Sanguine himself had his own reason for wanting to kill the girl, a pain that had plagued him ever since the day the Faceless Ones had come through the portal. He fully intended to back Scarab’s plan as far as he could and so far, he’d done his part. He’d stolen what he’d had to steal, and he’d broken Dusk out of prison by burrowing in and fighting his way out. Dusk was now building up one army and he was building up another. He was co-ordinating and facilitating the plan. And it was, admittedly, a good plan. If everything came together, it was a plan that would destroy their enemies, satisfy their bloodlust and change everything.

It wasn’t without its flaws of course – among them Vaurien Scapegrace who, as far as Sanguine could tell, was not the Killer Supreme he’d said he was. This, however, was Sanguine’s fault – he’d recruited him after all – and so it was his responsibility to take care of it.

But the plan was, essentially, a good plan and a solid one. However, the moment he saw his chance, he was taking it. He didn’t care if it ruined the plan, or got everyone else arrested or killed.

One way or another, Sanguine had decided, Valkyrie Cain was going to die – and he was determined to be the one to kill her.

15 BACK ON CEMETERY ROAD

15
BACK ON CEMETERY ROAD

Skulduggery’s house was cold and the air was stale. Valkyrie checked the messages on her phone while Skulduggery took the head that Fletcher had given him and went to the large room where he kept all his best clothes. Fletcher tried to turn on the TV, but the power had been cut off. Suddenly they heard a sharp howl of pain, and Valkyrie spun in alarm.

“Skulduggery?” she called as she ran from the room. “Are you OK? Skulduggery?”

She hurried through the house, flinging open doors as she passed them. She reached the last room and just as she was about to barge in – “That hurt,” Skulduggery said from inside.

Valkyrie frowned at the closed door. “What happened?”

“I was changing my head. It feels good to have the old one back on. And now I have a spare, which is nice.”

Valkyrie stepped back as the door opened and Skulduggery emerged. His suit and tie were navy blue and his shirt was crisp and white. He tilted his chin. “What do you think of the head?”

“Uh, it’s…it’s really nice. Looks a lot like the other one.”

“What are you talking about? It’s completely different. The cheekbones are higher.”

“Are they?”

“Aren’t they?”

“I suppose they…might be. Is it comfortable?”

“Very.” He walked past her into the room where he kept his hats. “Where’s Ghastly? Have you told him I’m back?”

“Uh, no…”