skulduggery pleasant: midnight · this book is dedicated to reggie. what is there left to be said...
TRANSCRIPT
FirstpublishedinGreatBritainbyHarperCollinsChildren’sBooksin2018
HarperCollinsChildren’sBooksisadivisionofHarperCollinsPublishersLtd,HarperCollinsPublishers1LondonBridgeStreet
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SourceISBN:9780008284565EbookEdition©ISBN:9780008284602
Version:2018-05-04
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ThisbookisdedicatedtoReggie.
Whatistherelefttobesaidaboutyou,myfriend?
You’resmart,andyetwilfullystupid.You’regood-looking,yetkindofugly.You’vegotwonderfulhair,yetyou’realwayswearinghats.
You’vesavedmylifethreetimesnow–incontrasttothemeaslyoncethatI’vesavedyours–andyou’vetaughtmemoreaboutIcelandiccuisinethatIeverwantedtoknow(seriouslydude–hákarl?Seriously?),butthereissomethingthatI’vebeenmeaningtotellyouforyears,butI’veneverfoundtheright
opportunity.
Rememberthatgirl,yourpenpal,backwhenwewerekids?Rememberhowyoukindoflovedher?
Thatwasme.Sorry,dude.
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Contents
CoverTitlePageCopyrightDedicationEpigraph
Chapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25
Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31Chapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40Chapter41Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54Chapter55Chapter56Chapter57
Chapter58Chapter59Chapter60Chapter61Chapter62Chapter63Chapter64Chapter65Chapter66Chapter67Chapter68Chapter69Chapter70Chapter71Chapter72Chapter73Chapter74Chapter75Chapter76Chapter77Chapter78Chapter79Chapter80Chapter81Chapter82
KeepReading…TheSkulduggeryPleasantseriesAboutthePublisher
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Theoldcastlestooddarkagainstthestar-filledsky,itstallwindowsempty,itsbattlements jutting like teeth.Upon thosebattlements, and indifferent to thecold winds that scoured the mountaintops, stood Wretchlings, monstrousthings of scabs and sores whose insides boiled with poisoned blood anddecayingmeat.Lying on a blanket on a snow-covered perch 809 metres west and 193
metresup,SkulduggeryPleasantputhisrighteyesocket tothescopeofhisrifleandadjustedthedial.Hewriggled slightly, settlingdeeper into theblanket, thenwentperfectly
still. His gloved finger began to slowly squeeze the trigger, and Valkyrieraisedherbinoculars,trainingthemontheclosestWretchling.Thegunwentoffwithaloudcrackthatthewindsnatchedaway,butthey
weresofarfromthetargetthatittookafewsecondsforthebullettohit.TheWretchling jerked slightly, and looked down at its chest.Amoment
later,itstartedtotremble.Thestitchesthatheldittogetherunravelled,andtheWretchlingcameundone,itsbodypartsfalling,itsstolenentrailsspillingout,anditcollapsedontopofitself,apileofmeatsteaminginthecoldair.Skulduggerymovedontothenexttargetandadjustedthescopeoncemore.“Youthinktheyfeelpain?”Valkyrieasked.Skulduggerypausedforamoment,andlookedather.“I’msorry?”“TheWretchlings,”shesaid.“Doyouthinktheyfeelpain?”“Notreally,”heanswered,andwentbacktoaiminghisrifle.“Buttheyhavebrains,right?Fairenough,theymightnotbethinkinggreat
thoughts,buttheydostillthink.Andiftheythink,theymightbeabletofeel.Andiftheirbodycanfeelphysically,can’ttheirmindsfeelemotionally?”Skulduggeryfiredagain.Valkyriedidn’tbotherlookingtoseeifthebullet
hititstarget.Ofcourseitdid.“Theydohavebrains,”Skulduggerysaid.“They’restolen fromthedead,
alongwiththelimbsandtheinternalorgans,andthey’retwistedandwarpedand attached to theWretchling like the parts of amachine – because that’s
what they are.They look alive, but it’s all artificial.Are you feeling guiltyaboutwhatwe’redoing?”“No.”Shewatchedhimacquirehisnexttarget.“Kindof.”“They’rejustlikeHollowMen.”Heputhiseyesockettothescope.“ButHollowMendon’thavebrains.”“Idon’thaveabrain.”“ButHollowMencan’tthink.”“Believeme,theonlythingonaWretchling’smindisthemessiestwayto
killsomeone.”Valkyrie looked through the binoculars. “So we kill them first? That’s
hardlyenlightened,isit?”“We’renotkillingthem,”Skulduggerysaid.“Thesecleverlittlebulletsare
designedtodismantle,notdestroy.”He fired, and shewatched as the nextWretchlingwas dismantled.Black
bloodgushed.Skulduggery stood. “That’s the last of them,” he said, taking Valkyrie’s
handandpullinghertoherfeet.Heleftthesniperrifleontheblanketandshehandedhimhishat.Itwasblack,likehisthree-piecesuit,likehisshirtandtie.Valkyriewasdressedallinblack,too–inthearmouredclothesmadeforheryearsagobyGhastlyBespokeandtheheavycoatwiththefur-linedhoodsheworeoverthem.Cloudsweremovinginfromtheeast,scrapingoverthejaggedpeaksofthe
mountains, blocking out the stars. Below where they stood, the dropdisappearedintogloom.ThewindnudgedValkyrie,likeitwantedtotipherovertheedge,sendherspinningdownwardsintothecoldemptiness.Shefeltanalmostirresistibleurgetotakeabigstepforward.“AreyouOK?”Skulduggeryasked.Her face, numb though it was, had gone quite slack. She fixed it into a
smile.“Peachy,”shesaid,takingoffhercoat.“Let’sgo.”Hewrappedanarmroundherwaist.“Areyousureyoudon’twanttotry
thisalone?”“IfIknewI’dbeabletofly,noproblem,”shesaid.“ButItoldmyfolksI’d
bethereforroastdinner,andifIplungetomydeathbeforethat they’ll justthinkit’srude,so…”Theyliftedupanddriftedbeyondtheledge,theworldopeningupbeneath
them.SkulduggeryredirectedthefreezingwindssothatnotasinglehairwasdisturbedonValkyrie’shead.Itwasstrangelyquietastheyflew,surroundedbythehowlsandshrieksofthemountainsbuttuckedawayfromitall.“Thethoughthasoccurredtomethatmaybeyou’llonlystartflyingwhen
youabsolutelyneedto,”Skulduggerysaid.
“Donotdropme.”“Indulge me for a moment. The range of your powers is still largely
unknowntous,yes?Youcanfirelightningfromyourfingertips,youcertainlyhavedestructivepotential,andyouhavetheburgeoningpsychicabilitiesofatleastaLevel4Sensitive.Plus,youhaveflownbefore.”“Hoveringisnotflying.”“IbetifIweretodropyou,you’dfly.”“I’mnotsureifIcanemphasisethisenough,butdonotdropme.”“The prospect of imminent death could release you from the mental
barriersthatareholdingyouback.”“Itwouldn’tbeimminentdeath,though,wouldit?You’dcatchme.There’s
no threat there.You’dsavemebecause savingme iswhatyoudo, just likesavingyouiswhatIdo.Theonlythingthatdroppingmewouldaccomplishistoannoythehelloutofme.”Skulduggerywasquietforamoment.“Donotdropme,”Valkyrierepeated.Hesighed,and theycontinuedover to thecastle, landingbesideapileof
Wretchlingremains.Asuddengustsurroundedthemwiththestenchofputridmeatandhumanwaste. It filledValkyrie’snoseandmouthandshegagged.As Skulduggery sent the foul air away with a wave of his hand, Valkyrielungedforthebattlements,sureshewasgoingtopukeovertheside–butsheswallowed,managedtokeepitdown.“SometimesImisshavingasenseofsmell,”Skulduggerysaid.“Tonightis
notoneofthosetimes.”Valkyriespat,wipedhermouth,andstayedwhereshewasforamomentto
recover. She felt sure that she’d once been told the proper names for thedifferentsectionsofthebattlements,butcouldn’tforthelifeofherrememberwhattheywere.Thewindwhippedherhair in frontofher face,soshe tied itback intoa
ponytail,thentookawoodensphere,roughlythesizeofagolfball,fromherpocket. She gripped the sphere in both hands and twisted in oppositedirections, and a transparent bubble rippled outwards, enveloped her andstabilised.Thepersonalcloakingspheresdidn’thavenearlytherangeoftheirregular-sized versions, but theywere just as effective, and a lot handier tocarryaround.Skulduggerytookouthisowncloakingsphere,didthesame,andvanished
fromhersight.Sheslipped thesphereback inherpocketandsteppedcloser tohim.Her
cloakingbubblemingledwithhisandsuddenlyshecouldseehimagain.
Stickingbyeachother’sside,theysetoffdownasetofstonesteps,aflurryof snow chasing them into the gloom. Skulduggery held up his hand justbeforetheyreachedthebottom.Atripwireglintedonthefinalstep.“Sneaky,”Valkyriesaid.They jumped the last few steps, and the moment before they landed
Skulduggerycaughtherandkeptthemhoveringofftheground.“Pressureplates,”hesaid.“Evensneakier.”Theydriftedalongthecorridor,stoppingattheendsothatValkyriecould
pushopenthedoor.Theytoucheddownontheotherside,tookthenextsetofstonestepsthatspiralleddownwards,Skulduggeryleadingtheway.Twoguardswithsickleson theirbacksstoodat theopenwindows in the
nextcorridor,theirheadscoveredbyblackhelmets.Rippers.Itwasfreezinginherebuttheystoodwiththeirarmsbytheirsides,asthoughthecolddidn’tbotherthem,keepingwatchontheroadleadingtothecastle.“Whichonedoyouwant?”Skulduggeryasked.Nodding to thenearestRipper,Valkyrie said, “Thisone,” ina softvoice,
eventhoughsheknewthatherwordswouldn’ttravelbeyondthebubblethatsurroundedthem.“Counttoten,”Skulduggeryresponded,andwalkedaway,vanishingfrom
sight.Valkyrie moved up behind the Ripper, finished the count and stepped
closer. Out of the corner of her eye, the second Ripper disappeared asSkulduggerydidthesame.ShewrappedherrightarmroundtheRipper’sthroat,grabbedthebicepof
herleftarmandhookedherhandbehindtheRipper’shelmet.Hishandscameup,tryingtofreehimself.Heputafoottothewallandpushedout,shovingthembothbackwards.Valkyrieheldon,herheaddown,hereyesclosed.Shekickedathisleganddraggedhimbackwards,layinghimonthegroundashisstrugglesweakened.Shelookedup,watchedasthesecondRipperfellintoview.Hehitthefloor
andstayedthere.When her Ripper was unconscious, she released him and walked to the
otherendofthecorridor.HercloakingbubbleintersectedwithSkulduggery’sandheappearedbeforehersosuddenlyshejumped.“Sorry,”hesaid.Shewavedhisapologyaway.“I’msureIscaredyoujustasmuchasyou
scaredme.”“Notreally.”
She took his hat and threw it out of the window, and was totallyunsurprisedwhenamoment later it floated inagainandsettledbackonhishead.“Areyouquitefinished?”heasked,adjustingitslightly.“Itwouldn’tkillyoutoadmittobeingalittlestartledeverynowandthen,”
shesaid.“I don’t get startled,” he responded,walking off again. She caught up to
himbeforeheleftherbubble,andfellintostepbesidehim.“Ianticipateandadjustaccordingly.”“Youdon’tanticipateeverything.”“Ofcoursenot.Wherewouldbethefuninthat?”“I’m just saying you shouldn’t feel like you have to keep up this
unflappabledemeanouraroundme.”“Hasitoccurredtoyou,afteralltheseyearstogether,thatIjustmightnot
beflappable?”“Everyoneisflappable,Skulduggery.”“Notme.”Theycametoadoorthattookthemtoatunnelthattookthemtoaroom,
andinthisroomtheychoseanarchwaythattookthemtomorestairs.Downtheywent, and down again, until the torches in brackets were replaced bybulbs and the steady thrum of power reverberated through the floor. TheyavoidedlargegroupsofRippers,passedroomswherewhite-coatedscientistsmurmured to one another, and kept going until they came to a perspexwindow overlooking a large laboratory packed with machines that blinkedwithvolatileenergy.DoctorNyesatonastool,itsbackstooped,workingontheintricateinsides
ofa rusteddevice.Nye’s thin limbs lookedsmaller thanwhenValkyriehadseenitlast,whenithadtoweredoverher,itsheadnearlybrushingtheceiling,butshewasn’taltogethersurprised.Crengarrionsshrankastheygotolder,andtheirskincolourtendedtolighten.Nowitlooked,atmost,abouttenfeettall,anditsskinwasadelicateash.“Itlooksold,”shemurmured.“Good.”They found the stairs, followed them down, arriving at the double doors
thatledintoNye’slab.TwoRippersstoodguard.“I’vegotthisone,”Valkyriesaid,walkingtowardstheRipperontheright.
She was halfway there when the cloaking sphere started to vibrate in herpocket.Alarmed,shepulleditout.Thetwohemispheresweretickingtowardseach
otherquickly–muchquickerthantheyshouldhave–countingdowntothe
bubble’scollapse.Shetriedtotwistthemback,thenstruggledtomerelykeeptheminplace,butitwasnogood.Thebubblecontracted.
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Herbootswerevisible.Valkyrie crouchedbefore eitherof theRippers caught sightofher.There
were sigils on the wall – she could see them now. She recognised one ofthem:asecuritysigilthatattackedTeleporters.Shewasprettysuretheotheronewasforcinghercloakingspheretomalfunction.And itcontractedagain.Notall theway, justenough to reveal the topof
herhead.Timewasrunningout.Keepinglow,shepocketedthesphereandhurriedovertotheRipper.The
bubble contracted again. He heard her footsteps and his hands went to hissickles.Valkyriepulledherownweapons–shocksticks,heldinplaceonherback
–andlaunchedherselfathim.Thefirststickcrackedagainsthishelmet,butheduckedthesecond,spinningaway.Valkyrie’sbubblecollapsedcompletelynow,asdidSkulduggery’s,andsheglimpsedhim throwing fireevenasherRipperattacked,sicklesblurring.Valkyrieknewthepatternandcountered,slippedtothesideandstruckthe
Ripper’sknee,thenspunandcaughthimintheribs.Hisclothesabsorbedtheelectricalcharge,andhedidn’tseemtoregisterthepain.Heleftheranopeningandshefellforit,committingherselftoaswingthat
sheregrettedinstantly.Asicklebladerakedacrossherbelly,wouldhavetornheropenwere itnot forherarmoured jacket.Hekickedatherankle,swepther leg, and she hit the ground and somersaulted backwards to her feet,defendingallthewhile.Hiskneethuddedintohercheekandtheworldtilted.He leaped at her. She dropped the stick in her right hand and white
lightning burst fromher fingers, striking him in the chest and blasting himheadoverheels.Herolledandcameup,hisjacketsmoking.Valkyriepickedupthefallenstick,placeditendtoendwiththeotherone.
Theyattachedandshetwisted,thestafflengthening,andwhentheRipperranathershewhackeditintohisleg,thenspunandcrackeditagainsthishead.Hefellbackandshefollowed,thestaffstrikinghimonce,twice,andthenatwirlingthirdtime.Hedroppedoneofhissickles.
Shewenttofinishhimoffandhedodged,dodgedagain,dodgedfasterthanshecouldstrike.Hejumpedovertothewallandrebounded,flippingoverherhead.Shewhirledbuthewastooclose,andhegrabbedthestaffandpulledherintoaheadbuttthatwouldhavebrokenhernosehadshenotloweredherhead. Even so, bright lights flashed, and she felt the staff being wrenchedfromhergripasshewentstaggering.TheRipperletthestaffdrop,andswunghisremainingsickletowardsher
neck. She raised an arm, her armoured clothes saving her once again, andsnatchedtheweaponaway.Itfell,clatteringagainstthestones.Valkyrieduckedlowandpoweredforward,grabbinghimroundthewaist.
Snarling,she liftedhimoffhis feetandslammedhimagainst thewall, thenseizedhishelmet,searchingfor the twinreleases,and tore it fromhishead.TheRipperfellback,blinking,andsheswungthehelmetintohisjawandhewent down, and she hit him again and again until she figured that wasprobablyenough.Shedroppedthehelmetandgotherbreathback.“Yougothishelmetoff,”Skulduggerysaid, standingover themotionless
formofthesecondRipper.“Howdidyoumanagethat?”She shrugged. “I adapted accordingly. Come on. We have a doctor’s
appointment.”
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She pushed open the double doors andDoctor Nyewaved a long-fingeredhand.“Do not disturb me,” it said in that familiar high whisper. “I left strict
ordersnottobe—”Itlookedupthen,anditssmalleyeswidenedanditswidemouthopenedas
itgottoitsfeet,thestoolcrashingtothegroundbehindit.Skulduggery held his gun low, by his hip. “The moment you set off an
alarm, I will shoot you. I feel we ought to be clear on that from the verybeginning.”Nyestoppedmovingbackwards,andraiseditsarms.“Ihavenoweapons.”Up close, Valkyrie could see that the threads that had once sewn Nye’s
mouth and eyes shut were still there, poking out of its skin. She walkedforward. “You act like you’re not pleased to see us,Doctor. That hurtsmyfeelings.Ithoughtwe’dbondedthattimeyouautopsiedme.”“Theyearshavebeengood toyou,”Skulduggerysaid,coming round the
table.“Imean,you’veobviouslyshrunk,butapartfromthatyoulookgreat.Howhaveyoubeenspendingyourtime?ThelastIheard,you’descapedfromIronpointGaol.Whowasitthatbrokeyouout?ElizaScorn?”“HowisEliza?”Valkyrieasked.“Anyword?”“Ihaven’tseenElizaScorninyears,”Nyesaid.“Iwasnottheonlyoneshe
freed.Therewereothers.”“Butshesetyouuphere,”saidSkulduggery.“You’dlosteverythingwhen
weimprisonedyou.Wemadesureofit.Shehelpedyou.”Nye licked its lips. Its tongue was small and pink. “She could see the
importanceofmywork.”Valkyrie picked up a scalpel and walked over slowly. “Excavating the
soul,”shesaid.“How’sthatgoingforyou?Foundityet?”“IbelieveIhave,”saidNye.“Sowhatnext?Nowthatyou’vefoundwhereithides,whatareyougoing
todowithit?”
“Findingthesoulwasonlythefirststep.NowIfollowittowhereitleads.I’mnothurtinganyone.I’mnotexperimentingonanyone.Youcansearchthecastle.Ihavenopatientshere.”“No?” Valkyrie asked. “You don’t have anyone strapped to a table
somewhere,theirribcageopen,theirorgansonanearbytraywhiletheylookaround, hallucinating friends and family come to rescue them?No?Well, Ihave to say that’s an improvement. You’re practically reformed.Skulduggery?”“You’re quite sure there is no one being tortured,Doctor?” Skulduggery
asked. “Maybe having their skin peeled off? I heard about one experimentyou randuring thewarwhereyoudecapitatedprisonersand thenkept theirheadsaliveinjars.”Nyebackedup.“Whatdoyouwant?”“You’reunderarrest,”Skulduggerysaid.“You’regoingbacktoIronpoint.”“We’ll be sure to request a smaller cell this time,” Valkyrie said.
“Somethingsnug.”“Oryoucanmakeiteasyonyourself,”Skulduggerysaid.“Youcantellus
whereAbyssiniais.”Incredibly,Nyepaledevenfurther.“Wow,”saidValkyrie,“yourpokerfacesucks,dude.Thatmeanswegetto
bypassthebitwhereyoutellusyoudon’tknowwhatwe’retalkingabout–andwe threatenyouandyoueventuallybreak– andgo straight to thepartwhereyouanswerourquestions.Sowhereisshe?”“Idonotknow.”“I’m just going to warn you that we’ve been looking for Abyssinia for
almostsevenmonths.Doyouhearme?Sevenmonths.Andwehaven’tfoundher, or the flying prison she’s commandeered, or any of her little anti-Sanctuaryfriends.We’rebothextremelyannoyedaboutthis.Ourpatiencehaswornthin,Doctor.Whenwefoundoutthatshepaidavisittothischarmingcastlenolessthantwodaysago…Well,I’mnotgoingtolie:Icriedalittle.Tearsofhappiness.Andwhenwelearnedthatyouwereworkinghere?Itwaslikeallmybirthdayshadcomeatonce.NotonlydoIgettoseemyoldfriendDoctorNye,butDoctorNyegetstohelpusinoursearch,andtelluswhereAbyssiniahasgone.”“Ipromiseyou,Idonotknow.”“Thenwhywasshehere?”Skulduggeryasked.“If…ifItellyou,youmustletmego.”“OK.”“Ithinkyouarelying.”
“OfcourseI’mlying.You’regoingbacktoprison,Doctor.Theonlychoiceyou’vegotisthesizeofyourcell.”Nyehesitated,thensagged.“Itwasnotathingshewaslookingfor.Itwasa
person.HisnameisCaisson.”“AndwhoisCaisson?”“Abyssiniasaidheisherson.”“Isee,”Skulduggerysaid,takingamoment.“Doesheworkhere?Ishea
scientistormanuallabour?”Nyehesitated.Valkyrie foldedher arms. “Hewasapatient,wasn’the?Youmaynotbe
experimentingonanyonerightnow,butupuntiltwodaysagoyouwere.”“When I came here, this facility had already been running for decades,”
Nyesaid.“Iwasbroughtintoreplaceascientistwhohadgonemissing.Myinstructionswereclear:Iwastocontinuetheworkofmypredecessor.Onmyinitial tour, Iwasshown the roominwhichCaissonwasbeingkept–but Iwasnottheonewhoworkedonhim.”“Howlonghadtheexperimentsbeengoingonfor?”“AsfarasIamaware,foraslongasthisfacilityhasbeenoperational.”“Whichis?”“Sixtyyears.”Valkyriefrowned.“He’sbeenexperimentedonforsixtyyears?”“No,” saidNye. “Hewas experimented onhere for sixty years. I do not
knowwherehewasbeforethis.”“Whatelsedoyouknowabouthim?”Skulduggeryasked.“Nothing.ExperimentingonCaissonwasnotmyjob.”“Sowhodidthework?”“Anassociate.DoctorQuidnunc.”“Isheintoday?”Valkyrieasked.“I have not seen him in a week, since Caisson was removed from this
facility.”“Caissonwas removed aweek ago?”Valkyrie said. “SowhenAbyssinia
cameforhim,hewasalreadygone?Whywashemoved?”“I do not know for certain,” saidNye, “but I imagine somebody learned
thatAbyssiniawasdrawingclose andwewere told to evacuate as a result.Caissonwasthefirsttobemoved.”“Thenwhyareyoustillhere?”“I,andahandfulofotherscientists,refusedtoleave.Icanonlyspeakfor
myself, butmywork had reached a critical stage and I could not possiblydepart.”
“Abyssinia wouldn’t have been happy that her son wasn’t here,”Skulduggerysaid.“Shewasnot,”saidNye.“ShekilledmanyRippers.”“Didyoutellherwherehewasmovedto?”“Ididnot,anddonot,possessthatinformation.”“Whotookhim?”“I do not know.A small team of people. The owner of this facility sent
them.”“WhichbringsusbacktoElizaScorn.”Nye shook its head. “Eliza Scorn does not own this facility. As far as I
know,shewasmerelyobeyingorderswhenshedeliveredmehere.”“Thenwho’syouremployer?”“IamafraidIdonotknow.”“You’reworkingforsomeoneandyoudon’tevenknowwhoitis?”“What does it matter?” Nye asked. “My work is important and needs
resources.Idonotcarewhoprovidesthem.”Valkyriesighed.“WhataboutAbyssinia?Didshesayanythingthatcould
leadustoher?Remember,youreallywanttomakeushappy.”“Sheprovidednosuchinformation.”“Did you tell her about Quidnunc and his experiments?” Skulduggery
asked.“Yes.”“Didyoutellherwhereshecouldfindthegooddoctor?”“Idonotknowwhereheis.”“Then how are you still alive?” Skulduggery asked. “You don’t know
anythinghelpful, youworked in the same facilitywhereher sonwasbeingexperimentedon…Whydidn’tshekillyou,Doctor?”“BecauseIdidtoherthesamethingasIamdoingtoyou,”Nyeresponded.“Andwhatisthat?”“Delayingyou.”The shadows converged and twisted and from the darkness stepped a
woman inablackcloak,her facecoveredbya clothmask so thatonlyhereyeswerevisible.Skulduggery raised his gun and the woman’s cloak lashed out, and
Skulduggeryduckedand fired.Thecloakabsorbed thebullets andwhippedagain,slicingthroughthetabletogettohim.Skulduggeryjerkedtotheside,hishand fillingwith flame,but the cloak twistedback, coveringhim– andwhenitwhippedaway,Skulduggerywasgone.The woman turned to Valkyrie, but Valkyrie had already moved behind
Nye andwas buckling its legs. It dropped to its knees and she gripped its
throat,keepinghereyesonthenewcomer.“Have to admit,” Valkyrie said, “that was pretty cool, even for a
Necromancer. But, if you try anything like that onme, I will fry the stickinsecthere.”Thewomaninblackdidn’trespond.Hercloakcoiledaroundher.“Youwouldnotkillme,” saidNye, itsvoicea littlegarbled. Its skin felt
oilyinhergrip.“Iwouldn’twanttokillyou,”Valkyriecorrectedhim.“Iwouldn’twantto
kill anyone. But, if your awesome bodyguard tries to kill me, I’ll kill youfasterthanyourbeadylittleeyescanblink.”Nyemadeasmallsound,likealaugh.“Thenitseemsthatwehavereached
animpasse.”“Notatall,”saidValkyrie.“Animpasseimpliesthatwe’reevenlymatched.
But we all know that’s not true.” She glanced at the woman in black. “IdabbledwithNecromancy.Didyouknowthat?SolomonWreathtaughtmeafewthings.SoIknowthatyoucanshadow-walk.That’swhatyoudidwithSkulduggery, right? But I also know that the range for shadow-walking islimited–sohe’salreadyonhiswaybackhereandhe’scomingmightyfast.Weonlyhaveafewsecondsbeforeheburststhroughthesedoors,andwhenthathappens…it’snotgoingtobepretty.AllIhavetodoiswait,becausetimeisonmyside.Butforyoutheclockisticking.Canyouhearthat?Thetick-tockinyourhead?”“IamnotgoingbacktoIronpoint,”saidNye.“Ionlyhaveafewyearsleft
inmylife.Iwillnotspendtheminacell.Whisper–killher.”“Whisper – wait,” Valkyrie said, tightening her grip. “Why is it always
killing,huh?Whyis italwaysfighting?Whyisviolencealways thedefaultposition?”Nyeheldupahand toWhisper,even though thewomanhadnotmoved.
“Youofferanalternative?”itasked.“GivemeQuidnunc,andI’llletyougobeforeSkulduggerygetsback.”“IdonotknowwhereQuidnunc is,”Nyesaid.“ButIdoknowone thing
thatcouldpossiblyleadyoutohim.”“DidyoutellthisonethingtoAbyssinia?”“Idid.”“Sowe’dbeplayingcatch-up.”“Yes.”Valkyrieconsideredheroptions,ofwhichtherewerenone.“OK,”shesaid.
“Deal.”“First,youmustreleaseme.”“Idon’ttrustyouenoughtoreleaseyou,Doctor.”
“Thenyouhadbettermakeadecisionbefore theSkeletonDetectivegetshere,MissCain.Timeistickingaway.”Valkyriealmostsmiled.ShetookherhandfromNye’s throatandstepped
backasitstood.Itturned,lookingdownather,asWhispercameupbehindit.Hercloakswirledaroundthemboth.“Quidnuncsuffersfromliquefactivenecrosis,”Nyesaid,andtheshadows
convulsedandValkyriewasleftalone.“Huh,”shesaid.ThedoorsburstopenandSkulduggerystormedin,guninonehandandfire
intheother.“Wherearethey?”hedemanded.“Gone,”saidValkyrie.“Youjustmissedthem.”Skulduggery stood there for a moment, then shook the flames from his
handandslipped thegunbackunderhis jacket.“That’sannoying,”hesaid.“AreyouOK?”Sheshrugged.“Grand.Quidnunchas,um,liquidactivenecrosis.”“Doyoumeanliquefactivenecrosis?”“Let’ssaythatIdo.Whatisit?”“AformoforganicrotthatMevolenthadweaponisedduringthewar.”“ThatthesamethingTesseracthad?SoQuidnuncwearsamask,likehim?”“Perhaps,”Skulduggerysaid.“Inanycase,hewillneed thesameserums
that keptTesseract alive, and those serums are hard to comeby. Ifwe findwhomakesthem,we’llfindQuidnunc.”“Cool. Although Nye told Abyssinia, y’know, about the liquid factor
thing.”“Liquefactivenecrosis.”“Hetoldheraboutthat,too.”“Thenwehavenotimetowaste,”Skulduggerysaid,stalkingto thedoor.
Hespunround.“Unlessyou’rehungry.Areyouhungry?Youhaven’teatensincenoon.”“I’mprettyhungry,yeah.”“Thenwe’llstopforpizza,”Skulduggerysaid,andmarchedout.
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Education,OmenDarklymusedasheexamined the testhe’d justgotback,maynothavebeentheareainwhichhewasdestinedtoexcel.While Corrival Academy was indeed a school for sorcerers, that didn’t
mean all the lessons were about throwing fireballs or shooting streams ofenergyoutofyourhands/eyes/mouth–although therewasa fairbitof thatstuff.Mostlyitwassittingatdesks,readingtextbooksandscribblinganswers–
prettymuchthesameexperienceOmenhadhadwhenhe’dgonetoamortalschool, back in Galway. A lot of the time, in fact, things at Corrival wereworse.Because thereweremore subjects to cover –Omennot only had tostudy history and science, but alsomortal history andmortal science – theschooldaywaslonger.PEwasn’tjustaboutcombattrainingandself-defence,as tough as those things could be – it was also about picking a sport andplaying it,magic not allowed. Studentswere taught to be the best sorcerertheycouldbe,buttheywerealsotaughthowtolive,behaveandthriveinthemortalworld.Whichmeantmorework,moretests,andmoreopportunitiestofallshort.Omenfoldedthetestpaper,hidingthebigredEfromview.Itwasn’tthat
big a deal. It had been a difficult test – everyone said so, even the smarterkids. What chance did he have, really, when even the smarter kids werefindingittricky?Sure,theystilltechnicallypassed,asdidjustabouteveryoneelseinhisclass,buthewasn’tabigbelieveringradesanyway.Hepreferredtogethiseducationoutthere,onthestreets.Whereitmattered.Omen chewed his lip. That said, his parentswere probably going to kill
himiftheyfoundout.He stuffed the test paper down into his bag. That was one of the good
thingsaboutCorrivalbeingaboardingschool,hesupposed–lessexposuretodisapprovingparental figures.Ofcourse, therewasapretty fairchance thattheywouldn’tactuallycareaboutafailedtest.Omenhad,quitebyaccident,cultivated a relationship with his folks that depended entirely on their lowexpectations. He sidled along in the background of their lives while their
focus was on his twin brother, Auger – the subject of an actual prophecy,destined to face theKingof theDarklands in abattle to save theworld. Inordertoaidhiminthisbattle,Augerhadbeenbornstrong,fastandsmart–not to mention naturally talented, extremely hard-working, courageous,decent, resourceful, charming, funny, tall and good-looking. Because beinggood-looking was obviously a vital quality in any self-respecting ChosenOne.Omen hadmissed out on being theChosenOne by virtue of being born
second, so he didn’t possess any of Auger’s attributes.What he did have,however,wasapluckydemeanourandanever-say-dieattitude–buthedidn’treallyhavethem,either.Life was one bitter disappointment after another. Sure, there had been
glimmersofhopealongtheway.Hisbestfriendwasprettycool,forastart,andsevenmonthsagohe’dhelpedSkulduggeryPleasantandValkyrieCainstopanancientevilfrombeingreborn.Well,sortof.No,hehadhelped.Hehadbeenrightthere,sharingintheadventure.He’d
comeawaywiththebruisestoproveit.Theproblemwasthattheancientevilhadn’tactually been stopped.Abyssinia, after all, had succeeded in comingbacktolife.Takingthisintoaccount,hesupposedthatmeanthehadhelpedSkulduggery andValkyrie fail in theirmission.Whichmay have explainedwhytheyhadn’tcalledonhimsince.Whatmade thingsworsewas thatwordofhis involvementhadn’t spread
through the school like he’d expected. A few people knew a little ofwhathappened,butitwasasifhisfellowstudentscouldn’tbebotheredtospreadcoolrumoursabouthim.Therewerenowhispersinthecorridorashepassed,nowide-eyedstares,noclustersofgirlsgigglingwheneverhesmiled.Afterabriefspellasanadventurer,hewasreturningtobeingthatinsignificantlittlespeckofaboyhe’dalwaysbeen.Unlesshedidsomethingaboutit.Hisstomachinknots,Omenwentoverwhathewasgoingtosayoncemore
inhishead.He’dpractisedthisconversationagainandagain,planningforallpossible contingencies. A part of him wondered about the grade he wouldhavegotinthetestifhe’ddevotedasmuchtimetoitashehadtorehearsinghowhe’daskoutAxeliaLukt,butheeasilyswattedsuchthoughtsfromhismind.Hehadmoreimportantthingstoworryabout.Axelia sat in the common room, chatting and laughingwith her friends.
