She hadn't been expecting the magenta sports car, but she was probably a fool for expecting Skulduggery to remain predictable. In any case, she'd left a hidden symbol in the parking lot designed to pick up a driver without signs of life, and when the matching symbol just under her desk began flashing, China dropped what she was doing and went to stand at the window - just in time to catch a glimpse of Skulduggery's dead face right before it retracted off his skull.
China blinked, but managed to catch herself before the confusion manifested itself into a frown. An illusory face made sense. It wasn't a sense she'd predicted or even pretended to understand, but it still made sense. And as long as they believed she hadn't seen it, she still had the advantage here.
It was sometimes difficult to feign total innocence when China genuinely enjoyed the premise of the innocence, or the person she was feigning it to. Luckily, she didn't have to in these circumstances. When the library door opened and the pair stepped inside, China was leaning against the closest bookshelf to greet them with a smile. "That took you long enough," she said. "Tell me, was it the vampires? Or was it Guild telling you about Scarab's release?"
Skulduggery shook his head. "Now you're just showing off."
"I have no need to. I must admit, you two are becoming more fascinating by the minute. Things were so terribly dull while you were gone, Skulduggery."
The newly reinstated detective shrugged. "I'll try to get rescued sooner next time."
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She hadn't been expecting the magenta sports car, but she was probably a fool for expecting Skulduggery to remain predictable. In any case, she'd left a hidden symbol in the parking lot designed to pick up a driver without signs of life, and when the matching symbol just under her desk began flashing, China dropped what she was doing and went to stand at the window - just in time to catch a glimpse of Skulduggery's dead face right before it retracted off his skull.
China blinked, but managed to catch herself before the confusion manifested itself into a frown. An illusory face made sense. It wasn't a sense she'd predicted or even pretended to understand, but it still made sense. And as long as they believed she hadn't seen it, she still had the advantage here.
It was sometimes difficult to feign total innocence when China genuinely enjoyed the premise of the innocence, or the person she was feigning it to. Luckily, she didn't have to in these circumstances. When the library door opened and the pair stepped inside, China was leaning against the closest bookshelf to greet them with a smile. "That took you long enough," she said. "Tell me, was it the vampires? Or was it Guild telling you about Scarab's release?"
Skulduggery shook his head. "Now you're just showing off."
"I have no need to. I must admit, you two are becoming more fascinating by the minute. Things were so terribly dull while you were gone, Skulduggery."
The newly reinstated detective shrugged. "I'll try to get rescued sooner next time."