And Darkness Rained Upon Them

Chapter 3 - China's Tirade

Chapter 3 – China’s Tirade

“What!”

China rarely disgraced herself to screech or raise her voice in anger, but this! This was one hell of a statement

Ghastly was standing behind his desk in the elders’ chambers back in Ireland. His body was shaking almost uncontrollably, for someone usually so calm and controlled his body was trembling with tremors of laughter. Fletcher was much the same but he was gasping for breath so much louder: poorly hiding his laughter.

“Ghastly! You cannot do this to me! I simply refuse,” China hissed at the scarred Grand Mage.

“China,” Ghastly stilled his silent laughter and started again. “China, you know very well I can make you do this. As Grand Mage you have to obey my orders.”

“That is a serious misuse of your power,” China argued.

“Pfft, coming from you? That’s a laugh,” Fletcher muttered whilst fixing a strand of hair.

“Now China, this could be vital to Skulduggery’s case-”

“Well get someone from the London Sanctuary to do it then,” China harshly interrupted Ghastly’s explanation.

“You know we can. They will see it as a sign of weakness, we have to work alone and show to the world that we have rebuilt ourselves.”

“However Ghastly we haven’t. Our Sanctuary was built by children of the spider and you are too occupied keeping tabs on your possessed girlfriend!”

“Too far,” Fletcher muttered.

China ignored his comment and stared at Ghastly her lips pursed in a thin line.

The silence between the group seemed to stretch on for an eternity until Ghastly spoke.

“You shall go to London. You shall see what Skulduggery wants. This Raven girl seems to be important; within five minutes of meeting her Skulduggery wants her on the team-”

“A new record,” Fletcher coughed.

Ghastly gave him a pointed look and Fletcher mimed zipping his lips then went on fixing his hair.

“As I was saying,” Ghastly continued in the same quite a deadly tone, “if she has impressed Skulduggery that much, it’s definitely worth checking it out. When you meet Skulduggery you shall do exactly as he asks. If you do not do as I say then I will be forced into enforcing extreme measures on you. We all know of the crimes you have committed.”

“That,” China’s voice shook, “is blackmail.”

“Yes China and I believe it is suitable motivation to do as I ask.”

China turned to leave, Ghastly coughed for her attention and she slowly turned around.

“Fletcher shall teleport you to your home and then onto London. I know how slippery you can be if you want to avoid a situation.”

“Fine! To my library please Fletcher.”

With one last adjustment of his hair Fletcher placed his ha on China’s shoulder and disappeared with her.

Now Ghastly was alone he sat behind his desk with his hands over his face, all the while muttering, “I can save her, I will save her… I can’t live without her.”

China quickly strode over to her room and promptly began folding and packing clothes. She only packed as much as she thought she needed; Ghastly didn’t say how long she had to stay there, just as long as she saw the girl and did what Skulduggery asked. It shouldn’t be too long. Just in case she threw a handful of fifty-pound notes that she had in her safe, into the stylish travel bag.

“Fletcher,” she called.

“Yes,” he mumbled from behind the door.

“I’m ready to leave now.”

“Course. Library or here?”

“The library. There is no way I am ever letting you in my bedroom you would clearly get the wrong sort of ideas.”

“’Kay, I’ll wait by the desk there.”

“No need,” China said, quickly opening the door causing Fletcher to almost fall over.

China repressed a giggle as Fletcher used her arm to steady himself and without warning they disappeared and teleported to London.