Shewassonice,sosmart,sopretty,andshehadtheloveliestaccentandthehappiestlaughOmenhadeverheard.Hecouldhavelistenedtoherlaughallday,asweirdasthatwouldhavebeen.Omenstoodup,tookadeepbreath,andwalkedover.
HebumpedintoOctoberKleinandmumbledanapology,turnedroundandwentbacktohiscorner.He took another deep breath, and another. And another. He went light-
headed,andcollapsedbackintohischair.Whenhefeltcertainhewasn’tgoingtofaintorfallover,hegotbacktohis
feet. Focusing on breathing normally, hemade hisway across the commonroomwithoutbumpingintoanyone,andwasabouttoopenhismouthwhenafirmhandgrippedhiselbowandsteeredhimaway.“Hey,”saidAuger,allsmilestoday.“How’dyougetoninthetest?”“Um,”saidOmen.Augernoddedand then, in that casual tonehealwaysusedwhenhewas
hidingsomething,said,“That’scool,that’scool.Hey,haveyouseenMahalaaround?”“Isawherrightbeforebreakfast,”saidOmen.“Everythingallright?”Auger’svoicedipped.“Yeah,yeah,just,whenyousawher,didyounotice
anythingdifferentabouther?Anythingunusual?”“Likewhat?”Augershrugged.“Likewassheactinganydifferent?Wasshetalkingany
different?Didshehaveglowinggreeneyes?Didsheappearconfused…?”“It’s funny,” said Omen, “out of everything you just said, it was the
glowinggreeneyesthingthatstoodout.”“She’s,kindof,slightlypossessedrightnow,”Augersaid.“Ifyouseeher
again,letmeknow.Stayawayfromher,butletmeknow.”“Youneedanyhelp?Icouldhelp.”“No,really,it’sfine.I’vegotKase.We’llsortitout.Ifitgetstoomuchfor
us,though,IpromiseI’llgiveyouthenod.”“Sure,”saidOmen.“Thatsoundsgood.”“Anyway, sorry for interrupting. You looked like you were talking with
Axelia.”HesteeredOmenback,depositinghiminfrontofthemostbeautifulgirlintheschoolandherfriends.“Hey,girls,”hesaid.“Hi,Auger,”theychorused.AugernoddedtoOmen,andwalkedquicklyaway,andOmenfroze.Axelialookedathimandsmiled.“Hi,Omen.”“Hi,”hesaid.Hismouthwassuddenlysoridiculouslydry.“CouldItalkto
youforamoment?”hemanagedtosay.“Maybegoforashortwalk?”Axelia’sfriendswidenedtheireyes,likeOmenhadjustdumpedadeadbird
attheirfeet,butAxeliahadthegracetokeephersmile.“Sure,”shesaid.
Omensmiledbackandtheywalkedoutoftheroomsidebyside.Thiswasgood.Shehadn’tyetsaidthewordno,andneitherhadshelaughedathim.Ifhecouldkeepthatgoing,hewasinwithachance.“Whatdoyouthinkofallthoserefugees?”sheaskedastheywalked.“Yeah,”Omensaid.“Aw,it’sreally…Itreallymakesyouthink,doesn’tit?
Like,who…whoarethey?”“Um,weknowwhotheyare.”“Well,yes,butwhatI’maskingis…uh…”“Youhaven’theardaboutthem,haveyou?”“I’mnotreallysurewhatyou’retalkingabout,no.”Herbeautifulblueeyeswidenedalittleinsurprise.“Youdidn’thearabout
theportalthatopenedupyesterday,rightoutsidethecitywalls?It’sliterallyjust over the west wall, Omen. It’s been on the Network all day. It’s allanyoneistalkingabout.”“Aportaltowhere?”“TothedimensionwhereMevolentstillrules.”“Seriously?”“Howhaveyoumissedthis?”“Ireallydon’tknow.”“Wespentalloflastclasstalkingaboutit.Youwerethere.”“Iwasdaydreaming.Andtherearepeoplecomingthrough?”“Thousandsofthem,allmortals.”“Doweknowwhy?”“They’reslavesoverthere.Wouldn’tyouwanttogetawayfromthatifyou
could?Imean,it’sMevolent.”Omen nodded. “He’s pretty bad, all right.Do you think he’ll come after
them?”Axeliahuggedherself.“Idon’twanttothinkaboutthat.Wegotridofour
Mevolent–weshouldn’thavetodealwithsomeoneelse’s.Anyway,that’sallI know.You really should start paying attention in class,Omen.Especiallyaftertheresultyougotinthetest.”“You,um,youknowaboutthat?”“Isitbehindyou.Isawyourmark.Sorry.”“ButI’mnottheonlyonewhofailed,right?Like,therewereafewofus.
Thatwasahardtest.”“Wasit?”“Not for you, maybe, because you’re really smart and stuff. But for us
ordinarypeopleitwashard.”“I’mnotthatsmart.”“Yes,youare,”Omensaid.“You’redeadbrainy.”
Shelaughed.“Whatdidyouwanttotalkabout,Omen?”Theystoppedwalking.Therewasnoonearound.Itwasallsuddenlyvery
stillandveryquiet.Omennoddedagain.Hewasawareofhowmuchhewasnodding.Itwasalot.“Well,” he said, trying his best to keep his head still, “in the last few
months, um, I’m really glad about howwe’ve become friends. You know,withourlittlejokesandthings.”Axelia’sbrowfurrowedasmidge.“Wehavelittlejokes?”“Yes.Don’twe?Thelittle jokes?Thelittle…”hismouthwasdryagain,
“jokes?Thatwehave.Youdon’tnoticethem?”“I’mafraidnot,Omen.”His laugh sounded panicked. “That’s OK. It’s not important. Basically,
whatIwantedtosaywas:we’refriends.Aren’twe?”“Ofcourse.”“Andthat’ssogood,”hesaid,bothhandscoveringhisheart.“It’ssogood
tohavefriends.Realfriends,youknow?AndI,I thinkyou’regreat.I thinkyou’refunny,andsmart,and,like,socool.”“Aww,thankyou.”“You’rewaycoolerthanme.”“No,I’mnot.”“Yousoare.”“You’recool,too.”“Well,I’mnot,butthankyouforsayingso.”Helaughed,andsodidshe.
Thiswasgoingwell.Omenfeltthetimewasrightfortheparthe’drehearsedinthemirror.“I’mreallygladyou’remyfriend–thatmeanssomuchtome,youhavenoidea.AndIdon’twanttoruinthat,Ireallydon’t,andwhatI’mabout tosay…well, it’srisky.ButIcouldn’t livewithmyself if Ididn’tatleasttry.”Axelianodded.“OK.”“You’reprobablygoingtosayno,”hesaid,veeringawayfromhisscript.
“Andthat’sfine.Sayingnoisabsolutelyfine.It’sexpected,actually.I’dbe,tobehonest,I’dbestunnedifyousaid,youknow…yes.SoIrealisethatthat’snotgoingtohappen.Soplease,pleasedon’tfeelbad.ThelastthingIwantistomakeyoufeelbad.”“Thankyou,Omen.”Helaughed,evenasthepitinhisstomachopenedwider.“Noproblem,”he
said.“But,again,Ihaveto,youknow,atleasttry.”“Ofcourse.”“So…um…ThethingIwaswonderingwasmaybe,and,notexpectinga
yes to thisatall, in theslightest,but the thingIwaswonderingwasmaybe
youwould,um,liketo,youknow…”“Yes.”His heart burst into fireworks in his chest. “Yes?” he repeated, laughing.
“Really?”Axeliareachedout,touchedhisarm,alookofgraveconcernonherface.
“What?No,Iwasjust…Isaid‘yes?’”Hislaughterdiedinstantly.“Right.”“Ididn’t say ‘yes’,” shesaid,“I said ‘yes?’,youknow?Although itmay
havecomeoutas‘yes’,withoutthequestionmarkafterit.I’msorry,Omen,Englishisnotmyfirstlanguage.”“You’rereallygoodatit.”“Thankyou.”“Youknowsomanywords.”“Iinterruptedyou,”shesaid.“I’msorry.Pleasesaywhatyouneedtosay.”Omenchewedhislipandnodded.“Uh-huh,”hesaid.“Right.Uh…Ithink
webothknowhowit’sgoingtogo,though,don’twe?Ithinkwe…Ithinkwedo.”“Probably,”Axeliasaid.“Wecouldstop,ifyoulike?”Omennodded,doinghisbesttoconsideriteventhoughhisbrainappeared
tobebroken.Thenheshookhishead.“Actually,IfeelIhavetotry.IfIdon’tatleastsaythewords,then…thenit’llbehangingoverme.AreyouOKwiththat?”“Ofcourse.Goahead.”Heforcedalaugh.“Hey,Axelia,willyougooutwithme?”“No,”shesaidsadly.Hisworldcrasheddownandhesaid,“Yeah.”“Idolikeyou,”shesaid,“andIdon’twanttosay‘asafriend’,but…”“Asafriend,”Omensaid,andnoddedagain.“That’sfine.Iexpectedit,I
reallydid.Ihopethisdoesn’tmakethingsweirdbetweenus.Doesit?”“Ofcoursenot.”“Becauseitmeansalottomethatwe’refriends.”“Iknow.Itmeansalottome,too.”“Well,um…IsupposeI’llseeyouaround.”“Isupposeso.”Axeliasmiled,gavehisarmasqueeze,andwalkedaway.
Omenwentroundthecorner,satonabenchandwassad.
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Theycame through, three abreast, the adults ladendownwithbulgingbagsand the children clutching raggedydolls andcarvedwoodenanimals.Theirfootsteps were heavy, their shoulders stooped, their spines curved withexhaustion.Theyweren’t too tired to lookscared,however.Theireyes flickeredover
everything, trying tospot thedifferencesbetweenthisrealityandtheirs,butavoided the gaze of Valkyrie or anyone who stood watching. This was abatteredpeople.Alltheywantedwastostopwalking,tolaydowntheirpacks,togetsomesenseofajourneycompleted,butthatwasn’tabouttohappenjustyet.Astheycamethroughtheportal,thedoorwayslicedfromtheiruniversetothisone,theyweredirectedtofollowatrailofflagstothemakeshifttownof tents that had sprung up along the outside of Roarhaven’s west wall.Shrinking away from the grey-suited Cleavers on either side, the mortalstrudgedonwardsinabroad,unbrokenline.“Thirteenthousandinthirty-sixhours,”Skulduggerysaid.“What arewe going to dowith them?”Valkyrie asked. “Chinawouldn’t
send them back to their own reality, would she? We send them back andMevolent’sarmywilleitherexecutethemorusethemasslaves.Maybetheycouldstay inRoarhaven.Thereareplentyofuninhabiteddistricts.Loadsofemptyhouses.”“Roarhavenisacityforsorcerers,”Skulduggerysaid.“Idon’tknowhow
welcomingitscitizenswouldbetomortalfamiliesmovinginbesidethem.”“What’s wrong with them moving in?We’re supposed to live in peace,
aren’twe?That’swhySanctuariesexist.”“Roarhaven has a Sanctuary,” Skulduggery pointed out. “It isn’t itself a
Sanctuary.”“Idon’tthinkwehaveachoice,”shesaid.“It’snotlikewecansendthem
toliveinDublinorLondonoranything.They’remortals,butthey’renotlikeourmortals.They’velivedtheirentirelivesinarealityruledbysorcerers.”Skulduggerynodded.“Itwoulddefinitelyrequireaperiodofadjustment.”
“I thinkChina’sgoing todo the right thing.Sheknowsshehas tosetanexampleastheSupremeMage,soIreckonshe’llhandoverallthoseemptyhousestothesenicepeoplefromDimensionX.”“That’snotwhatit’scalled.”“Wecan’tcallittheLeibnizUniverse.It’sboring,andnobodyknowswho
Leibnizis.”“HewasaGermanphilosopherandphysicistbackin thelateseventeenth
—”“Exactly,”saidValkyrie.“Noone’severheardofhim.AndIthinkIshould
betheonetonameitbecauseI’mtheonewhodiscoveredit.”“Youdidn’tdiscoverit.”“Well,OK,maybenotdiscoveredit,butIfoundit.”“Itwasn’tlost,Valkyrie.Ithadbillionsofpeoplelivinginit.”“AndIfoundthem,too.”Heshookhishead.“SilasNadirshuntedyouoverthere.Byyourrationale,
heshouldbetheonenamingit.”“He’saserialkiller.He’dpickastupidname.”TemperFraywalkedthroughtheportal,sawSkulduggeryandValkyrieand
immediatelystartedover.OneoftheCleaversmovedtoblockhisway,butheflashedhisCityGuardbadgeandtheCleaverbackeddown.“Whatdidyoufindout?”Skulduggeryasked.Temperfrowned.“Nohug?”“Oh,I’msorry,”saidSkulduggery.“Valkyrie,hughim.”“I’mhugginghimwithmymind.”“You two are weird,” Temper said. “It’s telling that I get back from a
twelve-hour trip to an alternate dimension and you two are the strangestthingsI’veseenallmorning.Howwasyourlittlejaunttothemountains,bythe way?Meet anyone interesting? And by interesting I mean anyone tall,greenandugly?”“Notquitesotallorsogreenanymore,”Valkyriesaid,“butNyeisstillas
ugly as I remember. We chatted, yes. We have a lead, a man namedQuidnunc.”“Neverheardofhim.”“Neitherhavewe,”Skulduggerysaid.“We’rehopingoncewegettohim,
he’ll lead us to Abyssinia and then we’ll be able to stop her from doingwhateveritisshe’splanningondoing.”“Youstillhaven’tfoundoutwhatthatis,huh?”“Notevenclose,”Skulduggerysaid,“butI’veknownheralongtime,and,
whateverhermasterplanis,itwillnotbegoodnewsfortherestofus.”Temperfrowned,andlookedatValkyrie.“Ishedownplayingit?”
“Ithinkhe’sdownplayingit.”Tempernodded.“There’sdefinitelysomedownplayinggoingon.Comeon,
Skulduggery–youhadathingwithher.There’snoneedtobeembarrassed.”“I’mnotembarrassed.”“She’saverygood-lookinglady–youknow,onceshegrewherbodyback
andall. I’vealwaysfoundthatex-girlfriendswithbodiesarebetter thanex-girlfriendswhoarejustinternalorganslockedawayinaboxsomewhere.ButI’mold-fashionedlikethat.”Skulduggerysighed.“Canwestoptalkingaboutthis?”“Wecan,”Tempersaid,“onceyouacceptthatthereisnoshameindatinga
murderouspsychicwhosucksthelifeoutofpeople.Noshameatall.”“Thankyou,Temper.”“There’sabitofshameinlosinghertosomeonelikeLordVile,though.I
mean,thatdudewasevil.”“Areyoufinished?”Tempergrinned.“Notevenclose.Butforrightnow?Yeah,I’mfinished.”“Thankyou,”saidSkulduggery.“Wejustgotbackinto thecountryafew
hours ago and we were going to follow up on this Quidnunc person, butdecidedtotakealittledetourhereinstead.CorrectmeifI’mwrong,Temper,butthisportalwasn’therewhenweleft,wasit?”“Itwas not,”Temper said, and clapped his hands. “OK then, first things
first: that is one messed-up reality they have back there. Seriously. Whyanyonewouldventureintoit,Ihavenoidea.”“Youventured,”Valkyriesaid.“I’maCityGuardnow–Ihavemyorders.”“Iheardyouvolunteered.”“It’saportal toanotherdimension,”Tempersaid.“What,amInotgonna
gothrough?Anyway,therearethousandsofpeopleliningupontheothersideofthatthing.Morecomingeveryhour.Withanyoneelse,I’dbeexpectingastampede,butthesefolksarejustsobeatendownIdoubttheycouldmustertheenergytopanic.”“DidyouseeanyofMevolent’smen?”Skulduggeryasked.Tempershookhishead.“Notaone.”“Weweretoldthere’sadevicethat’ssustainingtheportal.Isthattrue?”Temper scratchedhis jaw. “Never seen anything like it. It’s ametal box,
roughly the sizeof a car battery,with all these sigils carved into it. I don’tknowifthedevicediditall,orifaShunteropenedtheriftandthisdeviceisjustkeeping itopen. Idon’tknowhow itworks,andnooneknowshow toshut it down, but then I guess the sorcerers in the Leibniz Universe havegadgetswedon’tunderstandyet.”
“We’recallingitDimensionXnow,”Valkyrietoldhim.“No, we’re not,” Skulduggery said quickly. “Have you spoken to the
people?HavetheysaidanythingabouttheResistance?”“They won’t talk to me,” Temper answered. “You’ve got to understand,
these folks are almost as afraidof theResistance as theyareofMevolent’sarmy. To them, all sorcerers are super-powered psychopaths who topplebuildingsontoinnocentmortals.”“Then hopefully we can show them a new, warmer kind of sorcerer,”
Skulduggerysaid,asachilddroppedherdoll.Hesteppedforward,usingtheairtoliftthedollintohishand,andpresentedittothelittlegirl.Shelookedupathimandscreamed,andherparentspulledheraway.“Sometimes I forget that being a skeleton is unusual,” Skulduggery
murmured.He tossed thedoll to thegirl’s father and returned toValkyrie’sside. “Do you have any ideawhat the best course of actionmight be?” heaskedTemper.“Forme,thebestcourseofactionisashowerandbed,”Temperanswered.
“Forthesituation,I’dsendasquadronofCleaversthroughtomakesurethemortalsareprotectedwhiletheywait.Iheardstoriesofbanditsclosingin.”“Asfarasweknow,China’snotsendinganyCleavers,”saidValkyrie.Tempersighed.“Thenmaybeyoucould talk toher?She’sgotasoftspot
foryou,Val,everyoneknowsthat.”“Ifwecouldactuallygetintospeaktoher,maybe,”Valkyriereplied.“But
we’vebeentryingtoarrangeameetingwithChinaforweeks,todiscussourprogress–orlackofprogress–inthisAbyssiniasituation,andallwehearishowbusysheis.”Temper chewed his bottom lip for a moment. “Those refugees are easy
targets. They need someone to keep them safe.” He sighed. “I guess theshowercanwait.”Valkyrieraisedaneyebrow.“You’regoingbackthrough?”“Lookslikeit.”“Can’tyousendsomeofyourCityGuardfriendsthroughinstead?”Temper smiled. “I’ve been aRoarhaven cop for fivemonths, and in that
time I have discovered that the City Guards are not friendly people.CommanderHochaschangedthingssinceyouwereincharge,Skulduggery.We report only to him, and he reports only to the Supreme Mage. Mycolleaguesdon’ttrustme–probablybecausetheyseemetalkingtothetwoofyousoregularly.”“Theythinkyou’reourspy,”Skulduggerysaid.“Yes,theydo.”“Goodthingyou’reourspy,then.”
“Itcertainlykeepsthingssimple.”Temperlookedbacktowardstheportal.“Eitherofyouwanttojoinme?”Valkyrieheldupherhands.“Ihavethingstodotoday,andbadmemories
ofthatplace.Thanks,butIthinkI’llstayinthisdimension.”“Youmentionedbandits…”Skulduggerysaid.Tempernodded.“Bandsofthem.”“Bandsofbandits.Thatdoesn’tsoundgood.”“Itreallydoesn’t.”SkulduggerylookedatValkyrie.“GoodGod,”shesaid,“youdon’thavetoaskmeforpermissiontogoplay
withyourfriends.”“It’s just therearebandits,”Skulduggery said. “I likebandits.There’sno
guiltinvolvedwhenyouhitthem.”“Whenhaveyoueverfeltguiltyabouthittinganyone?Go.Battlebandits.
Havefun.I’llmakeafewcalls,seeifanyonecanhelpustrackdowntheguywhomakesQuidnunc’sserum.”Sheheldoutherhand.“Keys.”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Sorry?”“Carkeys.Youdroveushere,remember?”“But…can’tyougetataxi?”“Backhome?That’dcostafortune.”“HaveFletchertakeyou.”“It’saschoolday,andFletcher’sbusybeingateacher.Comeon.Keys.”Hehesitated,thenhandedthemover.“TheBentleyisaspecialcar.”“I’mnotgoingtocrashit.I’mgoingtomakeacopyofthekey,bytheway.
Justsoyouknow.”“Driveveryslowly.Especiallyroundcorners.Andalongstraightroads.”“Canyoupleasetrustme?”“Itrustyouwithmylife,”Skulduggerysaid.“Justnotnecessarilymycar.”
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Decorum.That’swhatitwasallabout.CadaverousGant insistedondoing things theway theyweresupposed to
bedone.Itmayhavebeenanold-fashionedphilosophytoliveby,butitwasclear-cut,andheappreciatedthatkindofsimplicityinthisworld—aworldheincreasinglydisapprovedof.Whenhe’dbeenayoungman,hehadn’tapprovedofprogressives.When
he’dbeenaprofessor, hehadn’t approvedof the lackadaisical approachhisstudents took to their studies. When he’d been a serial killer, he hadn’tapprovedofpeopleinterruptingthemurdersofsaidstudents.Itwaswhyhebuilthishouse,afterall.AwonderfulhouseinStLouis,builttohisowndesignbyasuccessionof
contractorswhodidn’tknowwhattheothershadworkedon.Piecebypiece,thehousehadcometogether,alabyrinthofcorridorsandtrapsanddoorsthatopenedontobrickwalls.Theperfectlairforaserialkiller.Hisfatherhadtaughthimallabouttheproperwaytodothings.Here’show
tochopdownatree.Here’showtocatchandskinyourdinner.Here’showtotake a beating.And,when his fatherwas gone, itwas institutions that hadtaken over, reinforcing this work ethic, carving him into the man he hadbecome–amanwhounderstooddecorumandtheproperwaytodothings.WhichbroughthimtoAbyssinia,thePrincessoftheDarklands.Over thepast fewmonths, ever since shehadbeen reborn, shehadbeen
wearingavarietyofflowingrobesandelegantdresses,garmentsthatworkedwell with her delicate features and her long silver hair. Cadaverous hadwatched, approvingly, as she experimented with styles and fashions,searching for herself in mirrors and in the admiring eyes of her devotedfollowers.But the dresses and robes, it seemed, had only reminded her of the
centuriesshehadspentasnothingmorethanadried-outheartinalittlebox,soshehadabandoned themandgoneforsomethingnew—aredbodysuit,tighterthannecessaryandmorethanalittlegarish.
Cadaverous didn’t knowwhere the Darklands were, but he doubted thiswas appropriate attire for their princess. And that was another thing thatannoyedhim,thislackofastraightanswer.She’dbeencallingherselfthatforyears,backwhenshe’dbeenavoice inhisheadashe layonthatoperatingtable,guidinghimbackfromdeath,givinghimapurpose.Afocus.Hismortallifehadendedwiththatheartattack,andithadcomecrumblingdownaroundhimwiththatillegalsearchwarrant,buthehadseizedthefocushervoicehadgivenhimrightwhenhe’dneededitmost.Hisoldlifewasnothing.Hiscareerinacademiahadbeenawaste.Those
young people he’d killed mere practice. The sharpening of a blade. Theloadingofagun.Preparationforwhatwastocome.The magic that had exploded within him had altered his perceptions in
waysnomortal couldpossiblycomprehend.Suddenlyhis lifewas somuchbigger.Henolongerneededhisoldhouseoftrapsanddeadends—nowhecould transform the interior of whatever building he owned into whateverenvironmenthecouldimagine.Hisnewlyfoundmagicallowedhimtodistortrealityitself.Ifonlyhe’dexperienceditasayoungerman.Ifonlyhe’dgrownupwith
magic,cultivatedit,thepossibilitiescouldhavebeeninfinite.Whowouldhehavebeen?hewondered.Whatwouldhehavebecome?Hewouldhavestayedyoung.Thatheknewforcertain.Themagicwould
have rejuvenatedhim. Insteadof looking likea seventy-eight-year-oldman,hewouldhavelookedtwenty-two.Hewouldhavestayedstrongandhealthy.Hisbackwouldn’thave twisted;his shoulderswouldn’thavestooped.He’dstillbetallandhandsomeandhisbodywouldn’tacheandfailhim.Theothersaroundhimwerefarolder,butlookedathirdofhisage.Razzia,
the tuxedo-wearing Australian, as beautiful as she was insane. Nero, thearrogantwhelpwiththebleachedhair.Destrier,thelittleman,fidgetinginhisill-fittingsuit.Theywerealldamaged,intheirway,butthefacestheyshowedtotheworldhidtheworstofitbehindunlinedskin.Forallhisirritations,hedidappreciateAbyssiniaforopeninghiseyestoa
worldbeyondhisoldone.Thequestion thatweighedheaviestonhismind,though,waswhyshehadtakensolong.She stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of Coldheart Prison’s control
room,lookingdownatthetiersofopencellsastheconvicts–theoneswhohadelectedtostay–huddledinsmallgroups.Discontenthadbeenspreadingthroughthisfloatingislandlikeaslow-movingyetincurablevirus.Itwasnotaneasythingtokeephundredsofpeoplefedonadailybasis,andithadfallentoCadaveroustosomehowdealwiththeproblem.“Doyouthinkmylittlearmyisplottingagainstme?”Abyssiniaasked.
“Probably,”Razziaanswered.“Theywouldn’tdare,”saidNero.“That’s what I would do,” said Abyssinia. “I would lead a charge and
overthrowthepeoplestandingrightwherewe’restanding.ThenI’dtakethisflyingprisonanduseitlikeapirateship,plunderingwholecitiesaroundtheworld.”Shesoundedalmostwistful.“Wefreedthem,”saidNero.“Theyoweus.Andtheycouldhaveleftwith
the others, but they chose to stay. That shows loyalty.” He looked around.“Right?”Destrier was too busy muttering to himself to reply, and Razzia just
shrugged.“Cadaverous,”saidAbyssinia,“you’vebeenunusuallyquietoflate.What
doyouthink?”Hechosehiswordscarefully.“Ithinktheyareunhappy.”“Becausewehavefailedtofeedthem?”Shedidn’tmeanwe,ofcourse.ShemeantCadaverous.“Thatisundoubtedlypartofit,yes.”Sheturnedtohim.“Andwhatistheotherpart?”He could have said anything. He could have demurred. He could have
madeiteasyonhimselfinahundreddifferentways.Instead,hesaid,“Whenwefreedthem,wemadepromises.Wepromisedthempurpose.Wepromisedthem revenge.Wepromised thempower.Wehave yet to deliver on any ofthesethings.”Hedidn’tmeanwe,ofcourse.HemeantAbyssinia.“YouthinkIhavebeendistractedbythesearchformyson,”shesaid.Beforehecouldrespond,thedooropenedandSkeiriandAvatarstrodein.
Skeiriwasaslipofagirl,dark-skinnedandserious,whileAvatarwasmuscle-bound,handsomeandeager toserve.Theyhademerged fromtheircellsallthose months ago, and Cadaverous could see a time in the not-too-distantfuturewhenAvatar, inparticular,was theone issuing theorders,much likeLetheandSmokehaddone,andCadaverouswouldhavetoobey.Again.They held someone between them, amanwith blood dripping on to his
shirt,hiswristsshackled,hismagicmuted.AvatarandSkeiristeppedbackasAbyssiniaapproached.Theprisonernarrowedhiseyes.Theywereremarkablypiercingeyes.“I’ll
never—”“Shush,”saidAbyssinia.“Listentome.Iwantyoutoresist.I’mgoingto
enteryourmindandfindoutwhereyou’rekeepingCaisson.AndIwantyoutotrytostopme.You’reoneofSerafina’stoppeople–you’llknowhowto
keepapsychicoutofyourhead.Useallyourtraining.Useallthetricks.Givemeachallenge.”Theprisoner’s jawclenched.Itwasaremarkablysquarejaw.“Youwon’t
getanythingfrom—”“That’s the spirit,” Abyssinia said, and the prisoner’s face contorted. He
clutchedhisheadandletoutawhine,hiskneesbuckling.Hedroppedtotheground,facestillstricken,andthen,assoonasitbegan,itwasover,andhesagged.“Mysonisinaprivateambulance,”Abyssiniasaid.“They’rekeepinghim
sedated and moving. Right now they are somewhere in Spain. He’saccompanied by five of Serafina’s sorcerers.” She looked down at theprisoner.“Youdisappointme.Thatwasfartooeasy.”He shook his head, the colour returning to his face. He murmured
somethingandAbyssiniahunkereddown.“Pardon?”shesaid.“Whatwasthat?”Hemethereyes.“Iwasn’tready.”“Oh!”shesaid.“Idoapologise.Areyoureadynow?”Hecriedout,facetwisting,handsclutchingathishead.“You’re three hundred and fourteen years old,” Abyssinia said. “You
watchedyour childhood frienddie in a freak accident.The smell of tequilamakesyouphysicallysick.You’vehadasongyouhaterunningthroughyourheadforthelastthreedays,asongcalled‘UptownGirl’.”The prisoner gasped and fell forward, andAbyssinia placed her hand on
him.“Wereyoureadyformethen?”Shedrewthelifeoutofhisbody,hisskincracking,hisbonescreaking,and
hisstrengthfloodedherandshestood,kickingtheemptyhuskofhimtooneside.Shetookamoment,shiveredwithhereyesclosed,andcalmedherself.ShelookedatAvatar.“Findthisambulance.DonotactuntilIsayso.”“Yes,Abyssinia,”Avatarsaid,bowing.Shewalkedbacktothewindow.“Cadaverous.”Shehadataskforhim.Hewassurprised.Hestraightened.“Yes?”Shewavedahand.“Thebody.”Hefrowned.“Yes?”“Getridofit.”
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“Chickenorfish?”themaninthehairnetasked,tongshovering.Omenpursedhis lips, lookingcloser at theoptions available.Thedining
hallwas filling up. Therewas a queue of studentswaiting behind him.Heknew theyweregettingannoyed,buthecouldn’thelp it.Lunchwasoneofthemostimportantmealsoftheday–hehadtogetitright.“Whatkindoffishisit?”Omenasked.“Thedeadkind,”saidthemaninthehairnet.“Isitfresh?”“Doesitlookfresh?”“Idon’tknow,”saidOmen.“You’vecovereditinbreadcrumbs.”Themaninthehairnetshookhishead.“Wedidn’tdothat.Itswimsaround
intheoceanlikethis,coveredinbreadcrumbsandmissingitshead.Wejustcatch’emandcook’em.”“I,uh,Idon’tthinkthat’sright.”“Iwouldn’tlietoyou,boy.I’maFoodServiceAssistant.Wetakeanoath.”“Hurryup,”saidsomeoneinthequeue.“Yeah,”saidthemaninthehairnet,“hurryup.Makeadecision,shortstuff.
Fish,chicken,vegetarianorvegan.”“What’stheveganoption?”“SpiralisedAsianquinoasalad.”“Andwhat’sthevegetarianoption?”“Vegetables.”Omen’sstomachrumbled.“Idon’treallylikevegetables.”“Thenit’sagoodthingyou’renotavegetarian.”“I’ll…um…OK,I’llhavethechicken.”“Thechicken?Afterallthosequestionsaboutthefish?”“Well,yousee,Idon’treallylikefish.”“Thenwhydidyouaskaboutit?”“IthoughtImighttryit.ThenIchangedmymind.”“You’re the reason I hate my job,” said the man in the hairnet, and he
dumpedOmen’slunchontoatrayandhandeditover.“Next!”
Omen sat at one of the long tables.Across the hall,Axeliawas chattingwith her friends. They laughed. He wondered if they were laughing abouthim.Neverjoinedhimatthetable,sittingopposite.Shehadherhairdown,and
shewaswearingahintofmake-upthatreallybroughtouthereyes.“Lunchguydoesnotlikeyou,”shesaid,diggingintohersalad.“Youwereinthequeue?”Omenasked.“I’mtheonewhotoldyoutohurryup.”“Oh,cheersforthat.”“Imade a promise tomyself to interactwith you in public at least three
timesaday.Ifigureit’llmakeyoumorepopularwithpeople.”“SoIcanexpectathirdinteractionthisevening?”Nevertookaswigfromherbottleofwater.“This isourthirdinteraction.
