery. Aren't you a lucky man?"

He nodded. "Yes I am, and I'll never forget that. You do know you are luckier though, having the man formerly known as Lord Vile to teach you have to transfer your powers to the armour right? We have time and we'll need to do some research to make sure of a few things. Vile wouldn't lie, surprisingly, but assuming knowing how he did it would make it safe for you to try gives me pause. Let's make sure that nothing can go wrong, all right?"

I nodded and he drew me into a tight embrace, kissing me deeply. When we at last parted, he looked at me. "Do I even have to ask?"

"Yes, Skulduggery, if we both live I'll marry you."

"Good."

That evening we rested on the couch watching TV. Once again because Skulduggery was beside me I didn't even know what was on. "Skulduggery?"

"Mmm?"

"Where are we going to do research?"

"Gordon's house, but remember, it is really your house."

"But he doesn't have any books on Necromancy."

"Yes he does. He's hidden them away for me."

I turned to get a good look at him, and he kissed me softly. "Where?" I asked, mystified.

Skulduggery chuckled slightly, running his skeletal fingers through my hair. "There's a room beyond his secret study. He's keeping my books there along with Vile's armour, and some of his weapons."

"Wow."

"Wow, indeed."

"How long has he known?"

"That I'm Lord Vile? Since before you were born. He knew, obviously, that I never wanted you to know about it until I thought the time was right, which, admittedly, would have been never."

"Oh Skulduggery." I wrapped him in a massive hug. "I love you, I'm not going to judge you. I didn't exactly tell you about Darquesse until I had my name sealed. I know I didn't react that well and went off and had a good sulk, but it was your not trusting me that hurt. Not your being Lord Vile. I kind of like Lord Vile."

"So you have said on numerous occasions. Once I've seen the books, studied my notes we can be sure we are doing things the right way. If I thought I could trust myself I'd don my armour and do it for you, of course, but that is a last resort situation, obviously."

"Don't worry, Skulduggery, what are the odds of that happening?"

Bright and early the next morning we were over at Gordon's in the room beyond his secret study. I was impressed. Books bound in black leather lined several shelves, and various weapons lined one wall. One another assorted books on Necromancy lined several bookcases, But what arrested my attention was Vile's armour. It was black like mine, but almost plain in comparison. Still, it almost felt as if it were alive and Lord Vile himself stood before me. I drug my attention away to watch Skulduggery as he searched through the black-bound books.

He cast a glance at me. "There's a lot of research here, Valkyrie, feel free to jump in at any time. You could start with the books over there." He jerked his skull back, indicating the bookself by Vile's armour.

I nodded, happy to be of use. I hardly had the first book off the shelf when I felt Skulduggery caress my hair. "Skulduggery! Cut that out or we'll never get done."

I heard his annoyed snort from across the room. "Cut what out? I'm reading, Valkyrie. So should you. Now get to work."

The caressing hand continued and I stood slowly to face Vile's armour. The hands of which had helped me up. I could feel the eye slits staring at me, and a gauntleted hand came up to caress my face. I closed my eyes. The touch was exactly the same as Skulduggery's. The arms wrapped around me, firmly but gently and drew me close. I heard a book fall to the floor with a thud. Vile's armour dipped it's head and pressed the armoured forehead into mine.

I hear several inarticulate sounds come out of Skulduggery. At last he could speak. "I forgot, the armour can activate when I'm in close proximity. Apparently Lord Vile is rather smitten with you."

I looked into the eye slits and the head tilted endearingly. This was, after all, part of Skulduggery, so I took my chances. "Lord Vile?" The head dipped in a graceful nod. "You know what I am here for?" A gauntleted hand came up to rest on my shoulder and he nodded again. "Will you help me?" At that his arms fell away from me and the armour once again become inert. I looked over at Skulduggery.

He shrugged. "It is only the armour remember, a small part of Vile. True it is him, is rather me in a sense. I still want to research, if all else fails Vile's fascination with you might help us." We did do research, with me having to take a few breaks to eat, but it was clear Vile hadn't been fool enough to write down anything about his own armour.

"Because he kept it locked away, up here." Skulduggery tapped his skull. He looked nervous. The hour was late, but that had nothing to do with it. He hesitated, then spoke. "You might want to have your armour on in case his good will runs out."

"No Skulduggery, he'll take that as a threat, as rejection. Trust me on this, I know how to approach him."

"He could kill you!"

"Skulduggery, we don't have any other choice. Let me get the armour. There's a wide lawn behind this mansion. I'll meet Vile there. Trust me, and be brave."

He looked miserable but nodded. Skulduggery touched the armour and it collapsed in on itself. "Well, let's get this over with."

I nodded, and we went out to the Bentley for the armour, Skulduggery watching me with a pained expression. "You don't have to do this." He said.

"Skulduggery, I, well, I'll tell you later, but trust me, this will work."

He nodded sadly, and we walked to the grassy area behind the mansion. The moonlight filtered down as I backed away, leaving the armour at Skulduggery's feet. He looked at me, his expression almost too much for me to take. "Valkyrie. Please, don't make me do this." His voice was anguished.

"Be brave." I said. I swear actual tears ran down his skeletal face then, but I couldn't be sure, because in an instant Lord Vile stood before me.

I nodded respectfully to him and he inclined his head to stare at me through the eye slits of his visor. "Lord Vile." He looked at me for the longest time, then slowly nodded. I walked closer hoping really, really hard that his memories were indeed his and I hadn't gotten Skulduggery's daydreams instead. "I need your help. You know what I want to do, what I need to do. Think of it, a cave stronger than a god. Think of what a Necromancer could do to that cave with the right preparations."

He crossed his arms like Skulduggery and looked down at my armour, then back up at me, a question in his glance. "You're the only Necromancer strong enough to help me." This wasn't working. I walked even closer, feeling his stare. "Please, teach me." For a moment I though maybe I was wrong, maybe I hadn't read Vile's memories correctly. But I had. It was never Darquesse he desired as a student, but me. He closed the gap between us, took me into his arms. He armoured head once again dipped to press against mine.

He stood back and gestured to the armour, then to me. He tapped his own armour. He wanted me in mine. I nodded and touched the armour. It came on faithfully as always, and Lord Vile circled me, looking at it from every angle. I realized he could have destroyed me at a whim, I could feel the raw power coiled inside of him. Vile's gauntleted hands inspected my clothes, touched the armour itself. I felt a lingering caress on my back, then his hands rested on my shoulders. Then he turned me around to face him. Shadows swirled around him, and he gathered these shadows and pressed them into my armour.

I could feel the power of Necromancy at his touch, could feel how ice cold the armour became. He seemed to sense my discomfort and his visored gaze held mine steadily. Lord Vile was encouraging me to take the power for myself, to seal it into the armour. Without words he was guiding me through the process, pleased with how rapidly we progressed. When we were finished and the armour was sealed he stepped back from me in satisfaction, arms folded and head tilted to one side.

He looked at me and I hear his unasked question. "Yes, Lord Vile, I'd be honored to train with you." I could feel his smile, even behind his armour.

I've always thought Ghastly knew the truth about Lord Vile and was a far better man and friend than anyone suspected. Also I figured Lord Vile himself, was, after all, Skulduggery, no matter how many times people pretend he isn't. So he'd have the same emotional reaction to Valkyrie, and loves her in his own way. Next up: training with Lord Vile!