Away From the Darkness

by crazy.about.books.123

Set after "The Last Stand of Dead Men" with a few changes. Valkyrie is in danger, but will Skulduggery save her in time? And what are these rumours about the return of an old enemy? Contains spoilers of the whole series. Rated T because I'm not sure where this is going. This is my first time writing, so please read and review-constructive criticism welcome. I hope you like it :)

4. Chapter 4

So this is very short but I'll add another chapter straight away. Thanks to everyone who has read the story so far, and to the few reviewers :) please continue to read and review.

Chapter 4

Water dropped from dank pipes, mould grew in fuzzy clumps on the walls and unpleasant stains covered the floor. The inhabitants of this castle, however, didn't possess much enthusiasm for redecorating.

"We must act soon." Dark figures sat around a large table, silent as one man stood and said his piece. "She's growing stronger. Stronger and more stable. Our sensitives have warmed that Darquesse is slipping away. She's being beaten by Valkyrie Cain, and we cannot allow that to happen. Unless we act soon, Darquesse won't exist, and all our plans will be for nothing."

Voices spilled into the silence, but soon faded away as the short, heavily built man at the head of the table raised a hand for quiet. His piercing green eyes shine out from his sunken face.

"We have already acted, and our action was in vain, it seems. Teamed with the Skeleton, she is powerful, possibly too powerful."

Murmurs of dissent and uncertainty slipped from the men around the table. The man with the green eyes twitched with annoyance, but hurried to reassure them.

"Patience! Soon Valkyrie Cain will be ours and Darquesse will be saved. It is being seen to as we speak, and by tonight, the next stage of our plan can commence."