Metellingyoutohurryupwasoursecond.ThefirstonewaswhenI threwthatballofpaperatyourheadthismorning.”“Thatwasyou?”“Youshouldhaveopeneditup.Ithadapictureinside,acaricatureofMr
Chicanethatwasquitesatiricallybrilliant,ifIdosayso.”“Whatdoyouthinkofhimanyway?”Omenasked.“Chicane? His eyes are a bit too close together, a feature I captured
splendidlyinmyartwork,buthe’sOK.”“Youdon’tthinkhe’sabit…off?”“Inwhatway?”“Like…heonlyteachesforafewweekseveryyear.”“Becausehehasaspeciality,”Neversaid.“Heonlygivesa fewmodules
everycoupleofterms.”“Ithinkhe’suptosomething.”Neverputdownherfork.“Omen,asyouronlyfriend,Ihavenochoicebut
tobetheonetotellyou–stop.”“Stopwhat?”“Stopthis,”saidNever.“Stoplookingforbadguysandconspiracies.Yes,
LiltwasworkingforAbyssinia,but thatdoesn’tmeananyothermemberofthe faculty is involved.Yetyou think there’s somethingaboutChicane, justlike you thought therewas something suspicious aboutPeccant, and beforehim it was, what, the ground staff, wasn’t it? For the last seven months,you’vebeensearchingforanadventure.”Omenblushed.“No,Ihaven’t.”“Igetit.Youwerepartofsomethinghuge.Webothwere.Butit’sover.”Omen gave a little laugh. “No, it’s not. Skulduggery said he’ll call me
whenheneedsme.”
“Whywouldheneedyou?You’re fourteen,andyou’renotexactlyat thetopofyourclass,areyou?Theydon’tneedus,Omen.”“Thatcouldchangeatanymoment.”“Yes,”saidNever,“itcould.And,ifitdoes,awesome.Buttheproblemis
thatyou’rewaitingforitlikeit’sasurething.It’snot.Adventurehappenstosomepeople.SkulduggeryandValkyrie.Yourbrother.It intrudesupontheirliveswhethertheywantitornot.Buttherestofusdon’tlivelikethat.Iwishwedid.I’dlovetobeoffadventuringwithAugerorSkulduggery.MaybenotValkyrie, because she’s responsible for murdering thousands of people,includingmybrother.”“Never,youknowthatwasDarquesse.”“Ididn’tsayValkyriedidthemurdering,didI?Ijustmeantshebearssome
responsibilityforherevildarksidegoingnutsandobliteratingaquarterofthecity, that’s all. Anyway, I admit it, like you, I’m waiting for the call toadventure.But, unlikeyou, I’mnot putting everything else onholdwhile Iwait.”“I’mnotputtinganythingonhold.”“Howdidyoudoon that testyesterday?Yougot the resultsback,didn’t
you?”“Ididfine.”“Didyou?”“Yes.”“Didyoupass?”“Almost.”“Andhowmanyassignmentshaveyoustarted?”Omenfoldedhisarms.“That’satrickquestion.Wehaven’tbeengivenany
assignments.”“We’vebeengivenfour,”saidNever.“Oh.”Never sighed,and leaned forward.“Iknowyou,Omen. I lookacross the
roomandyou’resittingthere,daydreaming,andIknowexactlywhatyou’rethinkingabout.”“No,youdon’t.”“It’salwaysthesametwothings.ThefirstisAxeliaLukt.”“Well,obviously.”“Iheardaboutthat,bytheway.Toughluck.”“Yeah.”“And the second thing you’re daydreaming about isValkyrie kicking the
dooropenandsayingsheneedsyourhelptosavetheworld.AmIclose?”Omensaidnothing.
“See?Knew it. That’s not going to happen, but youwant to believe, somuch,thatthey’regoingtoswoopinandtakeyouawayfromallthenormalstuffthatyou’renotactuallydoinganyofthenormalstuff.”Omen picked up his knife and fork again, and started cutting into his
chicken.“Canwestoptalkingaboutthis?Iknowyoumeanwell,butyou’restartingtoannoyme.”“Idon’twanttoannoyyou,Omen,”Neversaidgently.“Idon’twanttobe
theseriousoneinanyfriendshipIhave,Ireallydon’t.Ihatebeingtheseriousone. I’m the funny one. I’m the quirky, gender-fluid friendwith a heart ofgoldandabsofsteel.”“Youdon’thaveabs.”“That’sonlybecauseIdon’tliketosweat.Mypointis,Idon’twanttobe
theonetogiveyoubadnews.Butnooneelsecaresenough.”Theyateinsilence.Oncethey’dfinished,Neverreappliedalittlelipgloss.“HowdoIlook?”Omensighed.“Low-keyglamorous.”Thisgotasmile.“That’swhatI’mgoingfor.Areyoumadatme?”“No,” saidOmen. “You can, you know, tellmewhatever you think you
needtotellme,justlikeIcanchoosetolistentoyou,orchoosetoignoreyou.Becausewe’refriends.”“Wearefriends,”Neversaid,smiling.“Butyoucan’t ignoreme.Nobody
ignoresme.I’mwaytoocool.”“Yeah,youare.”“Sowhat do you think about all this LeibnizUniverse stuff, eh? Isn’t it
crazy?”“Itiscrazy.”“Omen,doyouknowwhattheLeibnizUniverseis?”“Notreally.”“It’sMevolent’suniverse.”“Well, why don’t they call it that? I’d remember it if it was called that.
Who’sthisLeibnizpersonanyway?”“Nobodyknows.”“Doyouthinkhe’llcomethrough?Mevolent,Imean?”Neverbrushedastrandofhairawayfromhereyes.“Naw,Idon’tthinkso.
Hecanstomparoundhisowndimensionasmuchashewantsbecausethere’sno one there to oppose him.But here,we have awholeworld that’d fightback.”“Yeah,”saidOmen.“Maybe.Butyouknowthewayall thewildlife–all
thedeerandrabbitsandsquirrelsandstuff–runoutoftheforestwhenthere’s
awildfire?What if it’s like that?What if themortals are just trying to getawayfromwhat’sfollowingalongbehind?”“You’reworryingovernothing,”saidNever.“Wedon’tknowwhatthings
arelikeovertherenow.AllwehavearethereportsSkulduggeryPleasantandValkyrieCainmadeaftertheygotback,andthatwas,what,eightyearsago?Besides,wealreadykilledourownMevolent.Iftheotheroneshowsup,we’lljustdothesametohim.”“How,exactly?NooneknowswhoorwhatkilledourMevolent.”“Skulduggery killed him,”Never said, shrugging. “Everyone knows that.
Justbecauseit’snotinourtextbooks…”“IfSkulduggerykilledhim,he’dtalkaboutit,”saidOmen.“Hetalksabout
everythingelse.”Neversighed.“Becauseyouknowhimsowell?”“Idon’tclaimtoknowhimwell.I’mjustsayingthathewasn’ttheoneto
killMevolent.”“It doesn’tmake any difference. Ifwe get invaded,we’ll still send them
packing.Theyhavemagic,butwehavemagicandtechnology.”“Sodothey.”“Butwehavenukes.”“Seriously?You’dnukethem?”“Ofcourse.Wouldn’tyou?”“Idon’tknow.It’sabit…drastic,isn’tit?”“War is a drastic thing,” said Never. “Ooh, that should be on a bumper
sticker.”“IthinkI’dkeepthenuclearbombsasalastresort,”saidOmen.“Wehave
theSceptreoftheAncients,don’twe?SkulduggeryandValkyriestoleitfromMevolent’sdimension,too,sousingittopushbackhisarmywouldbe…uh…”“Thewordyou’relookingforisironic.”“Isit?OK.It’dbeironic.”“That’s a good plan,Omen. Ignoring the fact that no one’s been able to
evenfindtheSceptresinceDevastationDay,that’sawonderfulplan.”“Well, like,we have otherGod-Killerweapons.One little nick from the
swordandevenMevolentdropsdead.”“Thesword’sbroken.”“Thenthespear,”Omensaidirritably,“ortheboworthedagger,whatever,
it’sthe…What?”“Nothing. I’m just quite impressed that you could name all four God-
Killers.”“Really?Three-year-oldscannametheGod-Killers.”
“Yeah,butthey’rethree,Omen.”Omennodded.“Becauseinfantsaresmarter thanme.Yep,Iget it.That’s
funny.”Nevergrinned.“Feelingoverlysensitive today,arewe?Iwouldn’tblame
you.Tellyouwhat,Iwon’tteaseyouagainuntilyoureally,trulydeserveit,Ipromise.Comeon,tellmemoreabouthowyou’dbeatMevolent.”“No.”Neverlaughed.“Oh,please?Iwasreallyenjoyingthatconversation.”“Tough.”“Soyou’dusetheGod-Killersonhim,and…?”Omenshrugged,lookedaway,happenedtoglanceatthedoorjustasMiss
Wickedwalked in.Tall,blondeand terrifying,hewatchedher lookaround,andimmediatelyglancedawaywhenhereyesfelluponhim.“Oh,God,”hesaid.“What’swrong?”Neverasked.“MissWickedcaughtmelookingather.”“She’scomingover.”“Isshe?”“Comingstraightforyou.”“Areyoujoking?Pleasetellmeyou’rejoking.”“Omen,”MissWickedsaid,andOmenyelpedandswivelledinhisseat.“Hello,miss,”hesaid.“Imean,hi.Imean…yes?”Shelookeddownathim.“Omen,youhavebeensummoned.”Heblinked.“Ihave?”“Tomorrowmorning,”shesaid,“teno’clock,intheheadmaster’soffice.”Hepaled.“But…tomorrowisSaturday.”“Itis.”“Butthere’snoschoolonaSaturday.”“Theschoolisstillopenatweekends,Omen.”“Buttherearen’tanyclasses…”“Correct.WhichmeansIshouldn’tbecomingin.AndyetIam.”“Is…isthisbecauseofthetest?”“WhywouldIbecominginifthiswasbecauseofatest?No,Omen,thisis
notabouta test.GrandMageIspolin,of theBulgarianSanctuary, isvisitingCorrivalAcademyandhehas requested thatbothofusbepresentwhenhearrives.”“Jenan’sdad?Whywouldhewantmetobethere?”“Jenanhasyettoreturnhome.I’msuretheGrandMagewantstodiscuss
theeventsthatledtohissonrunningaway.”“Am…amIintrouble?”
“Ireallydon’tknow,Omen.”“Areyouintrouble?”“GrandMageIspolinisprobablygoingtotrytohavemefired.”“Butwhy?Youdidn’tdoanythingwrong!”“Yourvoteofconfidencewillgoalongway,I’msure.Teno’clock,Omen.
Don’tbelate.Ihavenotruckwithtardiness.”Shewalkedaway.This,Omenthought,wasnotatallthecalltoadventurehehadbeenhoping
for.
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Valkyriedidn’tget theheadachesanymore.Thatwasonegoodthingaboutworking on her Sensitive side, as Skulduggery liked to call it – the moreValkyrie practised, the easier it got.And shehad been practising – but notevenSkulduggeryknewjusthowmuch.She’dbeeneighteenwhenhertruenamehadwalkedawayfromher,when
Darquesse had become a separate entity, a person all of her own. WhenDarquesse left, she’d taken Valkyrie’s power, leaving her dulled and weakand,onceagain,mortal.Natureabhorsavacuum,however,andanewkindofmagichadrushedin
to fill thevoid.Valkyriehad just turned twenty-five, and they still couldn’texplain how she could control that strange energy, or how she could seepeople’s auras, or how she could do all those things and be a Sensitive aswell.Theydidn’tevenknowwhattocallher.Shewasaone-off,she’dbeentold.Anoddity.Inaworldofweirdos,she
wasafreak.Shetriednottotakeitpersonally.Thetruthwas,herpowerscaredher.Shefeltitinherblood,twistinginher
veins, eager to become whatever she needed it to be. But, for all itsdestructivepotential,italsoallowedherglimpsesintothefuture,afutureofdarknessandpainthathadlodgeditselfinherthoughts.Sometimesitwasallshecouldthinkabout.Sometimesitwasalltherewastothinkabout.Deathwascomingforthepeoplesheloved,unlessshecouldlearnenough
aboutthefuturetoavoidit.Andsohereshewasagain.She pulled up and got out of the Bentley. Standing beside the door to
Cassandra’scottagewasapieceofDarquessethatDarquessehadleftbehindwhenshe’ddepartedthisuniverse.Tallandstronganddark-haired,physicallyidenticaltoValkyrieineveryway,shehadtakentocallingherselfKes.“Hey,”saidValkyrie.“SorryI’mlate.IwasintheAlpsyesterday,doinga
thing, and thenwegotback thismorning to findout that there’s thisportal
thatopenedupatRoarhavenand…anyway.Sorry.Haveyoubeenwaitinglong?”“Onlyafewhours,”Kessaid.“Well,aday.”“Seriously?Iamsosorry.”“It’sOK.”“Howdidyoupassthetime?”“Oh,thatwaseasy,”Kessaid.“Iwasstandingoverthereforafewhours,
thenIstoodoverhere.Thetimeflewby.”“Wereallyneedtogetyouaphone.”“IfyoucanfindoneIcanhold, I’mall for it.Ah, it’s fine. It’snot likeI
haveanythingbetter todowithmytime.Youare literally theonlypersonIhave to talk toon thisentireplanet. Ican’t interactwithanyoneelse inanymeaningfulway.IcanonlydotinyamountsofmagicbeforeIfadeawayandrecharge.I’m…I’mbored.”Valkyrie smiled. “I thought you told me last week that gods didn’t get
bored.”“Well,asyoutookdelightinremindingme,I’mnotawholegod,amI?I’m
asplinterofagod.Afragmentofagod.”“IbelievethetermIusedwas‘crumbofagod’.”“WhateverIam,Igetbored,OK?Butyou’reherenow,so let’sget to it,
whatdoyousay?Readytoseethefuture?”Valkyriesighed.“IsupposeIam.”Shetookthekeyfrombeneaththeoldpotandledthewayintothehouse.
Thefirst timeshe’dcomehereafterCassandradied,whenSkulduggeryhadwantedtotestherburgeoningpsychicabilities,shehadtakenafewminutesto process her feelings about being back in such a warm and welcomingenvironment.Today,shejustwalkedstraightthroughandtookthestairsdownto the cellar. Thiswas her seventh time herewithout Skulduggery, and shehadsettledintoanew,simplerroutine.Shestoodinthemiddleofthecellar.Thefloorbeneathherfeetwaslittle
more than an iron lattice, treatedwithmagic to prevent it from heating upwhen the flames burned through the bed of coals beneath. Thewalls werebrick,andreverberatedwithpsychicenergy,makingValkyrie’smindvibratelikeatuningfork.Theceilingwascriss-crossedwithpipes,designedtospraywater.Months ago,Valkyrie had had to project her visions on to the clouds of
steamthatbillowedupwards.Butshedidn’tneedtodothatanymore.Sheclosedhereyes,letherthoughtsscatter,andworkedtofindthepeace
withinthatchaos.Whenshefoundit– thequietplace–shelet itgrowand
expandandfillherupuntilitpushedthenoiseawayand,foramoment,forasingleblissfulmoment,therewasnothingintheworldbutherbreathing.Sheopenedhereyes.The vision filled the cellar, dissolving its walls, and she was suddenly
outside,intherefugeecamp,surroundedbythedisplacedandthescared.Shefelt theirreliefatescapingMevolent’sarmy,butalsotherisingfearofonceagainbeingatthemercyofasocietyofsorcererstheyhadnoreasontotrust.Valkyriedriftedthroughthecamp,alertforanynewdeviation,buttherewereno extra details for her to absorb today. Satisfied, she allowed hermind tomoveon,andthecampvanishedandshewasindarkness.“Herehecomes,”Kessaid,fromsomewheretoherright.They’dtakentocallinghim“theWhistler”.Hesignalledhisarrivalwitha
tune.Mostof the time itwas ‘DreamaLittleDreamofMe’.Twice, itwas‘BlueMoon’.Today,hewaswhistlingasusual,and, foronly thesecond time,Valkyrie
couldseehisoutline.Hewasmaybeherheight,maybesixfoot,andslender,butthatwasallshecoulddiscern.Hisoutlinewassolid,buteverythingwithinthatswirledandflippedtooquicklytoidentify.“Bringhimcloser,”saidKes.“I can’t,”Valkyrie answered. She took a few steps towards him, but the
Whistlerstayedatthesamedistance.Outofalltheelementsinhervisions,allthe bloodshed and death thatwas to come, his presencewas the thing thatunnervedherthemost.Thevisionmovedon.“You actually think you’re going towin?” someone said behind her, and
sheturned,andaburningtownbuiltitselfuparoundher.Deadbodieslitteredthestreets.Caralarmswailed.AugerDarklyfelltohiskneesinfrontofher,clutchinghisshoulder.Blood
soakedhisshirt.Omenranout,pickedhimup,hisbrothergrittinghis teethagainst the pain. Together they hurried on. Theywere being chased. Therewerepeoplechasingthem.Peoplewithguns.Valkyriemovedin.Thistimeshe’dseetheirfaces.Thistimeshe’dfindout
whotheyweresoshecouldstopthembeforethishappened.They came round the corner, guns up, and passed right through her.
Dressedinblack,wearingbodyarmour.Helmets.Noinsignias.Movinglikesoldiers,orSWATteams,relentlesslytrackingtheirprey.She watched them spot the Darkly brothers. They opened fire. Bullets
punchedOmeninthebackandhefloppedontothepavementasAugerwentstumbling.Valkyriedidherbest to ignore it. Itwasa scene sheknewwell,
andittoreatherinsideseachtime.Buttodayshedidn’tcurseorcryout–shejustlistened.Waited.Waitedforoneofthemtosaysomething.Anything.“Targetdown.”The vision swept away and Valkyrie was confronted with the Plague
Doctor,whoheld a child inhis arms.Valkyrie stepped closer and the childvanishedandthePlagueDoctor’shandswenttohismaskandhepulleditoff,but beforeValkyrie could see his face hewas gone, and Saracen Ruewaslyingdeadontheground.“There’sTanith,”Kessaidsoftly,andValkyrie turnedtowatchherfriend
backawayfromanunseenenemy,herswordinherhand.ThenTanithwas gone andChinawas lying in that field of broken glass
Valkyrie had seen again and again. Just a flash of that, and then theywerestanding in theCircle, inRoarhaven. Smoke and flames billowed from theHighSanctuaryandtheDarkCathedralwas inruins,andmarching towardsthemwasanarmywithMevolentleadingtheway.Valkyrie had glimpsed this before, but the vision stayed with Mevolent
longer this time. She didn’t know what that meant. Was this future morelikelynow?Wasitcloser?Thearmywasalmostuponher,andherhearthammeredinherchest.ShelookedawayandCadaverousGantwalkedby,holdingaragdollina
blue dress. A house appeared, tall and pointed and radiating darkness, andCadaverouswentintothehouseandthedoorstayedopen,likeitwasinvitingValkyrietofollow.Valkyriestartedtowalk,butKespointed.“There,”shesaid.A figurewas slowly coming into focus on the other side of the room.A
womanwithsilverhair,standingwithherheaddown.“Leave,”Kessaid.“Notyet.”“Youhaveto.”“There’ssomethingaboutthathouse.”“Valkyrie,”Kessaid,“leavenoworshe’llseeyou.”Valkyriehesitated,butsheknewshehadnochoice.She let it go, let it all go, and thehousevanishedand thevisionwashed
awayandthecellarcameback.Keslookedather.“YouOK?”“No,”saidValkyrie,walkingforthestairs.“Ihateseeingthefuture.”
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For a solemnoccasion such as an execution, themood inColdheart Prisonwassomethingapproachingafestival.Theconvicts lined the tiers, eager for the showandstruggling tocontain
themselves.Everysooftenanexcitedwhisperwoulddriftdowntothebroaddaisthathoveredabovetheenergyfield.OnthatdaistheteenagemembersofFirstWavestoodinthecostumesthatAbyssiniahadorderedtobemadeforthem – black,with shiny belts and polished boots – to give them the falsesense that theywereanelitemilitaryunit.ToCadaverous, theywerescaredlittlechildren,nomatterwhattheyhappenedtobewearing.HestoodwithRazziaandDestrierandNero.Beside them,andyetapart,
were Avatar and Skeiri. Abyssinia’s new favourites. The up-and-comers.CadaverousdespisedthemevenmorethanhedespisedFirstWave.TheonlymemberofFirstWavenotdressedinherfinerywastheannoying
girlwiththehabitofconstantlyflickingherhairoutofhereyes.Dressedincivilianclothes,shestoodontheveryedgeofthedais,amerestepawayfromalethalplungetotheforcefieldbelow.Thebraceletsheworewascheapbutsolidandneededakeytoremoveit.Italsoboundhermagic.“Please,”shesaidthroughthetearsthatwerestreamingdownherface,“I
justwanttogohome.”Abyssinia stood beside Parthenios Lilt, their heads down, seemingly
consumedbydisappointment.Theydidn’tanswerthegirl.Thatwasn’tdownto them. That was down to First Wave’s leader, the arrogant whelp JenanIspolin.Hestrodeforwardawkwardly,asifhiskneeshadlocked.Thebravadothat
heusuallycarriedwithhim–evenhereinColdheart,surroundedashewasbygenuine threats – seemed to bemissing at this moment. He was pale, andafraid,andhelookedasyoungashewas.“IsidoraSplendour,”hesaid,hisvoicetremblingslightly,“youhavebeen
foundguiltyofbetrayingyourtruefamily.”Isidorashookherhead.“Ididn’tbetrayyou,Iswear.”
Jenancontinued.“Wearedestinedforgreatness.Wehavebeenchosen tochangetheworld.Thisisthehighesthonour.”“Jenan,please.”“Andyet,youjeopardisedthissacredmissionwithyourcowardice.”Sheturned.“Idon’twanttokillanyone,”shesobbed.“Noneofusdo.Mr
Lilt,please.You’remyteacher.Pleasehelpme.”Liltshookhisheadsadly.“Abyssinia,”Isidoratried,“I’mbeggingyou,wedon’twanttodothis,but
we’re tooscaredto tellyou.Pleasedon’tmakeus.We’reonlychildren.Wedon’twanttohurtanyone.”AbyssinialookedtotherestofFirstWaveastheyhuddledtogether.“Isthis
true?” she asked gently. “Have you reconsidered? Have you had secondthoughts?Weare trainingyou,makingyou stronger,better,morepowerful.Your old classmates would barely recognise you, you have advanced somuch.Youhaveevolved.Youaremydreammadeflesh.”Hersmilefaltered.“But if this traitor’swordsare true, ifyoudo indeedseeyourselvesasonlychildren,youmusttellme.Please,Ibegyou–behonest.Openyourhearts.Ifyou doubtme, if you doubtmy plan and you have lost faith in our futuretogether, a future that ison thehorizon,now is the time tomake thisclear.Speak,myloves.”Itwasasiftheentireprisonhelditsbreathandwassilent.Isidorafelltoherknees,crying.AbyssinianoddedslowlytoJenan.“Continue,myloyalwarrior.”Theboy’schestpuffedoutridiculously,andhelookeddownathisweeping
friend. “Today, you tried to leave,” he said. “You knew the punishment forthat.”Isidora shookher head again. “I didn’t know,” she said. “Wewerenever
toldthat!Please,givemeanotherchance!Thisisn’tfair!”Theboyhesitated,thenreacheddown,tookIsidora’shands,andpulledher
gently to her feet. For amoment, Cadaverous thought hemight give her areprieve, but then he saw Abyssinia close her eyes, and knew she was inJenan’shead.JenanputhishandstoIsidora’sshouldersandpushed,andIsidorashrieked
and toppled from the dais. The othermembers of FirstWave looked away,coveredtheirmouths,gavelittlecriesofshock,andJenansteppedbackwards,alookofhorroronhisface.“Myloves,”saidAbyssinia.“Cometome.”She spread her arms and they walked to her, hesitantly at first, but
CadaverouscouldfeelthewavesofempathyAbyssiniawasgivingout,even
from where he stood.When they huddled around her, they were safe andwarmandtheybelonged.Justlikeheusedto.
CadaverousfollowedAbyssiniabacktoherquarters.Whenshesawhim,shesighed.“Doyoumindcomingbacklater?”sheasked.“Wejusthadtoexecuteone
ofthechildren.”“Iwasthere,”Cadaveroussaid.“Youhandleditwell.”Shesat.“Thankyou.”“Doyouthinkthey’llbeready?”“Ofcourse,”sheresponded.“You’re putting an awful lot of faith in a group of scared teenagers,”
Cadaverous said. “You have hundreds of followers now – most of whomwouldbealltooeagertoengageinsomemindlessslaughterforyou.”“But it’snotmindless,”Abyssiniasaid.“There isapoint to itall,evenif
youcan’tseeit.”“Youcouldhelpmeseeit.Youcouldexplainittome.”“When you’re ready, I’ll tell you. Is there another reason you’re here,
Cadaverous?”“There is.But,now that Ihaveyoualone, I almostdon’tknowwhere to
begin.”Hetookabreath.“Webelievedinyou.Webroughtyouback.”“AndIloveyouforit.”“We loveyou, too. I can say thatwith absolute certaintybecause, before
you,Ididn’tknowwhat lovewas.Iknewitasanabstract thing,somethingother people said.Somethingother people felt.But your voice inmyhead,lyingonthatoperatingtable…thatwasthevoiceoflove.AndIwashearingitforthefirsttime.”“That’ssweetofyoutosay.”“You’reherebecauseofus,andwe’reherebecauseofyou.Becauseofthe
mission.”“Themission,”Abyssiniasaid.“Yes.”Cadaverous hesitated. “Only…only I think the search for your son has
distractedyouinrecentmonths.”ThegoodhumourdriftedfromAbyssinia’sface.“Doyouindeed?”“Ihavetobehonestwithyou,Abyssinia.That’swhatlovemeans,isn’tit?
Honesty? I feel, since you returned, that your focus hasn’t been on themission.”“Isee.”“Therestofus,theoneswhobroughtyouback,we’restartingtofeel…”
“Yes?Startingtofeelwhat,Cadaverous?”“Neglected.”Aghostofasmile.“Huh.Likechildren,Isuppose?Everyone’svyingfor
the mother’s love, jealous of anyone she dotes on. Is that what you are,Cadaverous?Areyouachild?ShouldyoubeinFirstWave,too?”Hedidn’tanswer.“Whatwouldyouprefer?WouldyoulikeitifIspentmoretimewithyou,
isthatit?Wouldthatbeenoughforyou,Iwonder?Wouldthatcoddleyou?”Cadaverousbristled.“I’mnotaskingtobecoddled.”“You’renot?Becauseitseemslikeyouare.”“Youmadepromises.”She rose. “You dare make demands of me, Cadaverous Gant? After
everythingIhavegivenyou?AfterIcalledyoubackfromdeathitself?AfterIgaveyoupurpose?Nowyouwantmore?Youthinkyoudeservemore?”“IthinkIdeservethetruth!”Abyssiniawasuponhiminaninstant,pressinghimbackagainstthewall,
heropenhandhoveringinfrontofhisface.“Youinsubordinatelittlenothing,”shewhispered.“Youdeserveonlywhat
I tell you you deserve. You have grown disillusioned with me, have you?Well,Ihavegrowndisillusionedwithyou,Cadaverous.YouarenotthemanIhoped for. I have watched you shrivel in these last years, ever since yourpreciousJeremiahfell fromthatwalkway.YourhatredofValkyrieCainhasturned you from the path I had set you on.All thosemurderous urges yougaveintowhenyouweremortal?Iallowedyoutomakepeacewiththem,tochannelyourrage.Icalmedthedemonsinyourheadsothattheynolongercontrolyou—andhowdoyourepayme?”Shesteppedaway.“Bydoubtingme.Byquestioningme.Bybetrayingme.”“Ihavenotbetrayedyou!”hesnapped.“You betrayme every day!” she shot back. “With every disappointment,
youbetrayme!Youweremyloyalsoldier!Myfavourite!”Cadaverous snarled. “I was never your favourite. Smoke was your
favourite,andthenLethe,whenhecamealong.I’malwaysthere,butalwayspushed to the back by the bright and the new. I should be your second. Ishouldbeyourlieutenant.Instead,IarrangethefoodfortheconvictsandthecriminalswhilepeoplelikeAvatarandSkeiriwaltzinandcatchyoureye.”Abyssiniashookherhead.“Jealousydoesnotbecomeyou,Cadaverous.”“You’vekeptusinthedarklongenough,Abyssinia.We’restartingtofeel
as ifwe’renotonthismissionyoutoldusabout.We’restartingtofeel thatyou’veliedtous.”“Getout,”shesaidquietly.
10
Tea and biscuits were already laid out when Sebastian Tao crept into thehousethroughthebackdoor.It was all back doors these days – back doors and skylights and narrow
windowsandalotofsneakingaround.Dressedashewas–allinblack,withthecurvedbeakmaskandthewide-brimmedleatherhatandtheflowingcoat–itwasdifficulttowalkdownthestreet,evenatthistimeofnight,andnotattractcuriousstaresorinvitationstofight.Sebastiandidn’tliketofight.Hehatedviolence.He’dhadenoughofthatgrowingup.Hesteppedintothelivingroom.“Hello,”hesaid.Thesmallgroupturned,smilingandnodding.“Welcome,PlagueDoctor,”saidLily.“Cupoftea?”They laughed. Sebastian chuckled politely. They knew verywell that he
couldn’ttakehismaskoff.Notthatheneededto.Hissuitprovidedhimwithall the sustenance he required – although he eyed the biscuits on displaylongingly.Whathewouldn’tgiveforataste.Butno.Hehadamission.“Let’shurrythisalong,”Tantalussaid,standingupfromthefloralcouch.
“Someofushavelivestogetbackto.”The others went quiet. Tantalus was the unofficial leader of their little
groupofDarquesse-worshippers,primarilybecausehelackedanyidentifiablesense of humour. He just seemed like the kind of man people would takeorders from, although Sebastian had yet to witness any actual leadershipabilities.Tantalus cleared his throat. “I hereby call thismeeting of the Darquesse
Societytoorder.Blessedbehername.”“Blessedbehername,”theothersechoed.“WehavegazedintothefaceofGodandwefoundlove.”Sebastianrepeateditalongwitheveryoneelse.“Allrightthen,”Tantalussaid,scowlingatSebastian,“whyarewehere?”Tantalusdidn’tlikeSebastian,andhewasn’tshyaboutlettingitshow.SebastiannoddedtoForby.“Tellthemwhatyoutoldme,”hesaid.
Forby,asmallmanwithfantastichair,clearedhisthroat.“Um,OK,so,theportal – the portal that all these Leibniz people are coming through. Themortal portal, I call it.” He laughed. “Anyway, I’m on the team. Theinvestigatingteam.”“Congratulations,”saidBennet.“That’sprettyhigh-profile.It’sgoodtosee
yougettingrecognitioninyourjob.”“Thank you,” said Forby. “It’s a real boost to my confidence, I have to
admit.I’vebeenworkingattheHighSanctuarysinceitopened;beforethatIwasat theoldSanctuaryforeighteenyears…Imean, I’veput in the time,youknow?I’veputinthework.It’sjustreallynicetohave—”“Tell me we’re not here just to congratulate Forby for doing his job,”
Tantalussaid.“We’renot,”Sebastianassuredhim.“Forby,gettothebitaboutthebox.”Tantalusfrowned.“Whatbox?”“Adevice,”saidForby.“Iwaspartoftheteamthatwentthroughtheportal
toexamineit.I’mfairlycertainthatthedeviceopenedtheportal.”Tantalusfoldedhisarms.“So?”“IfI’mright,andIthinkIam,oncewereverse-engineerit,oncewefigure
outhowitworks,IcanusethedevicetoopenaportaltowhereverDarquessehappenstobe,andwewon’tevenneedaShuntertodoit.”“Thisisgoodnews,”saidLily,hereyeswidening.“Thisisgreatnews!”Tantalusheldupahand for silence,andkepthiseyesonForby.“That is
goodnews.Iagree.Oritwouldbe,ifweknewwhereDarquesseis.Butwedon’t,dowe?”“Not yet,” said Forby. He glanced at Sebastian, and Sebastian stepped
forward.“We’vebeentalkingaboutthis,”hesaid.Tantalusscowledagain.“Who’swe?”“Forbyandme,”Sebastiansaid.“Andwhatexactlyhaveyoubeendiscussing?”Sebastianchosehiswordscarefully.“Idon’tknowawhole lotabout this
stuff,butIdoknowthatwhileitispossibletotrackenergysignaturesthroughdimensions, to go looking for one, even one as powerful as Darquesse’s,wouldbeawasteoftime.”Forbynodded.“That’strue.”“But then I asked Forby,” Sebastian continued, “if it would be easier to
tracktheFacelessOnesinstead,seeingashowthere’sawholeraceofthem.”Tantalus’seyesnarrowed.“Whywouldwewanttodothat?”“We all know that Darquesse left this reality to find a new challenge.
FightingtheFacelessOneswasthatchallenge.”
