In the next few chapters Skulduggery seems to be a bit out of character. I personally to not support this whole idea of him represented in this section but this is a rated Mature Valduggery story. There tend to be issues in things such as these. Enjoy.

ValPoint of View

Valkyrie shrieked in surprise as Skulduggery quickly turned away. Never had she seen him turn so quickly. She wrapped her arms around herself unsuccessfully covering every aspect of her body. Her eyes looked around her, not finding her clothes anywhere. She quickly reached into her shopping bag, pulling out the black jeans and t-shirt. Making sure that Skulduggery wasn't looking, she got dressed, and wrapped her arms cross her chest.

After she felt that she was just comfortable enough to let Skulduggery look at her, she finally realized the locks of black hair pouring over his head. "Skulduggery?"

He didn't turn around to her. He only stood still, staring down at something. After calling his name again did he turn to address her. "What is that?" he breathed. He breathed...

Valkyrie gasped at the face of Skulduggery Pleasant. It was so young, looking just a few years older than her. With blue eyes and handsome features, she wouldn't have thought it was him."You're alive?"

He nodded slowly.

Valkyrie bent down to pick up the Tame. Lightly, she closed the pyramid and the light began to fade and shrink back into the tiny object. When she looked back up, Skulduggery's flesh began to shrivel up and blacken, as if it was being burned. His skeleton figure was revealed once again.

"Give that to me," Skulduggery held out his hand.

Placing the object in his palm, she watched as he began to analyze it from every angle, finally finding the engraving on its side. She felt her face turn red.

Skulduggery shook his head and sighed, "Why Valkyrie?"

"I just thought it would..."

"It is dark magic. Necromancy at that." he interrupted her, "This is disrespectful motives on your part."

"Disrespectful? It tells the truth," her voice began to rise, "It tells our deepest desires..."

"Correction. Darkest."

Valkyrie looked slowly up at him, her mouth slightly open, "I wanted you alive and you wanted me..."

"Valkyrie," he started, a tinge of worry in his voice.

She backed away from him, "No! Don't speak to me!"

"It was your fault! You brought here!"

"At least I didn't image you without a pair pants on!"

With that as the last words between them, she watched as Skulduggery grabbed his coat and stormed out the door, slamming it has hard as he could.


SkulPoint of View

Dusk, haven't already settled down upon them an hour earlier, made the Bentley harder to spot in the gloom. After unlocking the door, he wrenched it open and revved the engine. Anger fueled him as he pulled out of the driveway and headed back to the city of Dublin. Skulduggery hated the feeling of being angry. It led him to say stupid things and do stupid things. He tried to calm himself but despite his efforts he couldn't help to think on how this night would affect their relationship for the worst.

Stopping at a stop light, he leaned forward to rest his head on the wheel. It was times like this when he wished he were truly alive. Times when he was able to get drunk and forget about the problem until tomorrow morning such as when his wife and child died and now this.

Gripping the wheel tighter, he realized that the Tame was still in his possession. Lifting his head slightly, he turned to look at it. Was it worth it? Was he willing to take the risk? It had been so long, how would it affect him?

The light changed color and Skulduggery pressed the gas.


ValPoint of View

Valkyrie couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that Skulduggery have ever thought about her that way. Yes it was flattering, she admitted to herself, but we could never be in connection with each other. What would everyone say? She looked down at the necklace in his hand. No one has to know. But what was is it she liked about him? He makes you smile, he saved your life, he let you spend time in his home, he makes you laugh, he makes you feel safe, he makes you feel like you...

She hated it when her inner conscience was right. She got up, went to her room, put a bra on, and grabbed her usual black jacket and boots. But where could he have gone?

Looking outside the front window, she noted that the Bentley was gone. He could have gone for a drive to ease off some steam. That meant he was somewhere in Dublin. Could I wish him back? Valkyrie whipped her head around in search of the Tame: she found it nowhere. He must have taken it.

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and pushed the speed dial number for Skulduggery. When he didn't answer, she called again. She was prepared to call Tanith when she thought of someone better. She looked down at her watch. 9: 56 pm. Ghastly should still be awake.

"Hello? Valkyrie?" Ghastly's voice answered.

"Hey Ghastly, I need some help."

"When is their ever a time when you called me just to talk. What's wrong?"

"It's Skulduggery..."

She heard him shuffle around quickly. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's gone and I need help finding him."

"Why'd he leave?"

"We had an argument and I need him back. I don't like being in his house alone."

"You pissed him off? That's never happened before. Have an idea where he would have gone?"

"I have no idea but I figured he would just be driving around in his Bentley across the city."

"Val, it's a big city. I don't think he would have stopped anywhere unless..."

"Unless?"

"Unless he went to visit an old gravesite. He can be a crazy driver when he's angry. But the last time I saw him 'angry' was about, oh, after the war. He was gone for those few years after remember?"

"Yes," she breathed, "But I don't want him to leave again because of me."

"I doubt it. He cares too much about you to do that."

Valkyrie smiled, "Thank you, Ghastly."

"I'll be around to pick you up soon."

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Next chapter coming soon.