Bedlam Chapter Sampler

“You have a boyfriend, Panthea.” “So what?” Valkyrie said. “I have a girlfriend. Doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in a little harmless flirting.” “Yeah,” said Panthea, “lighten up, Christopher.” Skulduggery finally stood. “This night has not gone the way I had envisioned,” he said. “Mr Reign – the whereabouts of Doctor Nye?” “I don’t know,” Reign said, all trace of good humour having left his eyes. “I don’t know where that freak is, and I don’t care. If it did come up with the Splashes – and I’m not saying it did or that I’d even know if it did – then it took its money and it departed without leaving a forwarding address.” “And how did you contact the good doctor in the first place?” “I told you, I’m not a criminal. But if I were a criminal, which I am not , then I’d still have nothing to tell you because it would have come to me with the proposal.” “I see,” said Skulduggery. “Valkyrie, do you have anything to add?” “Yeah,” she said, and pointed to a man sitting at a table nearby. “ That guy.” The man paled instantly and sat up straighter. “You’ve been pretty handsy with the wait staff,” Valkyrie said, walking over. “A little pat on the backside here, a little pinch there.” He shook his head quickly. Valkyrie loomed over him. “You think that’s a nice thing to do?” she asked. “You think that’s acceptable?” The man cleared his throat. “I... I...”

“Stand up, please,” Valkyrie said. The man hesitated, then stood.

“You mind if I give you a little pat?” she asked, and she slapped him, the heel of her hand crashing into the hinge of his jaw. He went up to his heels and toppled backwards, unconscious before he hit the ground.

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