Armageddon Outta Here - The World of Skulduggery Pleasant. Derek Landy

out a war cry. She clicked her fingers and he stopped and cowered, expecting the fireball. But instead she moved in, stiffened the fingers of her other hand and jabbed into his neck. His head swung around, offering up the perfect target. Her elbow connected with the hinge of his jaw, and Liam the goblin crumpled to the ground.

      “You don’t really love me,” she heard Skulduggery say.

      Peg was sitting against a wall, Skulduggery standing over her, the remains of the broken pew in his hands.

      “I’m flattered,” he continued, “really I am. I’m sure you’re a lovely girl.”

      Peg moaned.

      “But the truth is, we don’t know each other. Not really. I don’t know what your favourite song is, or what flower you like most, or what you like to do on long summer evenings. And what do you really know about me?”

      “I uv oo, Skuluggy.”

      “No, you don’t, Peg. This isn’t real love. This isn’t true love. You deserve someone who can give you true love.”

      “Oo?”

      “No, not me.”

      “Moh.”

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

      Peg sniffled.

      “He’s out there, you know. Your Mister Right. And I’m sure he’s looking for you.”

      She looked up. “Eally?”

      “Really. You just have to find him.”

      Peg nodded, then nodded again, with renewed determination. Skulduggery stepped back as she stood up and brushed some of the dust off her wedding dress.

      “Stay away from your brothers, OK? They’re not a very good influence on you.”

      She nodded, and marched for the church door. Before she stepped out, she stopped, and looked back tearfully. “I awah ink awoo, Skuluggy.”

      “And I’ll always think of you, too,” Skulduggery replied.

      And then Peg was gone.

      Valkyrie stood beside Skulduggery. “Anything you want to tell me?”

      “No,” he said. “Not really. Are all the babies safe?”

      “Safe and unharmed. Their folks will be glad to have them back. Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me? To share?”

      “Relatively positive, yes.”

      “She seems nice. Peg, I mean.”

      He looked at her. “It’s going to take you a while to stop teasing me about this, isn’t it?”

      She grinned. “Oh, yes.”

      He sighed. “Then you may as well get started.”