Sorry it's been a while got caught up with school and books so lost the vibe of writing. But I'm back again seek reviews! :D

I hope you like the plat has thickened...

R&R

Chapter 4

Conversations

As Valkyrie got dressed, she pondered the conversation that her and Skulduggery had on their way up.

They were both still panting as they headed up to their rooms. Valkyrie still being able to feel the glare China had sent her, on her back as she climbed the stairs away from the oval.

"What did you mean by, 'doesn't breath'?"Skulduggery asked looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"What?" Valkyrie asked lost.

"Before you went to you locker you said, 'for someone who doesn't breath you sure have a lot of breath.'" They started walking faster, as they ascended the spiralling stairs.

"Oh." Valkyrie tried to gather her thoughts.

"It was nothing, a metaphor or joke you could say among my family." Valkyrie said trying her best to keep her face and body nonchalantly.

"How is not being able to breathe a joke?"

"Um…"

Valkyrie slowed down a bit.

"I…I'm not sure how the joke came about, but i'm sure it doesn't mean what you're suggesting."

"And what am I suggesting?" Skulduggery cracked a smug smile, dropping the issue.

Valkyrie growled. Frowning, she tried to focus on walking. But the spiralling, spinning stair case proved to much. She needed a distraction. Unfortunately Skulduggery was still keeping up to her and the only option. So that meant questions.

Valkyrie glanced at Skulduggery trying to find a good casual question. When she looked, Skulduggery's messy black hair was falling into his face and his eyes were distant, water still soaked his cloths and hair, dripping down his face. Making his skin look waxy up close.

"Do you know what you're going to do after the academy?" Valkyrie asked looking at him, she had stolen the question off one of her old school orientations.

Skulduggery looked at her surprised by the sudden question. "Not sure, you?"

Valkyrie sighed, knowing the conversation was going to be ending soon, "I don't know either, maybe I might follow my parents and become a detective."

Skulduggery looked at her," Really?"

"Yes, something wrong with my answer?"

"No, just took me by surprise, you don't look like a detective."

"Oh." Valkyrie didn't know how to reply

Yep the conversation had ended.

They had final managed to reach their floor. Valkyrie walked straight into her and Tanith's room only waving and murmuring a bye to Skulduggery.

Valkyrie sighed still pondering the conversation.

Skulduggery is so odd…

Shrugging Valkyrie walked to dinner.

Days and weeks have passed. They progressed into magic, yet nothing practical, they were still learning the safety when using magic. The fighting lessons still consisted of running. Ghastly and Dexter were now able to stay in line with Valkyrie and Skulduggery, getting them selves a freebie out of doing more activities.

China's glare progressed into something that happened whenever Valkyrie was in her vicinity. China also progressed into silent whispering to her followers when Valkyrie was in earshot. Valkyrie also learned from asking Tanith every know and than about Skulduggery's relationship with China. Which consisted to the fact that China had a massive crush on him that Skulduggery was oblivious to, Valkyrie had to even witness the painful flirting of China trying to get Skulduggery's attention.

Valkyrie hadn't heard anything from her parents. They never answered her messages, so Valkyrie had the worrying feeling always at the back of her mind, at the fact that her father could have destroyed the computer they had at home, or her father had got lost and her mother was out searching for him or they were so deep in an investigation they forgot they had a life.

Now Valkyrie was lying on the grass - summer having reached its full capacity of heat in the mountains that girls were able to wear the skirts high up their thighs causing boys like Dexter and Erskine to always be drooling over them - with the group also seating or lying around in their lunch period. Valkyrie was pondering if they would ever learn anything of importance in class.

Plus she really wanted to know what power Tanith had and how good Skulduggery was at fighting. He was unfortunately good at everything, that he had even smugly offered to help her with studying, she almost through her books at him. Instead she shivered passed him and told him to find someone else to tutor him. She was greatly annoyed when she was unconsciously pleased to hear him laugh.

Thats when Tanith - who had a detention - stormed up to Valkyrie.