“ThePlagueDoctorpositedtheideathatDarquessemightverywellstillbefightingthem,”Forbysaid,“sotofindthemwouldbetofindher.”“Andapparently,that’sentirelypossible.”Sebastianpaused.“Wejustneed
someFacelessOnes’blood.”Tantaluslaughed.“Oh,isthatall?Well,I’llnipdowntotheshops,shallI?
Anyone want anything else while I’m picking up a jar of Faceless Ones’blood?Howareweformilk?”“Iknowwherethere’ssomeblood,”Lilysaid.Theyalllookedather.“There’sascytheintheDarkCathedral,”shesaid.“IsawitonatourItook
there.Theyhaveitsealedoffwithabunchofotherstuff.Thelittlesignsaidthat itwas splatteredwith thebloodofoneof theFacelessOnes that camethroughatAranmore.Wouldthatdo?”SebastianlookedbackatForby,whoshrugged.“Idon’tseewhynot,”hesaid.“So what are you suggesting?” Tantalus asked. “That we break into the
Dark Cathedral and steal this scythe right from under their noses?Do youhave any idea of the amount of security they have?Do you have any ideawhatthey’lldotousiftheycatchus?”“Probablykillus,”saidLily.“Idon’tthinkIshouldgo.”“No one’s going!” Tantalus snapped. “The only way this wouldn’t be a
suicidemissionisifsomeoneknewasecretwayin.Doyou?Doanyofyou?”Beneathhismask,Sebastiansmiled,andraisedhishand.
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Valkyrie woke and lay there, scrabbling for the last threads of a departingdream.Itwasalmostwithinhergrasp–anormaldream,thistime–whenherthoughts tumbled in, filledherhead, sent thedreamscattering.She reachedforthebottleofwaterbythebed,founditempty.Herthroatwasparched.She got up. It was cold. She pulled on her bathrobe, tied it and hugged
herselfassheunlockedherbedroomdoor.Thelandingwasdark.Herfingerstrailed across the wall, finding the three light switches. She pressed themiddleone.The lightcameondownstairs.Huggingherselfagain,shewentdown,narrowinghereyesagainsttheglareuntilshewasusedtoit.Sheleftthelight,walkedthroughthegloomtothekitchen.Shecouldsee
well enough.Xena raised her headwhen she stepped in, just to check, andthenwentbacktosleep.Valkyriesmiledather,openedthefridgeasquietlyaspossible, tookabottleofwater and turned togo.Abyssinia stoodwatchingher.Valkyrieyelled inshockanddroppedthewater,white lightningcrackling
aroundherfingertips.Xenaleapedup,barking,camerunningover, ignoringAbyssinia entirely to sniff at Valkyrie’s legs, tail wagging with suddenexcitement. Abyssinia looked away, her mouth moving, holding aconversationValkyriecouldn’thearwithsomebodyshecouldn’tsee.Valkyrielettheenergydie.Abyssiniawaslookingdown,notatValkyrieat
all.Valkyriewas seeing her, but shewasn’t seeingValkyrie. She started tofade.Inseconds,shewasgone.Valkyriesliddowntothefloor,herbackagainstthefridge.Xenacameand
satbesideher,thenlaidherheadacrossValkyrie’slap.Herfurwaswarmandsoftandreassuring.“Goodgirl,”Valkyriewhispered.“Everything’sgoingtobeallright.Good
girl.”Shereachedforthebottleofwater,andtookaswig.Shestayedlikethatuntilthesuncameup.
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Omenwasamorningperson.Hedidn’tlikegettingoutofbed,butwhenhedidhewasinvariablybrightandoptimistic.Mornings,heoftenthought,wereburstingwith potential.Everymorningwas the start ofwhat could becomethebestdayever.True,thebrightnesstendedtodullalittleoncethedaybegantobeathim
down, and his optimism never lasted that long when faced with thedisappointmentthatcamewithbeingwhohewas,butthatdidn’tchangehowmuch he likedmornings. Especially a Saturdaymorning, when half of thestudentswenthomefortheweekendandtheotherhalfchattedandhungoutandbondedaspeople.Heimagined.This Saturday, however,was determined to squish him before he’d even
hadhisbreakfast.Hisroom-mateshadsnored.Thiswasnotunusual.Whatwasunusualwas
the sheer determination theydisplayed, as if theywereworking together todeny him sleep. From then on, it was oneminor catastrophe after another.He’ddroppedhistoothbrushinthetoilet.Hisphonehadn’tcharged.GrendelCaste sneezed on his breakfast. And now here he was, sitting outside thePrincipal’sOffice.Filament Sclaviwalked by, then stopped and turned round.He sat down
nexttoOmen.“Iheard,”hesaid.“Heardwhat?”Omenasked,eventhoughheknew.“YouaskedoutAxeliaLukt,andAxeliaLuktsaidno.”“Ah,” said Omen. “That’s what you heard. I’m surprised people care
enoughtogossip.”“People gossip even when they don’t care,” said Filament. “It’s what
peopledo.Sohowareyou?Howisyourheart?Isitbroken?”“Naw,”saidOmen.“It’sever-so-slightlydinged.It’sfine.I’mfine.”Filament looked at him. “You don’t have to be brave in front of me,
Omen.”“I’m…not.Iswear.”
Filamentpattedhisarm.“Icanseethatyouarefightingbackthetears.”“I’mreallynot,though.”Filamentsmiledsadly.“Thenwhyisyourlowerlipquivering?”“Ithinkthat’sjustwhatitdoes.”“Youknowwhat?Youshouldaskheragain.”“Youthinkshe’schangedhermind?”“Notyet,butshemightifyoupursueher.Haveyouneverseenaromantic
comedy?Haveyouneverseenthenerdgetthehotgirl?Howdoeshedoit?He proves himself worthy of her affection. He devotes himself to wooingher.”“AmIthenerd?”“Well,you’recertainlynotthehotgirl.”Omenlaughedalittle.“Yeah,Isuppose.”“My sisters – I grew upwith sisters – they love the romantic comedies.
Have you seen 10 Things I Hate About You? Heath Ledger pursues JuliaStiles.YoushouldsingtoAxeliaduringmorningassembly.”“That’saterrificallybadidea.”“APartridgeFamilysong,maybe.”“I’mnotsurewhotheyare.”“They were a musical group. One of my older sisters, she loved David
Cassidywhenshewasateenager.DavidCassidywasinthePartridgeFamily.Accordingtomysister,hewasthemainPartridge.”“Didtheyhavecostumes,or…?”“I don’t know if they dressed up as partridges, I just know the David
Cassidysong.Butyoucan’tdothatsong–thatwasusedinthemovie.Youwantanotherone,asongthatmayoncehavebeencheesy,butnowissortofcool.”“Idon’tthinkI’mgoingtosingtoher,though.”“That’sapity,”saidFilament.“Itwouldwork.I’msureofit.Butthereare
other ways to woo a lady. Send flowers every day. Write her poems. Orappearatherdooroneeveningwithcuecardsprofessingyourlove.”“Isthatwooing,though?Orisit,youknow…stalking?”Filamentfrowned.“Howcanitbestalking?It’sforlove.”“Iget that, Ido,buteverythingyou’vejustmentionedsoundsa little like
harassment. I’d really prefer to be the guywho, you know, is rejected andtheniskindofcoolabout it. Idon’twanther toregretknowingme–that’sbasicallywhat I’m trying tosay. Idon’twant tobe thebadguy,or theguywhocan’ttakethehint.Youknow?”Filamentdidn’trespond.“Filament?”
“Yourwordshavemademesad,”Filamentsaid.“Oh.”“AllthoseromanticcomediesIwatched.”“It’sfineformovies.”“No,”saidFilament.“No.Ishallneverwatchanother.Fromhereonout,it
willbehorrormoviesandonlyhorrormovies.Notevenmusicals.”“MusicalsareOK.”“Maybeoneortwomusicals,likeGrease.”“Greaseisfunny.”“Itwasnicetalkingtoyou,Omen,evenifyoudidmakemesad.”“I’mreallysorryaboutthat.”“Iwilltrytobeasbraveasyou.”“I’mnotbeingbrave,though.”MissWickedapproached.“Filament,” she said, “it’saSaturdaymorning.
DosomethingbetterwithitthansittingoutsidethePrincipal’sOffice.”“Yes,miss,”Filamentsaid,andhurriedaway.MissWickedfrownedatOmen.“It’steno’clock.Whyareyououthere?”“I,um,Ihaven’tbeentoldtogoin.”“Ourappointmentisforten,”sheresponded,stridingtothedoor.“Wegoin
atten.”ShewalkedinandOmenhoppedupandhurriedafterher.He’d never been in PrincipalRubic’s office before.Hewas immediately
struckby thenumberofbookson theshelvesand thehugewindowbehindthedesk.Rubichimselfsatathisdesk,anelderlymanwithafacethatlongedforabearditdidn’thave.Standingbeforehimwasatallmanwithdarkhairsweptbackoffahighforehead,amanwholookedjustlikehisson.“Ah,MissWicked,Omen,”saidRubic,wavingthemin,“Iwasjustabout
tocallforyou.Ofcourse,youwillbothrecogniseGrandMageIspolin,herefromtheBulgarianSanctuary.TheGrandMageis,verynaturally,concernedaboutJenan’swell-being.”“It’sbeen sevenmonths,” Ispolin said, “andnothinghasbeendone.”His
accent,likethatofsomanysorcerers,wasbothdistinctandsoft,theresultofhundredsofyearsofliving.“Mysonremainsmissing,andthiswomanisstillteachingatthisschool.I’mheretodemandanswers.”“Ofcourse,”Rubicsaid,“ofcourse.Yourconcernisunderstandable.”“For seven months, I have been met with nothing but excuses from the
HighSanctuary.”Rubicnoddedsadly.“Investigationsofthisnaturedo,unfortunately,tendto
takealotoftime,GrandMage.”
“Iamawareoftheamountoftimeinvestigationstake,”Ispolinsaidslowly.“WhatIaminterestedinlearningiswhythiswomanisstillemployedhere.”“Ibelieveyouknowmyname,”MissWickedsaid.Ispolinlookedup.“What?”“Myname,”shesaid.“Ibelieveyouknowit.Pleaseuseit.Everytimeyou
say ‘thiswoman’ I look around,wonderingwhoyou’re talking about. I amhere,Igather,becauseofthealtercationoutsidetheboys’dormitories.Isthatright?”“That’sright,”Ispolinsaid.“WhenyouattackedJenan.Is thisthetypeof
teacher you have here, Mr Rubic? One who goes around assaulting yourstudents?”Omenclearedhis throat to speak, but couldonly croak. Ispolinglared at
him.“Yes?Youhavesomethingtocontribute?”“I’msureOmenwasabouttoremindyouthatthealtercationbeganwhen
yoursonattackedhim,”saidMissWicked.Ispolinsneered.“Soheclaims.”“Now,now,”saidRubic,“wehavenoreasontodoubtMrDarkly’sversion
ofevents.”“Jenanattackedme,”Omenwhispered.Ispolinfoldedhisarms.“AndIsaythatyouarealiar.”Omenflushedred.“Lookathisface,”Ispolinsaid.“Onlytheguiltyblush.”“Nonsense,”saidMissWicked.“Omenblushesatthementionofhisown
name. Please don’tmakemy student feel anymore uncomfortable than healreadydoes,GrandMageIspolin.Blushingmeansnothing,andOmenisnotaliar.”“Howcanyoubesosure?”Ispolinfiredback.“HisbrotheristheChosen
One,isn’the?Jenantoldmeallabouthim,and,fromwhereIstand,thisisaboywhohasbeenstarvedofattentionhisentire life.Hisbrother is theonepeopleknow.Hisbrotheristheonepeopleremember.Butthisboyhereissodesperate for a moment in the spotlight that he has fabricated this entirestory.”“Ididn’t,”Omensaid,shakinghishead.“You’realiar!”“GrandMage!”Rubicsaid,risingslightlyinhischair,“Imustaskyouto
calmyourself!”“Iwanthimexpelled.”Rubicfrowned,andsatbackagain.“I…GrandMage,Icannotdothat.”“IwanthimexpelledandIwantherfired.”
“GrandMage,please…”MissWicked adjusted the sleeve of her blouse. “Are we done with this
nonsense?”Rubicheldupahand.“Justamoment—”MissWickedignoredhim,andfocusedonIspolin.“Iwalkedbyandfound
Jenan choking the life out of Omen. I intervened. Jenan proceeded tophysicallyattackme.Irestrainedhim.”“Younearlybrokehisarm!”“It could have been far, far worse. Headmaster, you realise this, do you
not?IcouldhavehurtJenanfar,farworsethanIdid?”“Ofcourse,”Rubicsighed.“Inwhichcase,Irestrainedhimwithanadmirableamountof,dareIsayit,
restraint. Forwhich I should be thanked.Of course, I don’t do this for thethanks.Idothisfortheloveofteaching,ofmouldingyoungminds.”“If this happened theway you say it happened,” said Ispolin, “then you
won’tmindaSensitiveverifyingittobethetruth.”Miss Wicked smiled. “No Sensitive is going to poke around inside my
head,GrandMage.Youarejustgoingtohavetotakemywordforit,asaneducator.”“I’mafraidIcan’tdothat.”“I’mafraidyoudon’t actuallyhaveachoice,” saidRubic. “MissWicked
hasbeenbeforeaReviewBoard,andwehaveclearedherofanywrongdoing.GrandMage,wehave taken thismeetingwithyouasacourtesy,butpleasedon’tbeunderanyillusionthatyouhaveanysortofjurisdictionhere.”Ispolinglowered,andRubicturnedtoOmenandMissWicked.“Thankyoubothforcoming.”MissWickedgaveacurtnod,andledthewaytothedoor.“Not the boy,” said Ispolin. Omen turned. “She can leave, but I haven’t
finishedwiththeboy.”OmenlookedtoMissWickedforhelp,butherfacewasimpassive.“Very well,” said Rubic, sighing. “Omen, stay behind a moment, would
you?”“Iwilltakemyleaveofyou,”saidMissWicked,openingthedoor.“But,as
Ihadforeseensomethinglikethisoccurring,Ihavearrangedforsomeonetocomeinandspeakontheboy’sbehalf.”Sheleft,andOmenfrowned.Thenheheardfootsteps.Familiarfootsteps.They entered the roomwith a flourish –EmmelineDarkly andCaddock
Sirroco,grandandgood-lookingandimperious.Theroomseemedtoshrinkaround them, like a lens being refocused.Rubic stoodupquickly and evenIspolindiminishedslightlyintheirpresence.
“Hi,Mum,”saidOmen.“Hi,Dad.”Hismotherthrewhimasharpglance,buthisfatherwastoobusylooking
furioustoacknowledgehim.“Wewere listening,”Caddocksaid, turninghisgazeon theGrandMage.
“Soyouhaven’tfinishedwiththeboy,haveyou?Theboy?”Ispolinbristled.“Ihavealegitimategrievanceto—”“The boy is our son,” Emmeline cut in. “The boy is a Darkly, and his
brotherisdestinedtosavetheworld.Youshouldbethankinghim.Youshouldbethankingusforourveryexistence.”“Instead,” Caddock said, “we find ourselves being dragged from our
commitments – at theweekend– to defendour son for,what, exactly?Forsurvivingyourson’sattempttomurderhim?”“Howdareyou—”“Howdarewe?”Emmelineshotback.“Howdarewewhat?Howdarewe
sidewiththetruth?”“Jenandidnotattackanyone.”“Jenan is part of the First Wave,” Emmeline said. “That’s what they’re
callingthemselvesnow,isitnot,thislittlegroupofterroristsformedhere,attheAcademy, by Parthenios Lilt? The headmaster has enough questions toanswerabouthowheallowedthismantoteachhere,howheallowedthisrotto fester in his own school, and they are questions that hewill answer, buttoday,MrIspolin,wearefocusingonyouandyourson.”Ispolin smoothed down his tie, though it looked perfectly smooth from
whereOmenwas standing. “Jenan is easily led. His friends pressured himintojoining.It’sthisteacher,thisLilt,whoisresponsibleforwhathappened.”“I don’t think you’re giving Jenan enough credit,” Caddock said.
“Everythingwe’veheard indicates thathe’sanatural leader–andnowhe’swith this Abyssinia person, in a flying prison populated by convicts andcriminals. He’s the enemy,Mr Ispolin.We didn’t do that to him. Our sondidn’tdothattohim.Hedidthattohimself.”Ispolinglared.“It’sGrandMage,”hesaid.“GrandMageIspolin.Youwill
refertomeassuch.”Emmelineobservedhimwithasneeronher lips,and turned toRubic.“I
presumewearedonehere,MrRubic.”Itwasnotaquestion.“Of course,” Rubic said, nodding quickly. “Thank you for coming in.
Omen,wouldyouseeyourparentstothegate?There’sagoodlad.”
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“I’msorryabout that,”Omensaid tohisparentsas theywalkedawayfromRubic’soffice.“Iknowhowbusyyouare.”“We are very busy,” said Emmeline, examining everything that they
passed.“Pleasetellthatteachernottocallonusagain.”“Iwill,”saidOmen,thoughheknewhewouldn’t.“Where’sAuger?”Caddockasked.“Wewerehopingtoseehimbeforewe
left.”“I’mnotsure,”Omensaid.“Icanpassonamessage,ifyoulike.”“Wedon’thaveamessage,”saidEmmeline.“Wejustwanted toseehim.
Nevermind.”“Icould showyouaround,”Omensuggestedbrightly. “Ifyouhave time,
like.Ifyou’renotrushingback.”“Wearerushingback,”Caddocksaid.“Oh,OK.I’llwalkyouout,then.”Theywalkedon,Caddockafewstepsinfront.Silencedescended.“Howareyourclassesgoing?”hismotheraskedeventually.“Good,” Omen responded. He wondered for a moment if they’d heard
about his failed test. But no.His parentswere formidable people, but theyweren’tomnipotent. “Reallygood.They’reallgoingwell.Evenmaths, andI’mterribleatmaths.”“Areyou?”“Um,yes.I’vealwaysbeenterribleatmaths.Remember?”“Ofcourse,”EmmelinesaidinatonethatletOmenknowshedidn’t,notat
all.“Andthat’sgoingwellforyou,isit?”“Yep.Imean,Istilldon’tunderstandmostofit,butIdon’tthinkthat’stoo
important.”Caddock looked back. “You don’t think understanding maths is
important?”Omen shrugged. “Not really. As long as the numbers fit, that’s the only
thingthatmatters,isn’tit?”
Caddock sighed irritably, a sound Omen knew only too well.“Understanding a subject enables you to master the subject. What you’redoing is skating along the surface of your education, Omen. It’s time youcommitted.It’stimeyoutookitseriously.”“OK,”Omensaidquietly.“Augertakeshisstudiesseriously,”Caddockcontinued.“Wouldn’tyoulike
tobelikethat?”“Isuppose.”“There you go again. Humming and hawing. You’ve got to be more
decisive.Youcan’tgothroughyourlifelikethis.Bedefinite.Dosomething.Committosomething.”“I’lltry.”CaddockturnedandOmenhadtostopquicklytoavoidbumpingintohim.
“You’renotlisteningtomeatall,areyou?”“Iam.”“You’rehearingme,you’rejustnotlisteningtome.”“I’mgoingtobelate,”Emmelinesaid,glancingatherwatch.“Omen,do
something with your life, will you? Auger volunteers for things; he getsinvolved inextra-curricularactivities.Heputs thework inat school,buthealsohassomanyoutsideinterests.Bemorelikethat.Nowwehavetogo.”“OK,”saidOmen,watchingthemwalkonwithouthim.Thentheyturneda
cornerandtheyweregoneand,asusual,hewasleftfeelingcuriouslyempty.Hedidn’tknowwhattodosohewentwalking.Heshouldhavebeenused
toitbynow,hisparents’abilitytorobhimofhimself.InthesamewaythatIspolin had seemed diminished around them, Omen became lesser in theirpresence.Smaller.Evenmoreinsignificant.Hewishedithadgoneonlonger,theirdefenceofhim.EventhoughheknewtheiroutragewasactuallyaboutIspolin’sassaultonthefamilyname,hehadenjoyedlisteningtotheirwords.Ithadalmostbeenliketheycared.Ithadalmostbeenliketheyapprovedofhim.But of course they didn’t. Their approvalwas reserved solely forAuger
who,Omenadmitted,morethandeservedit.Notforthefirsttime,though,hewonderedwhathe’dbelikeasapersonif
he’d had his parents’ approval.Would he bemore confident?Would he bemorepopular?Wouldhebemoredaring?MissGnosiswassettingupa tableoutside thedininghall, a tablewitha
blankclipboardrestingonit.HelikedMissGnosis.She’dmadehimrethinkhisattitudetowardsNecromancers.Sure,herdisciplinewasdeathmagicandsheworeblacklikeallNecromancers,butshewasbrightandfunandareally
goodteacher.Plus,shehadredhairandshewasinhertwenties,andshestillhadherstrongScottishaccent.“Goodmorning,Omen,”shesaid.Shepursedherlipsandturnedherhead
slightly,lookingathimfromanewangle.“EverythingOK?Youlookalittledowninthedumps.”“I’mfine.Iwasjust…No,I’mfine.”“IheardaboutAxelia.”“Seriously?”saidOmen.“Eventheteachershaveheard?”“Staffroomsaresadplacesunlesswehavesomethingtogossipabout.Guys
likeyou,Omen,theygetthegirlslaterinlife.Youjustwaittillyouhityourtwenties.”He blushed, and tried to hide his smile by nodding to the clipboard.
“What’sthisabout?”Miss Gnosis held it out. “We’re collecting food and blankets for the
Leibnizrefugees.Wouldyouliketosignup?We’regoingdowntothecamponMondaytodistributewhateverwe’vegot,andweneedallthehelpwecanget.Youinterested?”“Would…wouldthiscountas,like,anextra-curricularactivity?”“It’spracticallythedefinitionoftheword.”“Andsigningupforit,thatwouldbeacommitment,wouldn’tit?”“Itcertainlywould.”“Yes,”saidOmen,andpaused.Thenhesaid,“Yes,”again,moreforcefully.“Goodman,”saidMissGnosis.“I’lldoit.”“Allrightthen.”“I’llhelp.”“Ihavetotellyou,Omen,thissoundslikeit’sabiggerdealtoyouthanitis
tome.Putyournamedowntherelikeagoodlad,andI’llexplainwhatyou’llhavetodo.”
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ValkyriewascurleduponthecouchwithXena,watchingSaturdayeveningTV,whenshesawSkulduggerydropslowlyfromtheskyandlandoutsidethewindow.Shemovedthedogtoonesideandgotup,paddedonbarefeettothehall
andopenedthedoor.Skulduggery’sjackethadbulletholesinit.“Youlooklikeyou’vehadfun,”shesaid,leaningagainstthedoorjamb.“Ipunchedmanybandits,”Skulduggeryresponded.“Temperdid,too,butI
punchedmore.Not that itwas a competition. But, if it had been, I’d havewon.”“Well,I’mproudofyouforwinningwhatwasn’tacompetition.Haveall
therefugeespassedthroughtheportal?”“Not even close.By the timewewere returning, therewereperhaps two
thousandwaitingtogothrough,withplentymorearrivingeveryfewminutes.ChinafinallysentinabattalionofCleaverstoofferprotection.”“Well, that was nice of her,” said Valkyrie. “Any sign of Mevolent’s
army?”“Notsofar.”“Well,youknow,begratefulforsmallmercies,orwhateveritisthatpeople
say.Also,haveyouseenyourjacket?”“Ah,”hesaid,“yes.Mostunfortunate.”“Doyouevenhaveanyonetofixitanymore?”“Ofcourse.Ghastlywasn’ttheonlytailorintown–justthebest.Isee,by
theway,thattheBentleyisinonepiece.”“Naturally,” said Valkyrie, taking the car keys from the side table and
handing them over. “When I borrow something, I return it in pristinecondition,andIamshockedthatyouwouldeverdoubtme.”“Ineverdoubtyou,”hereplied,andhandedherakeyinreturn.Sheraisedaneyebrow.“What’sthis?”“Aspare,”hesaid,“fortheBentley.IncaseIeverlosemyown.”“You’regivingmeakeytoyourcar?”
“Justtomind.”“Doesthismeanwe’renowsharingtheBentley?”Skulduggerystiffened.“Dearme,no.Notintheslightest.”She clutched the key to her chest. “You mean I now own the Bentley?
You’regivinghertome?”“OK,I’mchangingmymindaboutthiswholething,”hesaid,andreached
forthekey.“Notakebacksies,”saidValkyrie,andshutthedoor.
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ThePresidentoftheUnitedStateswasinabad,badmood.MartinMaynardFlaneryhadbeenelectedfairandsquareand,tryasthey
might, the leftist losers and the liberalmedia couldn’t take that away fromhim.Hispresidencywasbeyondlegitimate.Hehadwontheelectoralcollegeon
a scale no one had ever seen before or even dreamedpossible. Yet he haddoneit,becausehewassmarterthaneveryoneelse,shrewderthaneveryoneelse,andsmarterthaneveryoneelse.Hewasawinner.“I’m a winner,” he said to the Oval Office, but the Oval Office didn’t
respond.Therewasaknockononeofthedoors.“Notnow!”hecalledout.Beyondthatdoorwasalineofpeople,allwith
demands on his time, with reports and briefings and files and folders thatwould clutter up his perfectly bare desk.Hedidn’twant to let them in.Hecould feel them hovering out there, full of nervous energy that would getunderhisskin.Eventhinkingaboutitmadehimuncomfortable.Flanerystood,wenttothewindow,staredoutthroughthebulletproofglass.
Fromhere,hecouldseeSecretServiceagents,sworntoprotecthim,trainedtogivetheirlivesforhis.Butwouldthey?Wouldtheydietoprotecthim?Henarrowedhiseyes.He
couldn’ttrustthemtodowhatthey’dsworntodo.Ifhistimeaspresidenthadtaughthimanything,itwasthathecouldn’ttrustanyone.Hehadenemieseverywhere.Therewasaknockontheotherdoor,and,beforehecouldorderthemtogo
away,thedooropenedandWilkesslippedin.“I’mnottobedisturbed,”Flanerysnapped.“Oh,”saidWilkes,freezinginmidstep.Helookedaround,eyesflickingto
theemptydesk.“What…whatareyoudoing?”Rageboiled.“Youdon’taskmequestions!”Flanerysnarled.“No,sir,”saidWilkes,immediatelywilting.“Sorry,sir.”
Flanery gripped the back of his chair. “I’m thinking,” he said. “I’mplanning.I’mdeciding.I’mdoingmanythings.”“Yes,sir,”saidWilkes.“Um,I’vereceivedrequestsfromafewmembersof
staff.Theyreallyneedtospeaktoyouonsomeprettyurgentmatters…”Itwaspitiful,thewayhestoodthere,riddledwithweakness.Flaneryhated
weakness.HehatedWilkes.“Haveyouhandledthewitch?”Flaneryasked.Wilkeswinced.Hedidn’t like talkingabout thewitch in theOvalOffice.
He’devenproposedtheyusecodewords.Flaneryenjoyedseeinghimsquirm.“Sheisundercontrol,yes,sir.”“Howcanwebesureshewon’trefusemyordersagain?”“I,um,Imadeitveryclearwhattherepercussionswouldbe.”“Whatdidyousay?”“I,ah,relayed,uh,whatwehaddiscussedin—”“Uh!”Flanery blurted. “I relayedwhat we had, uh, duh, duhhh…Why
can’tyoujustanswerthequestion,eh?Whycan’tyoudothat?Whatdidyoutellher?”Wilkesswallowed.“ItoldMagentathatifsheeverdisobeyedyourorders
again,she’dneverseeherfamily.”“Andwhatdidshesay?”“She… she started crying, Mr President. She apologised, and said she
woulddoasshewastoldinfuture.”Flanerypursedhislips.“Shecried,didshe?”“Yes,sir.”Hesmiled.“I’dhave liked tohaveseen that. Ibet thatwassomething to
see,thishigh-and-mightywitchreducedtotears.Wassheonherkneeswhenshewascrying?”“Um…no,sir.”“Nexttime,makesureshe’sonherknees.”“Yes,sir.”Flanerysatbehindhisdeskagain.“IwantyoutocallAbyssinia,”hesaid.
“TellherI’vedecidedtomoveuptheoperation.”Wilkeswentpale.“Sir?”Flanery pretended not to notice his shock. “The mainstream media are
producingmorefakepollssayingI’mthemostunpopularpresidentinhistory.They’returningthepeopleagainstme,Wilkes.”“Thepeopleloveyou,sir.”“Iknowthat!”Flanerysnapped,hisangerrisingagain.“Butthey’rebeing
liedto.They’rebeingmisled.Weneedtodosomethingtounitethecountry
behindme.Somoveuptheoperation.”Wilkeshesitated,andFlaneryglared.“Well?”“MrPresident,”Wilkessaid,“thatmightnotbepossible.Theplanis…is
delicate,sir.WehavetogetourpeopleinplaceandAbyssiniahastogetherpeopleinplace,andthetiminghastobejustright.”“They’recallingmethemostunpopularpresidentinhistory,andyouwant
metowaitontiming?”“Sir,Abyssinia’splanrequires—”FlaneryleapedupandWilkesflinched.“Abyssinia’splan?”Flaneryroared.“Abyssinia’s?Thisismyplan!I’mthe
onewhothoughtitup!I’mthegeniushere!She’snothingbutanotherwitch!Whatdowedowithwitches,Wilkes?Whatdowedowiththem?Wemakethemgetontheirkneesandweep.Isn’tthatright?”“Yes…yes,sir.”“Andthenwhatdowedowiththem?”“I’m…Idon’tknow…”“Weburn’em,Wilkes.Weburnthewitches.”“Yes,sir.”“Thesamegoesforthefreaksandweirdosandsorcerersandwhateverelse
they’recalled.They’reallgonnaburn,Wilkes,andwhen theydo theentirecountrywillstandbehindmeand they’llshoutmynameand theywill loveme.”“Yes,sir.”Wilkeswouldn’tmeetFlanery’seyes.
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The fifteen-minute drive to Haggard took over twenty minutes. Valkyriedecided on the scenic route, right along the coast, the road clinging to theshoreline like thehemofadress.Therewasaboaton thewater,somebodyparasailing.Itlookedfun.Shecouldhavedrivenforhours,butHaggardreachedforher,pulledherin,
andnomatterhowslowshewent,herchildhoodhomedrewcloser,untilshewassuddenlyparkedoutside.Sheturnedofftheengineandtookabreath.Shewasexcitedtoseeherfamily.Shewantedtoseethem.Buttherewasapartofherthatcrouchedintheshadowsofhermind,andthatpartwhisperedtoher,tellingher to turnround, to leavetheminpeace.They’dbehappierwithouther,itsaid.They’dbehappierifsheleftthemalone.Safer.She’dkilledherownsister,afterall,justsothatshecoulduseaweapon.It
didn’treallymatterthatshe’dresuscitatedherimmediatelyafterwards.Whatkind of person, the voice whispered, could bring themselves to do that tosomeonetheyloved?Valkyriegotoutofthecar,slammedthedoorshut.Shewasn’tgoingtolet
the voice win today. She wasn’t going to let all those bad feelings comecrashingdownonher,liketheyhadsomanytimesinthepast.Shewasgettingbetter.Shewalkeduptothefrontdoorandpaused,immersedinafeelingshestill
hadn’t become familiar with. This was her home and yet it wasn’t. Herchildhoodlivedhere.TheyounggirlcalledStephanieEdgleylivedhere.Thiswaswhere she’dwatchedTVand readher books anddoneher homework.Thisiswhereshe’dlistenedtohermumanddadcrackjokesandriffoffeachother.Thiswaswhereherlittlesisterhurtledaroundtheplace.Thiswasthehousewherenormallived.Shewalked in.Thehousewaswarm,andsmelledofgoodfoodcooking.
She went immediately to the kitchen. Her mumwas chopping carrots, herbacktoher.Valkyrieopenedhermouthtosaysomething,andrealisedshedidn’tknow
whatthatsomethingshouldbe.Shewaitedforthechoppingtostop,thenshe
justsaid,“Heya.”Her mum looked round, and a smile broke out and she hurried over.
