Everyone is human in this story (non-magical). Their personalities is still the same and everyone kind of has the same work. The only difference is that Valkyrie is an investigator and China is her boss. I have also taken a lot of events that's happening in the books, but change them a little to make them suit this story.
Valkyrie is 25, Skulduggery 30, Ghastly 31, Tanith 29 and China 30 when this story starts.
Hope you like this first chapter and please leave a review! :)
A young woman ran as fast as she could after the man who had a head start of a few meters in front of her. He was a wanted criminal who had murdered many people and whom she had been hunting for several years. He had managed to elude her several times over these years, but this time she would make sure this time would be the last.
The man turned his head and looked behind him to see how close she was and when he saw that she had gotten closer he panicked. He stumbled but managed to regain his balance almost immediately. He turned his head forward again so he could see where he was running and ran straight into oncoming traffic in an attempt to shake off his pursuer.
Several drivers honked their horns angrily and just managed to avoid running over the man. The woman chasing him jumped over the hood of one of the cars that had stopped as to not drive over the man that ran across the road, instead of running around it to close the distance to her target. Now she was only a few meters away from him and she knew that if she lunged forward, she could probably wrestle him. However, she waited because she did not want to put herself, the man or any other innocent people in danger.
As soon as they had both crossed the road and were back on the sidewalk, the woman got ready. She took a deep breath before bending her legs and lunging forward. She put her arms around her target's waist and they both fell on a lawn that belonged to a brick house. They rolled around on the lawn for a while but finally the woman managed to put one knee over the man's back and push his face into the grass. She fished out a pair of handcuffs from the back pocket of her jeans and locked the man's arms behind his back.
"Finally, I have you right where I want you, Nefarian Serpine," the woman said looking down at the black-haired man with the emerald-green eyes that she had been chasing for almost five years and which was finally captured.
"Let me go! You don't know who you're dealing with, Inspector! I can make your life pure hell! If you let me go now, nothing bad will happen to you or your family. I happen to know that you would do anything to make sure they are safe, and that no evil befalls them. I have contacts who could do very nasty things to them if I gave the order."
"Don't try to scare me, Nefarian. Where you are going, you will not be able to order anyone. Stand up unless you want me to pull you up by the handcuffs."
"So, you think that suddenly, we know each other so well that we can call each other by our first names now? In that case, it's only fair that I do the same, Valkyrie." Serpine spat out his captor's name.
Valkyrie Cain was 25 years old and worked as a criminal inspector for a police force that called themselves "The Sanctuary". She had dark brown hair that reached just below her shoulders and dark brown eyes. She was the daughter of Melissa and Desmond Edgley and also had a younger sister named Alice Edgley who was eight years old.
She had changed her last name to Cain at the same time she had begun working at the Sanctuary to protect her family. She didn't want the villains she was hunting to find out her family's last name to make it harder for them to threaten her loved ones. After all, she had a risky job that could get her killed if she wasn't careful.
She had been working for the Sanctuary for five years now and had started there when her uncle Gordon Edgley had been murdered. She had been very close to her uncle and when he died, she had decided to do everything in her power to catch the person responsible for his death.
And here he lay now, handcuffed beneath her. It had taken her five long, frustrating and painful years to catch him. But all the waiting and hunting had been worth it, though. The feelings of relief and closure made her almost dizzy.
Valkyrie moved away from Serpine so he could get his knees under him, but she didn't let go of his arm. When he stood up, she picked up her cell phone and dialled a number. While she waited for the person on the other end to answer, she tightened her grip on Serpine's arm. She wasn't going to allow him to get the slightest chance to get away from her again.
"Valkyrie, please tell me you have good news," replied her boss, China Sorrows. "I could really use some good news right now."
"Nefarian Serpine is captured and handcuffed as we speak."
China laughed. "That was really good news! Congratulations Valkyrie. You have succeeded in what no one at the Sanctuary has succeeded in doing for almost ten years."
Nefarian Serpine was a notorious criminal that was known across the whole country and had terrorized Ireland under ten long years with his murders and other criminal actions. The Sanctuary had done everything in their power to try to catch him but hadn't been able to get anywhere until Valkyrie started working for them.