"Why didn't you tell me China hates you!" She demanded

"Uh… Because China isn't important and I didn't really care," Valkyrie replied truthfully - her and Tanith had become really close - they were like sisters.

"China's a bitch and she's now out to get you," Tanith said sitting down, concern for her friend was written all over her face.

"Really?" Valkyrie sat up,"Huh, thats new."

"Valkyrie, China could kill you and get away with it!" Tanith actual believed what she was saying, which surprised Valkyrie.

"I'm sure." Valkyrie said, with sarcasm slightly slipping through.

"You need to look out for her group, she normally uses them to do her dirty work."

"You mean her minions?" Valkyrie asked moving her bag to sit in front of her.

"Yes!" Tanith took a bite out of her sandwich.

"China seems like the kind of girl that just uses words" Valkyrie said as she got her English book out - she had just remembered the homework she had to do.

"Hell no, China fights with fire!" Erskine said cutting in to the conversation

"Yeah, China's a bitch but she's a hot one at that," Dexter said even though she was analysing a girl, Valkyrie thought she recognised.

Maybe she's in my English or History class?

"China has made so many girls drop down the totem pole of popularity so she can be the only queen bee," Hopeless stated looking up from his book.

"I'm popular?" Valkyrie asked looking at them

"Yes." They all said in unison.

"That'll never happen again" Valkyrie murmured

"Valkyrie be carefully, you need to stay on the totem pole," Tanith said already half way down her sandwich,"for we need to force China down, she's been up there way to long."

Tanith smiled wickedly as the bell rang for glass.

Valkyrie walked to her fighting class now knowing that China was planning something, to make her fall - and most likely lose her friends - which made her somewhat scarier.

But Tanith's smile gave Valkyrie the knowledge that her friends will help her out.

Skulduggery was smiling when Valkyrie came back from the changing rooms. She had to put up with, worried glances and glares from China's minions.

"What?" Valkyrie asked annoyed he was pleased

"I know something you don't know," Skulduggery said calmly

"If you start chanting I'll hit you." Valkyrie said, as she watched the other students walked either excitedly or in a sluggish way that made other people want to kill them.

"Dexter!" Skulduggery said with a grin

Dexter came skipping happily around the corner grinning like a manic.

"I know something you don't know!" Dexter sang cheerily,"do-dah do-dah!"

Valkyrie glared at Dexter as he skipped around her and Skulduggery. Valkyrie knew people were watching, but she knew one set was on her - China.

"Dexter is an amazing fellow!" Skulduggery cheered as the class walked towards Miss Dynamic.

"Today we stop running!"

The class cheered. Valkyrie didn't, she waited for the catch. Skulduggery was smiling wickedly out of the corner of her eye.

"Today we start the first few steps in fighting!"

A few students perked up, especially Ghastly.

"And these first few steps in fighting are the basic self defence."

Groans from the boys in the group.

"Now go grab a mat and start stretching!"

Valkyrie and the rest of the class herded over to the pile of blue and purple yoga mats. Dexter and Ghastly were beside Valkyrie and they were both bouncing on the balls of their feet. They were highly active.

Please God let it not be partner up, today, I'm sure I'll be useful in the future…

"Space yourself away from any distracts!" Miss Dynamic called, most students moved further apart, but still in talking distance. Skulduggery and Dexter placed their mats beside Valkyrie. Ghastly was either behind her or beside them, she was to buzzy stretching to care.

Miss Dynamic strolled around in between the gaps helping students that were having trouble stretching. Valkyrie was already half way through her main stretching. Skulduggery and Dexter were copying her, Valkyrie ended up smirking when both Skulduggery and Dexter fell over.

"Well done, Valkyrie," Miss Dynamic complemented her as she walked past.

"Now put your left foot forward and guard your body with your fist," Miss Dynamic was instructing the class. Valkyrie stood there copying the instructions she was yelling. Valkyrie was slowly getting bored, but doing all this defensive skills was reminding her of her parents. She tried to ignore them, knowing if she thought about them for a minute she would become home sick. But teachers have begun to let them now that assignments were going to be piling up by the end of this semester.

