SKULDUGGERY AND VALKYRIE 27

SPOV

I cant believe that I didn't think of bounding Vendetta. She knew what I had on her. Or did she? I'm thinking of a possibility that she might have been framed, that could explain why her she shadowed walked on us. I can be pretty scary at the best of times according to Val. Maybe she did know about my past, if I scarred her it would be understandable why she fled. But it also could point out that she is guilty for something, but what?

"so, are you excited to turn 18?"

"um, yeah I guess. I mean I'm graduating high school, inheriting a mansion with tons of money, and it would mark our6 year partnership/friendship."

"huh, are you going move out soon?"

"I don't know, I was thinking that I would move without my parents knowing and my reflection would live with them… what do you think?"

"I'm not sure, I never moved out. I was chased out the age of 14 because I was charged with witchcraft"

"the 1600's were much simpler, weren't they?"

"indeed they were"

"should I ask Geoffrey if Finbar's ok?"

"not the wisest choice, you know what happened to Vendetta"

"right, let's visit Gordon, I think he's still hiding secrets from us"

"good idea"

SKULDUGGERY AND VALKYRIE 28

GPOV

From what I heard from Geoffrey is that Vendetta took a bathroom break to check her phone, but her co-worker over heard the conversation so she got cleavers chasing Vendetta but she escaped. Damn it, are any of the good guards or detectives that aren't hiding a fugitive?

Tanith's tests are almost coming to a conclusion, Nye is fairly certain that it has almost thought of a cure. Turns out the remnant it actually trying to get out as well. It might of found a good idea of where the soul is hiding, the readings are the strongest in the blood. Nye's idea of getting rid of the remnant is a filter, basically, charmed bye symbols Nye has created for it to work. The thing is, is that if we filter too much blood at once she could die. But if we filter too little at once the filter can't work, it's a delicate balance.

Philomena entered with a smile, "master Bespoke, Finbar is fully consciences and Tanith's tests are concluded: the human soul does run in the blood stream, so we can build that filter."

"that's excellent Ms. Random" she left the room and I hurried over to Nye.

"Nye, can I speak to Tanith?"

"yes, right this way" it lead me to the infirmary. And opened her curtain.

"tanith?"

"oh, hi", her voice sounded exhausted, "I heard Nye had a breakthrough, right?"

"yeah, thing is we need to basically filter your blood to separate the remnant. But here's the thing. If we filter too fast you could die, if we filter too slow it won't work. But if it does work there's a slim chance that the remnant will survive. It's your call"

Her face looked like she didn't care, "I'll do it"

"ok, thank you… Nye? Find a way to get the filter working"

It's voice was close when it responded, "already on it!"

Tanith giggled a little.

"what happened to Vendetta?"

"a co-worker discovered her interaction with Skulduggery and Valkyrie. About a quarter of our detectives are looking for her"

"huh, funny… you know I saw Skul when I was in Australia, I wonder why he was there"

"I don't know."

"hey, do you think that he likes Valkyrie?"

"I think he does, how did you know?"

"Vendetta and I were talking about it."

"huh, that's interesting. You should get some rest."

"remember the day you asked me on a date? When this is done why don't we have some of that steak"

"sounds like a plan, good bye"

"bye"

I closed the curtain and told Philomena and Geoffrey to take shifts looking after Nye. And I sat back at my big chair beside Deuce who was finishing a Twinkie.