The Competition

Valkyrie groaned and sat up. "I told you it was a trap," she said.

"No, you said it looked like it was a trap," Skulduggery corrected. "That's completely different."

He helped her up as a door opened behind them and Sadistica Tortura walked through, an unsettling smile on her lips.

"You're being ridiculous," Valkyrie continued to complain, dusting herself off whilst keeping her gaze on the familiar woman in front of her.

He snorted, tilting his head towards Sadistica. “Hello there. What are your plans for us?”

Valkyrie shoved Skulduggery harshly, “You’re supposed to give her a chance to show us how deadly she is.”

“Who’s the professional here?” Skulduggery countered.

“Me,” Sadistica interrupted, a cunning grin gracing her face.

“What sort of professional would you be again?” Valkyrie frowned, an eyebrow raised.

“Don’t be a fool, Valkyrie,’ Skulduggery huffed, “It’s in the name.”

 Sadistica started circling the two bickering partners, violent thoughts coursing through her head. Was shutting up an unheard concept to them?

“Would you just be quiet?” she finally exploded, exasperation lacing her tone.

“Sure thing,” Skulduggery replied jovially, “Aren’t you going to threaten us?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard all of what I could potentially say to you,” she smiled at him apologetically.

“No, no,” he protested, “Just try them out. If you’re trying to be a villain – you’ll need to have a whole list in case you encounter a man – er – skeleton like me again.”

“Tell me what you cherish so that I may snatch it away,” Sadistica spoke uncertainly, eyes flickering from Valkyrie to Skulduggery.

“That’s horrible,” Skulduggery offered, “Been there, done that – you know? Ever heard my story?”

“Who hasn’t heard of it?” she snickered, “It’s what helps villains sleep at night. And the hope of killing Valkyrie so that it may occur again.”

“Why are villains so rude to me?” Skulduggery whined, “You wouldn’t want to hurt my feelings.”
“What about – you’re outnumbered; a thousand to one?”

“Don’t give me statistics,” Skulduggery said, “You’re supposed to scare me. Not help me to plan tactics to defeat your mindless drones.”
“I have someone for you to meet,’ Sadistica smirked slyly, “Excuse me whilst I retrieve her.”

Skulduggery’s head snapped up, startled, “Oh, alright – you’re a minion. Go for it then.”

Ignoring him, she flowed out of the room, her skirts fluttering dramatically at them.
“Do you have a plan?” Valkyrie spoke dryly.

“I always do. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

 “Pray tell,” Valkyrie started scanning the room impatiently.

“I’ll let you have some time to figure it out.”

“I need to be home for dinner,” Valkyrie protested, “Mum needs me to be present.”

“Isn’t your reflection there?” he glanced at her.

Valkyrie rubbed her neck awkwardly in response, “I may have not let my reflection out this time so that I could have an excuse to go home.”

“You are brilliant,” Skulduggery told her.

She shrugged indignantly, “What is it?”

“There’s a window right there,” he sighed, the said object now glaringly obvious.