Chapter Six: Celina Pleasant

"Two hearts fill my heart.

Four hands grab onto mine.

Two mouths kiss my cheek and tell me they love me.

Four eager eyes watch me anxiously to see what I will do.

Two voices sing with me in the darkest of the nights.

Two beings give me compassion when I have to make the hard choice.

But only one stays. Only one lives.

Now there is only one heart to fill my heart, one mouth to kiss my cheek.

Two hands to grab mine; one voice to sing in the darkest of nights.

One being to give me her compassion, instead of two.

Only one person to protect.

One person to love.

Only one."

"Damn," Valkyrie cursed under her breath as she took in the sight in front of them.

Luny who had been whistling stopped instantly when she saw the figure ahead of them. "Who are you Necroman?" Luny asked looking at her closely.

The figure chuckled, "I doubt you would remember me Luna. Most people seem to have forgotten me."

"What do you want?" Valkyrie asked briskly.

The figure who was undoubtedly female, laughed. "You truly are The Skeleton Detective's lackey aren't you? Always asking questions, and trying to figure out answers."

Valkyrie glared at her, and had to fight to control herself. If she had wanted to, she could blast this necro-crazed chick into the next century, but for now she would wait.

"At least I don't wear creepy cloaks," She retorted, smirking in the necromancer's direction.

Summoning shadows around her Valkyrie continued, "Besides you aren't the only one who knows dark magic."

Luny grinned widely. "You didn't tell me you were a Necro and an Elemental! That's freakin' wicked Cainy!"

The other sorcerer also summoned shadows around her. It would have been a terrifying sight, had her voice not cracked when she cleared her throat and said, "You would choose her, over me Luna?" She asked, pulling down her hood.

Both Ghastly and Luny gasped as she did. Valkyrie didn't understand why. She looked like an average girl of about fifteen. Her hair the color of ravens wings, and her eyes were a stunning light green. She had a long scar running down the length of her face from her right eyebrow to her jaw.

"Starchild. .?" Luny called, her eyes softening.

The girl walked closer to them, tears in her eyes. "Luna it is me. I'm back. "

"But your mother told us you were dead." Ghastly said in his raspy voice.

"Starchild?" Valkyrie repeated in confusion. "Who are you?"

The necromancer turned to look at her, and said simply, "I am Celina Pleasant."

Luny just then ran over to the child and embraced her tightly. "We thought we had lost you!"

Celina patted her aunt smartly before she pulled away. "Oh but my dear Luna you have."

She glared at Valkyrie, "You lost me when I found out father had forgotten me, and chosen another girl to take my place, at his side!"

"No one could ever take your place Celina." A voice from the shadows said quietly.

Celina turned to see someone she thought she would never see again.

"Daddy. . . ."

Skulduggery nodded, and held open his arms to her, beckoning her to come to him.

Celina hesitantly took a step forward, before she shook her head. Without another word, she flicked her wrist. Shadows shot out towards Valkyrie and surrounded her, binding her in darkness.

"Valkyrie!" Skulduggery yelled running to her side. "Valkyrie!"

Valkyrie screamed from inside before the shadows flew away carrying her with them. Within seconds see was gone.

Celina smirked at Skulduggery, "You shouldn't get attached Skeleton, it leaves you caring." And with that she too disappeared.

Skulduggery fell to his knees, muttering the two names one his mind. Celina, Valkyrie. Celina, Valkyrie. Celina, Valkyrie. Celina. Valkyrie. Celina. . .Valkyrie.

"Only one person to protect.

One person to love.

Only one."