Valkyrie Cain jumped backwards away from the vampire. It was always vampires. The woman, Ivena Sparks, they were trying catch had released the vampires on them and was now standing on the edge trying to hit skulduggery with her energy streams (?). They had been told not get hit. She broke free of her vampires and ran at sparks. She turned just in time and caught Valkyrie in the chest with a stream.

Skulduggery's PoV

She stumbled back as the stream sizzled through her chest. Skulduggery roared and using his last bullet killed Ivena Sparks. He dropped beside Valkyrie and saw a deep hollow in her chest.

"I thought we were told not to get hit?"

"I always liked dangerous things." She coughed some blood and groaned.

Skulduggery lifted her up to him. "We'll get you help just hold on."

"Skul I have a gapping hole in my chest, I'm dying. Just please tell me you'll be ok. Tell me that."

"I can't. I won't be ok. Please stay with me. Please."

"I'll try but skul..."

"Yeah?"

"If you want me to stay with you you're going to call the sanctuary first."

"I already called. Just wait for them to come."

"Skulduggery I'm dying. It hurts so much."

Skulduggery held her tighter.

Ten minutes later

A van pulled up and Mr Bliss, doctor s, Larkin and some cleavers climbed out.

"What happened Mr. Pleasant?"

"She jumped at Sparks and got hit. The one thing she was told not to do."

"I never do what I'm told."

All eyes flicked to Valkyrie.

"You're still alive?"

"Not for much longer if you don't stop gawking." Valkyrie muttered coughing up more blood. "That doesn't look good."

"It's not. But it is better than it could have been. Mr. Larkin if you wouldn't mind?"

Larkin nodded his face cold. He stepped forwards and placed his hands on Valkyrie's.

"This will hurt. A lot."

Valkyrie shrugged and relaxed against skulduggery, "I can't really feel much thanks to the blood loss anyways."

Larkin placed his hands on hers and closed his eyes. Valkyrie hissed and bit her lip.

"You should probably be screaming. Your pain tolerance to pain is outstanding." The doctor muttered.

Larkin pulled his hands back panting, "It's, it's not working. Val I'm so sorry."

"What do you mean it's not working? It always works!"

Valkyrie shook her head. "It's the magic. It won't let his work."

"How?"

"I can see it. I- I think I could burn it away but you need to move away."

Skulduggery shook his head furiously. "No. You could die. No."

"But I could not die."

Skulduggery looked at her and sighed. He hugged her tightly and laid her on the ground.

"I don't understand. What is she going to do?"

Valkyrie laughed painfully and gritted her teeth. Her skin started to glow and a faint heat started to come from her. Skulduggery took another few steps back and the others followed him. A bubble formed around her and she rose slightly from the ground. A dark blue light came from her wound and then the bubble disappeared and she tumbled to the ground. Skulduggery shot forward and caught her. He laid her on the ground.

"Valkyrie are you with me? Valkyrie? Come on! Wake up!"

The doctor moved forward. "Mr. Pleasant…"

"She will wake up." He hissed holding her tighter.

There was a soft cough and Valkyrie Cain's eyes fluttered.