Secrets

39. I'd Like To Resort To A Lot More Than Just Violence...

Gabrielle followed Valkyrie inside the house, and then stopped. The bags were in the hall, and Skulduggery and Tyrell were fighting. Gabrielle's eyes grew wide as Skulduggery snapped his hand outwards, sending Tyrell flying backwards into the couch. The couch flipped and Tyrell jumped to his feet, snarling. He teleported beside Skulduggery but before he could do anything, Skulduggery sent an elbow into his nose and Tyrell staggered, blood pumping from his face. Skulduggery turned and watched him. Tyrell spat blood and smirked.

"Oh you are dead," he growled, launching himself at Skulduggery, sending them both to the ground. Skulduggery rolled and came up on top. He started raining down punches, and Tyrell kneed him in the groin. Skulduggery folded and Tyrell wriggled out from underneath him and teleported. Skulduggery got to his feet, clenching and unclenching his fists in anger. That's when they heard the sound of an engine, and Tyrell walked inside, revving a chainsaw. Now was the time to intervene.

"Enough!" Valkyrie yelled over the sound of the chainsaw. "This is ridiculous! You two need to stop!"

Tyrell killed the engine and lowered the chainsaw. He stared at Skulduggery. Gabrielle was looking between both her brothers, completely shocked.

"Thank you," she said, relief in her voice. "Now what started this?"

"He hit me," Tyrell sulked.

"You patronised me!" Skulduggery yelled.

"You cursed at me!" Tyrell retorted.

"You're a coward!"

"You're a dickhead!"

"STOP!" Valkyrie screamed, and both Tyrell and Skulduggery shut up. She sighed in annoyance.
"This is ridiculous! Why can't you two sort this out without resorting to violence?"

"I'd like to resort to a lot more than just violence," Skulduggery growled, and Tyrell stepped forward, pushing Valkyrie out of the way. She didn't realise how strong he was until she was thrown against the wall. Skulduggery narrowed his eyes and his hands clamped around Tyrell's neck, pinning him up against the wall.

"Do. Not. Touch. Her," he growled, and he smacked Tyrell against the wall hard, and his head smashed into the plaster, leaving a gaping hole. He slumped to the ground and Skulduggery stood over him.
"Now get out."

Tyrell chuckled and got to his feet.
"I don't think so."

"Now! Get out!"

Tyrell narrowed his eyes and teleported behind Skulduggery, grabbing him in a chokehold. Valkyrie cried out and Gabrielle ran up to them, trying to pry Tyrell off Skulduggery.

"BOTH OF YOU STOP!" She screamed, but Tyrell didn't give up. Skulduggery tried to break free but Tyrell was too strong, and then he went limp.

Tyrell dropped him and turned to Gabrielle, slapping her hard across the face. She cried out and fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Tyrell looked over at Valkyrie and her eyes widened. She looked from Gabrielle crying, to Skulduggery's unconscious form on the ground. She stood slowly, facing Tyrell.

"Get out," she said.

Tyrell walked up to her and grabbed her wrists. She tried to break away but he held them tighter and she cried out in pain. Tyrell leaned in closer and whispered something in her ear.

"I know your secret."

Valkyrie stopped struggling. "What?"

Tyrell didn't get to answer as he was pulled away from her. A now fully awake Skulduggery grabbed him in a headlock and threw him into the coffee table. Glass shattered and Gabrielle stood quickly. Skulduggery turned to Valkyrie.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine," Valkyrie replied.

Skulduggery nodded, his eyes full of venom. He turned back quickly as Tyrell groaned and got to his feet, pulling a shard of glass from his right shoulder. Blood dripped onto the floor. Then he teleported.

Valkyrie, Skulduggery and Gabrielle all looked around in surprise. Then Gabrielle disappeared. Valkyrie jerked back in shock.

"Woah..." She breathed.

Skulduggery looked around then his body jerked. Valkyrie looked up in shock, and Skulduggery's eyes looked towards her, pain etched all over his face.

"Valkyrie..." He whispered.

Valkyrie's eyes widened when she saw the blood staining the front of his shirt.

"Oh my god..." She said.

She ran and caught him just as he fell. She laid him gently on the ground and glanced around the room. Tyrell and Gabrielle weren't anywhere to be seen. She turned back to him. And his eyes were fluttering closed.

"Skulduggery! Keep your eyes open! Don't die!"

She ripped her phone out of her pocket and dialled Ghastly's number.

"Val! How was..."

"Ghastly! Skul's been shot!"

"What?!"

"He's been shot! I need Fletcher now!"

"I'm on it!"

She hung up and waited for a few seconds until Fletcher appeared. He dropped down beside her and didn't ask any questions. He just teleported all of them back to the Irish Sanctuary.

***

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Erskine Ravel shouted, and the girl narrowed her eyes.

"I've done exactly what you told me to do," she replied calmly.

"I NEVER TOLD YOU TO DO THAT!" Ravel yelled, and the girl raised her eyebrows as he turned away and counted slowly to ten, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Then he looked back at her.

"I never told you to go to that extent. What if he had of seen you?"

"He didn't I assure you," she replied.

"You better be right."

"I am. We're in this together you know."

"I know that!" Ravel growled. "Just do as you're told and try not to kill anybody."

"I'll do my best."

***

Tanith stood watching in shock as Valkyrie, Fletcher and Skulduggery appeared in the Medical Wing of the Sanctuary. She immediately saw why. Skulduggery's shirt had turned crimson with his blood. He was barely conscious.

She gasped, and Valkyrie looked up, tears in her eyes as Reverie took Skulduggery inside. She burst into tears, hiding her face with her hands. Tanith rushed to her side.

"Valkyrie, calm down what happened?" She asked.

Valkyrie stopped crying and looked up.
"Well..." She started, wiping her eyes. Then she proceeded to tell Tanith everything.

When she was done the blonde swordswoman looked stunned. "Wow," was all she said.

"I know," Valkyrie replied.

"That's a crazy story."

"I know," Valkyrie repeated, her voice devoid of any human emotion whatsoever. Tanith felt sorry for her.

"Do you want to go and see Skulduggery now?" Tanith asked her.

The dark haired woman nodded and Tanith smiled. She stood and held out her hand and Valkyrie grabbed it. Tanith helped her to her feet and they walked into the room together. Then they stopped, and Valkyrie gasped.