Skulduggery – Crow
Anton – Bear
Ghastly – Panda
Dexter – Wolf
Saracen – Weasel
Erskine – Snake
Solomon – Raven
....................................................................
Chapter 46
It was some time into the summer that the new 'big thing' occurred. Or at least, that was what Valkyrie was told. She was hiding in her room.
"Raven?" She said quietly, talking into her phone.
"Valkyrie," he said pleasantly. "I have some information I thought you may be interested in."
"I'm sure I will be, but why aren't you calling Skulduggery?" She asked.
"It is because I wish to taunt him by calling you," he said bluntly, then ploughed on with the information. "I've heard Murder Rose and a man whose name I'm still trying to find out is making their way to the Midnight Hotel."
"Ah," she said, thinking quickly. The Midnight Hotel was Anton Shudder's territory. Even Crow didn't so much as ask Bear who came to and from that place, and he'd encouraged Valkyrie not to think of Bear and Anton Shudder as the same people. The person he was at the Hotel was strictly impersonal and doing his job. Valkyrie had only been once, and that had been strictly in the lobby, to a new place and exiting again. She'd been told Crow had tried taking someone down in there before and that was how it got such a good reputation. Bear had thrown Crow out and protected the criminal even though that same criminal had killed their friend in the war. It was policy. And Bear was as unmoveable as his policy. "That might not be enough. Do we know where they're going?"
"I do not. I wanted to know if you'd be able to find out."
"No can do," she said certainly. "I might be all cute and stuff, but he won't bite. He doesn't do mates rates."
"I had a feeling. But I suppose, you could maybe go there and simply... decided to exit at the same time?" Raven suggested.
Valkyrie nodded to herself. "I suppose but I don't really want to start something. I mean, I'll be forgiven, but Skul? Less likely. I can ask though. Is there any other information you have?"
"Only that they've been planning something. A lot of sneaking around together. I think it's a plan, but I couldn't say what for or even when for. I was thinking revenge, but I've heard all the Dead Men are home from their missions?"
"Yeah, several weeks ago. I doubt Rose would take us on directly, even with a team. She never has before. She made sure of it when she came to kill me. Unless she'd hoping to pick us off slowly and plans to start with Anton."
"My thinking exactly. I suggest seeing if she will speak at the Hotel though. Perhaps with a little persuasion she will try to fight you and Shudder can kill her?"
Valkyrie agreed and they hung up. She went to Crow and explained the situation.
"How did he get your number?" He asked neutrally after a moment.
"I gave it to him. We should go soon."
"Get a bag together and I'll start the car. Be quick."
Valkyrie did what he said and they drove to some place in the countryside. It took a while to reach the top of the mountain where the Midnight Hotel was and by the time it had materialised before their eyes, Valkyrie was very glad to step into its warm lobby.
YOU ARE READING
Skulduggery Pleasant: Raising Cain
Fanfiction(This story is written as a fanfiction, but can be read as a story without having read any of the books.) Valkyrie Cain, the adoptive daughter of the Dead Men, has had a life full of love and magic. But as she gets older, times become scarier and sh...
