34

THE PREDICTION

Dazzling was the word that came to mind when you passed by the church that Friday. It really looked beautiful. So calm, so peaceful. But inside, it was total and utter chaos as everyone ran around trying to get things into order. Tunica sighed. "Yeah, this is what I expected."

They walked through the aisle and saw how things were shaping up. Strike and Jack hung up decorations, agents took the snacks and drinks into the reception hall and the priest walked around, wondering why he was here so early.

"You have to admit, this is going to be a good wedding," said Tunica, proud at what she had accomplished, yet again.

"If we survive it," mumbled Valkyrie looking around.

"We will."

"Tunica, is your brother here at all?" Skulduggery asked as she continued walking. She stopped. She thought for a moment. "Maybe. I really and honestly don't know. Why?"

"Though we could tell your brother about the symbol on your back."

"What about it?" inquired Valkyrie.

"It's a possessive symbol that made me crazy earlier and we thought Mike could try and get rid of it before tonight," said Tunica. She looked around and saw Jack and Strike walk up to them. She gave them a small wave. "Hi there, guys. You wouldn't happen to know where Mikhail is, would you?"

"A hello would be nice first, Tunica," said Jack folding his arms.

"I just saw you at the library."

"Still. I'm very hurt that you don't say hello to me anymore."

Strike sighed. "I'll go fetch him for you."

"Thank you Strike. At least you're not a drama queen like the person right in front of me!"

Jack grinned. Strike walked away.

"So Jack, are you ready for tonight?" Valkyrie asked.

He shrugged. "It'll be like any other Friday, I suppose. For some reason, we always seem to get really bad missions on a Friday. What a bother. And you?"

She shrugged. "When you're around Skulduggery, something like this is nothing new."

He looked at her, saying nothing. "Very true," said Jack.

Mikhail walked up to them with Strike. "Hello all. What can I do for you on this fine and hectic day?" he said happily, dusting his hands on his shirt.

"We need you to see the symbol on my back, Mike. It may be what caused me to go and nearly kill Guild," said Tunica.

He grinned. "I thought that was you just being, well, you."

"Can it."

He laughed. "Come with me. There's a vacant bedroom further up the passage for changing. I'll take a look for you."

Tunica followed her brother but then suddenly stopped. "Oh, right," she took out the gems from her pocket and tossed the bag to Black Jack. "Here are the extra decorations. Wear this to stop yourself from being affected," she handed him a necklace.

"Cool," he said taking them. "See you later. I can't wait to see you in a dress."

She looked at him, smiling while doing it. She walked off, as did he.

"So, exactly what are we to do?" asked Skulduggery.

"Well, by the looks of things, Angel is about to answer your question," said Strike pointing at someone behind Skulduggery.

He turned around to see a very upset Angel. "Hi Angel. What are you doing…?" started Skulduggery when Angel stopped him. "Skulduggery, we need to talk. Now!"

"What about?"

"Something very important. Where's my sister?"

"Being examined by your brother. Angel, what is this about?"

"Life and death."

Skulduggery looked at him. "Angel…"

"Now, Skulduggery!" Valkyrie looked at Angel as well. She had never seen him so tense. Something really seemed to be wrong. She then thought about Tunica and when she went dark and scary. She saw the resemblance.

Skulduggery nodded slightly. "Follow me."

They walked up to the room Mikhail and Tunica had entered. Skulduggery knocked on the door. "Who ever it is, we're busy in here."

"Mikhail, it's me," said Angel. "This is important."

"How important?"

"Life and death."

The door swung open and Mikhail looked at his brother. Tunica was up, standing and looking at her brother. Mikhail spoke. "Okay, who's dying?"

"No one, yet," said Angel. "But we need to talk, now."

Mikhail's eyebrows rose. "When you have that look in your eyes, something really bad is going on. Come in, bro."

Skulduggery and Angel walked in. Valkyrie followed but was stopped by Angel. "Sorry, Cain; grown up talk."

The door slammed in her face. She frowned. "Hey! What do you think I am?"

She began to bang at the door but no one answered. She put her ear against the door but heard nothing. She scowled. They must have put a spell on the door. She cursed. What were they talking about that she couldn't hear? Angel said life and death, but whose life and death? Was it hers? If it was, why not tell her? She jumped as a hand came on her shoulder. She turned around to see Jack smiling at her. "Skulduggery really has taught you well. What you up to, Cain?"

