Skulduggery Pleasant - Night of the Dying Rose

Chapter 4-The New Threat

Skulduggery groaned as he straightened up, and he ran over to Valkyrie, checking to see if she was still breathing. She was, thank god. He sighed in relief and lifted her up carefully, hurrying to the nearest sanctuary doctor so that Valkyrie could get help quickly. He was hurt too, but he honestly didn't give a damn. He would only look after himself once Valkyrie was out of danger. He found a doctor, Synedoche actually, and he barked at her to get Valkyrie to a medical bed and fast. Doctor Synedoche quickly obeyed, and Skulduggery was briefly left alone. He knew that if he still had a heart, it would be hammering against his chest from the overall fear that he had felt when Valkyrie had been broken and thrown away like an unwanted rag-doll.  He groaned again, sagging against the wall. Bullets hurt, even for him. But something hurt and bothered him even more. What Little Rose had said was true, he loved Valkyrie in many ways. But before, he viewed her as a best friend and a second daughter. But now that she was older...his feelings had changed. He hated himself for it. Valkyrie was still young and had hundreds of years ahead of her. What's more, he was a damned Skeleton and also DEAD. She deserved better, he shouldn't love her like this, like how he had loved his wife. Skulduggery sighed and walked to the meeting room. China was waiting for him, looking pissed off.

"What the hell happened?!" She snapped.

"Little Rose, our esteemed killer, attacked us, Valkyrie has been taken to the medical bay."

"Is she alright?" China asked curtly.

"She's badly hurt, but she'll pull through."

"And where is this Little Rose now?"

Skulduggery hesitated. "She escaped."

"What?!" 

"We underestimated her, greatly, she may be a child but her power levels are incredible, though it's hard to say whether she has learned her true name yet." Skulduggery answered as calmly as he could manage.

"Well if she hasn't then lord help us when she does." China seethed. She paused and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she exhaled, she re-opened her eyes and looked visibly calmed. "Very well, we still have her on the loose, but that won't last forever, wait until Valkyrie has recovered and then start to strategist a better plan to take down this Little Rose, because she is most definitely a new threat to us all."

Skulduggery tilted his head. "You sound almost frightened."

China rolled her eyes. "Not frightened, worried. I would hate to get a worry line across my head, it would totally hinder my unnatural grace."

"Selfless as usual." Skulduggery replied sarcastically.

"Indeed, now will you tell me what else is the matter?"

Skulduggery surveyed her. "Nothing, what makes you think something else is wrong."

"Little things." She replied. "I've known you for a long time and I can tell when something else is wrong, your voice takes on a heavier tone, and you stand a little more stiffly. Impressive to you surely, but elementary for me."

Skulduggery moved his head in the way that showed he was rolling his non-existent eyes.

"Well? Tell me what's wrong." 

Skulduggery sighed. "As long as you don't speak of it to anyone else."

China raised an eyebrow. "What, do I look like a walking secret spreader? I think not, now come on, speak up."

Skulduggery hesitated for a good moment before dipping his head. "Well...the thing is, I think I'm in love with-"

At that moment, the doors burst open, and Tipstaff rushed in, breathless.

China frowned. "What's the matter Tipstaff?"

Tipstaff looked at them both in termed and said quickly. "It's Miss Cain, she's been taken."