Chapter Seventeen

Dead Man Walking

Skulduggery found that he, except Theodore guiding him, was alone. He suspected Detective Hugo Spite and Rowan Envy must've been taking away on a different route from behind Skulduggery.

Skulduggery could feel the barrel of a gun sticking into his spine, he could've rolled his eyes if he had any.

"I'm made of a bones, not fleshed. No normal gun can effect me." He told Theodore.

Theodore dug in the gun more into his bones. "Well, this ain't no normal gun, Pleasant. This is made out of Gamma Rays and can pulverise your wasted existence to dust!"

"Oh, how nice," Remarked Skulduggery. "So, you and your 'comrades' are using mortal weapons and equipment. Surely the great, mighty and powerful Warlocks don't think they won't defeat us using their over exaggerated magic?"

Theodore didn't raise up to his bait, "We do have a power that could actually ruin you Skulduggery but I wanted you two to meet first before the end comes, and what else can I threaten you with."

"Ah, so you're saying that as I am so difficult to kill, that makes me your most feared rival?" Skulduggery turned his head back to see Theodore behind him, They continued to walk up the underground slope. "So, you're going to finish me off with a Warlock who think he can actually kill me?"

Theodore nodded, "I think you will be unpleasantly surprised."

"Can't wait,"

"But the Major wants to see you first, he has a…proposition for you."

"Oh yeah?" Skulduggery was interested yet a little concerned at the same time. "What kind of proposition?"

But Theodore kept a poker face and remained silent as he led Skulduggery to a chamber.

The chamber was simple, the walls made of stone and slimy moss covered them. This told Skulduggery they were still underground. There was a simple desk in the middle of the small, damp room. Behind the vast desk sat Major Jerome Riddle. He looked perfectly healthy, except for his extremely pale skin but he smiled non the less up at Skulduggery's entrance. Jerome was not in fact alone however.

Skulduggery could've missed her but she was indeed standing in the shadow of the corner. But her bright red hair didn't give her a full disguise.

Elsa Wild.

Theodore stopped him in front of the desk, where Major Riddle stared from his desk.

This reminded Skulduggery when he was first employed by the Sanctuary and first met the current Grand Mage. Facing the stony faced man who would fire him in a click of a finger if Skulduggery messed up. It was that feeling of nerves. But he knew this time, this was far worse than the probability of losing a job.

"You've been planning this since you were appointed Major." Skulduggery said to Jerome.

He felt Theodore hit the back of his spine and Skulduggery knelt over, in pain.

"You do not speak before the master speaks!" Hissed Theodore.

He pulled back Skulduggery up to face the Major.

Skulduggery saw Jerome stand up and address Theodore. "I will have him. Leave him with me."

"But Master, I.."

"JUST GO!" bellowed Riddle, his hand swiped up and Theodore was thrown back into the corridor and the heavy wooden door slammed back into Theodore's stunned face.

Skulduggery was stood, hands cuffed facing Major Riddle.

"Pleasant."

"Riddle."

They both surveyed each other. Sockets into black eyes, black eyes into sockets.

"So, what is the game? You've got Valkyrie so I have to pay you something back to get her?"

"A Game?" Riddle remarked. "I very much love games, how about a Yes or No game? What is it called? Twenty questions, that's the one."

Skulduggery saw Wild in the corner moving her feet, her face was caught in the dim light and she was smiling madly, her eyes crazed.

"I do not care for a playing games when the world is hanging in my hands."

Skulduggery put on his infamous chilling cold voice.

"Ah, I know a good question!" Jerome didn't seem to have heard Skulduggery Pleasant, "How about, "Were you responsible of killing thousands of Warlocks in one second?"

Skulduggery didn't answer, he was caught.

"Do you have a power that could kill every living thing at your command?" Riddle was loving his theme. "Can you live life without remorse? Do you have a special power no one, not even Warlock can possess in the whole magical world?"

The detective's jaw locked, but he couldn't answer.

"I think it is a very easy answer, Pleasant."

"How do you know?" Skulduggery said quietly.

"A Yes or a No, detective."

Skulduggery took a breathe in before he breathed, "Yes."

Riddle smirked and knelt over the desk, nearing Skulduggery and looked up his eyes at him, "And can you raise every person who have killed back from the dead?"

"I can," Riddle eyed him, "…Yes."

"And I want you to raise back every Warlock you killed back at the last Epoch. Do you get that?"

"I can't." Skulduggery's fists were clenched.

"Oh yes you can, Pleasant. Because I was there when you produced that spell. Giving the chance you, your very self, can destroy the world in a blink of an eye. That was your curse, or a blessing when you were resurrected."

"How do you know all this?"

Jerome's eyes were wide and glossy. He seemed suddenly far away. "Because I was there. I was there when I first saw the Dead Man Walking."

Okay, please tell me if that was crap or confusing or whatever coz I could always change it for something better. It's a bit short considering my other chapters, but it's quite late. Thanks for all your kind reviews so far too! I really appreciate them!!

Please R&R!!

Rhos Furey