Skulduggery Pleasant: Books 10 - 12. Derek Landy

to Doctor Synecdoche over the medical team here at the High Sanctuary?”

      “I didn’t choose anything. I didn’t even know she’d opened her own clinic. That was all Fletcher. I think he just brought us to her on instinct.”

      “I see,” said China. “Yes. I’m sure that was it.” She sat back, allowing herself a smile. “How are you, Valkyrie? It’s been far too long.”

      “I’m good, thanks.”

      “You seem hesitant. Is something wrong?”

      “Your chair,” said Valkyrie. “From down here, it looks a lot like a throne.”

      “Is there anything wrong with that?”

      Valkyrie shrugged. “I don’t know. Sitting in a throne all day might make it easy to forget that you’re an elected official and not, you know … a queen. Or an empress.”

      China observed her, then stood and came down the steps, her bodyguards accompanying her. “There. Is that better?”

      “Much,” said Valkyrie.

      China got to the bottom, and embraced Valkyrie. “It’s good to see you again,” she said softly.

      “It’s good to be here,” Valkyrie lied.

      China stepped back. “The reports I’ve been hearing on what happened … they lack certain details, such as why on earth you went to the Narrows without Cleaver support. Obviously, as Arbiters, you have the authority to go where you like. But I have to ask, in light of what happened … was that wise?”

      “In hindsight,” said Valkyrie, “no.”

      China hooked her arm through Valkyrie’s and started walking. The bodyguards stayed behind them. “Who was it? Who attacked you?”

      “I don’t know all of them,” Valkyrie said. “A man named Lethe. Another named Richard Melior. A Teleporter named Nero.”

      “And you think they’re connected to this anti-Sanctuary?” China asked. “Oh, yes, Skulduggery told me all about his suspicions. I wasn’t sold on the idea, I have to admit. An organisation working behind the scenes for centuries without us knowing about it? It seemed preposterous.” She sighed. “It doesn’t seem so preposterous any more.”

      “I’m assuming the Cleavers found no trace of them when they arrived?”

      “None at all,” said China. “The City Guards conducted a thorough search of the area – I’m afraid we have no idea where this Melior man may have gone.”

      “Why did Skulduggery quit?”

      China frowned. “I’m sorry?”

      “Being City Guard Commander. Why did he quit?”

      “It was always going to be temporary,” said China. “I knew that when he took the job. Skulduggery wants to be out there, in the thick of the action. Being the Commander meant he was stuck behind a desk for most of his time here. He got it up and running, though, which is what I needed him for. When he left, there were no hard feelings.”

      “That’s it?”

      “Yes. Why, did he say any different?”

      “He didn’t say anything. Which made me wonder.”

      China smiled again. “You know him well.”

      She removed her arm from Valkyrie’s, and tapped the edge of her wrist. A tattoo glowed briefly, and the wall ahead of them turned transparent, revealing the city of Roarhaven below. “So what do you think of the place?” China asked. “Has it changed much since you’ve been away?”

      Valkyrie nodded to their left. “The Cathedral is new.”

      “Yes,” said China. “An impressive, if foreboding, structure, is it not? But it’s important to let the people have their faith. It rewards them. Keeps them happy.”

      “Keeps them obedient?”

      “Oh, Valkyrie … when did you become so cynical? But the Dark Cathedral is only one of our new additions.”

      “I visited Corrival Academy.”

      “Isn’t it wonderful?”

      Valkyrie nodded. “That’s the kind of school I could have done with, growing up.”

      “Which is exactly why it’s there,” China said. “Before, our children went to mortal schools and learned what they could about magic from a variety of sometimes unsuitable sources. But the Academy will give the next generation all the advantages they could possibly need. Teaching everyone the same rules, the same values …”

      “Get them thinking the same way.”

      An eyebrow arched. “You are cynical.”

      “And so many students,” Valkyrie said.

      “Yes. From all over the world. The best and brightest, all under one roof.”

      “The children of the most powerful sorcerers, from every single Sanctuary on the planet … It’s some achievement. And hey, at least you know that it’ll keep their parents in line, right? No one’s going to want to go to war with Roarhaven when you have their kids under lock and key.”

      China looked at her. “You make it sound like they’re prisoners.”

      “Do I?”

      China pointed straight ahead. “There we have the Fangs. Have you visited? Three square kilometres where the vampires have taken up residence. People told me it was a mistake to let them live among us, but do you know how many vampire attacks there have been in the last five years? Not a one. It’s been yet another great success – testament to what can be achieved when different people, different species, work together.”

      “You sound like you’re angling for my vote,” said Valkyrie.

      China laughed. “I’m just proud of what we’ve accomplished here, and I don’t want to see it threatened by a few angry young sorcerers. I’ve got Commander Hoc investigating the attack personally. He won’t be long finding those responsible.”

      “That’s good of you,” said Valkyrie. “I doubt Skulduggery’s going to want to abandon his own investigation just yet, though.”

      “Oh, absolutely. The advantage the City Guard have, however, is that they possess all the resources they could ever want – and they never go into a situation without back-up.”

      “It does sound nice.”

      “There’s always a spot open for you, should you decide to give it a go …”

      “Without Skulduggery?”

      “He’s spent five years without you. I’m sure he got used to it.”

      Valkyrie shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m not even sure if I want to come back.”

      “Oh? This isn’t your triumphant return?”

      “It’s more of a test run, really.”

      “I see. Does Skulduggery know this?”

      “I told him.”

      “And does he believe you?”

      Valkyrie frowned. “He’d better.”

      China looked out across the city. “Skulduggery is a frightfully intelligent man, but, like all frightfully intelligent people, he assumes certain things. I think your return to his side would be one of those things he would assume to be a foregone conclusion.” She glanced at Valkyrie. “You may well have to remind him that it isn’t.”

      Valkyrie returned to Reverie’s clinic. She got to Skulduggery’s room and stopped in the open doorway. He stood with his back to her. He didn’t have his shirt on.