"Ex?"

Valkyrie looked surprised at Skulduggery who nodded curtly. She had to admit she was shocked by this news, but she did everything in her power not to show him or her boss. The situation was awkward enough as it was, and she didn't want to make it more awkward. Considering Skulduggery's reaction when he saw China walking towards them and the way he said "yes" when he told her that he knew her boss, Valkyrie suspected that their separation had not been the best.

She let her gaze sweep between Skulduggery and China, who had regained her usual composure and was now smiling politely at Skulduggery. If Valkyrie hadn't known that China had dated him before, she would have thought that China just wanted to be friendly with the man who had caught her interest. But now that she looked closer at her boss, she could see that she had clasped her hands, and the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"It's been a while since we saw each other face to face. How have you been, Skulduggery?"

"Good. Same old usual, as always."

"It was good to hear. It would hurt me if I heard anything happened to you."

"It sure would," Skulduggery said dryly, smiling coldly.

Valkyrie shivered at the coldness in his voice. This was a side of Skulduggery she didn't want to know. This was the complete opposite of the warm, happy, fun-loving person she had come to know in the short time they had been talking to each other.

"So, what have you been up to since we last heard from each other? Any exciting case I should know about?" China asked.

"Nothing to worry your sweet little head about, China." When he said his ex's name, Skulduggery's voice dripped with acid.

China winced slightly but never stopped smiling. "You say so, Skulduggery?" She leaned closer to Skulduggery until their faces were mere inches apart. When she was this close, China dropped the façade. The smile disappeared from her lips and hatred radiated from her eyes. "Watch yourself really carefully. You don't want me as an enemy. You know what resources I have. You know what I do to people who stand up to me."

Skulduggery didn't answer at first, only meeting China's gaze. After a few seconds a small smile began to appear on his lips and a glimmer of something Valkyrie couldn't decipher could be seen in his eyes. "Are you threatening me, China? Me, of all people? This is not like you, you who are always the calm himself. Since when did you start threatening people this openly where everyone can get a glimpse of your true self? You if anyone should know that that's not going to get you anywhere. I am not afraid of you or your 'resources'."

As if China had just remembered that they were not alone, she immediately straightened and relaxed. She adjusted her dress and tossed her hair. "You're right as usual, Skulduggery. I don't know what flew into me."

"Believe me, I am fully aware of what it was that 'flew in you'."

Skulduggery turned to Valkyrie who had been sitting completely still throughout the conversation. She stared at China and Skulduggery with gaping mouth and wide eyes. Skulduggery gave her a warm smile and put his index finger under Valkyrie's chin which he pushed upwards to be able to close her mouth.

"Don't look so surprised, Valkyrie. I thought you had experienced China's unpleasant side on more than one occasion during the years you have worked for her." Skulduggery glanced at China. "Or could it be that she never let you see this side of her because she was afraid of losing a good asset? She sees all her employees as assets, don't believe otherwise."

"I…" Valkyrie managed to say before she closed her mouth again. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? She didn't know Skulduggery. She didn't know if any of what he had said was true. She shouldn't even believe that anything of what he was saying could be true. He was a stranger and China was her boss whom she had known for five years!

Still, something inside her told her to trust Skulduggery. A small voice she suspected was her intuition. A little voice that sometimes came out and talked to her when she was unsure about something. A small voice that she had learned to trust as it had saved her life on more than one occasion during her time at the Sanctuary.

"Don't believe a word he says, Valkyrie. Skulduggery is very good at manipulation. If he wants to make you believe in something, he will succeed in that too."

"I don't have to make her believe anything when what I say is the truth and nothing but the truth." Skulduggery reached out his hand to Valkyrie. "I'm fully aware that this comes completely out of nowhere and that it might be a bit inappropriate given the situation we're currently in, but I've never been afraid of accidentally stepping on someone's toes. Valkyrie Cain, would you give me the great honour of dancing with you?"

"Y-yes…" Valkyrie stammered and took Skulduggery's hand. Skulduggery gave her a warm smile that made her insides tingle as she was filled with relief to get away from the fight she had just witnessed.

