Okay, back with yet another instalment. I'm very happy with how this series is coming along at the moment and I have planned how I want it to go. I'm taking any suggestions for my other series 'Random times'. I haven't published for a while in that one so some story suggestions are welcomed!
As usual, sorry for any mistakes and I hope you enjoy!
Back at the mansion Valkyrie jiggled her keys vigorously to unlock the big, mahogany door. As worried as she was about Skulduggery and his recent behaviour she was also eager to find out the new information on Alistair.
Muffled voices came from the back of the house so Valkyrie made her way to the kitchen. She recognised more than the two voices that she had expected and her heart began to jump slightly. Until she rounded the corner, Skulduggery close behind, did she realise who the extra voice belonged to. Dexter Vex.
A huge smile broke across her face as she made her way forward. He turned when he heard the approaching footsteps and returned the grin. "Valkyrie Cain!" He greeted mischievously and grasped her in a bear hug. "How have you been? Staying out of trouble I hope though it does have a tendency to follow you two," he said, released her and glanced at Skulduggery. He held out a hand to shake it and said, "How's life treating you old boy?"
"Fairly ordinarily as usual," Skulduggery replied and decided to ignore the fact that Ghastly had been staring at him strangely ever since he entered the room.
"So what's this news on Alistair Marillac?" Valkyrie asked.
Tanith wanted to know about their training session but decided to wait until they were alone to ask.
"So we found out Alistair has been doing a lot of travelling recently. Africa, England, Australia and he's established his own... Headquarters I guess, at each of them. He's apparently been here much longer because of something stopping his plans," Ghastly shared.
"What's this thing that's stopping him?" Skulduggery asked warily.
"A power," Dexter chimed in.
"Power?" Valkyrie asked, genuinely confused.
"Word has been going around about Darquesse showing herself again. People are saying her power is what Alistair seeks. Not only her, though, because it has been said Lord Vile is back and possibly working with each other. That's why I'm here. I heard these things were happening and came to help in any way possible," Vex added.
"Working together? Do you really think they would do that?" Valkyrie asked Vex and gave Skulduggery a quick, hard glance.
"Darquesse is crazy, reckless even but Lord Vile is more calculated and blood thirsty. Alistair is convinced Darquesse is too intrigued by Vile to want to kill him and Vile won't waste his time on her but rather the ones that have crossed him. So I think it's possible but I just don't know," Vex's voice held a layer of worry that Tanith and Ghastly didn't like.
"How did you get all this information?" Skulduggery asked, his tone unintentionally cold.
"It's taken me a lot of time but I managed to hear it from multiple sources. Alistair is starting up a clan, of sorts, and people that don't meet his expectations get killed. I managed to get to those who escaped before he could kill them and get any information they had and it's all coming together."
"So he thinks Darquesse and Lord Vile are stopping his plans?" Tanith asked.
"That is precisely what I can't confirm. My sources each had different theories being that Alistair wants them to help him or he's worried they will stop him," Vex replied.
"This is getting a bit worrisome," said Ghastly. "If Alistair manages to convince Darquesse and Vile to his side then I can't see hope for any of us. Alistair is powerful enough as it is, I can't begin to imagine how to stop him if he gets those two."
Dexter looked at his watch and sighed. "I'm late for a meeting with China," he said with reluctance.
"Why are you meeting her?" Skulduggery asked.
"I'm seeing if she has any information to add to all of this mess but honestly I'd rather not go," Dexter glared.
"I'll come," Valkyrie offered.
"You sure?" Vex replied with surprise.
"Yeah, I need to get out and get my mind off things," with a passing glance at Skulduggery she grabbed her sunglasses and phone from the bag she dropped on the dining table.
"Okay, it'll be good," Vex said. "Don't worry Skul, I'll have her back before ten," he added with a sly smile but Skulduggery just nodded once, his hand firm on the back of a dining chair while Dexter led Valkyrie out with his hand on the small of her back.
With any story suggestions for 'Random times' just review or inbox them to me, either way it doesn't matter! Don't forget to review this chapter as it helps me out a lot and I'll try and updated as soon as possible.