“Sweetheart,”shesaid,wrappingValkyrieinherarms.Valkyriespentsolongtrying to figureouthowmuchpressure toapply toherownhug that itwasoverbeforeshe’dreallycommittedtoit.“Doyouwantacupoftea?”hermotherasked.“Sitdown,I’llputthekettle
on.”Valkyrienoddedandsmiledashermumbusiedherselfwiththemechanics
of tea-making. The kitchen looked exactly the same, apart from therefrigerator.Therefrigeratorwasdifferent.“Yougotanewfridge,”Valkyriesaid.“Hmm?Oh,yes.Well,threeorfouryearsago.Didn’tyouseeitwhenyou
werehereforyourbirthday?”“Idon’tthinkIcameintothekitchen.”“Oh,well, there it is: thesort-of-newfridge.Now,dinnerwon’tbe ready
foraboutahalf-hourorso.Areyouhungry?Ithinkwehavesomebiscuits,unlessyourfatheratethem.”“I’mOK.”“You’resure?They’rechocolatechip.”“I’mfine.”Thefrontdooropenedandclosed.“There’sastrangecarparkedoutside,”cameherfather’svoice.“Weshould
beonthelookoutforoddpeopleactingoddlyintheneighbourhood.”Hewalkedin,grinning.“Hi,Dad,”saidValkyrie.“Hello,oddball,”herfatherreplied,comingovertogiveherahug.“Good
God!It’slikehuggingastatue.Melissa,you’vegottotrythis.”“We’vealreadyhugged.”“It’slikehuggingastatue!”“Yes,dear.”“Obviously,astatuethatI loveverymuch,andawonderfulstatuefullof
lifeandwarmthandallthoseotherthings,butholyGod,thosearesomehardmuscles.”HepokedValkyrie’sarm.“Ow,Dad.”“Sorry,”hesaid,thenpokedagain.“Ow.”“Sorry.”“Des,stoppokingher.”“Right, yes,” he said, and stepped away.He poked his own arm and his
facefell.“Whydon’tIhavemuscleslikethat?”
Valkyrie’smumpassedheramugoftea.“Becauseyoudon’tworkoutlikeyourdaughterdoes.”“Butwhycan’ttheybehereditary?”“That’snothowhereditaryworks.Thingsarepasseddown,notup.”“StupidDNA,”hegrumbled.“DoIatleastgetacupoftea?”“Youdoifyoumakeityourself,”saidhermum.“ImadeoneforStephanie
becauseshe’saguest.”“No, she’s not. This is her home and I, for one, refuse to treat her any
differently.Stephanie,fetchmemypipeandslippers.”“No.”“Ah,goon.”“Youdon’tevenhaveapipe,”Valkyriesaid.“Myslippers,then.”“Idon’tfetch,Dad.I’mnotadog.”“Whereisyourdog,bytheway?Didyoubringher?”“She’sathome,guardingthehouse.”“Andhowislifeupwhereyoulive?Upthereinforeignclimes,withyour
strangecustomsandlanguageandeverything?”“It’sfifteenminutesaway.”“Whichbegsthequestion:whyhaven’tyoubeendowntoseeusmore?”“I’vejustbeenbusy,that’sall.”“Toobusytocallinonyourwaypast?”“Des,”hermumsaid,“shekeepsunconventionalhours,remember.”Her dad shrugged. “Ah, yeah, but we’ve barely seen her in six months.
How’swork?”“It’sOK.Imean…yeah,it’sOK.I’vebeeneasingbackintoit.”“Savedtheworldlately?”“Notquite.Butworkingonit.”Hermumleanedforwardslightly.“Youarekeepingsafe,aren’tyou?You
wouldn’tdoanythingsillynow.”“No,Mum.I’mkeepingsafe.”“BecauseIstillhavenightmaresabout—”“Heynow,”herdadsaid.“Wehadanagreement,didn’twe?Wedon’ttalk
about that day at the dinner table. It puts everyone off their food and putssomeofusinabadmood.Besides,wehavetowatchwhatwesayaroundthemunchkin.”And, right on cue, Alice came running into the room. “Stephanie!” she
cried,delighted.“Heythere,”saidValkyrie,gettingoffherchairjustintimetocatchAlice
inahug.Shelaughedasherlittlesistersqueezedherwithallhertinymight.
“Iloveyourtop.”“Thankyou,”saidAlice,steppingback,fullattentionnowonherclothes.
“Doyoulikethesequins?Theycatchthelight.”“Theydocatchthelight,”Valkyriesaid.“That’saverygrown-upthingto
say.They’relovely.”“Thankyou.Doyouwanttoseemyshoes?Lookattheheels.”“Oh!Theyhavelights!”“Redlightsandorangelights,”saidAlice.“Doyouwishyouhadlightsin
yourshoes?”“Ido.Ireallydo.”“Theydon’tmakethemforgrown-ups,though,Idon’tthink.Mom,dothey
makethemforgrown-ups?”“Idon’tthinkso,”saidValkyrie’smother.Alicenodded.“Theydon’t.They’reonlyforsmallfeetlikemine.”Valkyrieraisedaneyebrowathermother.“Mom?”Melissasighed.“Allthekidscalltheirmumsmomthesedays.Ithinkthe
youngmomskindofencourageit.”“Do youwant to seemy dolls?”Alice asked. “I have princess dolls and
soldierdolls.Today,theprincessdollsrescuedthesoldierdollsfromtheevildragon.”“Soundsexciting,”saidValkyrie.“It’sveryexciting.Wouldyouloveitverymuchtoplaywithme?”“Iwouldloveitverymuch.”“Holdon,holdon,”Desmondsaid.“Don’trushoffyet.Youcanplaydolls
withStephanieafterdinner,OK?”“ButcanIshowStephaniemyroom?”Desmondsighed.“Ofcourseyoucan.”AlicetookValkyrie’shandandledherupstairs,toValkyrie’soldbedroom.
Thewallswerelightbluewithinterlockingrainbowstracedalongtheborders.Itwasthesamebedwithbrightersheets,thesamebedsidetableanddresser.Thesamewardrobe.Valkyrieopenedthewardrobe.Therewasanewmirrorontheinsidedoor,
to replace the smashedone, theoneher reflectionused to stepoutof.ThatwasoneofthemainsecretsValkyriestillkeptfromherparents,thefactthattheyhadhadaduplicatedaughterlivingwiththemforyearsandtheyneversuspectedshewasn’ttherealthing.“Doyoulikemyclothes?”Aliceasked.“Ido,”saidValkyrie,andclosedthewardrobe.“Thisusedtobemyroom.
Therewerebookseverywhereandweirdpostersonthewalls…YoukeepitalottidierthanIeverdid.”
Alice nodded. “That’s what Mom says.” She picked up a small doll,dressed in greenwithwings and pointed ears. “This is Sparkles. She’smyfairy.”“Ilikeherwings.”“Sheusesthemtofly.Whentherearenohumansaround,Sparklescomes
alive,butwhenhumanscomeback,shehastopretendtobeatoyagain.”“That’sprettycool,”Valkyriesaid,sittingonthebed.“Issheyourfriend?”Alicenodded.“Mybestfriend,alongwithMollyandAlexinschool.”“Wow,you’vegotalotoffriends.”“It’simportanttohavefriends.TheylikemebecauseI’malwayshappy.”Valkyriesmiled.“Always?Younevergetsad?”Alice frowned. “I don’t think so. Molly and Alex are sad sometimes.
Sometimesthey’renotfriends,andtheygetsadbecauseofthat.ButInevergetsad,evenwhenpeoplearen’tfriendswithme.”“You’reasmartgirl.”“Doyougetsad?”“Sometimes.”“Youshouldbehappylikeme.”“Ishould,shouldn’tI?”“Whatdoyougetsadabout?”“Differentthings.Butitallgoesaway,isn’tthatright?Evenwhenyou’re
reallysadaboutsomething,youalwaysfeelbetterafterawhile.”“Idon’tknow,”saidAlice,lookingpuzzled.“I’malwayshappy,Isaid.”Valkyrielaughed.“Ofcourse.Sorry.Iforgot.”“Doyouwanttoseemyothertoys?”“Sure.”Theystayedupthereuntiltheywerecalleddownstairs.Inthekitchen,the
tablewasalreadysetandMelissawascarvingtheroastchicken.Valkyrie’sstomachrumbled.“Oh,wow,thatsmellsamazing.”“Howamazing?”Desmondsaid,hiseyesnarrowing.“Veryamazing.”“Then would you be interested in a trade? This dinner for a teeny, tiny
favour?”“Des,”Melissasaid.“She’sgettingthedinneranyway.Shedoesn’thaveto
doanythingforit.She’sourdaughter.”“Whatfavourwouldthatbe?”Valkyrieasked,tensingdespiteherself.Herparentsexchangedaglance.“We were wondering if you’d be free to babysit on Thursday,”Melissa
said. “It’s our anniversary, and we thought we’d spend the day gettingpamperedintheLakeviewHotel.”
Valkyriehesitated.“Babysit?”“Ifyou’renottoobusy.”ShelookedatAlice.“Babysitthissquirt?”“I’mnotasquirt,”Alicesaid,frowning.“You’dhavetopickherupfromschoolatquartertothree,”Melissasaid,
“andwe’dbegoneuntilthenextmorning.”“SoIpickupthissquirtfromschool,andthenIgettospendtherestofthe
daywithher?Andshegetstospendthenightatmyhouse?”Alice’seyeswidened.“Yourhouse?WouldIhavemyownbed?”“You’dprobablyhaveto,wouldn’tyou?”Alicenoddedquickly.Valkyriegrinned,andshruggedtoherfolks.“IthinkIcouldmanagethat.”“Yay!”Alicecried,thrustingbothhandsintheairanddancing.Melissalaughed.“Everyonesit.Hopeyou’reallhungry.”“I’mstarving,”saidValkyrie.“I’mstarving,too,”saidAlice.Valkyrie sat at the table in her usual spot. It felt strange, especiallywith
Alicesettling into thechairbesideher.ButassoonasAlicewasseatedshehoppedupagain.“IforgotSparkles!”shesaid,andranupstairs.“HaveyoumetSparkles?”herdadasked,helpingMelissaservedinner.“Ihave.”“All her schoolfriends have them. They’re like that elf, you know, at
Christmas, that comes alive when all the humans leave the room? Creepylittlethings.Expensive,too.Youneverhadanythinglikethatwhenyouwereakid,didyou?”“Nope,” said Valkyrie. “No elves. No fairies. I didn’t even have an
imaginaryfriend.”“Idid,” saidDesmond. “HisnamewasBarry.Hewasalwaysgettingme
intotrouble.”“I didn’t have time to have an imaginary friend,”Melissa said. “I had a
very full social calendar, even back then. I’ve always had lots of friends,actually.ThenIgotmarriedandtheyallkindofdriftedaway.”Desmondgrinned.“That’stheeffectIhaveonpeople.”“Iknowyou’rejoking,”Melissasaid,“butyoucanbequiterude.”“It’snotme,”Desmondprotested.“It’sBarry.”Melissasighed.“Gordonwasthesame.Awonderfulman,suchabigheart,
butcompletelyoblivious.”“Yeah,”saidDesmond,“weEdgleymenaregreat.”
TherewasaknockonthedoorandDesmondwenttoanswerit.MelissaputaplateoffoodinfrontofValkyrie.Roastchicken,roastvegetables,peas,andthemostperfectlyroastedpotatoes.“Thankyou,”saidValkyrie.“Um,”saidMelissa.“Yes?”Her mum winced. “We should have told you. I thought it’d be a nice
surprise,butIregretnownottellingyou.”“Nottellingmewhat?”“Thatwasa lie. Ididn’t tellyoubecause Iwanted it tobea surprise– I
didn’ttellyoubecauseIthoughtyoumightsayno.”“Saynotowhat?”DesmondcamebackintothekitchenandSkulduggerysteppedinafterhim,
hishatinhishand.“SorryI’mlate,”hesaid.
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Valkyriefrowned.“Idon’tgetit.”“WeinvitedSkulduggery,”Melissasaid.“Youdid?”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Youdidn’tknow?”Valkyrieheldupahandtohim.“Holdon,you.”Then,toherparents,“How
didyouinvitehim?”“Wecalledhimlastnight,”saidhermum.“Howdoyouhavehisnumber?”“Yougaveittous,remember?Incaseyou…weren’tincontactwithusfor
anylengthoftime.”Valkyrienarrowedhereyes.“Youwereonlysupposedtouseit incaseof
emergencies.”“Thisisanemergency,”Desmondsaid.“Asocialemergency.Wethoughtit
wasimportantthatweallsitdownand…chat.Aboutthings.”“Doyoumind?”Melissa asked. “Skulduggery is such a big part of your
life.Wewanttogettoknowhim–andwewanttogettoknowyou.Doesthatmakesense?Isthatweird?”“It’s not weird, no, but it’s …” Valkyrie shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.
Skulduggery,takeaseat.”“Thankyou,”Skulduggerysaid.“Ithoughtyouknew.”“It’scool.”“Ihaven’tbeeninvitedtodinnerinaboutthreehundredyears,soIsaidyes
withoutevenbotheringtocheck.”“People don’t invite you to dinner?” Desmond asked, putting a plate of
foodinfrontofhim.“Idon’teat,”Skulduggerysaid,andDesmondnodded,and took the food
away. Alice came down the stairs and Skulduggery activated his façade,turningtoherwhensheranin.“Hello.”“Hello,”shesaid.Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Whyareyousoshort?”“I’monlyseven,”Alicesaid.
“That’snoexcuse.WhenIwasyourage, Iwas twiceas tallasyou.Youshouldgrowtaller.”“Iwill,whenI’molder.”“You’renotjustbeinglazy,areyou?”“No.”“Doyoupromise?”“Ipromise.”“Comeoverhere.”Withouthesitation,Alicecrossedtheroom.“Myname isSkulduggery,”Skulduggery said. “It’s a bigword.Canyou
sayit?”“Skuduggery.”“Skulduggery.”“Skulduggery.”“Verygood.Andyou areAlice.We’vemet before,whenyouwere even
smallerthanyouarenow.YouwereababythelasttimeIsawyou.”“NowI’mseven.”“That’s right. You’re a little girl now. It’s very good tomeet you again,
Alice.”“It’sverygoodtomeetyou.”“Areyoujoiningusfordinner?”“Yes.”SheturnedtoValkyrie.“Ican’tfindSparkles.”Valkyrie looked thoughtful. “Well, shedoes come to lifewhenwe’renot
there,soshe’sprobablyplayinghide-and-seekwithyou.Ifyouwereafairy,wherewouldyouhide?”“Intheclouds.”“OK,but Idon’t think thewindow’sopen,soshe’sprobablystill inyour
bedroom.Maybeinyourbed?Undertheblanketsor—”“Orunderthepillow!”Valkyrieclickedherfingers.“Ibetthat’swheresheis!”Aliceranupstairsagain.“Ihavequestions,”Desmondsaid,asheandMelissasatdown.“Goahead,”Skulduggerysaid.“Isthisyouractualface,fromwhenyouwerealive?”“No,” Skulduggery answered. “It’s a random selection. Sometimes they
repeat;sometimesthey’rebrandnew.”“Doyouhavemagictoilets?”Valkyriesighed.“Dad…”“What?Ijustwanttoknowiftherearemagicalversionsofeverydayitems.
Amagictoiletwouldbeagoodidea,wouldn’tit?Maybethepeedisappears
beforeithitsthebowl.”“Des,”saidMelissa,shakingherhead.“What? I’m curious. If the pee disappears, where does it go? Does it
evaporateorisit,Idon’tknow,transportedtoanotherdimension?Whenwespoke lastnight,you saidyou’d justgotback fromaparalleldimension. Isthereanentiredimensionthatisjustfilledwithourpee?Oristhereaparalleldimensionthatisjustlikeours,butourpeeistheirrain?Everytimewepee,arewepeeingonmillionsofpeople?”“No,Desmond,”Skulduggerysaid.“Thatdoesn’thappen.”Desmondnodded.“That’sprobablyagoodthing.”“Therearen’tmagicalversionsofeveryhouseholditem.Sorcerersusethe
samethingsmortalsdo.Welivesidebyside,afterall.”“Notanymoreyoudon’t.YouliveinRoarhavennow.”“Notallofus,”Skulduggerysaid.Desmondleanedforward.“Whataboutwands?”“Wedon’tusewands,Dad,”saidValkyrie.“Then how come they’re a thing?Why did they become associatedwith
magicians?”“Afewhundredyearsago,”Skulduggerysaid,“somesorcerersdidindeed
usewands.”Valkyrieraisedaneyebrow.“Ididn’tknowthat.”“Itwasapassingfad,”heexplained.“Embarrassingtoallwhowitnessedit
and, as it turned out, quite damaging. In much the same way thatNecromancers use an object to channel their power, sorcerers of differentdisciplinesusedwandstofocustheirabilities.Necromancers,however,needtouseobjectsastheirpoweristoounstable.”“Howwasusingwandsdamaging?”“Magic is instinctual. As such, it’s affected by our moods. If a sorcerer
panics, their control is diminished. Channelling theirmagic throughwandsmeant they were unconsciously limiting their own potential. It’s called theWandPrinciple.”“Thatmakessense,”Desmondsaid,nodding.“TheWandPrinciple.I like
that.”Alicehurried in,Sparkles inonehand.Shesatatherplace.Nobodywas
eating.“Well,I’mhungry,”saidValkyrie,andpickedupherknifeandfork.“Please,allofyou,begin,”Skulduggerysaid.“Don’tmindme.”The others started to eat. The food was everything Valkyrie had
remembered.
“So,” Melissa said, “what have you been up to for the last five years,Skulduggery? Stephanie told us that an ex-girlfriend of yours has beenbroughtbacktolife.That’sanunusualsituation.”“Isuppose it is,”Skulduggerysaid.“Yes,Abyssiniaand Ihaveahistory,
but thatwashundredsofyearsago.Alothashappenedforbothofussincethen.”“Wasn’t she just a heart in a box for most of that, though?” asked
Desmond,hismouthfull.“Well, yes, you’re right,which brings tomind some intriguing questions
about how internal organs perceive the passage of time – but Abyssiniamanaged to communicate with people and entities telepathically while shewasinthere,soIthinkit’sfairtoassumethatsheexperiencedatleastsomegrowthasaperson.”“Still,anythinginvolvinganexisboundtobeawkward,especiallyonethat
you…um…”“K-I-L-L-E-D,”Skulduggeryfinished,glancingatAlice.“Yes,thatbrings
with it itsownuniquecomplications.Westillhaven’tspoken, though,sinceshewasresurrected,soI’mafraidIcan’tgiveyouadefinitiveanswer.”“Idon’twantpeas,”saidAlice.“Justeatafewofthem,”Melissasaid,beforeturningbacktoSkulduggery.
“Whatareyouworkingonnow?Anythingexciting?”“Just theusual,”Valkyrie saidbeforeSkulduggerycouldanswer. “People
withstrangenamesdoingstrangethingsforstrangereasons.”“Anythingdangerous?”“No, not really.Notwhat I’d call…Skulduggery,what do you think? I
wouldn’tcallitdangerous.Wouldyou?”“No,”saidSkulduggery.“Notdangerous.Notatall.”Valkyrienodded,andwentbacktoeating.“It’snotexactlysafe,either,”Skulduggerycontinued,“butdangerousis…
I’vealwaysfeltthatit’sawordloadedwithunhelpfulconnotations.”Valkyriechewedfaster,butMelissawasalreadyaskingafollow-up.“Just
toclarify–hownot-safeisit?Stephanie?Couldyougethurtdoingwhateveritisyou’redoing?”Valkyrieswallowed.“Icouldgethurtcrossingtheroad,Mum.”“Whichiswhyyouweretaughttolookbothways.”“Shestilldoesthat,”Skulduggeryinterjected.“She’sverygoodatcrossing
theroad.”“Thanks,”Valkyriesaid,givinghimaglarebeforesmilingreassuringlyat
herparents.“I’msafe.I’mtakingcareofmyself.I’mnotinanydanger.”
“Whataboutthisex-girlfriend?Anyonethatcancomebackfromthedeadsoundslikeshemightbetrouble.”“The High Sanctuary has people working on that,” Valkyrie said. “That
isn’twhatwedoanymore.We’reArbitersnow.We’renotsentout;we’renotassignedanything.Wegettopickandchoosethecasesweworkon.AndI’mstilleasingbackintothings,remember?I’mtakingitniceandslow.”Melissa put down her knife and fork. “Skulduggery, do you promise to
keepourdaughtersafe?”Valkyrieclosedhereyes.Sheknewwhatwascoming.“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Skulduggery said. “We have no way of
knowingwherea lineof investigationwill takeusorhowdangerous itwillget.ButyoucanrestassuredthatIwilldomyverybesttokeepyourdaughteralive.Myvery,verybest.”Valkyrie’sparentslookedathim.“Sohow’sFergusandBeryl?”Valkyrieaskedthemquickly.Melissahesitated,reluctanttomovetoadifferentsubject.“They’redoing
…fine,wethink.Wedon’treallyseethemmuch.They’vebeenhavingsometroublewiththegirls.”“What’shappened?”“Ah,it’snothing.Peoplechange.Theygrowupandtheygrowapart.Even
sisters.Eventwins.Carolgotajobinasolicitor’sofficeandshe’smovedintoherownapartment.She’sdoingfine.Ithinksheevenhasaboyfriend.Crystalisstilllivingathome.”Desmondfrowned.“Shehadabitofanervousbreakdown,”hesaid.“She’s
beentoseeapsychiatrist,thepoormite.ShestartedthinkingthatCarolwasanimposter.There’sanameforit,somekindofdelusion…”“Capgrasdelusion,”Skulduggerysaid.“It’samisidentificationsyndrome,
commonlyfoundinparanoidschizophrenics.”Or people whose sisters had been murdered and then replaced by
reflections.Valkyrielookeddownatherplate.“IssheOK?”“She’sgotpillsshetakes,”Melissasaid.“Andshetalkstoherpsychiatrist
once or twice a week. She’s perfectly fine apart from… apart fromwhenCarol’saround.”Valkyrie’sthroatburned.“MaybeI’llcallin,”shesaidquietly.“I’msureshe’dlikethat,”Melissasaid.Skulduggery’s phone rang. “I do apologise,” he said, taking it from his
pocket.“Ah,it’sTemper.I’mafraidI’llhavetotakethis.”“I’lltalktohim,”Valkyriesaid,whippingthephoneoutofhishandasshe
stood up. She walked into the hall and then out of the front door as sheansweredthecall.
“Ihavenews,”Tempersaid.“Tellme.”“Valkyrie?Iseverythingallright?IsSkulduggeryintroubleagain?”“No,”shesaid,“he’sfine.He’shavingdinnerwithmyparents.Ijust…I
neededtogetoutofthere.Whatdoyouhave?”“ThechemistwhomakesQuidnunc’sserum–Ifoundouthisname.Gravid
Caw.He’sgotahouse inBlackCatDrive.Don’thaveawhole lotmoreonhim,I’mafraid–ifhe’sabadguy,he’sstayedclearoftheCityWatch.”“GravidCaw,BlackCatDrive.Gotit.Thankyou.”“Youwantmetohavesomeonehaulhiminforyoutoquestion?”“Naw, it’sOK.We only have a limited number of timeswe can do that
before your City Guard buddies get annoyed at being used to pick up oursuspects.Besides,weprefer tocatchbadguys in theirnaturalenvironment.It’smorefun.”Valkyriewentbackintothehouse.“Wehavetogo,”shesaid,handingthe
phonetoSkulduggery.“Already?”hermumasked,standing.“Youcan’tstayalittlelonger?Even
justfordessert?”“We really can’t,”Valkyrie said. “Mum, thankyou somuch fordinner. I
haven’t had food that good in ages. Dad, thanks for asking about magictoilets.”Shegavethembothakiss.“And thankyou for invitingme,” saidSkulduggery. “Itwasveryniceof
you.”ValkyriehuggedAlice.“I’llseeyouonThursday,OK?We’llhavethebest
day.”“Ican’twait,”Alicesaid,grinning.Valkyrie and Skulduggery left. The Bentley was parked at the corner.
Valkyrie unlocked her own car. “Gravid Caw is the chemist. He lives onBlackCatDrive.Meetyouthere?”“Ofcourse,”Skulduggerysaid.“Valkyrie, areyouall right?Yourparents
calledmeafterI’darrivedhomeyesterdayevening.Iwouldn’thavecomeifIhadknownI’dbeinterrupting.”“Youweren’tinterrupting.”“Iknowhowmuchyouwerelookingforwardtospendingsometimewith
yourfamily.Believeme,Iunderstand.”Shesmiled.“Thanks.Butyou’reneveraninterruption,yougotthat?Now
quitbeingconsiderate. It’sweird,and itmakesmewant to laughnervouslyandrunaway.”“Youareanoddwoman.”“Yep,”shesaid.
18
EveninColdheart,ascreamsofullofterrorwasacuriosityworthyoffurtherinvestigation,soCadaveroushunteditdownlikehe’dhuntedallthoseidioticco-eds through his house of horrors, finally turning a corner to see Razzialeaningoverthebarrier.“Areyouthrowingpeopleoffagain?”heasked,walkinguptoher.Shedidn’tlookround.“He’sthelastone,”shesaid.“Didyougethimtoapologise?”“Hegotdownonhiskneesandbeggedmetoforgivehim.Hesaidhegot
confusedinalltheexcitement.”“Youdidn’tforgivehim,obviously.”“We let themout of their cells to attackValkyrie and the skeleton.They
shouldhaveknownbetterthantoattackme,too.”Hervoicewaslow,herfaceexpressionless. Then she brightened, her unhinged smile returning. “Youshould’veseenthewayheevaporated,Caddie.Themomenthehitthatenergyfieldhejustwentzzaap,”andsheclickedherfingers.“I’msureitwaslovely.”“It was, actually. Very pretty. I might write a poem about it later.What
rhymeswithevaporated?”“Notmuch.”“Maporated.Isthataword?”“Notarealone.”“It’snoteasybeingapoet.”“Stick to what you’re good at, Razzia. Extreme violence and making
peopleuneasyinyourpresence.”Shesighedunhappily,andtookacrumpledballoffoilfromherpocket.“I
wanttotrynewthings,though.Iwanttostretchmyself.”“You’rebored,aren’tyou?”“Dunno,” she said, opening the ball. “I’ve never been bored before, so I
don’t know what it feels like. I’ve always had someone to kill or hunt ortorture.Idon’tevenviewitaswork,youknow?Isitevenwork,whenyou’redoingwhatyoulove?”
“It’savocation, iswhat it is.Butevensomeonelikeyouneedsdirection,andIdon’tthinkyou’vebeengettingthatlately.”The foil contained a few small pieces of raw meat. Razzia brought her
otherhandclose.“Thingsaredifferent,”shesaid.“BeforewegotAbyssiniaback,itwasnon-stop,youknow?Wewerealwaysbusy.Alwaysfocused.”“Butnowthat’sallchanged,”Cadaveroussaid.“We still have our plans, though.Abyssinia has her people in place, and
FirstWavearegettingreadytostrike.”Razzia’spalmopenedslowly,andtheparasitepokedout.Ablacktentaclewithaheadslightlythickerthanitsbody,it hadno eyesbut plentyof sharp, tiny teeth. It hoveredover the foil, thendippeddown,snatchingthemeatintoitsjaws.Cadaverous couldn’t take his eyes off it as it fed. “But is that enough to
keeplifeinteresting,Razzia?”“No,itain’t.Shewon’tevensendmeonthesimplejobsbecauseshethinks
I’lldosomethingcrazyandkillabunchofpeoplefornoreason.”“Iknow.”“Ialwayshaveareason,Caddie.”“Iknowthat,too.”“But she sends Skeiri instead, because apparently she has more ‘self-
control’.What’ssogoodaboutself-control?”“NothingthatIcansee.”“IhateSkeiri.”“Iknow.”“She’sbasicallyjustasaneversionofme.Weevenhavethesamepets!”“Whataretheodds?”“Herpets aren’t aswell-trained asmine, though.And see thisguy?He’s
longer than Skeiri’s, and he’s not even fully grown yet. And her pets aregreen.Canyouimagineit?Howugly.”“Veryugly.”“CanItellyousomething?Andpromiseyouwon’ttellanyoneelse?”Cadaverousdraggedhiseyesawayfromtheparasite.“Ofcourse.”“I’m not sure that I have any friends here. Like real, actualmates.Nero
makesmewant to stab him every time I talk to him andDestrier’s alwaysworking on his little projects, and he’s a weirdo anyway… For so long,Abyssiniawasmyfriend,avoiceinmyheadthatonlyIcouldhear.Butshebarelydoesthatanymore,andwhenshedoesitjustfeels…weird.”“I’dliketothinkthatI’myourfriend,Razzia.”Shesmiled.“Yeah.Ireckonyouare.”Shelookeddownattheparasiteasit
ate.“Butyou’reapsychopath,soIdon’tthinkyoucount.”
“Doyouwanttoknowasecret?”Cadaverousasked.“I’vebeenhavingtheexactsamethoughtsasyou.I’mbored.It’sasifallAbyssiniawantedwasforus tobringherbackto life,soshefilledourheadswithall thesewonderfulideasofananti-Sanctuaryandgettingrevengeonthepeoplewho’vewrongedus…and,nowthatshe’sback,allshecaresaboutisherselfandherson.”“Youreallythinkshewasfoolingus?”“Idon’tknow,”Cadaveroussaid,shrugging.“Ihopenot.Butthat’showit
seems.That’showitfeels.”The parasite finished its lunch and retracted into Razzia’s palm. She
crumpledupthefoilandtosseditovertheside.“IthinkI’mhavingamidlifecrisis.”“WejustneedtoremindAbyssiniathatwe’rehere,andwe’revaluable.We
just need someway to impress her again.” Cadaverous gave a little shrug.“Oh,well.Ifanythingoccurstoyou…”Helethiswordshang,andstartedwalkingaway.“Whatabout…”Razziasaid,andhervoicetrailedoff.Cadaverousturned.“Yes?”“Nothing.”“No,goon.Whatwereyougoingtosay?”Shehesitated.“Well, ifallAbyssiniacaresabout isgettingCaissonback,
thenshe’dbe,like,superhappywithusifwefoundhim.”Cadaverous frowned. “But she’s assigned Avatar to that job, and, from
whatIgather,heismerehoursawayfromfindingtheambulanceroute.He’sgoingtogetallthepraise.He’sgoingtogetallthefunjobs.”“Yeah,butwecould,youknow…killhim.”“Killhim?”“Justalittle,”Razziasaidquickly.“Justslightly.”“So what you’re suggesting is that we wait for Avatar to find the
ambulance’s route…and thenwekillhim, sneakoffourselves, and rescueCaisson.”“Well, I mean, yeah,” said Razzia. “Why not? We bring her son back,
Abyssinia’sgonnaloveus.”Cadaveroussmiled.“You’renotasinsaneasyouseem,areyou?”Razzia laughed, then turned deadly serious. “Oh, no, I am, but. I really
am.”
OceanofPDF.com
19
ItwaslateeveningbythetimetheyfoundGravidCawstandingwithasmallgroupofpeopleat thestepsof theHighSanctuary.Theywerechantingandwaving placards, calling for the refugees to be sent homewhile impassiveCleaversstoodsostilltheymighthavebeencarvedfromgranite.Valkyriewalkedupandstoodbesidehim.Hedidn’tnoticeforthefirstfew
seconds–hewasfartoobusychantingandwavinghisplacard.“I like your sign,” saidValkyrie, andGravid turned his head to her.His
eyeswidenedwhen he realisedwho shewas. “There are no typos, for onething.I’vealwaysthought,what’sthepointofhatingsomeoneifyoucan’tbegrammaticallycorrectaboutit?”“I, uh, I don’t hate anyone,” Gravidmumbled, andwent tomove away.
ThenSkulduggerywasonhisotherside.“Well,”hesaid,“youhatemortalsalittle.”“No,”Gravid responded, growing noticeably paler. “We’re just…we’re
heretoensurethey’retreatedfairly.”Valkyrieraisedaneyebrow.“Thiswillbeinteresting.”The chanting died down once the protesters saw who had joined them.
Valkyrie smiled. Skulduggery waved. The protesters glanced at each other,glanced at Gravid, and then moved away, abandoning him to restart theirprotestalittlefurtheron.Gravid’sshouldersslumped.“Youweresaying,”Valkyrieprompted,“aboutyourstruggletoensurethe
mortalsaretreatedfairly.”Gravid cleared his throat, then cleared it again. “We just don’t think it’s,
you know, fair that they’re being kept in tents and things. They’re notanimals,afterall.Theyhavetheirdignity.”“First of all,” Valkyrie said, “yes, they do have their dignity, thanks for
reminding us. That’s very important. Second, how many animals do youknow of that are kept in tents? Is that a thing, keeping animals in tents? Imean,cattlecanbekeptinsheds,andhorsesinstables,butI’veneverheardofananimalthatiskeptinatent.”“It’s,uh,metaphorical.”
Valkyriefrowned.“Whichpart,theanimalsorthetent?”“I have a question,” Skulduggery said, taking the placard fromGravid’s
hand and examining it. “It says here: KeepMortals Out of Roarhaven. Soobviouslyyou’renotinvitingthemin.Youdon’twantthemoutsideintents,youdon’twanttheminsideinhouses…sowheredoyouwantthem?”Graviddidn’tanswer.“Do you think we should send them to Dublin, or Cork, or Belfast?”
