Here's another one! Kenspeckle Grouse is in this one, I can't let go of that old man! Just kidding, but just a reminder: I will be adding characters that are most likely dead by now Derek's books, however, remember this is a remake! So, let's just pretend for a while shall we! ;)

"This is exceptional craftsmanship. Whoever made this chain, magic aside, has made this with such intricacy that I wouldn't be surprised if each link in this chain is fuelled by different magical components," China stared at the chain, curiosity and awe overcoming her.

"Thanks for coming," Skulduggery said. "And for giving Tanith the call about Valkyrie."

China reluctantly tore her eyes away from the chain on the steel bench to Skulduggery. She smiled slightly. "I gave you my word," she glanced past him at the bed. "She's got some fight in her, doesn't she?"

Skulduggery glanced over his shoulder at Valkyrie on the clinical bed. "She does, but that's just it. If you hadn't called when you did, who knows what would have happened."

"She's strong. Not many sorcerers could withstand that chain, I can practically feel the magic emanating from it," China's gaze returned to the chain.

They had rushed Valkyrie to the sanctuary infirmary as soon as they managed to pry the chain off the chair. They weren't able to remove the chain until they had reinforcements in the infirmary, so Valkyrie's skin still sizzled on their way over. The chain was removed and laid unscathed on a steel bench to prevent it from burning through anything else, and China was called to investigate. Valkyrie, however, rested atop the clinical bed with open wounds and burn marks over her arms and legs.

Kenspeckle Grouse marched into the room almost barging Skulduggery all the while. "You're going to get this girl killed," Grouse barked.

"She is capable of handling herself, but we all get stuck sometimes," Skulduggery replied. "Anyhow, you don't know Valkyrie."

"Do not presume to know who I do or do not know, Detective," he replied.

Skulduggery's head snapped in his direction. "You know Valkyrie? How?"

Grouse looked at Skulduggery, disappointment plain on his face. "She came to me for help long ago, not long after she discovered her abilities. She said Cassandra Pharos had given her a small list of names to get her by should anything happen to her. I was her medical reference, so you could imagine I have seen her a few times."

"Interesting," Skulduggery pondered. Valkyrie was proving herself to be quite the resourceful woman.

Grouse removed the dressings on Valkyrie's wounds and replaced them with clean, white ones that soon stained with blood. He sighed, "she's too young for this, but she's such a stubborn girl."

Skulduggery bristled at the comment. It wasn't for Grouse's judgement, but for how familiar he was with her, how he seemed to really know her. Why hadn't she told him who she knew?

"You were on her list," Grouse muttered before he left the room. Skulduggery rushed after him and they stopped in the hallway.

"What? Cassandra had listed me?" Skulduggery asked.

"Valkyrie said that Cassandra mentioned the bad people of the world. She told her of Mevolent and the Faceless Ones among many others. She had many questions about you and your character."

"What did you say?" Skulduggery was cautious, this could go either of two ways.

"I told the truth. You are a cocky man with no concept of self-preservation or consideration for others," Grouse replied, and Skulduggery's head dropped an inch. No wonder she didn't trust him. "But that you're an honourable, loyal man who is a strong ally. Valkyrie isn't one to judge on anyone's flaws. She didn't batter an eyelid when I said those things."

"She doesn't trust me, which is fair, but I don't know when or if she will"

"She's an exceptional girl, Detective. It won't take her long to figure it out."

XxXxX

Valkyrie heard herself mumbling, but couldn't stop herself from saying the words, "Skulduggery."

"I'm here," came a velvet voice and immediately Valkyrie woke up. She squinted her eyelids shut again as the bright white lights assaulted her eyes. "The girl who lived," Skulduggery joked.

"Did you just make a Harry Potter reference?" Valkyrie asked.

"Harry Potter…?"

Valkyrie's eyes shot open at Skulduggery's doubtful tone. "Yeah, Harry Potter… like Voldemort, scar on the forehead, round glasses…?" She tried. He tilted his head showing his confusion. "Hogwarts?!"

"What in the world are you saying? Are these some sorcerers I need to know about? Who is Hogwarts?" He asked.

Valkyrie shook her head, "do not talk to me."

He sighed, "you're an enigma. How are you feeling?"

She looked at her wrists and scowled for a moment. "Physically, I'm fine. My pride? Not so much."

"I think that claim should be the other way around. Physically, you're no where near fine. Don't pretend you aren't in pain because I know they haven't found anything to ease the pain yet. Your pride shouldn't be wounded. You withstood pain beyond what few others could handle. You're alive, that's what counts," he replied.

She rolled her eyes. "Why can't they find medication?"

"That chain isn't like anything they've seen before. We have China here to see if she can create a rune to stop the magic fuelling it, but we can't figure out who has made it regardless."

"We will need to figure that out, but how?"

"We will somehow. Whoever made it can't stay hidden forever, and if we just follow Sanguine and Dusk, shouldn't be a problem."

"Oh, don't worry I plan to find them when I'm better."

"Not if I find them sooner," Skulduggery replied darkly.

Valkyrie tilted her head at him and nodded. "Not if that," she agreed.

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