Valkyrie smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Sorrows."
"Please Valkyrie, I told you to call me China! You don't have to be so formal all the time."
"Sorry. I'll try to remember that for next time."
"You do not have to apologize. Do you need help transporting Serpine?"
"Tanith is somewhere around here. I'll ask her to escort me and Serpine to the Sanctuary where the Cleavers can take care of him."
Cleavers was the name of the prison guards who worked for the Sanctuary. They were muscular, sinewy men and women who underwent intensive training for three years where they were taught various martial arts and to be able to carry out an order without questioning. They were also deployed as bodyguards on special occasions. They always went around armed and had the right to use these weapons if they deemed it necessary without having to ask permission from a superior first.
"Sounds good. When you get back, I want you to come into my office."
"Of course." Valkyrie ended the call with her boss and dialled another number. "Tanith, mission accomplished."
"Roger that. Send your coordinates and I will be there soon."
"See you soon." Valkyrie hung up and sent the address before turning to Serpine. "You'd better enjoy being out in the fresh air until our transport arrives. You will not experience this for a very long time, if ever again, Nefarian."
Serpine snorted. "You think you're something, don't you, Valkyrie? That you are some kind of 'bigshot' that will go far, but I will tell you something. Now that you've finally caught the man who killed your uncle, you no longer have a goal. These years of chasing me have made you focused, have given you a goal to strive for. Now that that goal is achieved, what are you going to do? You will soon realize that you will lose your drive, that you will find it difficult to concentrate on the tasks you will be given because none of them will be as exciting as these last few years have been."
Valkyrie laughed and leaned forward towards Serpine. "You think you know me, Nefarian. You think you know everything about me, don't you? I am fully aware that you have been spying on me during the years I have been chasing you. That you have had your little minions who have kept their eyes on me. That's how you've managed to stay one step ahead of me for so long. But even minions can rebel against their kings and that is exactly what some of them did to you. The only thing they asked for was that they'd not be held accounted for all the crimes you forced them to commit."
Serpine didn't answer but growled and lunged at Valkyrie. She saw the attack coming though and she took a step to the side. Serpine fell straight down and hit his chin on the curb. He howled in pain and curled up into a ball. As if that wasn't humiliating enough, Valkyrie mounted him and rammed one elbow into his cheek, causing Serpine to growl in anger again.
"You just wait, Cain! You don't know what I can do even if I'm locked up. I have my ways. I will make sure you get punished for this! No one stands up against me and gets to keep their life! I intend to make sure your family is completely wiped out before I give in to you! I intend to make you suffer until you ask to be put out of your misery! Do you hear it?! I'm going to make you beg to be killed!"
Valkyrie ignored Serpine's words and just looked straight ahead. She could hear the sound of an approaching car coming closer and closer. Looking to her left, she could make out the outline of a black van coming towards them. Behind the wheel sat a young woman with short, blond hair and blue eyes. She wore a brown leather vest that cinched around her upper body and showed off all her muscles.
The driver's name was Tanith Low. She was 28 years old and worked as a "sword-to-hire". This meant she was a jack of all trades when it came to guard jobs, capturing criminals and assassinations. In other words, she took on jobs that many others would not do. The more dangerous, the better. Tanith had helped the Sanctuary more than once in the five years Valkyrie had worked there and she would be helping them for many more years to come.
She was also Valkyrie Cain's best friend.
Tanith parked the van in front of Valkyrie and Serpine. She applied the handbrake and shifted out of gear before getting out of the car. She shot a quick glance at Serpine lying on the ground before turning her full attention to Valkyrie. "Things have gone wild here, I notice."
Valkyrie smiled. "No wilder than usual. Is everything in order to transport this handsome gentleman to the Sanctuary and hand him over to the Cleavers?"
"Everything is clear. Do you want help lifting him into the back?" Tanith didn't wait for an answer but walked over to Serpine and grabbed one of his arms just as Valkyrie stood up. They helped escort Serpine to the back of the van that had been converted into a prisoner transport.
