She turned to Skulduggery and held out her arms. โCome here, you.โ He tilted his head. โMy hugs are for special occasions only.โ โHug me.โ โI prefer the old tradition.โ โHug.โ โWould a handshake do?โ โHug.โ โA pat on the back?โ She stepped forward and wrapped her arms round him. โHug,โ she said. He sighed, and his hands settled on her shoulders. The others were warm and their embraces strong โ with Skulduggery the hug was cold, and there were areas on his jacket that gave way beneath her fingers, and she could feel the emptiness within. She didnโt mind.
Derek LandyIt always surprised Valkyrie whenever she realized just how close the weird and the wonderful, and the fierce and the frightening, lived to the rest pf the non-magical, mortal world.
Derek Landy"Please forgive me," Pleasant said, then aimed the gun at the girl and pulled the trigger.
Derek LandyHow have you been? Youโre still as beautiful as ever.โ โAs are you, my dear. I love your shoes.โ โArenโt they delightful? I saw them and just had to have them. Their previous owner wasnโt too keen to let them go, but I can be very persuasive when I want to be.โ โIs that her blood on the left one?โ โAnd no amount of scrubbing will get it out, either.
Derek Landy