Valkyrie sat on a bench eating a cheese sandwich a sanctuary member gave her, it tasted stale, and she swore there was mould on the corner. Valkyrie gave up on trying to eat it and started to hunt down Skulduggery.

She found him talking to another sanctuary member, Jade Moss, who has just moved in from the sanctuary in Egypt, if Valkyrie was correct.

"Valkyrie, are you feeling better?" Skulduggery asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Yes"

"Are you embarrassed?"

"Why would I be embarrassed?"

"Because you vomited in front of 50 sorcerers at most, most of them don't like us, and now they are talking of how the great Skulduggery Pleasant's partner can not stand the sight of blood."

"Well if you put it like that, then yes I am. I think you are just more concerned about your ego"

"Don't worry I understand" Skulduggery said, with something that sounded like sympathy.

"Do you?"

"I just said I did, but I think I am lyi-"

"I know you are lying" Valkyrie interrupted

"Anyway, before I was rudely interrupted, Miss. Moss was just telling me that the porcelain doll was laced with magic, but she can not recognise the symbols engraved on it."

"Why would a doll be laced with magic?"

"I don't know… could be a bomb"

"And where is the doll"

"In the elder's office"

"And what if it blows up?"

"Then they would most likely die"

"So we should probably do something"

"Yes, we are going to take the doll and drive to Brandon Gust's house"

"Wouldn't China's house be closer?" Miss. Moss asked, looking at Valkyrie than to Skulduggery, only to be answered by silence. Valkyrie watched Skulduggery's gloved hands ball into fists.

"China can't be trusted, now excuse us, we got to see the elder's," Valkyrie briskly answered, she grabbed Skulduggery's sleave and pulled him away from a baffled Jade Moss.

Valkyrie and Skulduggery walked in to the room, following Tipstaff

"Detective Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are here to visit you" Tipstaff stuttered

"Greeting's your royal majesties" Skulduggery said. Valkyrie was sure she was the only one that noticed that strained sound in Skulduggery's usual velvety voice. Luckily Skulduggery didn't punch anyone this time, Tipstaff still won't come anywhere closer than a 5-meter radios near Skulduggery.

"I am not amused," Mist replied, "by you joking of our position in this sanctuary"

"You look as stunning as ever Madame Mist" Skulduggery replied with the tip of a hat.

"That could be because her face is hidden" grumbled Erskine Ravel,

"Why so grumpy? Your most favourite people entered the room and you can't even smile for them," Valkyrie asked, raising an eyebrow,

"Look Skulduggery is smiling, he smiles all the time, maybe you should take some lessons from him"

"Maybe another day Valkyrie"

"Where is Ghastly?" Skulduggery asked, nodding towards the empty throne,

"Occupied" Mist murmured

"Occupied where?"

"I can not tell you"

"I am trust worthy person I wont tell anyone"

"Skulduggery, drop it," Erskine growled

"Very well then, we are just here to pick up the doll"

"It is in the box" Mist replied raising one gloved hand to point at the box in the side of the room.

"Skulduggery hurry up and solve this issue this is the third doll that has been found" Erskine murmured, looking out the window

"Where are the other two dolls?" Skulduggery questioned Erskine. He did not answer just continued to look out the grimy window

"They both shattered and turned to sand" Mist replied

"Why has this one not turned to sand?" Valkyrie queried, Erskine muttered something unintelligible about detective's

"Very well then we will be on our way"

"He is quite moody today" Valkyrie murmured, once they had left the sanctuary

"Quite" replied Skulduggery, the box in his arms.