They sat Serpine down on one of the benches and then chained him using a chain that hung from a ring on the wall that they attached to the handcuffs. This left Serpine unable to do anything but stand up in the van before the chain was tightened.
"Nice trip, Nefarian. The next time we meet will be at your trial and take my word for it: I will enjoy every second of it," Valkyrie said giving Serpine one last smile before closing the door.
The two young women walked back to the front of the van and Tanith once again got behind the wheel while Valkyrie sat in the passenger seat. Tanith engaged the gear, and they began the journey to the Sanctuary. On the way there, Valkyrie told of how she had hunted down and managed to capture Serpine. Tanith laughed as Valkyrie recounted how Serpine had threatened her. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Men like Serpine are a prime example of someone who is all bark and no bite."
Valkyrie also laughed and couldn't help but agree. They continued to drive in silence as Tanith understood that Valkyrie had a lot to think about. Now that she's finally caught the man she's been looking for, for so long, what case will she take on next? Would any case henceforth be able to measure up to the one she had just finished?
"We have arrived."
Valkyrie looked up and saw the Sanctuary in front of her. They drove through the gates that were opened for them and as soon as they drove through it closed behind them again. They followed the path up to the entrance and outside stood China with two Cleavers waiting for them. Tanith drove the van around, so the back doors were in front of China and the Cleavers before turning the van off and getting out with Valkyrie. Without a word, the two women stepped up to the doors and opened them.
The Cleavers stepped forward and entered the van. As soon as Serpine caught sight of them, he cowered and looked like a little boy who had just done something stupid and was about to be scolded by his parents. One of the Cleavers untied the chain from the handcuffs while the other grabbed Serpine's arm and pulled him up. Neither man said anything as they escorted Serpine into the Sanctuary.
"May I congratulate you once again, Valkyrie. How does it feel to have finally caught your uncle's killer after so long?" China asked after Valkyrie and Tanith closed the back doors of the van.
"Overwhelmed," Valkyrie admitted. "I'm relieved that it's finally over, but another part of me is strangely a little disappointed that it's over."
"Not so strange. A hunt always gets the blood pumping a little extra in your veins and it can easily become a bit of a drug if you experience it enough times. Don't worry, you'll see another job come up soon that will make you change your mind. There are plenty of bad guys out there just waiting for the right opportunity to cause trouble."
"You're right, China." Valkyrie turned to Tanith. "Thank you for your help, Tanith. I'll call you later tonight when I get home."
Tanith gave Valkyrie a hug. "No problem, Val. You call, I come, you know that. If you'll excuse me, I have a date with my motorcycle. She has been missing me all day. She gets a little upset when she doesn't get to join in hunting down bad guys, as you very well know by now."
Valkyrie laughed. "Say hi to her from me. I really hope I can get an opportunity to ride her again in the near future."
"She misses you too, Valkyrie." Tanith gave her best friend one last smile before turning and walking over to the staff parking lot where her beloved motorcycle was parked.
"Sometimes I wonder if you and Tanith aren't really a couple who don't know they're a couple," China said as she and Valkyrie walked into the Sanctuary.
Valkyrie laughed. "I may be bisexual China, but I don't have such feelings for Tanith. We are simply such good friends that we act like an old married couple."
"If you say so, but I still stand by what I said before."
They entered China's office and Valkyrie closed the door behind them. China sat down behind her desk and asked Valkyrie to sit in the visitor's chair. The two women said nothing for a while, but just looked at each other. They didn't have to say anything, but they had known each other long enough by now that they knew what the other was thinking and feeling just by watching each other.
When China finally spoke, it was in a soft voice. "How are you, Valkyrie? And now I mean how are you really?"
"I'm fine, China. I'm glad this chase is finally over, and I can put the past five years behind me and focus on the future. The hunt for Nefarian Serpine has taken up far too much of my time and I have a lot of 'me-time' to make up for. I should probably also call my family and tell them they no longer must worry about Serpine getting at me first."
"You know that if you need to talk, I'm here. If you don't want to talk to me or Tanith, I'll be happy to arrange a meeting with a therapist."
"It won't be necessary, but I appreciate the consideration, China." Valkyrie stood up and was about to leave China's office when her boss spoke again.
