Skulduggery Pleasant_ Death Bringer - Derek Landy [131]
But if the roles had been reversed and it had been China who had planned this trap, then she would be lying in wait somewhere along that trail. Lure the prey in, scare the prey, and attack when the prey tries to run to safety. An ambush as simple as it was effective. Her options were clear. Take the quickest route out of the woods and probably run right into the attack, or turn and go the other way. Deeper into the woods.
Neither option appealed to her, but as much as she despised the idea of walking for an hour in these shoes to get away from an attacker who may not even be there, she despised the idea of having her head cut off even more.
So she quelled her pride, turned, and stalked away through the trees.
Chapter 51
Flirting Disastrously
eople were dancing and chatting, talking business and politics and history, drinking wine and champagne and toasting fallen comrades. The house had been transformed from the quiet, safe place that Valkyrie came to when she needed respite to a glamorous ballroom of extravagance. As much as she appreciated the change, there was a part of her that couldn’t wait for the people to clear out and normality to return.
She waited until Gordon’s latest audience had moved away, and then she approached him before anyone else had a chance. “Enjoying yourself ?” she asked.
“Immensely,” Gordon said, beaming when he saw her. “I’d never met most of these people when I was alive, but I’d heard about them. I’d heard all the stories, all the legends. Some of these people, quite literally, saved the world.”
“Pretty impressive.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “Don’t be sarcastic.”
“I’m not,” she laughed.
“For someone like you, who actually has saved the world, such a feat might lose some of its romance. But for me, a dead writer who just wrote about these things? It is still quite remarkable.”
“And humbling?”
“Well, maybe not humbling. I’d like to see any of these people write a best-selling novel. Then I’d be impressed.”
“Are you getting any ideas for more books?”
“My head is filled with ideas. If I weren’t hosting this shindig, I’d be composing words right this second. I swear, I haven’t talked to this many fascinating people since I made a surprise appearance at my fan club meeting. Do you think they’re enjoying it? Is there enough wine?”
“There’s plenty of wine, and those little canopies are lovely.”
“Canapés, my dear.”
“They’re a bit small, though.”
“They’re meant to be small.”
“They’d be more satisfying if they were bigger.”
“I think you’re slightly missing the point of canapés.”
“But all in all, yeah, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
“I thought I’d find you here,” Skulduggery said, walking over. “I assume your detective instincts kicked in and you were going to ask your uncle about those men with the guns…?”
“Of course,” Valkyrie nodded. “Gordon. The morons in the masks. How did they get in?”
“Ah,” Gordon said, his face clouding, “now that I do not know. As you can imagine, there aren’t many catering companies who specialise in events like this, but I was assured every person working tonight was discreet and had experience. I’ve had someone trying to get through to the planner, but no luck so far.”
Valkyrie shrugged at Skulduggery. “I have been unable to find a clue.”
“You’re a wonderful detective,” he sighed. “Are you ready for Round Two? There are still plenty of people who want to meet you.”
“There’s more?” she whined. “But my face is tired from smiling.”
“I never said you had to smile. I never smile.”
“You’re a skeleton. You’re always smiling.”
“Not inside. Inside it’s a scowl. I think there