“Because China’s probably still weak after being shot and she doesn’t need the both of us in there. Also every time you’re around her you make a fool of yourself.”

“Not every time.”

“You’re staying out here.”

“I think you’re confusing me with a dog.”

“Stay.”

He looked annoyed so she left him to it and stepped in, closing the door behind her.

China walked in from the bedroom and Valkyrie stared. China looked awful. She was too pale and her eyes looked bruised. She moved stiffly and wore a silk robe tied with a sash. Still beautiful, unnaturally so, but sick. For the first time Valkyrie saw China in a moment of weakness and she didn’t know what to say.

“Your silence says it all,” China said, a faint smile on her bloodless lips.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense.” She sank into a chair with an audible sigh. “Take a seat, Valkyrie. You reaction is refreshing. Most people do their best not to catch my eye and prattle on like nothing is different. Now then, you were at the Sanctuary?”

Valkyrie sat. “Yes.”

“It was raided I hear. By vampires.”

“News travels fast. It was Dusk who led them.”

“Him again.”

“He stole the Desolation Engine.”

“I thought that had been made safe.”

“It has been, so we don’t know why he took it.”

China shifted in her seat and grimaced.

Valkyrie hesitated. “Are you…OK?”

“I’ll survive. This is what happens when you invest all your magic into healing a bullet wound. It’s not pretty. Tomorrow I should be back to normal.”

“Should?”

China waved a delicate hand. “You worry too much about people who mean nothing to you.”

Valkyrie’s eyes widened a fraction, but China still noticed.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she continued. “I didn’t mean to sound so cold. What I meant was there are others who would deserve your sympathy much more than I. Fletcher, for instance. That boy is always getting himself into trouble. How is he?”

“He’s fine I suppose. He’s out in the hall.”

“My, you have him well trained.”

“China, do you think I don’t like you?”

China’s smile was gentle. “No, my dear, I’m sure you do. You shouldn’t, but I’m sure you do. You’ve got a big heart. That’s not a compliment by the way. That’s a flaw in your character.”

“I’ll work on it.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“Sanguine is back. He stole a Soul Catcher from the Necromancer Temple and he’s working with Dusk.”

“That is interesting, but I’m afraid I can’t help you with Dusk. My ongoing inquiries about Sanguine, on the other hand, have finally borne fruit. What do you know of the assassination of Esryn Vanguard during the war?”

“Just that he was a pacifist and the guy who killed him got out of prison a few days ago.”