Skulduggery Pleasant - Night of the Dying Rose

Chapter 19- It's Over, Isn't It?

Valkyrie waited outside the medical bay, listening to Skulduggery mutter and curse. China was awake and issuing orders to her best agents, her face taught and angry. The Hessian Grimoire was gone, and the hope of stopping Little Rose was becoming ever smaller with each moment that went by. At the moment, Valkyrie didn't care about that, she didn't care that the Grimoire was gone, or that Little Rose might give Darquesse a run for her money, or that she seems to be always one step ahead of her. No, all Valkyrie career about was that Little Rose knew her given name, meaning she knew where her family lived. They were in grave danger because of her once again. She didn't want to sound selfish but she wanted Skulduggery to hurry the hell up. Then Reverie Synedoche stepped out into the corridor and faced Valkyrie.

"There's no point in just standing around Valkyrie dear, Skulduggery isn't going anywhere for a while, we've decided to construct an arm from scratch but it's taking some time I'm afraid." Reverie told her.

Valkyrie sagged. "I need Skulduggery with me soon Doctor Synedoche, Little Rose is still out there and I'm just standing around. My PARENTS are in danger because of me again, I can't just wait."

Reverie sighed. "I'll get together some more doctors and we'll work faster, he may be out by tonight, that's the best I can offer Valkyrie."

Valkyrie sighed in return and nodded, thanking Reverie and walking into Skulduggery's ward. Skulduggery was waving away a nurse named Sadie, and she walked off, muttering words that Valkyrie was glad she couldn't hear. When Skulduggery looked up, Valkyrie could tell that if he was wearing his facade, his face would be lighting up at the sight of her.

"Ah Valkyrie, I was hoping you'd come in soon, I'm fairly sure I was about to shoot someone out of pure impatience and because of being prodded at quite an alarming rate." Skulduggery said brightly. Valkyrie said nothing.

Skulduggery nodded to himself, continuing. "The doctors are rather good at their job aren't they? Constructing an entire arm just for me, they're geniuses for realising just how important I am to them, very smart indeed. I hope the arm doesn't look out of place. Yes it'll still be bone but it might be so brand new that it'll make my bones look bleached, and that would just affect my dignity just a tad, and we know just how terrible that would be."

Valkyrie still said nothing and Skulduggery sat forwards, tilting his head. "I'm trying to be funny here Valkyrie." He said.

Valkyrie shrugged. "It's appreciated, trust me on that but...I'm not in the mood to laugh when my family is in danger once again."

Skulduggery nodded. "Ah yes of course, your family in mortal danger by a demented girl, how unique."

Valkyrie glared at him. "That really isn't making me feel any better Skulduggery."

"Yes, well, I've never been known as the comforting type, you should know that by now Valkyrie."

Valkyrie folded her arms, but her anger didn't last, she went quiet, and she felt her shoulders cave in a little, she didn't like the feeling.

Skulduggery looked at her. "Valkyrie...?" He said softly.

"It's over isn't it..." Valkyrie said quietly. Skulduggery tilted his head again.

"Why ever would you say that?" Skulduggery asked softly.

Valkyrie looked directly into Skulduggery's eye sockets. "You once told me that if Darquesse ever got a hold on the Hessian Grimoire, then it would all be over, she'd win and destroy the world. How is this any different?"

"Because Little Rose isn't Darquesse." Skulduggery answered.

"No she's worse."

"How so?"

"Because even Darquesse had her limits, she knew when to fall back if she sensed that something could be used again. Little Rose isn't unaware of the dangers. She just doesn't care, she knows that she has a dozen ways to kill this entire sanctuary even if she lost her head. And now that she has the Hessian Grimoire, she can do anything, so forgive me if I'm wrong but in my opinion she is FAR worse than Darquesse." Valkyrie explained.

"We fooled Darquesse into defeat Valkyrie, we can stop Little Rose too...but not yet as there's a time sigil on the bed and it won't let me get up until Reverie says I may. A tad annoying but there's nothing I can do about it."

"I can't just wait around Skulduggery, I'm wasting time as it is."

"I'm afraid you don't have much choice if I'm stuck here."

"Then I'm going to start hunting down Little Rose alone."

Skulduggery stared at her. "You will do no such thing, you'll get yourself killed."

"I'm quite capable of taking care of myself Skulduggery, I'm not twelve years old anymore, I'm not going to wait just because you're out of action."

Skulduggery shook his head, his voice urgent. "It's way too dangerous for either of us to go alone Valkyrie, you know that."

"I was too slow to help my parents last time and had to rely on trickery to save them, I won't wait around again. I'm sorry Skulduggery but I have to go."

"Valkyrie I said NO." Skulduggery barked.

Valkyrie turned away. "You can stop me once that you're unbound, which won't be for a while. Just sit tight, I'll be fine, if I'm not, then you can say I told you so to my grave." Valkyrie smiled over her shoulder and walked out, not looking back.

"VALKYRIE!" Skulduggery roared.