he...he...he... well i'm finally back and ready to update... :) ... :( okay please don't kill me i just had major writers block and well didn't have any time and i've been having a bad term at school okay and well not getting the marks that i usally get so my grades are falling and yadayada. and ive been having family problems if any of you know me well enough and in person then you will know what im on about :) so yeah... :)

well this is a short chapter hopefully it will sustain you untill i have the time and ideas to update next...

sorry about the long wait :(

enjoy :) and please review it will be much appreciated!

"Why is it that every time something goes wrong Caelan is always involved?" Skulduggery sighed taking off his hat and scratching his forehead.

"No idea but I'm talking about dusk here!" Valkyrie said sternly. She was in no mood to be talking about the obsessions and actions of Caelan the vampire right now.

"Caelan said that dusk is now working for Regan in order to get Vanity and Vintage." She said frustrated at having to repeat it for about the third time to her partner.

"And how in the world did he know and find out?" skulduggery questioned the girl opposite him. Valkyrie groaned she had hoped she wouldn't be the one to tell him this. "Vanity was attacked she is now with Caelan being looked after."

Skulduggery tilted his head at an accusing angle as she continued "he told me that Regan and dusk had attacked her and tortured her to give them information."

"Your certain she's being looked after and not ripped to shreds?" skulduggery said leaning casually back in his chair.

Valkyrie clenched her fists and gritted her teeth saying "quite sure she is recovering from her injuries at his place."

"Fine, fine," skulduggery said giving up on his accusation of Caelan. "What sort of information did they want from her anyway?"

"I'm not sure" Valkyrie let her head fall into her hands and she ran her fingers through her hair sighing.

"Are you okay?" Skulduggery asked his voice suddenly filled with concern at the body language of his partner.

Yeah I'm fine just a bit tired is all" she said tilting her head to the side to stretch her sore and stiff neck. She saw skulduggery's head tilt and his mouth fall open, Bad mistake. She quickly fixed her hair to hide the two purple and black coloured lumps but Skulduggery's keen eye had already seen.
"Bloody hell Valkyrie I wouldn't call that just tired "he sat up and leant over the table reaching for her hair, he lifted it to reveal the little mounds protruding from her neck right in between her ear and shoulder.

"What is this why haven't they healed yet?" he asked suddenly becoming angry.

"I don't know" Valkyrie replied trying to shrug off his hand but failed in the attempt. He ran his fingers over them and felt the lumps. It was like a deep valley in between two very tall and large mountains.

"We need to get this checked out by Kenspeckle immediately." Skulduggery said rising to his feet quickly and pulling her along behind him not paying attention to her protests.

"No really it's fine, I'm fine skul don't worry about it. I just want to get this dusk business sorted." Skulduggery was about to but in when Valkyrie held up her hand silencing him. "And I think we need to visit China to find out more about this Regan guy."

"But your neck…" began skulduggery but Valkyrie cut him off saying exasperatedly

"It's fine okay! Let's just get to China's"

Skulduggery nodded sighing and they began to head out to the Bentley. They clambered in and skulduggery pulled away from the curb.

The journey was silent except for the purr of the engine. They arrived at the library and climbed out of the car. When they entered the building China caught sight of them and came bustling over.

"Skulduggery dear, Valkyrie." She nodded to the both of them and then planted a kiss on Skulduggery's cheek bone. Valkyrie saw him suddenly go ridged and smiled cheekily.

"What service may I be to you two lovely people?" China asked happily as she placed her hand in Skulduggery's and the three of them began to walk off towards her apartment door.

"Just the usual." Skulduggery said clearing his throat and taking off his hat. Valkyrie could have sworn she saw him blushing.

sah yeah ! (hehehehe alyss our phone call the other day hehehehehe)

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review

sorry for any spelling mistakes but hey not everyone is perfect (darn that sucks) :) hehehe