The White Cleaver nodded, and took out his scythe.

Valkyrie wrapped Melancholia’s arm around her neck and they hurried to the base of the tunnel.

“Hold on to me,” Valkyrie muttered, sweeping the air in. It lifted them, but for a moment Valkyrie didn’t think it would be enough, so she reached out desperately for more. The air buffeted them up and over, and Melancholia cried out as they landed heavily.

Valkyrie pulled her to her feet, ignoring the curses, and they hobbled for the tunnel. Before they reached it, Valkyrie looked back and saw Lord Vile emerge. The White Cleaver stood in his way, blocking his path. Two dozen shadows surged from Vile’s armour and speared the Cleaver’s body. The Cleaver managed to remain upright for a few seconds before a spasm rippled through those shadows and tore him apart.

Valkyrie dragged Melancholia onwards.

Chapter 58 - The Main Event

Chapter 58
The Main Event

t came from above, scuttling from the tunnel ceiling to the curve of the wall, moving so fast it was hard to keep track. Before it slipped into darkness, Valkyrie saw its pale skin glisten wetly.

“I don’t think we should go this way,” she said softly.

“You heard the zombie,” Melancholia responded. “This is the way out. What do you want to do? You want to go back?”

“There’s something up ahead.”

“There’s something behind us too. Throw a ball of fire at whatever it is and it’ll run off. Do I have to think of everything?”

“So far you haven’t thought of anything,” Valkyrie said, but resumed walking. “The creatures down here are not friendly, and they’re not easily stopped.”

“Maybe not by you, but I’m the Death Bringer.”

“You still believe that?”

“You saw what I can do.”

“You said it yourself, you’re a rechargeable battery.”

“You have no idea how powerful I am. I can take lives by reaching out with my mind.”

“And how’s that going for you?”

Melancholia glared. “This is your fault. You tricked me into giving the skeleton his life back. Without the skeleton, Vile would still only be an empty suit of armour, which I’d have destroyed by now.”

“And if you had destroyed it, then you’d have killed me, and then millions of others. Sorry Mel, you don’t get to paint yourself as the innocent victim here.”

“There’s something wrong with you, you know,” Melancholia said. “Twenty minutes ago I tried to kill you, and now you’re helping me run from your friend who is now trying to kill us both. That’s a very healthy relationship you have there, by the way.”

“At least Vile isn’t going to try to kill the world after this. All he wants to do is kill you and whoever might replace you.”

“Why do you keep calling him Vile? What happened to calling him Skulduggery?”