"How about a girls' night out to celebrate the capture of Nefarian Serpine? You deserve to have fun, Valkyrie. We can go out dancing, drink some alcohol and just let loose. What are you saying?"
Valkyrie smiled. "That sounds fantastic, China. Is it okay if I ask Tanith to come as well? After all, she has helped us a lot over the years and deserves to be celebrated as much as we do."
China waved one of her hands at Valkyrie. "You can invite as many as you want. It is your celebration, after all."
"Thank you, China." Valkyrie walked around her boss's desk and gave her a tight hug. "You are the best boss in the world."
"I know." China hugged Valkyrie back. "Look, go home and rest for a while now. Take a hot bath and find your sluttiest dress. Tonight, dress up and unleash your inner party girl. It's an order, Cain."
Valkyrie laughed. "Yes, Boss."
"Good. I'll pick you up at eight."
Valkyrie walked out of China's office with a big smile on her face that didn't leave her until she got home to her house. She had inherited it from her uncle and although it was bittersweet some days, she enjoyed it too much to sell the house. She had so many fond memories with her uncle in that house after all.
As soon as she turned the key in the lock and opened the door, her dog Xena came running towards her and threw herself into her mother's arms where she began licking her frantically. Valkyrie laughed and cuddled her dog for a few minutes before ordering Xena to sit down. Xena did as she was told and watched her mother as she removed her jacket. "Have you been a good girl while I've been gone, Xena? Of course, you have, you're always a good girl, aren't you?"
In response, Valkyrie received a short bark. Valkyrie laughed and took up her mobile phone. She sent a text to Tanith that said "Girl's night out tonight, China pays. Don't know where we'll be going, just that it's somewhere where you can dance and drink alcohol. China picks me up at eight o'clock. Come over here and we'll go together."
It didn't take many seconds before she got a response. "Awesome! See you at your place at eight o'clock."
Valkyrie laughed at her best friend while she walked up the stairs. Xena followed her up to the bedroom where Valkyrie began to undress. Standing naked in her own bedroom, she couldn't help but observe herself in the large wall mirror that hung in one corner. She was tall, lean and muscular but still had a lot of her feminine curves left. Her breasts were neither small nor large, but in her eyes normal sized.
She was attractive, but not in a feminine way, but rather in a "tough" way. She knew there were some men and also a few women who found women with her look attractive, but not so many that she had people lining up for a chance to get to know her. Tanith and China on the other hand… But they were attractive in a feminine way because they were naturally beautiful. Many thought that Valkyrie was jealous of her friends for this, but it was rather the opposite. She was happy for their sake that they could pick and choose among both men and women that would be able to do almost anything for a chance to spend a little intimate time together with them.
The truth was that she didn't have time for a relationship right now, nor was she interested in one right now. She was perfectly happy with an occasional one night stand every now and then to satisfy her sex drive. With a woman or a man, it didn't matter, she simply took what was offered to her.
She rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck in an attempt to clear her mind. She turned her back to the mirror and went over to her closet. She took out the few dresses she owned and laid them on the bed. It didn't take her long to choose which one she would put on. She picked up a tight black dress with a halter neck and a mini corset that showed off her muscular shoulders, shoulder blades and back.
She was proud of her body, and she was going to show it off too. She hung the other dresses back up before bending down and pulling out a pair of high heeled black shoes. The heels weren't that high, just a few centimetres, but it was quite enough. Valkyrie didn't wear high heels very often and she didn't want to embarrass herself when she was out in public. She got enough stares as it was.
She spent the next few hours taking a bath, putting on makeup and fixing her hair. When it was a quarter to eight, she put on her dress and shoes. When she was done, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled to herself. She was pleased with what she saw, and she knew she would get a lot of looks during the evening from both sexes.
"I'm ready for a girl's night out," Valkyrie said to her reflection. Xena barked and came over to her mother. She brushed her nose against Valkyrie's hand and Valkyrie patted her dog at the same moment the doorbell rang. She gave her dog one last pat before heading down the stairs, promising herself that this would be a night she would never forget.
If Valkyrie only knew how right she was…