Skulduggery continued. “Do you think they could assimilate into mortalculturehere?Thatwouldbetroublesome,though,wouldn’tit?They’refromanalternatedimension.Itwouldbequitethesecurityrisk.”Gravidmumbledsomething.“Sorry?”Valkyriesaid.“Whatwasthat?”Gravidclearedhisthroatoncemore.“Wecouldsendthemback.”“Sendthembackwhere?”“Backwheretheycamefrom.”Skulduggery didn’t say anything. He was leaving this to Valkyrie. She
joinedhiminsilenceforamoment,enjoyingtheeffectitwashavingonpoorlittleGravid.Hewaspracticallysquirminginhisshoes.“Doyouknowwhytheycamehere?”sheasked.Gravidgirdedhimself.“Theunfortunatecircumstancetheyfindthemselves
inshouldnotbeourconcern.”“Butdoyouknow?”“Whyshouldwebeheldresponsiblefor—”“Yes or no answer, Gravid,” Valkyrie interrupted. “Do you know what
they’rerunningfrom?”“Yes,butthat’sgotnothingtodowithus.”“Soyouknowthatthey’refleeingfrom,basically,genocide,yes?”“Ihavesympathyforthem,”Gravidsaid,“ofcourseIdo,butwehaveto
helpourownbeforewecaneventhinkofhelpingothers.”“Well,you’redefinitelynot thinkingofhelpingothers,soyou’rehalfway
therealready.”“Look—”“Look?”Valkyrierepeated,steppingcloser.“Areyoulosingyourpatience
with me, Gravid? Are you getting angry? Are you upset that I’m not justacceptingyournastylittleexcusesliketherestofyoursign-wavingfriends?Whatdoyou intend todoabout that,eh?Youwant tobullyme?Intimidateme?TellmetogobackwhereIcamefrom?”Gravid swallowed. “We’re having a peaceful protest. I’m not losing my
patiencewithanyone.”
“I’m losingmypatiencewithyou,Gravid.Gravid.What does that nameevenmean,anyhow?”“Itmeansmeaningful,”Gravidsaidquietly.“Italsomeanspregnant,”Skulduggerysaid.“I didn’t know that when I chose it,” Gravid muttered. “But I’m doing
nothing wrong, OK? You can’t arrest me for standing on the street andvoicinganopinion.I’mentitledtoit.”Valkyriefrownedagain.“Whotoldyouthat?”“Whotoldmewhat?”“Thatyou’reentitledtoanopinion,”Valkyriesaid.“Whotoldyou?”“But…butIam.”“Sonoonetoldyou.Youjusthearditsomewhereanddecideditwastrue.
You’renotentitledtoanopinion,Gravid.You’refacedwithrightandwrong.You’re choosingwrong, and, because you can’t defend that choicewithoutadmittingthatyou’rewrong,youclaimthatyou’reentitledtobelieveinalieif you so wish.” She leaned in. “I hate people like you, Gravid. I despisethem.You’renotevenstrongenoughtobehonestabouthowrottenyouare.”“Besides,”Skulduggerysaid,clampingahandonGravid’sshoulder,“who
saidwewerehere to arrestyou? Inever said anythingabout arrestingyou.Valkyrie,didyousayanythingaboutarrestingGravid?”“Ithoughtit,”Valkyriesaid.“She’ddo it, too,” saidSkulduggery. “That’s theproblemyou facewhen
you deal with Arbiters.We don’t answer to anyone.We could arrest you,throwyouinacell,andyou’dlanguishthereuntilwerememberedtoaskyouthosequestionswe’dbeenmeaningto.”“What,uh,whatquestions?”“It’s about your day job, actually. Nothing to do with standing on
pavementsandwavingsignsaboutsendingpeoplebacktogetmurdered.No,thisisaboutyourjob,notyourhobby.”“I’munemployed.”“In thiseconomy?Howcanthatbe?Roarhavenis thriving.There’swork
foreveryone.”“Maybeyou’renotlookinghardenough,”Valkyriesaid.“Ormaybeyou’re
toobusymakingillegaldrugs.”Gravid shook his head in an unconvincing attempt at appearing
unconcerned.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”“Thedrugs,Gravid,”Skulduggerysaid.“She’stalkingaboutthedrugsyou
makeinyourbasement,illegally,thatyouthenselltopeople.Formoney.”“Idon’t…Idon’tdothat.”
“Youarepossibly less convincing thanyou thinkyouare, but I’mafraidwe’vejustcomefromyourbasement.”Gravid’seyeswidened.“You’renotallowedtodothat!Youneedawarrant
tosearchsomeone’shouse!”“Forsomeonewhodoesn’tviewmortalstoohighly,youseemtothinkthat
a lot of their laws apply to you. We don’t need warrants, Gravid. We’reArbiters.Weknocked, youweren’t home, and very gentlywe let ourselvesin.”“You’regoingtoneedanewdoor,”Valkyriesaid.Skulduggerynodded.“It’spossibleyoumightneedanewdoor,butthat’s
onlyifyoulikedoors.Personally,Ithinkthegapingholeletsalotoflightin.Whilewewerethere,inyourhouse,wehappenedtofindthehiddenentranceto the basement. Well, I don’t mind telling you, we were surprised. Wecertainlydidn’texpecttofindtheentranceinthewall,didwe,Valkyrie?”“Wedidnot.”“Imean,wethoughtitmightbethere,butweweren’tsure.”“You’regoingtoneedanewwall,too,”saidValkyrie.“Just a slight wall,” Skulduggery nodded. “The west one. It’s got some
holesinit.Foursmallonesandabigone.Anyway,oncewefoundthehiddenbasement, we found all the paraphernalia that you use to make the illegaldrugs.Therewasalotofit.”“Somuch,”saidValkyrie.“Ahugeamount.WetoldtheCityGuardaboutthat,bytheway.Afriendof
ours,aniceAmericanman,you’lllikehim,isonhiswaytoseeyou.Idon’twanttospoilanything,butyou’relookingatalotofgaoltime.”“Somuch,”saidValkyrie.“Ahugeamount.”Gravid tried to bolt, but Skulduggery grabbed his arm and squeezed his
shoulderandherosetohistiptoesandcriedout.“Butbeforeallthat,”Skulduggerysaid,“wewerewonderingifyoucould
answerafewquestions. It’sgotnothing todowith theprotest,don’tworry,andnothing todowith the illegaldrugs,either.Anotherdrugyoumake–aperfectlylegalone,sogoodforyouonthat–istocombatnecrosis.YoumakethatoneforamannamedQuidnunc.Weneedtofindthisman.Whereishe?Doyouknow?”“All…allthisjusttofindQuidnunc?”“Yes.”“Breakingintomyhouse,findingthedrugs,callingtheCityGuard…and
youjustwantedtoknowwhereQuidnuncis?Iwouldhavetoldyou!Ifyou’dasked,Iwouldhavetoldyou,noproblem!”
Skulduggerynodded toValkyrie.“See?I toldyouhe’dbenice.Where isQuidnunc,Gravid?”“He’sstayingattheSadists’Club.”“I’veneverheardofit.”“It’sreallysecret.”“Isitaclubforsadists?”“Yes.”“Clever.”“Idon’tknowwhere it is–Quidnuncnever said.Didyou reallycall the
cops?”“Yes.”“Aw,man. Iwould have told you.You just had to ask. Like thewoman
did.”Valkyrienarrowedhereyes.“Whatwoman?”“Awoman in redcame toseeme,askingaboutQuidnunc,butshedidn’t
pullanyofthestuffthatyoujustpulled.Shesimplyasked,andleft.”“Didshehavesilverhair?”“Yes.”“Didshesayanythingaboutherplans?Anythingthatcouldhelpusfigure
out where she is? If you have something useful, we could talk to ourAmerican friend and he could take it into account when your charges arebeingfiled.”“OK,”saidGravid,“OK,yeah,shedid,shesaid,uh…”“True thingsonly,”Skulduggerysaid.“Lieswill result inevenmoregaol
time.”Gravidsagged.“Thenno.Nothing.”TheytookGravidCawtothenearestCleaverandhandedhimover.“Thatwasfun,”saidValkyrie“Youreallygotintoitthattime.”“Heannoyedme.So–theSadists’Club.Anyideawhereitis?”“Not yet, but I’m sure I know just the people to ask.Would you like to
accompanyme?”“Willtherebepunching?”“Probably.”“Then,ifit’sallthesametoyou,I’llgiveitamiss.IfIcangoafullday
withouthavingtohitanyoneorinflictphysicalpain,I’mgoingtodoit.That’smyNewYear’sresolution.”“You’reaboutninemonthstoolate.”“ImeantmyChineseNewYear’sresolution.”“Thenyou’reabouteightmonthstoolate.”
“Thenit’sjustsomethingI’vedecided.”“That’sfairenough.I’llmeetyouhereinthemorning?”“Cool.I’llbeherearoundnine.”SkulduggerydoffedhishattoherandwalkedtowardstheBentley.Valkyrie
turnedandheadedoffintheoppositedirection.Onceinhercar,sheleftRoarhavenbehindher,andtheroadsgotbumpier
before widening again and smoothing out. She joined the motorway. Thistimeofnight, therewasn’tverymuch traffic.She turnedon the radio, sangalong with the music, allowing her mind to drift. She changed lanes andadjustedspeedwithoutgivinganyofitmuchthought.Afterabit,shestoppedsinging and turnedoff the radio and just drove in silence.Hermind settledintotherhythmoftheroad.Thedroneofthetyresfilledthecarslowlyuntilshewasallaloneintheworld.AbyssiniawalkedacrossthemotorwayandValkyriecursedandbrakedand
swervedandwentrightthroughher.Thecarrockedtoastop.Valkyriejumpedout,energycracklingbetweenherfingers,cracklingfrom
hereyes,herteethbared,readytofight,buttheroadwasquietandempty,andAbyssiniawasneitherlyingtherenorstandingthere.Shewasn’tthereatall.Ahallucination,that’sallitwas.Ahallucinationoravision,broughtonby
themeditative state she’d been sinking into. SoValkyriewas either havingflashbackstopsychicepisodesorhavingpsychicepisodeswithoutmeaningto– she didn’t knowwhichwasworse. She got back in the car, restarted theengineanddidaslowU-turn.Backontrack,thecardrovestraightandsteadylikenothinghadhappened,
butValkyrie’shandsshookastheygrippedthewheel.
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Downbelow,theenergyfieldhummedwithpower,itslightflickeringoffthelowertierofcells.Cadaverous took the folded paper from Avatar’s hand and opened it.
PrinteduponthethreesheetswasadetailedroutethroughEurope,completewithtimings,reststops,anddistanceinbothmilesandkilometres.Everythinga group of sorcerers would need to keep a private ambulance movingsmoothly, and everything a certain other group of sorcerers would need toambushsaidambulance.“You’vedonegoodwork,”Cadaveroussaid.“Verygoodwork,actually.I
didn’tthinkyouhadeitherthecontactsortheintelligencetopull thisoff, ifI’mbeinghonest.Ithoughtyouwereallmuscleandnobrains–butitseemsAbyssiniawasrightaboutyou.”Avatardidn’tanswer.Cadaverous chuckled. “Don’t look so surprised. I can admit when I’m
wrong.DoyoumindifItakethis?Youdon’t?That’ssoniceofyou.This…thisiswhatIlove.I’moneoftheoriginals,youstartedfollowingAbyssiniaaftershereleasedyoufromyourcell,butherewebothare,workingtogether.Asateam.”Cadaverousfoldedthesheetsandtuckedthemintohispocket, then lifted
Avataroff theground,gruntingslightlywith theeffort.Hedraggedhim theshortdistancetothebalcony,andheavedhimover.Zzaap,asRazziawouldsay.
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It was a Monday morning, which meant that Omen had already missed adoublemathsclassand,ashehandedblanketstoanever-endinglineofwary,hungrymortals, he was nowmissing civics. He was glad tomiss maths –whenwashe evergoing tohave to addnumbers inhis adult life?–butheregrettedmissingcivics.HisclassmateswerebeinggiventheirfirstlessononhowtoforgeanID.Thosekindsofthingswouldbeusefultoknowinthenextfewhundredyears.Instead,herehewasinasortofmarket,rightintheverycentreoftheCity
of Tents, a proud member of Miss Gnosis’s volunteer team of nine. He’dnevervolunteeredforanythingbefore,andhewasstartingtorememberwhy.Itwasboring,forastart,andthemortalswerehardlyanyfun,whatwiththemhatingandfearinganyonewhocoulddomagic.Hewonderedhowtheyfeltabout people who could barely do magic, like Omen himself, but decidedagainstasking.Heprobablydidn’tknowthemwellenoughtomakejokes.Someonetappedhimontheshoulder.“MissGnosissaysI’mtorelieveyou,”Axeliasaid.“Oh,” said Omen, and blushed, and stepped aside, and Axelia started
handingout theblankets.She’dbeenweirdwithhimallmorning,everyonehad,probablybecausetheyallfiguredhe’donlyvolunteeredbecauseshe’dbehere.He wandered over to Miss Gnosis, who was supervising the food
distribution.“Um,miss?What’llIdonow?”“You’reonyourbreak,”MissGnosissaid,flickingthroughthepagesofher
clipboard.“Gomingle.”Omen didn’t really knowhow tomingle.He’dwatchedNever do it, but
hadn’t ever come close to mastering that particular skill himself. Two ofAxelia’s friendsweregivinghimtheside-eyeandwhispering toeachother,however, so he plunged into the crowd of mortals to escape, and foundhimselfjostledandjumbledandthenspatouttheotherside,nearlycollidingwithastalllinedwithpots.Thegirlbehindthestallnarrowedhereyesathim.
Omen looked at her, then decided to smile. He may have overdone it,becausethegirlrecoiledslightly.“Hi,”saidOmen.“Um.Hello.”“Hello,”saidthegirl.Omenstuckouthishand.“Myname’sOmen,”hesaid.“OmenDarkly.”Sheobservedhishandforamomentbeforeshakingit.“Aurnia.”“Hi,Aurnia.Verygoodtomeetyou.You’re thefirstpersonfromanother
dimensionthatI’veeveractuallyspokento.”Shedidn’tsayanythingtothat,sohecontinued.“Imean,obviously,IspoketothepeoplewhenIwasgivingthemblankets,
but it wasn’t anything that you’d call a conversation. It was mostly just,Hello, here’s a blanket, and then they’dwalk away. So…”He cleared histhroat.“It’saschoolthing,thefoodandblankets.Ivolunteered.Doyouhaveschoolswhereyou’refrom?”“Yes.”“Yes.Ofcourse.Whodoesn’thaveschools?”Omenlaughed.“They’reall
thesame,nomatterwhichuniverseyou’refrom.It’salladrag.Ihateschool,y’know?Well,it’sOK.Someoftheteachersarenice,butIthinkI’mjustnotverysmart.”Hewassayingthewrongthings.Hedidn’tknowwhattherightthingstosaywere,buthewasnotsayingthem.“Sowhatdoyouthinkofouruniverse?”hecontinued.“Prettycool,right?”“It’swarmenough.”“Sorry?”“It’swarm.It’sfine.”“Oh,”Omensaid.“Oh,Igetit.Um,whenIsaycool,Idon’tmeancold.It’s
an expressionwe have here. Itmeans something good.Y’know, hey, that’scool. I’m cool. You’re cool. It’s an expression. Do you have expressionswhereyou’refrom?”“Yes.”“Cool.Well…itwasverygoodtomeetyou.”Hewaved,andbackedoff,
andbattledhiswaythroughthecrowd.“Makingfriends?”MissGnosisasked.“Idon’tthinkso,”saidOmen.“Shedidn’tlookveryhappytotalktome.”“She’s been through a lot. They all have.Remember that their culture is
vastlydifferentfromours,andalsosheprobablyseesyouasevil.”“Right.”“Whichprobablyexplainsherreluctancetochat.”“Isuppose.”“Idon’tthinkit’sanythingpersonal.”“Maybeit’smyface.”
“Yourfaceisfine.”“Idon’tthinkgirlslikeit,though.”She passed him a badge. “Here. Invite your new friend to be one of the
ambassadors.Letherseethatyou’renotabadguy.”The crowdhad thinnedby this stage, soOmen returned toAurnia’s stall
withoutmakingafooloutofhimself.“Aurnia?” he said. “Um, I was wondering if you’d like to be an
ambassador,maybe?We’regivingoutthesebadgestopeoplethatwe’dliketotalkto,goingforward,tocomeupwithwaystohelpout.We’reinterestedinhearingwhatyouneed,whatyourconcernsare,thatkindofthing.”Sheeyedthebadgesuspiciously.“Whatweneed?”sherepeated.“Yes. If that’smore food,ormoreblankets,ormedicine,or…whatever.
Wewanttoopenadialoguewithyourpeople.”“Idon’tspeakforthem.”“Butyoucan,”saidOmen.“That’swhat this littlebadgedoes.It letsyou
speak.Imean,itdoesn’tletyouspeak,youdon’tneedittospeak,butitkindofputsyouinapositionwhereyoucangetheard.Ifyoulike.Ifthatinterestsyou.”“Thatlittlebuttondoesallthat?”“Yes.”Hehelditouttoher.“Ifyouwantit.”Aurnia considered it, then took the badge. “My people are scared,” she
said.“Wedidn’tknowwhatwasontheothersideoftheportal–allweknewwasthatifwestayedinourhomeswe’dbekilled.Nowpeoplearesayingifwestayherewe’llbekilled.”“No,”saidOmen,hiseyeswide.“No,no.Wedon’tkillpeople.God,no.
You’re innocent, and you’re unarmed, and you’re mortal. We don’t killmortals.Sorcerersprotectmortals.”“Fromwhat?”“Uh,mostlyfromothersorcerers.”“LikeMevolent.”“Yes,”Omensaid.“Wehadourownversionofhim,inthisdimension.We
stoppedhim.He’sdeadhere.IftheMevolentfromyourhometriestofollowyouthroughtheportal,we’llkillhim,too.”Aurniadidn’tappeartobereassured.“Whatareyougoingtodotous?”“We’re,um,we’renot…I’msorry,whatdoyoumean?”“Ifyou’renotgoingtokillus,wherewillyouputus?”“To be honest,” Omen said, shrugging helplessly, “they’re still trying to
figure that out.SupremeMageSorrows– she’s in charge– is avery smartlady,though,soshe’llthinkofsomething.You’resafenow.Youcanrelax.”
“We’re not safe,” Aurnia replied. “We’re in a strange world and we’resurroundedbysorcerers.”“We’renotallbad,”saidOmen.“Iknowyourexperiencewithpeoplelike
mehasbeenprettyterrible.I’veheardaboutwhatit’slikeoverthere,inyourreality.Butthingsaredifferenthere.Themortalsarefreeandhappy.Well,notallofthem,butingeneral.Kindof.WhatI’mtryingtosayisthatthisistheirworld.”“Theyruleoveryou?”“Well,no,becausetheydon’tevenknowweexist.”“Theyhavetheirowncities?”“Theyhaveallthecities,”Omensaid,“allexceptthisone,andRoarhaven
iskindofinvisible.Thisisn’taperfectuniverse,andnoteverythingisfairorgood and not everyone is happy, but I’m telling you, you don’t have to bescaredofus.”She looked doubtful. “And you,” she said, “you promise you’re a good
sorcerer?”“I,uh…IpromiseItrytobeagoodperson.Idon’tthinkanyonewould
reallysayI’magoodsorcerer.”Shegaveareluctantsmile.Itwasaprettyone.“Idon’tmindthatatall,”
shesaid.Omensmiledback,suddenlyseeingtheupsideofvolunteeringforstuff.
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After almost crashing her car the previous night, Valkyrie decided to letSkulduggerypickherup.SheleftXenaoutsidesothatshecouldrunaround,andgotintheBentley.Skulduggery’sfaçadewasatannedgentlemanwithablondmoustache.“Nice,”saidValkyrie.“HaveyoufoundoutwheretheSadists’Clubis?”“Notyet,”hesaid,swoopingthecarroundandheadingforthegate.“But
I’mexpectingacallfromoneofmycontactswhowill–hopefully–relaythatinformation.”“IsTemperthecontact?”“No.”“He’susuallythecontact.”“Ihavemorethanonecontact,youknow.”Sheshrugged,andsank intoa silence that lasteduntil they’d reached the
motorway.“IseverythingOK?”Skulduggeryasked.“Sorry?”“Youseemquiet.”“DoI?”“IthinkIknowwhy.”Valkyrie looked at him, and didn’t say anything. There was no way he
knewaboutthevisions.Noway.“It’saboutthedinner,isn’tit?Iruinedyourfamilydinnerandyou’remad
atme.”“I’mnotmadatyou,”shesaid, relaxing.“Youknowwhathappenswhen
I’mmadatyou.”“Youtendtothrowmugsatme.”“AndhaveIthrownanymugs?Doyouevenseeanymugs?No.SoI’mnot
madatyou.I’mnotmadatmyparents,either,eventhoughtheyinvitedyouwithoutaskingme.Iunderstandwhytheydidit.They’reworriedaboutme;theythinkgettingmoreinvolvedinmylifewilleasetheirminds.”
“Itwon’t,though,”Skulduggerysaid.“Atall.Intheslightest.Iftheyknewmoreaboutwhatyoudid—”“They’d never sleep again,” Valkyrie said. “Exactly. But, y’know …
they’reparents.It’stheirjobtoworryaboutme,justlikeit’smyjobtoprotectthemfromwhat’scoming.”Shewincedevenas thewordsescapedher lips,hopingferventlythathe’dletitgo.Butofcoursehedidn’t.Helookedather.“Doyouthinkaboutthatalot?”“Thinkaboutwhat?”“Aboutwhat’scoming.Thethingsyousawinyourvision.”Valkyrietriedtogiveanonchalantshrug.“Abit.But,ifIfeelitgettingme
down,Ijustremindmyselfthatwe’veseenthefuturebeforeandwe’veseenthefuturechange,so…”“Soyou’rehopingtochangethefuture.”“Y’know…yeah.”“That’squiteaburdentocarry.”“Isit?”“It’salmostasifyou’retakingallresponsibilityforthebadthingsthatare
goingtohappen.”“Well,” Valkyrie said, giving a little laugh, “they won’t happen if we
changethem,willthey?”“Wewere able to alter aspects of the future thatCassandraPharos saw,”
Skulduggerysaid.“Butitwasonlyaspects.Areyouhopingtoavoidthisnewfuturealtogether?”“Idon’t know,” she said. “Imean, it’snotoutof thequestion, is it?The
future I saw only exists because certain things happen along the way.Wechange those things, and that future vanishes. It’s not like we’re battlingagainstfateorsomething,right?Idon’tbelieveindestiny.AugerDarklyisn’tdestined to face the King of the Darklands – it’s just been foreseen. Bypsychics.There’sadifference.Soifthere’snofate,andnodestiny,whatarewe left with? God? I’ve seen no evidence of a higher power controllingeverything, and I’ve been Darquesse. If anyone could have sensed thepresenceofanupper-caseGod,it’sher.”“All thatmaybe true,”Skulduggerysaid,“butweknowfromexperience
thatchangingthefutureisnoteasy.Inordertoensureitdoesn’thappen,we’dneed toknowa lotmore aboutwhat’s coming.You’dneed todelvedeeperintoyourvision.”“Well,OK,”Valkyrieresponded.“Thenlet’sdoit.”“Unfortunately, that brings its own complications, as you well know. In
order to safely navigate the psychic highways, you’ll need training.Safeguardswillhavetobeputinplace.”
“That’lltakeyears.”“Youdon’tknowthat,”Skulduggerysaid.“There’sneverbeenaSensitive
likeyoubefore.Theabilityessentiallyexplodedinsideyou.Maybeitwon’ttakethatlong.”“Youtoldmeit’dtakethreeyearsminimumbeforeIcouldstartexploring
thevisionseriously.Haveyouchangedyourmind?”Skulduggeryhesitated.“No,”hesaidatlast.“And,whileI’mspendingthenextthreeyears–minimum–studyingtobe
aSensitive,theworldisgoingtohellaroundme?No,thanks.WhatIshouldbedoingisjustdivingintothevision,headfirst.”“Fartoodangerous.”“Youdon’tknowthat.Itmightbefine.”“Or it might have huge, untold side effects,” he said. “You could lose
control.Youcouldloseyourmind.”“I’mstrongenoughtotakeit.”“If anyone could, then yes, I agree, it would be you. And I freely
acknowledge the fact that this caution goes against every instinct I have. Imuchprefertoplungeintodanger.It’smorefun.Butsomethinglikethis…isdifferent.”“Ifyouwereme,”shesaid,“wouldyoudoit?”Skulduggerydidn’tanswer.Theeyesofhis façade remained fixedon the
road.“Yeah,”shesaid.“See?”His phone rang. She answered, then hung up and told him where the
Sadists’Clubwas.They got to Roarhaven, drove through and parked, then walked a little,
coming to ametal door with a shelf riveted on to it, level with Valkyrie’schest.Skulduggeryknocked,andasmallvoicepipedup.“Whogoesthere?”“Visitors,”Skulduggery said, “just passing through.Weheard thiswould
beagoodplacetomeetlike-mindedpeople.”Therewasamomentofhesitation,andthen,“Skulduggery?Isthatyou?”Skulduggeryfrowned.“Itmightbe.Whoisthis?”A slot opened, and a man no taller than Valkyrie’s outstretched hand
steppedoutontotheshelf.Hewaswearingagreensuitandorangetie,andhehadwingsandpointedears.“It’sme,”saidthesmallman.“Cormac.”“Whoa,”saidValkyrie.Skulduggerydeactivatedhisfaçade,andpeeredcloser.“Cormac?”Thelittlemangrinned.“Ithoughtthatwasyou!How’veyoubeen?”“Fine,”Skulduggerysaid.“Youlook…different.”
“Ah,yeah,Ishavedthebeard.”“Thatmustbeit.Also,you’veshrunk.”Cormac’sfacesoured.“Thefaeriegeneskickedinthreeyearsago.Myears
wentpointyandIgrewthewingsandIgotallthatfaeriemagicthat’dbeenpromisedmesinceIwasakid,but…well.Asyoucansee,myparentsleftoutsomeprettypertinentinformation.”“Hi,” said Valkyrie. “My name’s Valkyrie. How are you? Could I ask a
question?”“Goahead,”saidCormac.“Areyourparentsfaeries,too?”“Yes,theyare.Proudmembersofthefaecommunity.”“Andarethey…small?”Hefoldedhisarmsandsighed,likethiswasthehundredthtimetodayhe’d
hadtoexplain this.“They’repeople-sized.All faeriesstartoffpeople-sized.Somefaeriesdeveloptheabilitytoswitchbackandforthbetweensizes.Some–andthisisthepartIdidn’tknowuntilthreeyearsago–shrinkdowntothissizeandarethenstucklikethis.Ithasn’tbeeneasy.Ihavetowearmodifieddolls’ clothes, I can’t formmeaningful relationshipswith anyone taller thantwentycentimetres,andcatskeeptryingtoeatme.Also,Ilostmyjob.”“Whatwereyou?”“Iwasahandmodel.Imodelledwristwatchesinphotoshoots,thingslike
that.Ihavegoodwrists.Lightlyhaired.”“Right.”“AndnowI’mhere,stuckdoingsecurityfortheSadists’Club.”Hewinced.
“Damn.That’ssupposedtobeasecret.”“That’swhywe’rehere,”Skulduggery said. “Couldyou let us in?We’re
lookingforsomeone.”“Can’t do it,”Cormac replied. “Wish I could.Youandmegowayback,
andIalways lookout formyfriends–but this ismy job,Skulduggery.Doyouknowhowharditisforafaerieofmysizetofindgainfulemployment?First,Ihavetoovercomethestigmaofbeingafaerieinthefirstplace.Youthinkthat’seasy?ThatwashardevenwhenIwaspeople-sized.Youknowtheproblem?Therearesofewfaeriesleftintheworldthatnobodyknowsathingabout us or our culture. All they have to go on are tired old tropes andstereotypes,with theclappingandthefairydustandtheconstantTinkerbellreferences.Istruckit luckywiththis job.Yeah, theclientelearenotexactlymykindofpeople,butyougottadowhatyougottado.”“Sohowdowegetin?”“Youreallywanttodothis?There’sawholething.Youwanttodothis?”“Ifyouwouldn’tmind,”saidSkulduggery.
“No,wecando it. I canpretend I don’t knowyou,we’ll go through theprocess,and,ifyoupass,yougetin.Fair’sfair.”“Whatdowedo?”Cormacputhistinyhandsonhistinyhips.“Oneofyouhastofightme.”
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Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Really?”“Ifyoudon’thaveamembertovouchforyou,”Cormacsaid,“it’strialby
combat,yeah.”SkulduggerylookedatValkyrie.“Doyouwanttodoit?”“No,thanks,”shesaid.“Areyousure?”“Notachance.”“Rightthen,”Skulduggerysaid,“itlookslikeit’syouandme,Cormac.”Cormac flew straight at Skulduggery’s jaw and swung a tiny fist that
launchedSkulduggerybackwards.“I’mawesomelystrongnow,bytheway,”Cormaccalledout.Skulduggery threw himself forward and Cormac met him in mid-air.
Valkyrienoticedthedoorcreakalittle,andwithagentlepushitopened.Shesneakedin,closingitbehindher.Shefoundherselfinasmallcourtyardwithwhite stones gathered round three green bushes. She passed through anarchway into an enclosed patio area with wrought-iron tables and chairs.Uponthetableswereupturnedwineglassesandamenu.Awaitercameoutofthedoorwaytoherleft,smilingasheapproached.“Goodmorning,”hesaid,“andwelcometo theClub.Youmustbeanew
member–Iwouldhaverememberedyouotherwise.”“Itismyfirsttimehere.Isitalwaysthisquiet?”“ItisonaMondaymorning,yes.CanIgetyouadrink?”“Actually,I’mjustheretomeetsomeone.DoctorQuidnunc.Haveyouseen
him recently? I had his number, but then dummy here went and lost herphone,so…”Thewaiter smiled. “I’vebeen there. I’monmy thirdphone in twoyears
becauseIkeeplosingthem.”“Wow,” said Valkyrie, giving a laugh. “Well, at least I’m not that bad.
Quidnuncwouldn’thappentobeintoday,wouldhe?”Thewaiterrolledhiseyes.“Quidnunc’s ineveryday.Apparently,he’son
therun.”
“Noway.”“Yep.He’savailinghimselfofthefacilitieshere,andtheroomsupstairs,to
doalittlehidingoutuntiltheheatwearsoff.Asamatteroffact,heaskedthatnone of the waiting staff answer any questions about him, especiallyquestionsposedbypeoplewe’veneverseenbefore…”Thewaiter’svoicegrewincreasinglyquiet,andhisfacegrewincreasingly
worried.Valkyrieflashedhimherbestsmile.“That’sprobablywise.Sonooneelse
hascomelookingforhim,then?Nowomanwithsilverhair?”Thewaiterdidn’tanswer.“I’lltakethatasano.He’supstairs,ishe?HowdoIgettohim?”“NowthatIthinkaboutit,”thewaitersaid,“youdolookawfullyfamiliar.”“ThenatleastI’mnotsomeoneyou’veneverseenbefore.”“IthinkI’veseenyoukillthousandsofpeople.”“Ah,” Valkyrie said. “That wasn’tme. That wasDarquesse. I didn’t kill
anyone.Thestairsarethroughhere,arethey?”“That means you’re Valkyrie Cain,” said the waiter. “You work for the
HighSanctuary.”“Actually,no,I’manArbiternow.”“What’sthat?”“Wedon’tworkfortheSanctuaries.We’reourownbosses,withourown
jurisdiction.”“Butyou’restilladetective,aren’tyou?”“Oh,yes.Verymuchso.”“AmIinalotoftrouble?”“Notfromme,”saidValkyrie,“aslongasyoutellmewhereQuidnuncis.”The waiter sagged. “Through there and up the stairs. He’s in the East
Room.Pleasedon’ttellhimItoldyou.”“Youhavemyword.”Hetookouthisnotepad,flippedtoablankpageandhelditout.“CouldI
haveyourautograph?”Valkyriefrowned.“I’msorry?”“I’venevermetafamouspersonbefore.”“I’mnotfamous.”“I’veheardofyou.”“But that doesn’t mean I’m … Listen, I don’t give autographs. That’s
weird.It’sweirdthatyouwouldaskmeandit’sweirdthatyouthinkI’ddoit.”“Thereyouare,”Skulduggerysaid,walkinginbehindherandbrushingat
hissuit.
