All done with yet another chapter, as usual sorry for mistakes and enjoy!
The cafe was warm and still and quiet. Valkyrie looked around the small shop and began to wonder why it would stay open so late. That was until a man waltzed in with a flame dancing at the tips of his fingers. Of course, a mundane's cafe by day and sorcerer's cafe by night.
In the very back of the shop in the left corner sat China Sorrows looking elegant as always. A silk white top hung loosely off her slender frame and contrasted with her black hair and ice-blue eyes. Valkyrie found herself feeling a little jealous at China's ability to pull absolutely any look off. She glanced sideways as Dexter but his business-like expression hadn't changed from the moment they walked in. Clearly China's alluring powers had worn off on him over time. As they approached the shadowed table in the corner China smiled the slightest of smiles. "Dexter, Valkyrie," she nodded swiftly. "A pleasure as always."
"Hey China," Valkyrie greeted politely as opposed to Dexter who gave a simple but firm nod.
"So this information you have," Vex said as he pulled out a chair and dropped into it. "Is it useful?"
China rolled her eyes at his statement. "Why would I waste my time meeting with you if it were not of any use to you?" China asked rhetorically.
"If you could please just share it with us..." Valkyrie added before Vex could retort.
"Alistair sent one of his lackeys after me two days ago, however, he failed to mention to his little assistant of my powers to influence others so it wasn't hard to gain information, as you can imagine," China said with a wave of her hand. "Poor fellow had no idea what was going on and spilled every detail he had. He's probably dead by now but that's not the point. Alistair Marillac is after Darquesse and Lord Vile not to work with them but steal their power."
"Steal their power?" Dexter questioned. "How?"
"It is something Alistair has been working on for quite some time now. He has created a device that captures the essence of a sorcerer's magic. For example, Lord Vile's existence is based on revenge and a hateful blood-thirst so this then fuels the device and feeds into Alistair's magic making him more powerful. If he manages to get both Vile and Darquesse's essences, two of the most powerful forces in the world, we will all be done for."
Valkyrie sat back, unsure what to say. Her mind was like a mixture of cogs each turning with a new question or thought. How were they ever going to stop Alistair? He is so powerful Valkyrie would probably need to turn to Darquesse for help but in doing so she is only making it easier for him to steal Darquesse's magic.
"How is he going to get to them?" Vex asked, breaking the silence.
"So far that information has not been leaked to his associates but I imagine it would be soon. Skulduggery has already caught on and begun planning so he will not be wasting time here all the while risking captivity," China replied.
"Well," Dexter begun. "Thank you for informing us, don't hesitate to call again if you have any more."
With that he stood up and waited for Valkyrie. "Do you mind if I just have a quick word with Valkyrie before you go? I won't be more than five minutes," China asked politely. Dexter grunted and waited outside.
"What's his problem?" Valkyrie asked.
"He has never liked me. When it comes to asking me for help he acts rather coldly," she said, staring at Dexter's back with amusement. Her eyes flicked back to Valkyrie. "I won't keep you long. I just wanted to know how Skulduggery was doing. He hasn't spoken to me for a while, understandably, but I'd just like to know how he's doing," her voice was uncharacteristically vulnerable.
Valkyrie thought of how strange he had been acting lately and whether or not to tell her. Who else could she talk to? She could talk to Tanith but then there would be a risk she'd mention it to Ghastly. "Actually, he's been acting kind of weird lately," Valkyrie admitted
"How so?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I guess he seems to be punishing himself. He no longer retorts with witty remarks like he always used to but now he's just... Silent," Valkyrie said.
"That is very unlike him," China replied with a slow, thoughtful nod. "Has anything changed between you two?" She asked after a moment's silence.
Valkyrie thought of training earlier that day. "No," she replied slowly, trying not to arouse any suspicion. "But why does that matter?" She asked.
China smiled slightly. "You may not see it but everyone else does. You both have a major influence over each other, from the moment you two met you were inseparable. Something like that, although he may act defiant against the idea that anything fazes him, doesn't simply go away. If something has happened between you I would make a safe bet that that is what's bothering him."
Valkyrie thought this over. He had been acting weird since training but has he really beat himself up that bad over it?
"I'll see you some time soon," Valkyrie stood.
"That would be nice," China replied and Valkyrie strode out the door.
"She kept you for eight minutes," Dexter grumbled.
Valkyrie pat him on the shoulder like a child and they made their way back to the mansion.
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