I have been a Derek Landy fan ever since I've laid eyes on his first book; the amount of interest that I've taken in writing fiction astounds even me. I plead for all readers to understand that I am most happy to have this story published on the net… So if I see so much as letter of judgment I will happily 'borrow' Skulduggery's gun, Tanith's sword, and Valkyrie's sceptre to… well… I'm sure your intelligence won't fail you to complete that sentence.

The Administrator led the two prime detectives through Irelands Sanctuary halls. They reached the elders cambers and came to a halt.

"The Elders will see you now." The administrator informed them.

The two detectives looked at each other and stifled a laugh. They entered the throne room just as the administrator was requested to leave. Once he was out of ear shot, the detectives turned to the three occupied thrones and burst out laughing.

Erskine Ravel, the Grand Mage, slouched in his seat and looked to his fellow elders. "Why do we have to put up with this?" he grumbled.

"Once you two are done making idiots of yourselves we would like to discuss your next case." Ghastly said failing to mask his irritation.

The laughter died down and the detectives regained their composure.

"Detective Cain, Detective Pleasant, I've come to the conclusion that the disrespect shown, daily, is encouraged by your close friendship with the Grand Mage and Elder Bespoke." Madam Mist stated.

Skulduggery pretended to sound insulted. "On the contrary Elder Mist, I fail to see in any way how these two elders are by any means our 'friends' more than acquaintances."

"Oh, not this again" Valkyerie sighed

"Skulduggery" Erskine began. "I am sorry I forgot your birthday but in my defence you never would tell anyone when it was in the first place."

Skulduggery tilted his skull normally as a sign that he was amused. He was about to start talking again, but thankfully Valkyerie sensed the danger and saved the Elders from further embarrassment.

"What's this about a new case?" she asked. Skulduggery glared at her for taking away his fun, but she simply ignored him by facing Ravel.

Ghastly was the one to explain. "There have been recent attacks in the last two weeks around the magical community and as a result our magic is waning."

"I'm afraid you've got to do better than that acquaintance. What do you mean by waning?"

"What I mean is that the magical community is losing its power."

"And how is this, an attack?" Valkyerie asked

"There have been sightings of blood, litres of it, in abandoned homes, lakes, sports grounds, even in old people's bath tubs, we don't know where it came from, and no bodies have been found. We've checked the records; there hasn't been missing person's in report the last two years. People come across the blood through a red flare in the sky, usually in the night. We sent a forensics team to investigate but it appears that they can't get hold of any of the blood."

"…come again?"

"They aren't able to touch it. If you stick your hand in the blood they you won't able to pick it up, it comes off like silk."

"I still don't see how this is an attack." Valkyerie muttered feeling ignored.

"People are being traumatized Valkyerie, they feel insecure, if we don't do something about it, people will begin to question us and our methods, this poses as an attack to our rule." Erskine said

"So this doesn't pose so much as an attack rather a threat you want us to get rid of." Skulduggery commented

"Exactly."

Skulduggery stayed silent.

"Skull?" Valkyerie called

"…" no reply

"Skulduggery?"

Skulduggery snapped back into reality. "…Right." He muttered under his breath

"Where's the case file?" Valkyerie asked

"I'm afraid we don't have one." Erskine admitted

"I beg your pardon?" she said, her eyes wide.

"We have no starting point and no leads…What are you hiding from us Grand Mage?" Skulduggery asked curiously