“Whowon?”Valkyrieasked.“We fought to a standstill,” Skulduggery said. “Do we know where
Quidnuncis?”“Upstairs.”“Thenlet’sgotalktohim.”“Excuseme,”saidthewaiter,andheldouthisnotepadandpencil.“CanI
haveyourautograph?”“Ofcourse,”Skulduggerysaid,signingwithaflourishbeforehandingthe
notepadback.“Valkyrie,leadtheway.”Theyleftthewaiterandwentupstairs,followedthesignstotheEastRoom
andcametothecloseddoor.Theyheardthesplashofwaterfromwithin,andSkulduggerywavedhishandandthedoorburstopen.Itwasagood-sizedroom,withalargebedandalittletablewithflowerson
it,andabathtubwithclawedfeetinthemiddleofthefloor.Anakedmiddle-agedmanstoodwithonefootinthetub,hiseyeswideandhismouthopen.“Ew,”saidValkyrie.Themanscreechedandscrambled,knockedagainst the table, thevaseof
flowerssmashingtotheground.Hedroppedtohiskneesontheothersideofthebed,hismodestycovered.“Thankyouforthat,”saidValkyrie.“DoctorQuidnunc,isit?We’vebeen
lookingforyou.”“Andwe’renot theonlyones,”Skulduggerysaid, takingabathrobefrom
behindthedoorandtossingittohim.“Docoverup,Doctor.Thereareladiespresent.”“He’s talking about me,” said Valkyrie. “Where’s your mask? I was
expectingamask.”“Wh-whywould I bewearing amask?”Quidnunc asked, pulling on the
robe.“Becauseofyourthing,”Valkyriesaid.“Theliquor-fat-sievethingthatrots
yourskin.”“Liquefactivenecrosis,”Quidnuncsaid.“Idon’tneedamaskorbandages
oranything.Icaughtitearly.Myserumkeepsitundercontrol.”“Oh,”saidValkyrie.“That’sdisappointing.”“You’vegottohelpme.Mylifeisindanger.”“Thenyoushouldhave turnedyourself inbeforenow.You’dbesafe ina
cell.”“Ididn’twanttobeinacell,”Quidnuncsaid,tyingtherobeashegottohis
feet.“Ididn’twanttogetarrested.Butnowthatyou’rehere,andIdon’thaveachoice–arrestme.Please.”Skulduggeryfoldedhisarms.“First,youtelluswhereCaissonis.”
“No,”Quidnuncsaid.“First,youtakemesomewheresafe,somewherewithCleavers,andthenI’llanswerwhateverquestionsyouhave.”“Wecanstandherearguing,”Skulduggerysaid,“oryoucandoitourway
andwe’llbringyoustraighttotheHighSanctuaryandlockyouintheirverysafestcell.Onceagain–whereisCaisson?”“I…OK,Idon’tactuallyknowtheanswertothatparticularquestion.I’m
sorry. They took him away; they didn’t give me any warning whatsoever.They just arrived, told me I’d better scram if I wanted to live, told meAbyssiniawas probably on herway and that shewouldn’t be too happy tolearnaboutalltheexperimentsI’dbeendoingoverthelastfewdecades,soIsaidOK,Iwillgetmyselfgone,andIdidn’taskanyquestionsor—”“Stop,” saidSkulduggery. “You talk an awful lot and you say very, very
littleofanyactualrelevance.Whoarethepeoplewhotookhim?”“Idon’tknowtheirnames,”saidQuidnunc.“Therewerefiveofthem.Very
professional,but rude,youknow?Theydidn’thave time tochat.Not that Idid,either.Imean,mylifewasindanger.”“Itstillis,”Valkyriesaid.“Whodotheyworkfor?Whodoyouworkfor?
WeaskedNyebutitdidn’tknow.”Quidnunchesitated.“Uh…I’mnotsupposedtosay.”“Sayitanyway.”“Ireallydon’tthinkIshould.”“Youdon’thaveachoice,”Skulduggerysaid.“Abyssiniaisfollowingthe
sametrailwefollowedtogethere–whichmeansyoudon’thaveanawfullotoftime.Telluswhoyou’reworkingfor.”Quidnuncsighedunhappily.“Sheisgoingtobesomadwithme.Shehasa
thingaboutloyalty,youknow?”“Whodoes?ElizaScorn?”“No,no.MissScornworkedforherforatime,but…no.Iwork–weall
work–forSerafina.”Valkyrie didn’t need to ask Skulduggery who that was. She’d heard the
name a few times over the years, always in passing, always related to theFacelessOnes,orthewar.SerafinaoftheUnveiled.Mevolent’swife.Skulduggerygrunted.“Well,that’s…lovely.OK,tellusaboutCaisson.”“Um,sure,”saidQuidnunc.“Hetoldmeallsortsofthings.Whenyou,um,
experiment on someone for that long, you build up this strange kind ofrapport,youknow?It’salmostlikeafriendship.”“Exceptnotreally,”saidValkyrie.“It’sasort-offriendship.”“Whereonefriendisphysicallytorturingtheother.”
“Inevertortured,”Quidnuncsaidquickly.“Iexperimentedon.”“Whatkindsofexperiments?”Quidnunc exhaled loudly. “All different kinds. Like his mother, Caisson
feeds on the life force of others, which meant I could keep healing himwheneverhewasindangerofdying.Hereallywastheidealspecimen,youknow.”Hesmiledwistfully.“Theperfectsubject.”“This is getting disturbing,” said Valkyrie, “so let’s get back to the
questioning.Whatdidhetellyou?”“I’msorry,canIputonmyslippers?There’sabrokenvaseonthefloorand
I’mafraidImightsteponit.”“You’re going to have to focus here,OK?What exactly didCaisson tell
you?”“Everything.”“Let’sgetalittlemorespecific.WhatdidhetellyouaboutAbyssinia?”“He told me about the last time he saw her, how she was attacked. He
mentioned you,” Quidnunc said, looking at Skulduggery. “He toldme youwerethere.”“Hewasn’tlying.”“HesaidyouandtherestoftheDeadMen,plustheDiablerie,attackedher.
Thebattlewentonfordays.Abyssiniawaswinning.OnthelastdayshetoldCaisson to sneak away, but one of you caught him. China Sorrows. Shecaughthimandshewasgoingtokillhimifhismotherdidn’tstopfighting.”“Didhetellyouwhathappenednext?”“Hismothersurrendered.Youkilledher.”Skulduggery towered over him. “Thenwhat?What did he do after that?
Wherewasheraised?What’shelike?Whoishe?”“I…Idon’treallyknowhowtoanswer…”“Try.”“He’s… savage. Intelligent. Resourceful. I guess he’s everything you’d
expectfromsomeonewithparentslikehis.”“Whowashisfather?”Quidnuncswallowed.“TakemetoRoarhavenandI’lltellyou.”“Howaboutyou tell usnow?”Valkyrie said. “I don’t particularly like to
hurtpeopleanymoreunlessIabsolutelyhaveto,butSkulduggerystillfindsthehumourinit.”Skulduggery shrugged, and pulled his glove tighter round his right hand.
“I’mold-fashionedthatway.”“Don’thitme,”Quidnuncsaidimmediately.“Pleasedon’thitme.”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“ForaproudmemberoftheSadists’Club,you
seemverysqueamishwhenitcomestoviolence.”
“Just violence perpetrated upon myself,” Quidnunc said. “It’s ironic, Iknow.Maybeevenhypocritical.Butifthat’stheworstthingpeoplesayaboutme—”“It’snot,”Valkyriesaid,cuttinghimoff.“Telluswhatwewant toknow.
Caisson’sfather.Hisname.”Quidnuncchewedhislip.“Andthenyou’lltakemetoRoarhaven?”“Pinkypromise.”“Vile,”saidQuidnunc.“HisfatherwasLordVile.”Valkyrieblinked.Adistantpartofhermindcountedtheblinks.Sheblinked
fourtimesbeforeturningtolookatSkulduggery.“Well,”Skulduggerysaid,“that’sinteresting.”
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ValkyrietookholdofthecollarofQuidnunc’sbathrobeandhauledhimalongafterher.Sheopenedthewardrobe,shovedhiminandclosedthedoor,thencamebacktoSkulduggery.She hesitated amoment, then smiled calmly and, keeping her voice low,
said,“CanIaskapersonalquestion?”“Goahead,”Skulduggerysaid.“Remember when you were Lord Vile? Remember those days? Now, I
knowyouweredressedinarmourandeverything,andyouwereallbigandscary andwhispery and sinister, but youwere…youwere still a skeleton,right?”“Yes.”“So,andImeanthisinthenicestpossibleway,thereisabsolutelynoway
thatyoucouldhavehadakid…right?”“Right.”“Atall?”“Intheslightest.”“OK.”“Probably.”“What?”Valkyrie said.“There isprobably nowayyoucouldhavehad a
kid?Wheredidthis‘probably’comefrom?”“We’re talking aboutmagic,”Skulduggery said. “People do tricky things
withmagic.”“Ipaidattentioninbiology,allright?Well,Ididn’t,butmyreflectiondid,
andwhatIrememberaboutthewholebaby-makingprocessisthateggsdon’tfertilisethemselves.”“IfQuidnunc is telling the truth, thenCaissonwaseither lying tohim,or
AbyssinialiedtoCaissonabouthisfather.”“Yes,” Valkyrie said. “That makes sense. That seems obvious. Because
you’retotallynotthedad,right?”“Totally.”“OK.”
“Probablytotally.”Quidnuncknockedontheinsideofthewardrobe.“Hello?CanIcomeout
now?”Valkyrieopenedthedoor,pulledhimout.“Getdressed,”shesaid.“We’re
goingtowanttotalkaboutthisalotmorewhenyou’reinyourcell.”“Yes,”Quidnuncsaid,grabbinghisclothesoffthefloor.“Thankyou,yes.
CouldImakeonerequest?”“Norequests,”saidSkulduggery.“It’s just, as a co-operatingwitness, I thoughtmaybe I’d be granted one
smallrequest.”“You’renotaco-operatingwitness.You’reunderarrest.”Quidnunclookedsurprised.“AmI?”Skulduggery tilted his head. “Aren’t you? Didn’t we place you under
arrest?Wemay have forgotten. Doctor Quidnunc, you’re under arrest. Putyourtrouserson.”“Youhaven’tevenreadmemyrights.”“Whydoeseveryonethinkweoperateaccordingtomortalrules?Wedon’t
havemortal trials,dowe?WehaveSensitiveswhocanreadyourmindandproclaimyourguiltorinnocence.”“SoIdon’thaveanyrights?”“Notanywehavetoreadtoyou.Haven’tyoueverbeenarrestedbefore?”“No.”“Well,nowyou’llknowfornexttime.”Quidnunczippeduphisflyandpulledonashirt.Hepickedashoeupoff
thefloorandlookedaround.“Caneitherofyouseemyothershoe?Itlooksjustlikethisone.”“We know what a shoe looks like,” Valkyrie responded. “It’s under the
chair.”“Ah,”Quidnunc said,moving to the other end of the room.He put both
shoesonandstartedtyingthelaces.SkulduggeryheldthecarkeysouttoValkyrie.“You’dbetterbringthecar
round.”Sheraisedaneyebrow.“You’re trustingmewith theBentley twice in the
spaceofafewdays?”“I should stay with the doctor in case Abyssinia arrives. Pull up on the
streetoutsideandwe’llbewaiting.Donotcrash.”Valkyrietookthekeys,wenttosaysomethingbitinglyfunnytoQuidnunc–
butAbyssiniawassuddenlystandingbehindhim.
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NeroandanotherwomanhadteleportedinwithherandSkulduggerymovedatonce,using theair to throwNerooffhis feet,butAbyssiniahadgrabbedQuidnunc before they could stop her. “Hello, my darling,” she said toSkulduggery.Skulduggeryfroze.“Hello,dear.”“AndValkyrie,”saidAbyssinia.Shewaswearingred.Itwastight.“It’sso
goodtomeetyou.Formally,Imean.WhenI’mnotsuckingyourlifeforceoutof you. I think perhaps thatwas rude.Aswas instructingCadaverousGantandJeremiahWallowtoremoveyouasapotentialobstacleonmypathbacktolife.Asitturnsout,youwerevitaltomyrebirth.Youhavebothmythanks,andmyapologies.”Valkyriedidherbesttoappearnonchalant.“Ithappens.”Abyssiniasmiled.Itwasabeautifulsmile,thoughitdidseemunsettlingly
wide.“Forgivenessistrulyasignofagoodsoul.”Nerostoodup,scowling.“Mysoulisnotgood,I’mafraid,”Abyssiniacontinued.“I’vealwayshada
problemwith forgiveness.Thismanhere, forexample…Isuppose Icouldforgivehimforwhathedidtomyson.”“Yes,”Quidnuncwhimpered,hisheadheldbetweenherhands.“Please.”“But then I think about all those experiments he carried out,”Abyssinia
continued,“andallthatpainheinflicted,andIamunabletothinkclearly.”“Ican tellyou things,”Quidnuncsaidquickly.“Icandescribe thepeople
whotookhim.”“Iknowwhotookhim,”Abyssiniaresponded.“Serafina’speople.Fiveof
them.Iknowtheyhavemyson inaprivateambulance,and they’redrivingthroughEuropeinafutileattempttostayaheadofme.”“Iknowotherthings,”Quidnuncsaid.“Iknowlots.”“Doyou?”Abyssiniaasked.Quidnuncwincedsuddenly,andValkyrie feltapressure in the room, like
shewasonaplanecomingintoland,andthenthepressurewaspiercedandQuidnunccriedout.
Abyssinia shook her head. “You lie, Doctor. There’s nothing else thatinterestsmeinyourmemories,apartfromallthosedecadesoftortureyouputCaissonthrough.”“Itwasn’tmyfault,”Quidnuncsaid,cryingnow.“Iwasordered todo it.
Serafinatoldme—”“I know what she told you to do,” Abyssinia said. “And, unlike you, I
knowwhy she told you to do it. I suppose you’re not the real villain here.You’retheinstrumentsheused.”“Yes,”Quidnuncsaid.“I’mjusttheinstrument.”She put her lips to his ear. “But even the instrument must be broken,
Doctor.”Quidnunc gasped and went pale, then purple, then yellow, his cheeks
hollowing, his eyesdryingup in their sockets, his body shrivellingbeneathhishalf-buttonedshirt.Glowingwithstolenhealth,Abyssiniaallowedthehuskofhisremainsto
fall at her feet and looked up. “It’s so good to be around you again,Skulduggery.ImissedyouwhenIwasaheartinabox.Imissedourtalks.”“Iwould imagine good conversation is hard to comebywhen you’re an
internalorgan.”“Yousee?Youunderstandme.Youalwayshave.”Sheswitchedhergazeto
Valkyrie.“Thisisnotthefirsttimewe’vespoken,either,isit?”“Isawyouinmyvision,”Valkyriesaid.“Youtouchedme.Howdidyoudo
that?”“I am the Princess of theDarklands. I can domany things.” She turned
slightly.“Nero,Skeiri,leaveus,please.”“Uh,isthatwise?”Neroasked.“Youaresuchasweetboy,”Abyssiniasaid.“Thankyou,butI’mperfectly
safehere.I’llcontactyouwhenIneedyou.Goonnow.”Neroglancedat thewomancalledSkeiri,but she remained impassive.A
momentlater,theyvanished.“There,”Abyssinia said. “Some privacy. I have to admit,Valkyrie, there
are…gapsinmymemorywhenitcomestoyou.IthinkithappenedwhenIdrewfromyourstrength.You’resomethingofamysterytome–whichIfinddelightful,bytheway.You’reabookIhaveyettoread.”“Noone’scalledmeabookbefore.”“I’vesensedyousincethatday,haven’tI?”“Notme,”Valkyriesaid.“Mustbesomebodyelse.”Shepressedonbefore
AbyssiniarevealedtoomuchinfrontofSkulduggery.“SothisDarklands–isthataplace,ormorelikeastate-of-mind-typething?”
“It’shere,Valkyrie.Allaroundus.TotheFacelessOnes,thisentireplanetistheDarklands.It’swhytheysoughtitout.It’swhytheyfoughtsohardtostay.Thisistheirholyland.It’swhytheywanttocomeback.”“Huh.Ihadn’theardthatbefore.”Abyssinia smiled. “Of course not. You haven’t read the Book of Tears,
haveyou?Youhaven’tlistenedtoitssermons.Iwouldrecommendit,ifyouhavethetime.Itcouldchangeyourlife.”“I don’t think so,” said Valkyrie. “To be honest with you, I never liked
goingtoregularchurch,letalonecrazychurch.”Abyssinia laughed. “You think the mortal religions sound any less
fantastical?Atleastourgodsarereal.Youfacedthem,didn’tyou?Youweretherewhentheyvisited,tenyearsago.”“Iwasthere,all right.Theycameback,myheadfelt like itwasgoingto
explode,andtheykilledabunchofpeople.Mostlytheirownworshippers,so…that’sonegoodthingaboutthem.Pityyoumissedit.”“Yes,itis.Idosoloveafamilyreunion.”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Family?”Abyssiniabitherlip.“Hereitcomes–everythingIkeptfromyouwhenwe
were… dating. Could you call it dating? Let’s call it dating. I’m royalty,darling.MybloodlinecanbetracedbacktotheFacelessOnesthemselves.”Valkyriefrowned.“Idon’tgetit.”“MyfamilycomesdirectlyfromthefirstFacelessOnetotakehumanform.
Not to possess a human body, mind you, but to actually become a humanbody. It was to be the start of a whole new species, before the Ancientsrebelled.”“AndIthoughtwesharedeverything,”Skulduggerymurmured.“Oh,don’tbemadwithme,mylove.Myfathersworeusalltosecrecy.If
ourenemies,ofwhichthereweremany,learnedofourheritage, theywouldseektodestroyus.”“Wait,”Valkyriesaid.“Skulduggery,areyouactuallybelievingher?”Heshrugged.“You’redescendedfromtheLastoftheAncients–whycan’t
shebedescendedfromtheFacelessOnes?”“Becauseatleastmyancestorswerehuman,notaninsanegodwhoputon
ahumanfaceandwentoutandgotlucky.Abyssinia,areyousureyourfamilywasn’tjustfullofit?”Abyssinia’ssmiledimmed.“Donotspeakillofmyfamily.”“Soresubject?”“Mymotherwasabeaconoflove,andmyfatherhadthebloodofgodsin
his veins.You have no idea how better off the people of thisworldwouldhavebeenifmyparentsruledoverthem.”
“We’vebeentoaworldoverrunbytheFacelessOnes,”Skulduggerysaid.“Itwasnotafunplace.”“Myfatherhadnointentionofbringingthemback,”Abyssiniasaid.“Why
wouldhe?Theyhadtheirtime,andthattimeended.Nowitwasourturn.Athousandyearsago,myfatherwasabouttorevealthetruthtotheworldandrally the righteous to our banner. We would have overthrown the mortalcivilisations.We would have cured disease, ended famine, made countlesslivesbetter…”“Solongasthemortalskneltbeforeyou.”“Alittlekneelingneverhurtanyone,”saidAbyssinia.“Yourdad,”Valkyriesaid,“wouldhebetheKingoftheDarklands,byany
chance?”“Thatwashistitle,yes.”“It’snotanymore?”“WhenIwasstillachild,”saidAbyssinia,“myfatherwasbetrayedbyhis
mostgifted–andtrusted–student.Murderedonthecuspofgreatness.”“Ooh, I hate that,”Valkyrie said. “I hate beingmurdered on the cusp of
things.”“You’requiteaninsolentyounglady,aren’tyou?”“Ihavemymoments,”saidValkyrie.“Thisgiftedstudent,”Skulduggerysaid,“whowashe?”Abyssiniasmiledthinly.“Youhaven’tfigureditoutyet?”“Ihave,”saidSkulduggery,“butIwantconfirmation.Hekilledyourfather.
Bothyourparents? I imagineyourwhole family.Maybeyouwere theonlyone who escaped. He was probably unaware of this, as he wouldn’t havestopped hunting you if he’d known youwere alive. So thatmeans you, ormorelikelysomeonestillloyaltoyou,killedachildofroughlythesameageandappearanceandpresentedthebodytohimasyourown.”“Whoarewetalkingabout?”Valkyrieasked.“Thegiftedstudent,”Skulduggerysaid,“whowentontounitethedisciples
oftheFacelessOnesandstartawarthatwouldlastforcenturies.”“Mevolent,”Valkyriesaidslowly.ShelookedbackatAbyssinia.“Butthen
thatmeans…yourfatherwastheUnnamed.”“That’swhattheycalledhim.”Valkyrienodded.“Idon’tknowwhattodowiththatinfor-mation.”“SowhydoesMevolent’swifehaveyourson?”Skulduggeryasked.“Doesitmatter?”Abyssiniaresponded.“It’sSerafina.Serafinadoeswhat
Serafinadoes,andshealwayshas.Haveyoumether,Valkyrie?”“Ihaven’t.”
“Youwouldn’t like her.Would she, Skulduggery?Shewouldn’t like her.Serafinais…unlikeable,wouldn’tyousay?”“I’vealwaysthoughtso,”Skulduggerysaid.“Yes,she’sbeautiful,”saidAbyssinia.“Yes,she’salluring.Yes,everystep
shetakesisasensuousmomenttobesavouredbyallwhobearwitness…butthere are more beautiful. China Sorrows, for example. A more beautifulpersonIhaveneverseenthanChinaSorrows.Therearethosemorealluring,also,whose footsteps are evenmore sensuous thanSerafina’s.”She sighed.“Even so, as unlikeable as she is, shedoespossess a certain…something.Doesshenot,Skulduggery?”“Isupposeshedoes.”“WouldyousaySerafinaismorebeautifulthanme?”“Iwouldnot.”Abyssinialaughed.“Comenow,youcanbehonest.Withourhistory,with
what we’ve shared, honesty is surely the least we can expect from eachother.”“I am being honest,” Skulduggery said. “My criteria for judging beauty
havebroadenedconsiderably since the last timewespoke.Serafinamaybephysicallyattractive,butshe’samonster.”“Thisistrue.”“Ofcourse,”Skulduggerycontinued,“you’reamonster,too.”Abyssiniasmiled.“We’reallmonstershere.SuchdarknessIseebeforeme.
LordVile andDarquesse. Howmany innocent lives have you two snuffedout?Howmuchbloodisonyourhands?”“Plenty,”saidValkyrie.“Plenty,”Abyssinia echoed. “This is indeed true. Everyone knows about
you,Valkyrie.They fear you, don’t they?They resent you.Theypositivelyhateyou.ButSkulduggery’sdarksideremainsasecret.It’swhyIsentRazziaand Nero away. A secret is only fun when it’s kept. How would theSanctuariesaroundtheworldreact,Iwonder,tothetruth?MaybeIshouldtellthem…Oh,Skulduggery,howIwishyouhadaface!Iwouldlovetoseeifyouwerescared,ornervous,orresignedattheverynotion!Instead,allIgetis this…blankskull.Does itbotheryou,Valkyrie?Does itbotheryou thatyoucan’ttellwhathe’sfeeling?”“Icantell,”Valkyriesaid.Abyssinialookedather,anddidn’tsayanything.“Quidnunc let slip something interesting,”Skulduggery said. “Something
Caissontoldhimwhenhewasbeingtortured.”AbyssiniatookamomenttotakehereyesoffValkyrie.“Oh?”
“HeseemstothinkLordVileishisfather.Whywouldyoulietohimaboutthat?”“Youthinkit’salie?”“ImaynotremembereverysinglethingIdidwhenIworethatarmour,but
I’drecallfatheringanimpossiblechild.”“Not impossible, my love. There have always been ways to conceive a
childwithmagic,evenbackthen.”“I’mnothisfather.”“Oh,Skulduggery.Youdon’tknowwhatyouare.”“Whataboutyouranti-Sanctuaryfriends?Dotheyknowaboutanyofthis?
DotheFirstWavekids?Theyallknowyou’relookingforCaisson,obviously–butdotheyknowhe’sthefutureKingoftheDarklands?Dotheyknowofhisheritage?”“Weareunited,ifthat’swhatyou’rewondering.”“You’reunitedbecauseyou’relyingtothem,”Skulduggerysaid.“Yousold
themonasorcerers-rule-the-worldidea–butwhatyou’retalkingaboutnowis somethingdifferent.You’re talkingaboutyou ruling theworld.Your sontakinghisrightfulplaceon the throne,andyoustandingbehindhim.That’swhyyousentNeroandSkeiriout,isn’tit?You’reafraidiftheyfindoutwhatyou’rereallyupto,they’llleave.”Abyssinia smiled. “I suppose we all have our secrets. But that’s not the
onlyreasonIsentthemaway.Iseekatruce,Skulduggery.”“Aftereverythingyou’vedone?”“Notforme.ForCaisson.Youmurderedmebeforehe’deventakenaname
to protect himself. He’s never known amother’s love, let alone a father’s.He’shad thecruellestof lives, andonce Igethimbackhewill assume thetitle of the King of the Darklands – the same King that Auger Darkly isprophesiedtobattleandpossiblykill.Iimploreyou,Ibeseechyou,totalktotheDarklyboy,convincehimnottohuntdownourson.Inreturn,IwilltakeCaissonandleave,andyouwillneverhearfromeitherofusagain.”“Youwanttonegotiate?That’sunlikeyou.”“Notwhenitcomestoourson.”“Don’tcallhimthat.”“He’slikeyou,youknow.Hegrewuptall.”Valkyrieinterrupted.“Whydon’tyougoafterAuger?”“I’ve thought about it,” said Abyssinia. “It would, admittedly, solve my
problemstojustkilltheboy.Butpropheciesarecomplicatedthings.Who’stosaythatanattemptontheDarklyboy’slifewouldn’tleadhimtothisfatefulconfrontationwithCaissonthreeyearsfromnow?No,apeacefulsolutionisthemostdesirable,Ithink.”
“You’llwalkaway?”Skulduggeryasked.“You’llabandonthepeoplewhofollowyou?”“They’ll follow someone else. I’ve given them what they needed. I’ve
started themon the road.Someof themarealreadybeginning to turnawayfromme.Itwasinevitable,buttheyrefusedtoseeit.”“TelluswhereColdheartPrisonisandwe’lltalk.”“Oh, no, no, Skulduggery.This truce I offer is forme andCaisson only.
You’llhavetodealwithmyfriendsonyourown.Willyouletuswalkaway?”“I’msorry,Abyssinia–you’retoodangerous.You’vealwaysfelt that the
worldowesyousomething.NowthatIknowyouthinkitowesyoufealty,Ican’ttrustyou.You’reathreat.You’llalwaysbeathreat.”Abyssiniasighed.“Soyouareturningdownmyofferofatruce?”“Unfortunately,yes.”“Thenyouknowwhathastohappennow.”“Ido.”Valkyrietensed.Nero and Skeiri teleported in. Skulduggery pulled his revolver andNero
dived on him and they both disappeared. Valkyrie raised her arm, energycrackling,butSkeiri’spalmopened,justlikeshehadseenRazzia’sdo,andatentacle–justlikeRazzia’s,exceptgreen–shotout,andthattentacleplungedrightbetweentheopenzipofValkyrie’sjacket.Straightintoherchest.
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Valkyriegasped.Steppedback.Bothhandsclosedroundthetentacle.Itwaswarm.Slick.Itpulsedwithlife.Shedroppedtoherknees.Insideherchest,theheadoftheparasitesquirmed.Skeiri held up her other hand. Her palm opened. The second parasite
readieditself.AimedrightatValkyrie’sface.ItlaunchedbutValkyriecaughtitone-handed.Itsnappedather.Withherfreehand,Valkyriegrabbedashardofbrokenvaseandslashed,
severingtheparasite’sheadfromitsbody.Skeiriscreamedandbothtendrilsretracted into her palms and she staggered back, clutching her right wrist,sobbing.BlooddrenchingherT-shirt,Valkyriegotup.Abyssinia tookholdofher,
threwheragainstthewall.Aframedpicturewasdislodged.Fell.Valkyrie’sweakknees.Hot blood against cold skin.Abyssinia’s hand on
Valkyrie’s head, her mind peering into Valkyrie’s thoughts. Confident.Arrogant.Vulnerable.Valkyrie’shandsclutchedAbyssinia’shead.
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Valkyriedrownedinmemories.Theyoverwhelmedher.Shewaslosttothem,herownidentitynothingbut
adropinthevastoceanofAbyssinia.Painandloveandconflict,hatredandstrength,peaceandvengeance.FacesandvoicesValkyriehadneverknown,suddenlyassharpasthoseofherownparents.Valkyriewent under. Thiswas amistake.Doing thiswas amistake, but
therewasnowayoutnow.Shewasbeingcrushedbyalifeshe’dneverlived,whereeverythingwasnew,whereeverythingwasalien.Andyet,inallthatnewness,somethingfamiliar.Sheswamtowardsit.Shewasonahilltop,hunkeringinfrontofadyingman.Bloodseepedfrom
a wound in his belly. She prodded him in the chest with her finger. Hewinced,andopenedhiseyes.“Oh,no,”hesaidwhenhesawher.Valkyriesmiled.“Hello,”shesaid.No.ItwasAbyssinia.NotValkyrie.ThiswasAbyssinia’smemory,andyet
itwasValkyriewhospoke.“They left you behind, did they?” she said. “A terrible thing to leave a
comradebehind.Yougotothetroubleofattackingavillageandkillingallofthese fine, finepeople…and,at the firstwhiffofa stabwound to thegut,theyleaveyouintheirwake.Youhavemysympathies,bravewarrior.”“Please,”saidthedyingman,“Iknowwhoyouare.Helpme.”Valkyrielaidahandonhisshoulder,andlookedhimintheeye.“Iwillhelp
you. I would be honoured to help you. But first, I am in need of someinformationaboutthesefriendsofyours.”“Askmeanything,”saidthedyingman,butValkyrieshookherhead.“Youdon’thave tospeak,”shesaid.“Conserveyourstrength.Letmedo
thework.”Sheignoredhislookofconfusionandsentherthoughtsintohis,likethetip
ofaspearslidingintosoftflesh.Shefelthisalarmandshepushedittooneside, focusing instead on his memories. They opened before her, every
intimate detail of this dyingman’s life.But she cared little for the intimatedetails.Sheabsorbed the recentmemories.Themoment thedyingmanandhis eleven companions came across this village ofmortals. The death theybrought,withsteelandmagicandcudgel.Shewatched,throughhiseyes,asone of the mortals, a desperate woman defending her children, ran himthroughbeforeshe,too,wascutdown.“Theyabandonedyou,”Valkyriesaid,leavinghismind.“Afterallyou’ve
doneforeachofthem,theyleftyoutodieherealone.”“Please,”thedyingmansaid.“Helpme.”“Of course,” said Valkyrie, and rested her hand across his forehead,
drawingoutwhatremainedofhislifeandtakinghisenergyforherself.Theemptyshellofhisbodytoppledsidewaysandshestraightened.“Elevenofthem,”shesaid,“goingnorth.Sixhoursaheadofus.”Skulduggery stood over another corpse, his hood up, casting his skull in
darkness.Thewindpluckedatthetailofhiscoat.Hisswordlayheavyacrosshisback.Valkyriewalkedover.“DidyouhearwhatIsaid?”sheasked.“Elevenofthem,”herepeatedtoher.“Six-hourheadstart.”Valkyrie touched Skulduggery’s arm. “They’re just mortals,” she said
gently.“There’ssomanyofthemintheworldthatIdoubtanyonewillnoticetheirloss.”Heturnedhisheadtoher,eversoslightly.“YouthinkIgrieveforthem?”“Youdon’t?”“Maybe once I would have.Maybe once suchmindless slaughter would
havestirredgriefwithinme,orrighteousfury…”Valkyriebitherlip.“Butnolonger?”“NowIfeelnothingbutcontempt,”Skulduggerysaid.“Fortheirweakness.
Fortheirshort,vulnerablelives.Forthesheerpedantryoftheirexistence.”A smile broke across Valkyrie’s face. “My love,” she said. “You have
finallyjoinedme.”She pulled away from thememory, heaving herself back into the ocean.
Shewasherself again.ValkyrieCain.AndValkyrieCainhadparents andasister and a dog, and shewasn’tAbyssinia and she hadn’t been the one toencourageSkulduggery’sdescent.Because,ofcourse,Skulduggerydidn’tneedanyencouragement.Valkyrie was in darkness, watching, as Skulduggery donned the black
armour.Coldflameflickeredoffthewalls.Heworkedslowly,methodically,withbuckles and strapsandbelts.Piecebypiece thearmourwenton, eachsegment sliding into place, covering him, burying him, sealing him away,untilatlastthehelmetwentonandSkulduggeryPleasantwasgone.
AndtherewasonlyLordVile.No.Shedidn’twant tosee this.Shedidn’twant toseeSkulduggery like this.