Skulduggery led her out onto the dance floor where they soon disappeared from China's sight among all the other young, dancing people. A quiet song was playing now, and Skulduggery wrapped his arms around Valkyrie's hips before pressing her body against his own. He gave her a crooked smile before saying "I hope you don't mind?"

Valkyrie smiled back and placed her hands on Skulduggery's shoulders. "Not at all. On the contrary, actually. I find this very pleasant."

Skulduggery laughed and began to move in time with the music. He looked Valkyrie in the eyes the whole time except for the few times he spun her around. They said nothing for a long moment, just enjoying the feeling their bodies gave each other where they were pressed together. Valkyrie rested her head on Skulduggery's shoulder and closed her eyes. "So… You and China? I must admit I was shocked when you said she was your ex."

Skulduggery didn't answer at first, but just continued to hold her. Valkyrie could feel him tense up a bit and his movements become a little stiff. When he did answer her, it was in a low, serious voice. "Yes, China and I were once a couple."

"What happened?"

"I do not want to talk about it." Valkyrie looked up at Skulduggery. He didn't meet her gaze but just looked straight ahead. His mouth was a thin line, and his jaws were tense.

"Why not? I understand that you didn't part as friends and that something terrible must have happened shortly before you parted ways, but I don't understand what it could be. I have known China for over five years, and she has never said or done anything to make me see her as a horrible person."

"Because she is very good at manipulating others and getting her way. If you knew the China that I know, you would understand what I am talking about."

"Then tell me."

Skulduggery looked down at her. "If we're going to keep seeing each other after tonight, you're going to be a pain to deal with, aren't you?"

Valkyrie laughed and pecked Skulduggery's cheek. "I've been told that a few times. The advantage is that I am a very beautiful torment."

Skulduggery laughed and pushed her closer. "As you may have noticed, China was quite pushy in the bar. She has been trying to get me back ever since the day we separated but has been unsuccessful. I suspect that she still has feelings for me, or that she thinks she does, at least. But I don't love her that way anymore, not since she cheated on me with Damocles Creed."

Valkyrie's eyes widened in surprise and recognition when she heard the name. "Creed? Do you mean the infamous priest Damocles Creed who rules over a sect that believes we were once ruled by murderous gods called 'The Faceless Ones'?"

Skulduggery nodded. "Before China and I met and became a couple, she was part of that church. She was raised in it because her parents were fanatics and some of the most devout members of the church. Because of this, not surprisingly given her upbringing, she was one of those who followed Creed around like a lap dog and did whatever he asked her to do. It didn't matter what it was or how bizarre his request was, China did it anyway. Anything to please their upcoming high priest.

You see, China and Creed grew up together. His father was High Priest before him, and Creed knew he would take over after his father either stepped down or died. China was also aware of this, and she was ordered by her parents to watch over Creed and make sure all his wishes were fulfilled. While Creed took over his father's role as High Priest, China learned through Creed that their parents had secretly decided that when Creed took over, China and he would marry and rule the church together.

Before this could happen, however, she met me. I took her on various dates around Dublin where we did perfectly normal things that couples do. We ate dinner in restaurants, went to the movies, took long walks, went out dancing, and so on. China was completely speechless when she saw how other people moved freely and were allowed to do what they wanted, when they wanted. She understood after a few dates that she had been brainwashed by the church, but above all by her parents, throughout her life. Within weeks of meeting me for the first time, she left all that behind and began her new life as a free woman."

Skulduggery took a deep breath before closing his eyes. Valkyrie could tell that what he was about to tell next was painful for him and something he had yet to fully get over. She put one hand over his and pressed it.

"However, Creed could never really let go of China. Not only had he lost his future wife, but he had also lost one of his most loyal followers. If China could leave the church so easily, what was to say others couldn't follow in her footsteps? He tried to contact China several times, but she declined every single time. That is, until one evening when we had a big argument...

China felt lonely and like she was about to lose me, as the argument had turned quite violent. Not because we had fought, but because we had yelled a lot and said a lot of mean things to each other that we didn't really mean. Because of this, China felt she needed to talk to someone who she knew would listen to her and who could she turn to who she knew would always have their doors open for her?

