“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to come with us,” the first cop said. “Just to answer a few questions.”

“That won’t be possible,” the lead Necromancer said. “We have somewhere to be.”

“I’m afraid I have to insist.”

The lead Necromancer ignored him, turning his eyes to Valkyrie. “Are you sure you want to do this? In front of all these people? In front of security cameras? Because we’ll do it. The world is about to change – we could start that change right here and now.”

“That sounded like a threat,” the second cop said.

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Yeah,” the cop said, “but I was talking to you.”

Valkyrie hadn’t even noticed the movement in the crowds of people, but suddenly there were four more cops surrounding the Necromancers, done up in tactical gear and carrying automatic weapons. The Necromancers stiffened. Unlike Elementals and other Adepts, the Necromancers kept most of their magic in objects. But right now, their weapons were in their bags and pockets, and any move to get them would result in extreme violence.

Valkyrie backed away as the cops issued orders. The Necromancers glared at her, and she smiled back, slipping away through the crowd that had formed around them. She hurried for the doors, emerging into the Arrivals Area as more cops ran through to help their comrades. She rejoined Skulduggery and a handcuffed Dragonclaw, and they walked quickly for the exit.

“You handled it?” Skulduggery asked.

“I did. I could have used your help.”

“Nonsense. You’re more than capable of doing these things yourself. Were there many Necromancers?”

“Twelve or so. If they’re not escorted directly on to a flight home, I’d say, at the very least, they’re not going to be let near their weapons for another few hours.”

“By which point we should have broken into the Temple. Well done, Valkyrie. You are good.”

“Yes, I am. What about Bison here? Did he have anything interesting to say?”

“Indeed he did,” Skulduggery said, his false mouth smiling. “He knows of a top-secret supply tunnel that leads right into the depths of the Temple, and he’s going to take us there, aren’t you, Bison?”

Dragonclaw sagged.

“How sweet,” Valkyrie said. “You’ve made a friend.”

Chapter 27 - Into the Temple

Chapter 27
Into the Temple

he warehouse was dark. Three jeeps and two trucks were parked under a thick layer of dust. Dragonclaw led them to the centre of the floor, and stopped.

“You’d better not be lying to us,” Skulduggery said, his gun out.

“I swear,” Dragonclaw responded. “Director Solus used to have me guard it when supplies were brought in through here. Only a few people know about it.”