Valkyrie was still pondering about staying, for the two week holiday. Arguments for both sides flooding in.

By the time you get there you'll have to pack up and leave again.

You haven't seen you parents in ages.

You'll probably have to see extensions of the family.

Valkyrie shuddered at that thought. Her aunt was horrid.

Your friends probably won't be staying to, you'll be alone bored.

You parents are most likely working, explaining the no calls, so won't be around.

You need to help your parents take control of their lives again.

Everything had the own argument. And most were good. Valkyrie sighed as she did a right hook.

Hang on how was that self defence?

Valkyrie looked up and realised she'd been going off on her own rhythm of steps. Everyone else was listening to Miss Dynamic announce what the assessment was. Valkyrie tried to gather her dignity quickly. Unfortunately Skulduggery and Dexter saw what she was doing and start to giggle.

Do guys even giggle? Chuckle maybe?

Valkyrie frowned than poked her tongue at them. She turned back to Miss Dynamic.

"…fighting is a skilful, if you plan on working for the elders or in any sanctuary you need to learn self defence as common grades factor…." Valkyrie zoned out China was staring at her in complete hate.

If only looks could kill.

China the smiled sweetly, Valkyrie frowned knowing that wasn't a good sign.

Just what I wished for, bitchy girl drama, who knew even in the magical world they have adolescent bullying.

Valkyrie turned away from China take the advice many adults have given her.

"…ignore them, they hate being ignored…"

Valkyrie listened to the rest of what Miss Dynamic was informing. Assessment of fighting was mentioned and the whole class groaned in horror. Valkyrie smiled sadly, at the attitude of the students.

Jesus Christ! Homework was going to come what did you think? The teachers were magical going to miss our year?

Miss Dynamic wasn't impressed by the attitude either and was also positive no one was fit enough to move on. So the class had to run around the oval again. Valkyrie was kinda happy, she liked running.

Valkyrie was walking out of the girls bathroom, drying her hair with a towel when she came into the room to find China talking to some guy, with dark hair and a surprisingly good tan for Ireland. As soon as China spotted Valkyrie - which was the minute she walked into the room - China smiled sweetly at the guy, leaned up and whispered something into his ear.

Better watch out for that guy…

Valkyrie moved towards the set of sits Skulduggery and Dexter had placed the stuff. Waiting for them, sometimes it took forever last time she waited her stomach began to growl, she was thinking they'd be faster than her. Apparently not, thats why she washed her hair, too blow off time.

Skulduggery and Ghastly stumbled out of the bathrooms shoving each other. Skullduggery's hair was wet. Valkyrie tried to ignore it, she kept getting distracted by it lately.

"How long have you been out here for?" Ghastly asked looking at her with surprise.

"Long enough," Valkyrie replied,"Could have done another ten laps, and showered again."

"Ha," Ghastly said sarcastically,"ha."

Skulduggery smiled, smirking, causing Valkyrie to smile.

"Running is always the best thing to do isn't it?" Skulduggery rhetorical asked

"Hmm…" Valkyrie hummed agreeing. As they started walking to their next class - Dexter was with Tanith in this one. But as Ghastly and Skulduggery took the lead, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her back. It was the guy who had been talking with China…

"Sorr' for the inconvenience," The Strange Guy, had a Texas drawl.

"Apology accepted." Valkyrie tried to walk away again but The Texas Guy blocked her way with his body. "What do you want?"

"Oh, nothin' in particular," He went on, moving his face closer to hers.

"Argccch" His breath was foul, "Well then, let me go."

He shook his head. "Not gonna happen,Valkyrie Cain"

"I don't even know who you are?"

"Oh excuse mi manners," He said with a smug little smile, "Billy-Ray Sanguine."

"Hello, then, Billy" Valkyrie replied kindly, hoping he'd get confused by the change in character.

"Hello Miss." He replied not even blinking.