So even though she knew it was an extremely bad idea, she went to Damocles Creed, her former high priest and childhood friend. When she knocked on his door, of course he was overjoyed to see her. He invited her in and China told him the reason she was there. One thing led to another and before she knew it, she was in Creed's arms and not long after that in his bed."

Valkyrie was speechless. She could never have believed that her boss was capable of such a thing, let alone that she had once been a member of a cult! Everything Skulduggery had just told her was so far from the China she knew that she desperately wanted to believe he was lying to her.

As if he could read her mind, Skulduggery said "Don't trust China too much. Like I said before, she's good at manipulating people, Valkyrie. If she wants something, she will do almost anything to get it. She wasn't exaggerating earlier tonight when she said she has resources she's not afraid to use. Creed is one of those resources. He has people around him who will do almost anything to stay on his good side. You should only know how many times China has used him to get her way."

"Are… are they a couple?"

Skulduggery laughed dryly. "God, no! China only made that mistake once. She has Creed wrapped around her little finger. He believes that if he just pleases China, she will eventually come back to the church and to him."

"I'm speechless." Valkyrie laughed hesitantly. "I don't know what to say after a bombshell like that."

"You don't have to say anything. You wanted to know why I and China are no longer a couple and how come we can barely stand each other and now you have the answer to that question. I understand this is a lot to take in." Skulduggery pulled away from her but didn't let go of her hips. Valkyrie understood that he wanted to give her some breathing room, something she appreciated very much.

"Thanks. Both for telling me and for being so understanding. I understand that this was not easy for you to tell and especially not to a person you have only known for a few hours."

"Something tells me you're someone I can trust, Valkyrie." Skulduggery smiled and at the same moment a pop song started playing. He raised an eyebrow in question and Valkyrie smiled back as she began to sway her body in time with the music.

Skulduggery followed her movements, and it wasn't long before their bodies were pressed tightly together again. Valkyrie couldn't help but rub her body against Skulduggery's, especially when the singer sang: "Baby, I need you till the morning, I hear my body calling, So keep the party rocking all night, Baby, oh, we can skip the talking, You know there's only one thing tonight, So won't you come rock my body?"

The sensation of being this close to Skulduggery made Valkyrie dizzy. She suspected that all the drinks she had been drinking during the evening could be part of the reason, but far from the whole truth. She was attracted to Skulduggery and judging by the way his body responded to her advances, she understood that he was also attracted to her. Their lips had almost touched on several occasions, especially when Skulduggery had grabbed her and pulled her backwards.

I hope he wants to come home with me later… Or that he invites me to his home, Valkyrie thought.

"You are a good dancer, Valkyrie."

"You're not that bad either, Skulduggery."

Skulduggery smiled and leaned her backwards again. His lips were just a hair's breadth from hers as he whispered, "I almost forgot to congratulate you on your effort earlier today."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your capture of Nefarian Serpine, of course," Skulduggery replied, pulling her up. "Everyone who has anything to do with the police profession has been talking about it all day. About how a young criminal inspector managed to do what no one else has managed for so many years."

"Thanks. Have you ever been in contact with Serpine during these years?"

"I have." Skulduggery's voice grew harsh, and he held Valkyrie tightly.

Valkyrie flinched at the hardness in his voice and the way he held her. It was on the verge of Skulduggery hurting her. "What do you mean?" she asked, hoping that Skulduggery would relax and loosen his grip a bit.

"Unfortunately, you are not the only one who has lost loved ones to Serpine. My family was brutally murdered by Serpine just before he murdered your uncle. And yes, I knew your uncle. Gordon was a wonderful man and a wonderful friend. He helped me a lot with my cases during the years I had the great fortune to be his friend. Unfortunately, this also made Serpine's attention draw towards him, and he became one of the many targets that Serpine decided to shoot down."

Valkyrie glared at Skulduggery. "I… had no idea. Gordon was a very secretive man. It was only after his death that I found out what he had been up to while he was alive and that many of his books were inspired by real events that he had heard about through his many contacts in the police force."

Skulduggery nodded. "He changed enough in his books that no one would be suspicious and not to complicate the work of the police."

"How come you are standing here today if Serpine took your family away from you? He doesn't usually leave any loose ends behind, it's too risky."

