Placing his hand to his skull, he turned over on his side. Skulduggery gasped as he fell off the couch and left the cold floor. Uh, a headache. He hadn't had one of those in decades. Noticing the light coming from the window, he could tell it was at the very least midday. The house was very quiet. Wonder if Valkyrie had left? Valkyrie!
He placed himself in a seating position. Oh no... he couldn't remember a thing from last night. If he was at home, then someone must have found him. That bloody girl, why does she have to care about me? He pulled himself up and made for the kitchen. There was a grease stain on the counter where Valkyrie must of heat up some old pizza for breakfast. He grabbed on old dish towel and began to clean it. He heard footsteps come up behind him.
"Hey Skulduggery," said Valkyrie.
He turned around to look at her. To his amazement, she looked tired. "Valkyrie..." he began.
She put up a finger. "Listen Skulduggery, I'm sorry if what I said caused you to do what you did. And I want you to know that it's ok."
He shook his head, "No it's not. What I did was unacceptable."
"But you did it cause you were angry at me."
"I wasn't--"
"Yes you were," she interrupted, "Because I found out that you... like me."
He straightened his posture, "Well that's a childish way to put it."
"I thought it over and it does sound strange that you relate me to your deceased wife. I don't know if I should be flattered or not."
"I found she was quite beautiful as a matter of fact."
"Look, I'm not her, okay? I'm Valkyrie Cain. Is it me or her?"
He was silent for a moment. "The truth usually betrays you when you re drunk."
"You re ashamed to say it aren't you?"
"I'm not ashamed to say anything cause there is nothing to say."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "We should talk about this when we get back."
He watched her walk out. "Back from where?" he followed.
"Unfortunately when you re drunk, you can't drive. Ghastly's coming by to drive us to go get your stupid Bentley."
"No need to shoot hateful words towards my Bentley." Skulduggery began to put on his coat.
"Oh and by the way," started Valkyrie, "You missed a few calls." She threw him his phone.
He looked at the screen. "There're no missed calls."
"Cause I answered them you dim wit."
He couldn't help but to smile. "You answered my calls?"
"I don't like your ring tone and most of them were Sanctuary business calls. When I told them you were 'sleeping' they didn't believe me, but all and all, they called about the Romel case. Why are you just staring at me?"
"Because I can," he answered simply making for the door and opening it wide to see Ghastly standing there. Suddenly, Ghastly's back hand hit the side of his skull. Putting up his hands, Skulduggery stopped his head from spinning in circles and falling off. "Okay, I may have deserved that."
"Of course." Ghastly made to hit him once more but Skulduggery caught his wrist.
"As much as I deserve it, it's embarrassing."
"Now you care?"
"Let's talk about this on better circumstances. I need my Bentley in my driveway. I paid good money for that car."
"Well you must have installed some good security system so it should be fine if it waits a little longer."
Skulduggery stared at Ghastly and Ghastly stared at Skulduggery. Then they both said at the same time, "I'm driving."
--------------
ValPoint of View
Valkyrie did find it slightly funny the way they argued for the driver s seat: Skulduggery ending up in the passengers in the end. They had just begun their rescue mission for the Bentley when Ghastly had to ask:
"So Skulduggery what happened last night?"
Skulduggery sighed, "I got mad."
"That's vague."
"I got really mad."
"You're not going to tell me what happened last night?"
"Well if you must know. Ms. Cain said a few things that hit a few soft spot that I tried so hard not to punch the living daylights out of her for. Her Tame thing had opened up Serpine."
He was lying for her? She couldn't help but to blush. That might mean he cares about his dignity and respect from Ghastly though. Next time they're alone, she'll ask him.
"You couldn't harm her if you tried," Ghastly laughed.
"Wanna bet?"
"100."
"200."
"You're not seriously betting that?" Valkyrie shook her head.
"300." Ghastly raised the bet.
"Deal," Skulduggery sealed.
When Skulduggery's car came into view, it was in perfect shape just as they left it. Ghastly dropped them off and saying that he needed to be at his shop for a client, left them alone.
She turned to Skulduggery when suddenly he flicked her nose. "Ow, what was that for?" Valkyrie asked drawing away from him.
"I won the bet." She felt him smile behind his disguise.
"But he wasn't even here to see it."
"I know." He turned on his heel to the Bentley.
Trying to hide her smile, she sat in the passenger seat. Once she was inside, she asked, "Did you lie for yourself?"
"Now why would you think I'd do that?" He turned his head to look straight at her, "I lied for you, Valkyrie."
That made her feel better. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't worry about it. Your secret's safe with me if my secret is safe with you." He revved the engine.
"Which secret?" she crossed her arms, "The one where I'm naked or the one where you have feelings for me?"
He was silent as he turned back onto the public road way. "...both..."
Her eye brows rose at his answer. "You're admitting it?"
"...yes..."
She nodded. "Well, good. It's about time."
"It's about time?"
She felt herself blush. "Yeah, you re not the only one bone head." She felt his eye sockets on her.
"I don't know if I should be worried about that or flattered."
"The one that makes you feel better about yourself," she grumbled.
"Valkyrie listen to me. I am not the most amazing man you'll ever meet. But I will one of them, but nonetheless, you shouldn't be thinking of me as any type of ...lover."
"And why not?"
"Because I'm not..."
"Skulduggery," she interrupted him, "I've known you for ages. I've saved you more than once. Your past is unraveling whether you like it or not and I'm nineteen."
"What does you being nineteen have anything to do with us?"
"I know what I'm saying to you. I'm not a child anymore." Skulduggery drove silently. Staring straight ahead. "What are you thinking about?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"What I'm getting for dinner tonight."
"What we're getting for dinner tonight, you mean."
She felt the smile spread across her face.
---------
The Sanctuary...
"You know it doesn t help if Mr. Pleasant doesn't answer his phone," growled Crux to his bodyguard. It merely shrugged in reply. Crux looked down at the body that lay lifelessly on the floor. At the empty eyes of the dark Solemn Wreath and the legendary White Cleaver.
Hope you enjoyed the newest chapter! Next to come soon!