"What did China tell you?" Valkyrie gave in and asked.

"China? Oh, yeah, China." He sounded surprised like he was caught by the question. "China gave me a job."

"And what is that job?" Valkyrie asked.

"Sorr' can' tell ya" Billy-Ray's strong accent came through.

"Well, want she giving you in return?"

Billy smiled psychotically. "A target…"

Thats when Valkyrie, kneed him in the stomach. He bent down, Valkyrie shoved him, causing him to topple and slide across the gym floor. Valkyrie bolted not wanting to know anything else. She could hear Billy laughing down the hall.

Valkyrie was running. She didn't know why she kept running. She knew that Billy-Ray wasn't chasing after her. But she didn't slow. She kept racing down corridor, after corridor. She completely forgot were she should be. Confusion was racing towards her, playing on fogging up her thoughts.

Than she ran into something hard. She flew to the ground, her hand breaking her fall.

"Shit!" Valkyrie cursed as she rolled onto back so she could see what she hit. But instead her head collided with it.

"Ow! Oh my God!" Valkyrie cursed again.

"Valkyrie, just stop moving!" Skulduggery's voice cam loud and clear.

"Skulduggery?" Valkyrie slowly raised her head. "What are you doing in the corridor by yourself?"

"I was look for you," Skulduggery said picking up her hand check to see if it's injured, "why were you running?"

"Oh, nothing." Valkyrie took her hand back, it was fine. But her head was sore, she was rubbing it.

"You head okay?" Skulduggery asked after a while, he'd been staring at her with suspicion.

"Yeah," Valkyrie slowly got up,"You just have a hard head."

Skulduggery smiled. "We have English…"

"How late are we?" Valkyrie asked turning to him. He's annoyingly two-heads taller than her, making her look up to him. He fished out his phone. It was old. Valkyrie hated it, it looked annoying and slow.

"We've missed twenty minutes of english." He flipped the phone shut. It was a flip phone, it was black, Valkyrie decided it was at least twenty years old.

"What do we have after English?"

"History, duh it's Monday." Skulduggery looked at her.

"Well, do you really want to do English?" Valkyrie asked picking up her bag, her head now only had a dull ache.

"No, not really," Skulduggery shouldered his bag.

Valkyrie looked at him. Then she remember why she was running, who she was running from, she quickly spun around. But Billy-Ray Sanguine wasn't there, she didn't want to go to class, but she didn't want to go to her room, where she'll fill trapped.

"Hey, you okay?" Skulduggery asked looking over her shoulder.

"Nothing," Valkyrie thoughts preoccupied.

"We should go into the maze." Skulduggery suggested.

"What?" Valkyrie looked back into Skulduggery's face, his blue eyes were sparkling like crystal pools.

"The rose maze, we haven't explored it yet?" Skulduggery started walking down the hall the way she came bolting down. Valkyrie took a cautious step forward. Billy-Ray was a threat. All lessons of her parents teaching her to stay safe came rushing at her. But than she remembered that Skulduggery was there. And Valkyrie caught up to the waiting Skulduggery. Billy-Ray was just a pawn in China's plan.

"Never broken rules before?" Skulduggery asked looking sideways at her.

"No, I've broken rules before."

"Then way the hesitation?" Skulduggery asked confused

"Huh? Oh I was fixing my hair."

Skulduggery looked at her suspicion back in his face. But Valkyrie ignored him.

She kept glance behind her should and around corners as they headed towards the maze.

Skulduggery's suspicion grew.

_

The stench was horrid.

Flowing up into the gloved mans nostrils. He snarled.

The green papery man slow walked back and further, pumping vile stench into another papery green man. Sowing and stitching the slowly waking man.

The gloved man walked away. He walked to his throne, which he sat. Stroking the arm of his throne, he pondered the plan.

Smiling he knew his plan would work.

"Thous silly detectives trying to stop me? Ha! The Elders have to do a better job than that!"

The gloved man watched as his green, foul smelling, papery men stood silently. His quiet army…