Just reminding my audience what this story is truly about. M. Enjoy!
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Skulduggery removed his disguise the moment he entered the Sanctuary. Remus Crux ran up to him. "About time," he sneered.
"Know how they were killed?"
"Oh it's pretty obvious the damage. Wreath has been converted to pieces and the Cleaver is headless. The head not even found."
He looked over his shoulder at Valkyrie, "That's not good. Any suspects?"
"Not one. There were no witnesses, no evidence, no nothing."
"Kenspeckle?"
"Was out getting medical supplies."
"Clarabelle?"
"With him."
"No one else?"
"What did I just tell you?" Crux led them to the medical bay on the opposite side of the Sanctuary. "Want to hear what else you missed? Nickolas Romel, turns out he had returned from meeting someone. He was murdered in his own home, yes, but he also returned late from business."
"Where was he?"
"He was reported, by a sorcerer, to be seen going around back behind an old tattoo shop."
"On what street?" Valkyrie asked.
Crux curled his lip, "Grandguard Drive."
"Wow," Valkyrie sighed, "Seems everything just wants to connect."
"Finbar's old place," said Skulduggery.
"Could be a coincidence. There is a bar near there," Valkyrie analyzed.
Skulduggery smiled her. "We should ponder this matter at a later date, but for now..." He motioned Valkyrie inside the ward first.
She gasped at the horrible massacre that was Solomon Wreath. Valkyrie felt Skulduggery place an unnoticeable, comforting hand on the small of her back. He strolled by her and loomed over the head of Wreath. [i]A look of surprise... Skulduggery had never been fond of the necromancer but that didn't mean killing people was an exception here.
He lifted the hand and dropped it down. There was no struggle. There was no fight. That would explain the look of shock. The body parts were spread out when they were found. Must have been an adept or a skilled elemental in wind. He looked at the messy torn pieces. Nope, definitely an adept.
"What are you thinking about?" Valkyrie interrupted his thoughts.
"The cause of death and how it might have happened and who might have did it," he answered.
She nodded, "Did you take into account of the missing walking stick?"
Skulduggery moved his head around in search of Wreath's weapon. It wasn't there. That made sense on how there was no fight.
"Good job, Valkyrie," he commented. He looked up at Remus Crux who had his arms crossed, "Where's Kenspeckle?"
"In the next room."
"Good," Skulduggery moved around the table, glancing at the Cleaver on the opposite. Just caught in the action but hold on... He immediately turned around and studied the Cleaver's fatal injury more closely. Swift neck cut. There were two people there. He turned back around, "We're going to visit the Hibernian Theater."
"We've already searched there."
"Then it shouldn't be a problem."
ValPoint of View
Skulduggery parked in front of the darkened Hibernian Theater and silently got out. "It's getting really late," he said to her.
"And?"
"Aren't you tired?"
"I have plenty of time to sleep when we get back. You don't need to see me for a few hours do you?"
He tilted his head in her direction and entered the theater. "Bet you'll be tired when we get back."
"We'll see about that." She followed him down the red carpet steps towards the stage.
Skulduggery took out a small bag of power and spread it across the floor. "There was magic used and an excessive amount at that."
"I don't see the cane."
"They must have hidden it."
Valkyrie thought for a moment. "You think the guy who killed Romel killed these guys too?"
"I'm not sure yet. We aren't far enough into the investigation."
They both searched the area but didn't find anything. "They must have took it with them," Skulduggery concluded.
"Well, than there is nothing more we can do here."
Skulduggery had phoned Crux about our investigation and said he would pursue deeper later. He brought her back to his home and when they were inside crossed his arms. "Tired yet?"
She shook her head, a smirk on her face. She slumped on the couch.
"Now what?" asked Skulduggery.
"Well," she blushed, "I was kinda disappointed that stupid Crux interrupted our last conversation."
"Is that why you're not going to bed?"
"Of course not."
"You want to finish our last conversation?"
"I just said I was disappointed."
He sort of humphed before walking past here into the kitchen. She saw the glow of the Tame fill the room and suddenly he leaned over the back couch to reach down and kiss her.
Another short kiss... He lifted raised himself back up and moved away.
"Satisfied?" he asked her.
She maneuvered herself to face him and saw him leaning against the wall, smiling. She shook her head, "One more for the road."
"Am I that good of a kisser?" He strolled to her and kissed her lightly again.
Absentmindedly, Valkyrie gripped his head to pull him closer to her. She kissed him more forcefully, her tongue playing at the edge of his lips.
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SkulPoint of View
It had been so long since he ever felt this way. We savored the sensation of Valkyrie's lips. Wanting more, he let his tough taste her. He let her pull him closer as he let his fingers run down her back tenderly.
She parted for only a moment. "Skulduggery," she whispered, "Please take me."
More to come for Valduggery!
