Death Bringer Read Online Free PDF Page A

arm wrapped round Valkyrie’s waist.
    â€œHi, Fletcher,” the twins said in unison.
    â€œHaving a good christening?” he asked. “I’ve never been to one and I have to admit, it seems kind of… well, boring. But in a nice way.”
    â€œI found it really boring too,” Carol said before Crystal had a chance. “And I didn’t understand most of what the priest was saying.”
    â€œI wasn’t even listening,” Crystal said. “It was something about babies, I think. I really like your hair today. You have it sticking up really nicely.”
    â€œDon’t encourage him,” Valkyrie groaned. Fletcher laughed, and gave her a quick kiss.
    â€œUnfortunately,” he said, “we have to go for just a moment.”
    â€œWe do?” Valkyrie asked. He nodded to her, all serious. “Ah,” she said. “OK. Yeah. Guys, we have to go.”
    Carol’s eyes widened. “Is there trouble? Are we in danger?”
    â€œIs the world ending?” Crystal asked. The twins looked up at the church ceiling, like they were expecting to see it crack and fall in on top of them.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Valkyrie said with a chuckle. She headed over to her parents, Fletcher beside her. “They don’t have to worry about it, do they?”
    He shrugged. “I’m sure they’ll be OK for another few days.”
    â€œDid you find Bernadette Maguire’s house?”
    â€œSkulduggery’s there right now, waiting for me to return with you.”
    She grinned at him. “Was it a nice drive?”
    â€œIt took two hours,” he grumbled. “And he wouldn’t let me speak. Do you know what it’s like to be driving for two hours and not be able to speak?”
    â€œNo. What’s it like?”
    â€œIt’s boring.”
    She nodded. “I could probably have guessed that.”
    They reached her parents, and Valkyrie’s mum lit up when Valkyrie passed her Alice.
    â€œHere she is,” her mum said, cooing at the baby, “my special girl.”
    â€œOh, cheers,” Valkyrie said, rolling her eyes.
    Her mum laughed. “Hello, Fletcher, when did you get here?”
    â€œI just arrived,” he said. “Sorry. The bus service on a Sunday is awful.”
    â€œYou should have called us – Desmond could have picked you up.”
    â€œNo, I couldn’t have,” Valkyrie’s dad said, stepping into earshot. “Sorry, Fletcher, but I had important fatherly duties to take care of, which included eating breakfast, showering and finding my trousers. Of those three, I only managed two. Without looking down, can you guess which one I missed?”
    Valkyrie’s mother sighed. “Des, it’s too early in the day for your nonsense. Fletcher, will you be joining us for the post-christening lunch?”
    â€œYes, I will,” Fletcher smiled back. “I just have to borrow Stephanie for a moment.”
    â€œTake our daughter,” Valkyrie’s dad said, waving his hand airily. “We have another one now.”
    Valkyrie laughed, leading Fletcher through the crowd. They left the church and walked round the corner. When they were sure they weren’t being watched, Fletcher turned to her, kissed her, and the moment their lips touched, they teleported. The church and the grass and the sunshine vanished, replaced by a cottage being lashed by rain.
    Valkyrie broke off the kiss instantly and leaped sideways to the Bentley, which was under the cover of a tree. Fletcher joined her.
    â€œThe sun is splitting the stones in Haggard,” she said, glaring. “Don’t you think staying dry will be kind of important for when we teleport back?”
    â€œYou make a good point,” Fletcher conceded. “See, there’s a reason why you’re the girl and I’m the boy. You think about things, while