"Skulduggery and Angel disappeared in there without telling me what was so important. Angel said it was life and death," said Valkyrie standing up straight from her crouching position.

"And he wasn't dying?"

"No."

"Hmm, could be something else."

"He said it was important. He even had his scary face on."

"Then it must be important," said Jack kneeling down onto the ground. "Now you've got me curious." He put his ear against the door. He then moved his head away. "Ah, they've used a spell to block out sound. Probably going to be a lot of screaming and swearing. Sweet." He looked at Valkyrie. "Uh, I mean bad, very bad!"

She looked at him. "Yeah, I know. I'm not very convincing, am I?"

"No, not really," she said grinning. "Is there anyway to remove the spell?"

"No," said Jack reaching into his pocket, "But there is a way for us to listen to them." He got out a thin and small cylinder that was silver and metallic. He put one side onto the door and pressed a small button on it. There other side opened up and their voices were heard. Valkyrie looked at him. "TALT technology is amazing, eh?"

They began to listen to the conversation. "…you sure about this, bro?" Tunica's voice said. "It could have been a bad dream or something?"

"Tunica, I am sure of this," said Angel.

Skulduggery's voice came on. "Angel, what exactly did you see?"

"I saw Tunica being shot by the Mystic Slayer by a person wearing black gloves…" started Angel when his sister's voice cut in. "The Witch's hand, no doubt."

"And…and then I saw Valkyrie being stabbed," continued Angel, his voice going low.

Valkyrie gasped. Jack looked at her. Then looked at the cylinder.

"What next?" asked Mikhail.

"The Witch's face came up saying your choice," said Angel.

Tunica came in. "Angel, bits and pieces of a vision is nothing. This could all be happening at different times."

"Then why did I see you both wearing outfits for tonight?" he said sadly.

There was a moment of silence. Then Tunica began to speak. "Skulduggery, you know what this means…"

"She will fight us on this like you won't believe, Tunica," said Skulduggery.

"Spare her life so she will be arguing with you another day."

"It's not that simple…"

"Skulduggery!"

"Tunica, don't second guess me! She's more powerful than you'll ever know…"

"Skulduggery, I'm a Mystic, she's an Ancient! Of course I bloody well know how much more powerful she is!"

The two voices began to curse at each other, anger muddling up their voices. Jack looked at Valkyrie. She looked away.

"Enough!" shouted Angel finally.

"Look, Skulduggery; whatever you decide, I don't care what it may be, just know this: Valkyrie cannot die. If the Witch kills her, you know what will happen next."

"Tunica…"

"Pleasant, Angel, Mikhail; I didn't tell you this but my informer back in New York predicted my death. He told me it would be tonight."

Everyone went silent for a moment till Tunica continued. "Meaning Cain probably won't die tonight, but knowing the Witch, she's not one to keep to her word."

"Tunica, now one is dying today!" said Skulduggery, anger in his voice.

"Are you going to question two physicists?"

"They can be wrong…"

"I've never seen the day when they were!"

"There's a first for everything, Spellcaster!"

"Guys, calm down," said Mikhail finally. "Fighting with one another like this is helping no one. It's just giving me a bad headache."

"Mikhail's right. Fighting with each other is doing nothing but making noise. Tunica, Skulduggery, tonight we all just have to be careful of one another. Okay?"

"No deal," said Tunica reluctantly. "I am not going to just leave this at that. A girl, an innocent little girl could die tonight because of our enemies. I am not having that!" There was a movement sounds and Skulduggery screaming and then a gunshot going off. Valkyrie and Jack screamed.

Jack shot up and kicked the door down. They looked inside to see everyone still standing and alive. Skulduggery and Tunica were struggling with each other; his revolver in her hand. She looked at Valkyrie and Jack. She froze, as did Skulduggery.

"Uh, oops," said Jack frowning.

"Black Jack, were you ease-dropping?" said Angel folding his arms, "Again?"

"Um, no."

Angel looked at Valkyrie. She looked at him, shock become a very real and annoying thing to her with every second that passed by.

Skulduggery let go of Tunica. "Valkyrie, what ever you heard…"

"No, I heard enough!" she said. "I'm fighting tonight and I don't care what any of you say!"

She turned around furiously and walked out of the room. Skulduggery and Tunica began to follow her, but the closer they got, the more Valkyrie felt scared. She ran. She heard them calling to her, telling her to come back, but she just ran.

Man, it's good to be back. Sorry I was away for so long! Well, I am back and ready to finish publishing this book. See you soon!