"Because he knew how I worked. He had asked his lackeys to keep an eye on me for several months before he put his plan into action. He knew that I was one of the few people who could catch him, which in turn made him realize that he either had to get rid of me or put me out of action. He wanted to avoid killing me if he could avoid it, as he respected me and found the time, I had been chasing him amusing.

So Serpine decided to put me out of action. He knew that if he hurt my loved ones, it would throw me off balance long enough to give him time to cover up his tracks. He also wanted to make me an example to all the others who were after him about what could happen to them and their loved ones if they continued to chase him.

On the day my family was murdered, China had arranged a meeting with me in her office in the Sanctuary. She wanted to know how close I was to catching Serpine and if I needed reinforcements, but I told her I had everything under control. Or at least that's what I thought at the time. If I had known then what I know now, I would have acted differently…" Skulduggery cut himself off and looked straight ahead. His eyes were not present, and Valkyrie understood that he was reliving the day his family was taken from him.

"When I got home, I was overpowered by two of Serpine's lackeys who pinned me to the floor. I fought back, but they were too strong. In front of me sat my wife and my three-year-old daughter strapped to a chair each with Serpine standing between them. He smiled down at me where I lay nailed and asked me if I was happy with myself. If I was proud of the situation, I now found myself in, nailed to the floor unable to move while I was forced to listen to my wife and children's cries for help.

My daughter cried loudly but not my wife. She looked at our daughter and told her that everything would be fine, that nothing bad would happen to her. She asked our daughter to look her in the eyes and the moment she did this Serpine shot her in the back of the head. Seconds later he had done the same to my wife. Their shared blood spattered me, and I remember screaming their names, but not much else.

When I woke up, Serpine and his lackeys were gone. I was alone in my home with my dead wife and daughter. My wife whom I had loved for six years. My wife who I had been married to for five of those six years and whom I met shortly after China, and I parted ways. We were only 19 years old when we met but we both knew we had found the one. Then when our daughter was born two years after that, we couldn't have been happier.

All of this happened about five and a half years ago, around half a year before you started working at the Sanctuary and only a month or so before Serpine murdered your uncle for knowing too much. Serpine knew that Gordon and I were close friends and that he helped me with my cases. He was afraid that Gordon might be sitting on information that would get him caught, so he murdered him as well. All this pain because I wouldn't be able to think rationally and thus have a much harder time catching him."

Valkyrie glared at Skulduggery. She was shocked and horrified by what Skulduggery had just told her and she put her hand over her mouth as she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. "Skulduggery, I am truly sorry for your sorrow. I can't imagine the pain you must have gone through these years…"

Skulduggery gave her a sad smile. "I am grateful to you for being able to do what I could not. I am thankful that you have finally put an end to him after all these years. I am also grateful that you managed to capture Serpine without killing him, as this is something I would not have been able to do myself. If it had been me who had caught Serpine first, I would not have hesitated but killed him instantly. Probably in a very painful way, too.

I think it's better for Serpine to rot in prison than be executed. If he were to be executed, he would get away with all the crimes he had committed. He will not have to atone for them but will be spared the burden of thinking about what he has done to all his victims. In prison, he will soon realize that he has no sympathy to gain. He has killed both women and children and for that he will be at the bottom of the hierarchy, which in turn means that his time in prison will not be pleasant. I hope that every day he will have to look over his shoulder and constantly feel fear that he could be jumped on by another inmate at any moment."

Valkyrie didn't know how to respond to what Skulduggery had just said, so she decided to simply agree with Skulduggery and put her arms around him in a tender embrace. "Once again, I want you to know that I am so sorry for your loss. No one should have to go through what you've had to go through, Skulduggery."

"You don't have to worry about me, Valkyrie. I have managed to move on with my life, although some days are harder than others. You learn to live with the grief."

Valkyrie looked up and as her tear-filled eyes met Skulduggery's green brown that radiated nothing but calm, they both felt something pass between them that could only be described as electricity. Both of their bodies seemed to vibrate, and they instinctively pressed against each other. They continued to look into each other's eyes while leaning closer to the other. The second before their lips finally connected as they had wanted to do ever since they first laid eyes on each other, Skulduggery and Valkyrie closed their eyes.