Shedidn’twant thismemory. Itwasn’tevenhers. Itbelonged toAbyssinia,and Valkyrie wasn’t Abyssinia: she hadn’t watched her father die and shehadn’tjoinedMevolent’sarmyinordertogetclosetothemanwho’dkilledhim.She was in the hall, in the great hall inMevolent’s castle, and she was
talking,makingaspeechwhiletheyalllookedon.Shewasatthetoptable.Mevolent’swifemayhavebeenseatedathisright
side,butValkyriewasseatedtohisleft.Shecouldseetheresentmentintheeyes of the gathered sorcerers –Serpine in particular.BaronVengeouswaswithout expression, and beside him China Sorrows smiled, as if she wasdelightedthatValkyriehadbeenchosenasMevolent’sfavourite.Allherplanshadledhertothispoint.Asshespoke,Valkyrieglancedbehindher,towhereLordVilestood.Upon
hearing certain words, he would strike, plunging his sword throughMevolent’s back.And then,while he killed Serafina before she could evenstand,itwouldbesheherselfwhotookMevolent’shead.Andyet.Fatehadacruelsenseofhumour,itseemed.Herplans,ascarefulasthey
were,aspreciseintheirexecutionastheirplanning,hadscatteredbeforehermerehoursearlier,whenshehadlearnedofthechildgrowingwithinher.Suddenlyherthoughtsofvengeancewerenothingbutsmokeonthewind.
Mevolenthadrobbedherofherfamily–thoughhedidnotknowit–andyetshehadthepotentialforanewfamily.Shedidn’tneedtokillhim.Shedidn’tneed to take what was his. She could slip away in the night and seekhappinesselsewhere.Behindher,Vilewaitedforwordsthatwouldnevercome.Valkyriepausedinherspeech,tookadrinkofwine,andfoundherselfwith
herhandonherbelly.Shelookeddown,andsmiled.Thiswouldbeherfinalnightinthecastle.Anditwas.The tip of the sword slid through her chest andValkyrie frowned.There
werecriesfromthecrowd.Shewasliftedoffherfeetasthepainblossomed.Vile.Hehadbetrayedher.
Shealmostlaughed.Her feetkicked feeblyashecarriedher to thewindowon theendofhis
sword.Mevolent and Serafina, she noted, never even looked up from theirmeal.
LordVilethrewherintotheglassanditshatteredaroundherandshefellintodarkness,thewindsnatchingatherclothesandherhairandshefellandfellandtherocksmetheratthebottomandbrokeherbody.Sheblinkedupatthestars.Itwasallshecoulddo.Herstrengthhadsavedherfromanimmediatedeath,butthatstrengthwas
leakingfromherwitheverymoment.Shetriedtotouchherbelly,butcouldnotmoveherhands.Tearsmixedwiththebloodonherface.I’msorry, she thought, for her lips could not formwords. I’m sorry,my
child.Sadness overtook the pain and Valkyrie wept, and tore herself from the
memory, and gasped, and looked down at herself, and saw the hole in herchest.She was back in the East Room, back in the Sadists’ Club, back in
Roarhaven,andAbyssiniawasstumblingawayandValkyriesankdown,herbackagainstthewall,whileSkeiriwailedinthecorner.SkulduggeryandNerocameback,Nerocryingout,Skulduggerykneeling
on him, pressing the revolver into his head. He looked up, saw Valkyrie,immediatelyleftNerowherehelayandhurriedover.Neropushedhimself up, recognised a no-winbattlewhenhe saw it, and
vanished,alongwithAbyssiniaandSkeiri.“Valkyrie,” Skulduggery said, pressing his hand against the wound.
“Valkyrie,canyouhearme?You’regoingtobeOK.You’regoingtobefine.”Shetriedtospeakbutcouldn’t,andasheliftedherintohisarmstheworld
drewinanddarknessswallowedher.
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The first classes of the day were business studies and double combat arts.Omendidn’tmindcombatarts.He’dbeenthroughitallbeforewhenthebesttrainers intheworldhadtaughtAugerhowtohitandOmenhowtogethit.Now itwas different.NowOmenwas no longer the punchbag, and it wasquite startling – to his classmates, to his teacher, to Omen himself – howmuchofthattraininghehadabsorbedovertheyears.TheonlythingthatpreventedOmenfrombeingoneofthebestintheclass
was thefact thatheappeared topossessabsolutelynoaggression.Atall. Intheslightest.Whichwasaproblemwhenitcametofighting.Thesetwoclassesturnedouttobemoretheorythanpractical,andnobody
brokemuchofasweat,whichmeantOmencouldskiptheweeklytortureofshoweringwiththerestoftheboys.Instead,hegotdressedquickerthanusualandfoundNeverinthecorridor.“Hey,”hesaid.Never looked up, hesitated, and smiled. His hair was tied back today.
“Hey.”“I was thinking,” Omen said, “about what we were talking about on
Friday.”Neverfrowned.“Remindme.”“Y’know…weweretalkingaboutthefactthatI’msittingaround,waiting
forSkulduggeryandValkyrietocallmeoffonanadventure.”“Thatwasyou?”“Iwasthinking,maybe…Imean,obviouslyyouhadapoint.”“Iamme.”“And, if I reactedbadly to it, then I’msorry. I just…Idon’twant tobe
boring.Idon’twanttobelikeeveryoneelseandIhadatasteofwhatit’sliketohavealifelikethat,likeAuger’s,andI…”Hesighed.“Don’tworryaboutit,”saidNever.“Well,Iamworryingaboutit,”Omensaid.“Andyouknowmebetterthan
probablyanyone,andyouwereonlytryingtomakemeseesense.”“Seeingsenseisgood,”Neversaid.
“Arewefriendsagain?”“Whendidwestop?”“Imean,wehaven’treallychattedin the lastfewdaysandI thoughtyou
weremadatmeorsomething.”“I’mnotmadatyou,monkey.I’vejustbeenbusy.I’maverybusyperson,
youknow.Like,rightnow?RightnowI’mbusy.”Omenlaughed.“Rightnowyou’retalkingtome.”“AndI’mbusy,so,like,wrapitup.”“Oh,”saidOmen.“Oh,right,sorry.Um…well,that’sit,Isuppose.”NeverputahandonOmen’sshoulder.“Goodtalk.I’mgladwedidthis.It’s
important,Ithink,tobeabletotalkaboutstuff.”“Sowhoareyouwaitingfor?”Nevertookhishandback.“I’mnotwaitingforanyone.”“Isitanewboyfriend?”“HowdoyouknowI’mnotstillwithWilder?”Omengrinned.“He’snotyourtypeatall.He’stooloud.”Nevershrugged.“Also,he’dneverbeenoutwithsomeoneasamazingas
me,soIthinkhegotintimidated.Ah,well,hisloss.”“Sowho’sthenewguy?”“Thereactually isn’tone. I’moff themarketat themoment. I feel Ineed
somespacetoreconnectwithmyself,torediscovermyownvitality.”“Whatkindofbookshaveyoubeenreading?”“Bookswithwordsandnopictures,sothey’dbeofnointeresttoyou.”He
checkedhiswatch.“OK,I’vegottogetgoing.Omen,youhaveagoodone.”Omenlaughed.“I’lltrymyverybest,butIwillfindoutwhatyou’re—”AndNeverteleportedaway.“Omen.”OmenturnedasAurniaranup.Heblinked,notexpectingtoseeherinthe
schoolcorridorlikethis.“Aurnia!Hi!Whatareyoudoinghere?”“I’m lost,” she said. Her eyes were watery, like she was about to start
crying.“Alloftheambassadorsarebeingbroughtintodiscussourconcerns,and Iwaswith thegroupand then Igotdistracted.This school is…huge.This is the biggest building I’ve ever been in. Back home our school is asingleroominmyuncle’shouse.”“Soyougotlost,”saidOmen.“OK,that’scool.Icanhelpyou.Comeon.”Theystartedwalking,Aurniahuggingherselfandstickingclosetohisside.
Henoticedhershrinkawayfromthepeopletheypassed,likeamistreatedcat.“Doyou rememberwhat roomyouwere supposed tobeheading to?”he
asked.
“No,”shesaid.“Iwasn’treallylistening.I’vebarelyheardanythingthat’sbeensaidsincewearrivedhere.Howdoesanyonegetanythingdonehere?”“Istillhaven’tfiguredthatoutmyself,tobehonest.”“Yousaidthatmortalshaveschoolshere,too–properschools.Aretheyas
bigasthis?”Omen shrugged. “It depends. I mean, I suppose some of them are, the
reallyexclusiveones,butmostofthemaren’t.”“Whatwasitlikegrowinguphere?”sheasked.“Oh, I didn’t. I grew up near Galway. Do you have Galway in your
dimension?”“Yes.”“Igrewupnearthere,inasmalltown,allverynormal.Myfamily’smagic,
but Roarhaven wasn’t a city back then so we lived among mortals andbasicallypretendedtobelikeeveryoneelse.Weevenhadmortalnamesandstuff.Ilikedit,actually,beingjustlikeeveryoneelse.IsupposeIfitinbetterasamortalthanIdoasasorcerer.”“Whydon’tyoufitinasasorcerer?”“I’mjustnotverygoodatit.Mybrother,Auger,he’sgoodatit.He’sreally
good at it. But then he’s so good at everything. Iwas nevermuch good atanything.”“Butyoucandomagic?”“Yes,”hesaid.“Notmuch,butIcan.Doyouwanttosee?”Aurnialookedalarmedandshookherhead.“OK,”saidOmenquickly.“That’scool.”Sheactuallysmiled.“Youusedthatwordagain.Cool.Whyiscoolagood
thing?”“Idon’treallyknow.Isupposeitcamefrom,maybe,America,fromback
inthe1960swheneverythingwascoolandgroovyandstuff.”“Ah,”saidAurnia,“sothat’swhywedon’tusethewordlikeyoudo.We
don’thaveanAmericawhereI’mfrom.”“Howcanyounothaveacountry?”Omenasked,frowning.“Well, we have it, it’s there, it exists, but no one lives there any more.
MevolentkilledeveryoneinAmericahundredsofyearsagoandpoisoneditall–theland,thewater,theair…”“Wow.”“Yes.”“Soyouguysdon’thaveElvisorJenniferLawrenceorSpider-Man…or
anyone.”“Idon’tknowwhotheyare.”
“Elviswasasinger,andJenniferLawrence is inmovies,andSpider-Manswingsfrombuildingsandstopscrime.”“Isheasorcerer,too?”“No,hewasjustbittenbyaradioactivespider.It’ssoweirdthatyoudon’t
havethosethings.”“Notreally,”Aurniasaid,shrugging.“FromwhereIstand,it’snormal,and
actuallyhavinganAmericawithpeople in it, that’s, likeyousaid, the thingthat’sweird.”Heledheruptheweststaircase.Shewasnolongerhuggingherself.With
everystepshe took,shewasgrowinginconfidence.Hewishedhewas likethat.She laughed suddenly. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I never thought thiswould
happen.”Hegrinnedalongwithher.“Whatwouldhappen?”“This,” she said, gesturing to their surroundings. “Sorcerers everywhere
andI’mjustwalkingthroughthemall.”“It’sadifferentworld.”“Yes,itis.”Axeliapassed,eyesonherphone,andOmenwavedtogetherattentionand
said,“Axelia,hey.”Shelookedup,smiledautomatically.“Hey,”shesaid.“Axelia,”saidOmen,“thisisAurnia.Aurnia’spartofthevolunteergroup,
fromthecamp?Doyouknowwheretherestofthemare?”“Iwas just helping outwith them,”Axelia said. “They’re inMeritorious
Hall.Themeetinghasn’tstartedyet,soyou’llbefine.It’sverygoodtomeetyou,Aurnia.”“Andyou,”saidAurnia.Axeliasmiledagainandwalkedon,andOmentookAurniarightanddown
acorridor.“She’sverypretty,”saidAurnia.“Isshe?”saidOmen.“Everyoneherehassuchwonderfulhair.Isitbecauseoftheshampoo?”“Youdon’thaveshampoowhereyou’refrom?”“Maybethesorcerersdo,butmortalsusesoap.Myfamilyreceivedabottle
ofshampooinoneofourcarepackages,though,andlastnightIwashedmyhairand…andit’swonderful.”“Yourhairdoeslookextrashinytoday.”Shelaughedagain.“Thankyou.”ThedoortoMeritoriousHallwasopen.Inside,sorcerersandmortalswere
findingtheirseats.
“Hereweare,”Omensaid.Aurniaclaspedherhands.“Thankyou,Omen.Thankyousomuch.”“Noprobs.Problem.Noproblem.”She lookedathimfora littlebit,and then lookedaway.“Well, I’dbetter
go.”“Wait!”heblurted.“Yes?”“Um…wouldyouliketodosomething?”“Iamdoingsomething.I’mwalking.”“No,like,dosomething.”“Idon’tthinkIunderstand.”“With me,” said Omen. “Would you like to do something with me?
Tomorrow,maybe? It’s just that I enjoy talking to you, and spending timewithyou,andIwaswonderingifmaybeyou’dliketo,um,doitagain?”Aurniafrowned.“Areyoutryingtocourtme?”“Idon’tknow.Ithinkso?”“Huh.”“So…whatdoyouthink?”“WehavestrictrulesforcourtingwhereI’mfrom,”saidAurnia.“First,you
mustaskmyparents.”“Yeah,right,thatmakessense.”“Andthenmybrother.He’sveryprotectiveofme,though,sothatmightbe
difficult.”“Icandoit.”“Andthenyouhavetoseekpermissionfromthetwelvevillageleaders.”“Alltwelve?”“And,before theymake their ruling,youmustdo theLoveDance in the
streets.”“Wow. I don’t have much rhythm but, well, I suppose I could get my
dancingshoeson.”“No shoes,” she said. “The Love Dance is performed without clothes.
When the dance is over, youmust sing the traditional ballads, also naked.Thenandonlythenwillwereceivetheblessingofmypeople,andweshallbewed.My familywill be expecting a childwithin the first year, sonaturallyyouwillhavetocommittoalifetimeof…”Shegrinnedsuddenly,agrinsoprettyitmadeOmen’sheartlurch.“I’mjoking.Wedon’thavestrictrulesforcourting,andwedon’thavetogetmarriedorhavebabies.Thelookonyourface,however…”Omenbarkedoutalaughandfeltthetensionrushfromhisbody.“Thatwas
mean.Thatwasverymean.”
“Iwouldliketotalktoyoutomorrow,Omen.Sotheanswerisyes.”Hegaveagrinofhisown.“Cool,”hesaid.
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HereinthissmalltowninTuscany,wherethestreetswereimpossiblynarrow,waswheretheflawintheotherwiseflawlessroutethatSerafina’speoplehadplannedoutwouldbeexploited.ThiswaswhereCadaverouswouldambushtheambulance.Sitting in the shade, Cadaverous glanced at his watch. It was just gone
midday, the ambulance was almost here, and there were nomortals about.Thiswasbeyondperfect.“Shecutitoff,”Razziasaid.“Just…swish.Cutitrightoff.”Cadaverousdidn’trespond.Razzialookedup.“Shedeservedit,ofcourse.Skeiri,Imean.Ooh,I’mso
great,I’mtakingRazzia’splace…andnowshehasonelesstentacle.That’sthemoralofthestory,rightthere.”Neroteleportedin.“They’recoming,”hesaid.“Diditlooklikeithurt?”Razziaasked.“WhatValkyriedidtoSkeiri?”Nerosighed.“Areyoustilltalkingaboutthis?Itwasagesago,OK?Itwas
yesterday.HowamIsupposed to rememberwhathappenedorwhathurtorwhatdidn’t?AllIknowis,shewouldn’tstopmoaningaboutit.”Cadaverousstood.“Inpositions,everyone,”hesaid.Neroscowled.“Andwhyareyoutheonegivingorders?I’mtheonewho
shouldbeincharge.”“Isthatso?”Nero shrugged. “You’re all getting sidelined, now thatAbyssinia has her
pickofpeople fromColdheart. I’m theonly invaluableone. I shouldget tocalltheshots.”Ifyou’resoinvaluable,”Razziasaid,“howcomeyou’reherewiththerest
ofus?”“Ireallydon’tknow,”Neroanswered.“Pity,maybe?”“Or perhaps,” said Cadaverous, “for all your stupidity, you have still
managedtorecognisehoweasyitistofallfromAbyssinia’sfavour.Let’sbehonest, you didn’t exactly acquit yourself well during that encounter withPleasantandCain,didyou?”
Agloweringstare.“IdidOK.”“You’reheretoproveyourself,”Cadaveroustoldhim.“And,untilyoudo,
youtakeordersfromyourbetters.”“Whatever,”Neromuttered.“Destrier,”Cadaveroussaid,“ifyouwould…?”Destriernodded,andwalkedtothemiddleoftheroad.Fora fewseconds, therewassilence.Thewarmbreezekickedupa little
dustontheroad.“It’s not like I don’t have sympathy for her,” Razzia said from behind
cover. “I wouldn’t like to lose my guys. They’re my guys. But Skeirishouldn’thavetriedtotakemyplace.”“Razzia,”Cadaveroussaid,“maybeweshouldfocusnow,ifthat’sOK?”Shenodded.“Fairpoint,mate.Absolutely.”Shesettled,andCadaverousreadiedhimself.The ambulance, to all outward appearances a beaten-up old truck, came
round the corner. Upon seeing Destrier, the driver immediately picked upspeed.Thepassengerwindowwhirreddownandagunpokedout.ButbythenDestrieralreadyhadhishandraised.The ambulance slowed so much it looked like it had stopped, but
Cadaverouscouldstillseethewheelsturning,couldstillseethelittlepinecarfreshener–intheshapeofastrawberry–caughtintime-compressedlimboasittriedtoswingfromtherear-viewmirror.Thefacesofthemeninside,frozeninto grimaces, didn’t register Razzia strolling up and opening the driver’sdoor.Shereachedin,unbuckledthedriverandhauledhimout.Hisfallwasafall
throughtreacle,butRazziawasalreadykickingthepassengeroutoftheotherside.Thenshesettledinbehindthewheel,andgaveDestrierathumbsup.Destrier dropped his hand, and time around the ambulance returned to
normal.Thedriverandpassengerhittheroad–hard–andflippedandrolled,andRazziabroughttheambulancetoagentlestop.Cadaverous approached the back of the ambulance. The driver and
passengerweregroaning,moaning,tryingtogetup.Razziahoppedoutofthevan,brokethedriver’sneckandopenedherhandtowardsthepassenger,nowstumblingtohisfeet.Herpalmopened,andtheparasiteshotout,spearingthepassengerthroughtheneckbeforeretracting.Theambulancedoorsburstopen.Awoman lungedatCadaverous, fire in
herhands.Nero teleportedher awaybefore she couldactuallydoanything,andCadaverousclimbedin.Caissonlaystrappedtoagurney.Hewastall, thinandmalnourished.His
skinwaswaxy, his silver hair cut short, clumps of itmissing, showing his
scalp.Hiseyeswereclosed.Helookeddead.Cadaverouspulledawayallthetubesandelectrodesandundidthestraps.
Grunting slightlywith the effort, he pulled Caisson on to his shoulder andcrab-walkedtothedoor.Hedroppeddown.“Icouldhelp,”saidRazzia.“No,it’sOK,”Cadaveroussaid,noddingbehindher.“You’regoingtoneed
yourhandsfree.”Three sorcerers stood there, legs apart and fists clenched. They looked
impressivelyintimidating.“We’regoingtoneedthatback,”saidthebiggestone.“You mean Caisson?” Cadaverous responded, as Destrier and Razzia
movedtostandbesidehim.“No,no,no,we’renottakinghim.Wewouldn’ttakehimwithout asking.Howrude!We’re justborrowinghim.We’llbringhimback,honest.”“HeisthepropertyofSerafina.”“Thenwhere isshe?Ifhe’sso important toher, lethercomeandpresent
hercase.Wewillabsolutelyreturnhimtoyouifshedoesthat.IfSerafinagetsonherkneesandbegs.”Thebigone’seyesnarrowed.“Youshouldn’tsaythethingsyou’resaying.”“Why does she want him, anyway? Why is she doing this? Torturing
someoneforsixtyyears–that’sacommitmentfewpeoplewouldbewillingtomake.What’shedonethat’ssoterrible?”“YoucanaskSerafinayourself,providingweletyoulivelongenough.”“Ihatethetalkingbit,”Razziamumbled.“Sorry?”thebigonesaid,hisirritationrising.“Whatwasthat?”“The talking bit,” she repeated. “I hate it. It’s boring.Canwe get to the
killingbit?That’swherethefunis.”“Takeitfromme,beautiful,youdon’twantustogettothekillingbit.”Razziaswivelledherhead.“Didyoujustcallmebeautiful?”Thebigonesmiled.“WhatcanIsay,sweetheart?Ihaveathingforlunatic
blondes.”“Sweetheart.Beautiful.Lunaticblonde.”Razziashookherheadslowly.“I
haveaname.IknowIhaveanamebecauseIpickeditmyself.Now,whileImaybea sweetheart,and I sureambeautiful,and Iamundoubtedlybothalunaticandablonde,mynameisRazzia,andthatiswhatyou’llbegurglingasIkillyou.”Razzia ranat them.Destriermoaned reluctantlybut joinedher, andNero
appearedrightbehindSerafina’speople.Cadaverousjustturned,andcarriedCaissonawayfromtheambulance.
The breezewas picking up as he layAbyssinia’s son on the ground andonceagainsatintheshade.Hefacedawayfromthefighting.Hedidn’tneedtoseeit.NomatterhowgoodSerafina’screwwere,hehadfaithinhisown.They’d been through a lot together. For years, they’d worked behind thescenes,carryingoutAbyssinia’scommandswhenshewasnothingbutaheartinabox.Yes,backthenthey’dhadSmokeandLethetobolstertheirstrength,andyes,theirlosshadweakenedtheteamconsiderably.Buttheyweremorethanamatchfortheiropponents.Cadaveroustookagunfromhisjacketandflickedoffthesafety.Itwasa
pity,whatwasabouttohappen.When the last moan of pain was abruptly cut off, he stood and turned.
Destrier,Nero andRazzia: triumphant, as expected,walkingaway from thedeadbodiesoftheirenemies.“Myfriends,”saidCadaverousastheycameforward,“Iwouldjustliketo
takethisopportunitytotellyouhowmuchIappreciateyourtalents.Wemayhave had our disagreements over the years,wemay have exchanged angrywords,wemayhavesaidthingsweeachregret…”“Ihaven’t,”Neromuttered.“But there is no one else I would have even attempted this with,”
Cadaverous continued. “You are some of the best, the most loyal, and thestupidestpeopleIhaveeverhadthepleasuretoknow.”Nerofrowned.“What?”Cadaverous struck Destrier on the temple with the butt of his gun and
grabbedNerobeforehecouldreact,jammingthemuzzleunderhischin.“MydearRazzia,”hesaid,“ifIseeyouraiseanarm,Ipullthistriggerand
AbyssinialosesheronlyTeleporter.”Nerotriedtopullaway,“Whatthehellareyoudoing,oldman?”“Shutup,boy,”Cadaveroussaid,spinninghimroundandpressingthegun
intohisback.“Idon’tgetit,”saidRazzia,lookinggenuinelyconfused.“Sincerest apologies,”Cadaverous said, “butCaisson isn’tbeing returned
tohismother.Ifshewantshim,she’llhavetocometome.”“Istilldon’tgetit.”“Shedoesn’tcareaboutus,Razzia.We’redisposable.Shedoesn’tcare if
wegethurt.Shedoesn’tcarethatSkeirilostapet.Notreally.Youcan’tseeitbecauseyoudon’twanttoseeit,butsheliedtous,shemisledus,shetrickedus into findingherheart andbringingherback to life.Thoseplansofhers,wherewetoppletheSanctuariesanddoasweplease?Thatwasnevergoingtohappen.Shewasalwaysgoing to ruleoverusall–herandherson.Shebetrayedus,Razzia.”
“Kindalikehowyou’rebetrayingmerightnow.”“Iamsorryaboutthat.You’renotmyenemy–unlessyoutrytostopme.
Areyougoingtotrytostopme,Razzia?”“Notwhenyou’vegotagun,no.”“Peoplealwaysthinkyou’recrazierthanyouactuallyare.”“Oh,I’mprettycrazyallright,”Razziasaid,“butI’mnotcrazyenoughto
stealAbyssinia’skid.She’sgonnablowagasket,mate.She’sgonnaripyouapart.”“She’lltry.”Razziamadeaface.“Nero’scrying.”“Ishe?”Cadaveroussaid.“Nero?Areyou?”“You’regonnakillme,”Nerosobbed.“Youare,aren’tyou?You’regonna
makemeteleportyousomewhereandthenyou’regonnashootmetostopmefrombringingAbyssiniatoyoubeforeyoucanescape.Idon’twanttodie,MrGant.Pleasedon’tkillme.”“Oh,Iwon’tkillyou,Nero.WhywouldIdothat?Afterallwe’veshared?
RememberthatgentlemanwekilledinFrance,themanwiththethreeeyes?”Neromanagedahappygurgle.“TheThree-EyedWeirdo,yeah.”“Thosearespecialmomentsforme,Nero.I’mnotgoingtokillyou.You’re
going to teleport Caisson and me to that three-eyed gentleman’s airfield,rememberit?Ihaveasmallplanewaitingformethere.”“Whatareyougoingtodowithmethen?”“I’mgoingtohavetorenderyouunconscious.”“You’regonnahitme?”“Ameretap.You’llwakewithaheadache,nothingmore.”“Youdon’tknowthat,”Neroargued.“Youmightgivemebraindamage.”“Iguessthat’strue–butit’seitherthatorIshootyou.”Nerosagged.“Youcanhitme.”“Thankyou.”CadaverouslookedbacktoRazzia.“Don’tcomeafterme.”“Iwon’thaveto.”“Youtakecarenow.”“Enjoybeingalive,”shesaid.“Whileitlasts.”
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Valkyrieopenedhereyes.“Welcome back,”Reverie Synecdoche said, barely raising her gaze from
thechartatthefootofthebed.“Hey,”Valkyriemuttered,hertongueheavy.TheywereinReverie’sclinic,
abuildingValkyriewasgettingtoknowwell.Shehadabandagetapedtoherchest.Shewashookeduptoadrip.Thebedwascomfortable,thepillowcool.ItoccurredtoValkyriethatthepillowsintheclinicwerealwayscool.“Skulduggery told me to tell you that he’s over at the High Sanctuary,
waiting to talk to the SupremeMage,”Reverie said. “He doesn’t fancy hischances.”“Doyouhavemagicpillows?”Valkyrieasked.“Whywouldwehavemagicpillows?”“Becausethey’realwayscool.”“Weflipthemalot.Howareyoufeeling?”“Disappointedaboutthepillows,butotherwiseOK.”Shefrowned.“Ifeel
drunk.”“Thatwillfade.Youhadquiteanastyinjury.”“Oh,no.”“Youwerelucky.Itmissedyourheart.”“I’mverylucky.”“Yes,youare.”“Iwentintohermind.”“Didyou?”Valkyrienodded.“Abyssinia’smind.Iwentin.Sawhermemories.”“That’snice.”“Itwasn’t really. I’mnotused to feelingdrunk,youknow. I don’t drink.
Well, Imean, Ihavedrunk,youknow. Ihave imbibed thealcohol. I’m justnotusedtoit.Idon’tlikebeingdrunk.”“Ofcourseyoudon’t,”Reveriesaid,comingcloserandcheckingthedrip.
“You’reacontrolfreak.”
Valkyrie’s eyeswidened. “I am offended. I am not a control freak.Howverydareyou.Ijustlikebeingincontrolofthesituationatalltimes.Isthatbad?Isthatwrong?”“Notatall,”Reveriemurmured,makinganoteontheclipboard.“Things have a habit,” Valkyrie continued, “of spiralling out of control.
You think everything is one way, and then it goes poof, and it’s alleverywhere.Iliketokeepahandleonit.Trytokeepitalltogether.Youknowwhathappenswhenthingsgoalleverywhere?Badthingshappen.I’veseenit.SoItrytoscoopitallbackintothebasket.DidImentionthebasket?Therewasabasketsomewhereinthisanatomy.Anatomy?”“Analogy.”“Analogy,yes,thankyou.TherewasabasketthatIforgottomention.The
basketwasholdingeverythingandthen…”Shesighed.“Anyway.I’mnotacontrolfreak.”Hereyeswidened.“IcutoffoneofSkeiri’sthingies.”“Thatdoesn’tsoundnice.”“Herthingy.Her…thing.Withthesnappingandthebiting.Thesameas
Razzia.Razziahasthesamesnappyandbiteything.”“Thisisaninterestingconversation.”Valkyriewavedherarmlikeasnake,herhandsnatchingattheair.“Ah,”saidReverie.“Theparasite.”“Yesssss,”saidValkyrie.“Icutitoff.Ifeelsobad.Doyouthinkit’slikeI
killedherpet?Idon’twanttokillherpet.Iloveanimals.”Reverie replaced the chart at the endof thebed, checkedherwatch, and
lookedatValkyrie.“Wastheparasitetryingtoattackyou?”“Oh,yes,Reverie,itreallywas.Itwasall…”Shemadeascaryface.“Wellnow,”Reveriesaid,“itsoundstomelikeyouhadnochoice.”“ButIloveanimals.”Valkyriestartedtocry.Reveriepattedherhead.“It’sOK.Youdidtherightthing.”“Doyouthinkit’llgrowback?”“Theparasite?”“Doyouthinkit’llgrowback,likeafoot?”“Feet don’t grow back, Valkyrie. You’re thinking of lizard tails. The
parasitewon’tgrowback,I’mafraid.”“Oh,noooo.”“Youweredefendingyourself.If thisSkeiripersonreallycaredabouther
parasites,shewouldn’thavesentthemtoattackyou,wouldshe?”“I suppose not.” Valkyrie sniffled, and wiped her nose. “When can I
leave?”“I’ll haveanurse comeby in about twentyminutes, take the tubeoutof
yourarm,andyou’llbefreetowalkoutofhere.”
“Cool.CanItakethepillowswithme?”“No.They’reours.”“Justoneofthem,then.Thisone.”“No.”“Whataboutthatone?”“No.”“Both?”“Neither.”“Half?”“Anursewillbeinsoon.”“You’remean.”“They’renotyourpillows,Valkyrie.”“You’restillmean.”
Halfanhourlater,Valkyriewasfeelingalotlessdrunk.Shegotdressedandthenursegaveherfreshgauzetochangeherdressing.MilitsaGnosiswaswaitinginthelobbywhenValkyriewalkedout.“I heard you’d been injured,” she said. “Thought I’d call round. I was
goingtobringflowersandgrapes,butitoccurredtomethatyoudon’treallyseemlikeaflowersperson.”“I’mreallynot,”saidValkyrie.“ButIdolikegrapes.”“Ishouldhavebroughtgrapes,then.Youwanttogoforacoffee?”“Tobehonest,”Valkyriesaid,“Iwouldloveto.”Theystoppedat thefirstcoffeeshoptheycametoandtookatableat the
back.“Sowhatwasitthatinjuredyou?”Militsaasked.“Bullet?Knife?Arrow?”“Tentacle.”“Seriously?”“Atentaclewithteeththatshotoutofalady’shand.”“Wow.”“Yeah.It’saparasite.It’scalleda…well, it’scalledwhateverit’scalled,
butmostpeoplejustcallitaparasite.”“Shehot?”“Theparasite?”“Thelady.”“Um…Isuppose.AlthoughRazzia’shotter.”“That’stheAustralian?”“Yep. They both have the parasites, but Razzia has the most beautiful
mouth.Ithinkyou’dlikeher.”
“Ihave always been partial to a bad girl,” Militsa said, and sipped hercoffee.“Youwanttotalkaboutit?”“Aboutwhat?Gettinginjured?I’malwaysgettinginjured.”“Well,”saidMilitsa,“youwerealwaysgettinginjured,butthenyouwent
awayandyoudidn’tgetinjuredforyears.”“Ah,Istillgotinjured,”Valkyriesaid.“Istilltrained.Myinstructordidn’t
exactlytakeiteasyonme.”“Oryoudidn’ttakeiteasyonyourself.”“Meaning?”Militsa took another sip. “I’ve known you, what, six months? Seven?
Aroundthat?Imightbewayoffhere,butwhenyouleftIrelandyouweresowrappedup inguiltoverwhatDarquessehaddone,overwhatyouyourselfhaddone,thatyouwerelookingforexcitingnewsystemsofpunishment.Soyouhidforfiveyearsfromthepeoplewholovedyou,and…what?Howdidyouspendyourtime?”“Ifixedupanoldhouse.”“OK.”“Igotadog.”“Good.”“Ireadalot.”“Excellent.”“AndItrained.”“Youfought?”“Itrained.Iworkedout.Isparred.”“Andyougothurt?”“Youcan’ttraintofightwithouttheriskofgettinghurt.”Militsashrugged.“OK.Igetthat.Whowasyourinstructor?”“SomeoneIfound.”“You found someone good enough to train you, after you’d spent years
trainingwithSkulduggery?That’sahighbartomatch.”NowitwasValkyrie’sturntoshrug.“Igetthefeelingyoudon’twanttotalkaboutthis,”Militsasaid.“Mymind’sjustnotonit, that’sall.There’salotgoingon–andnotjust
withme.Like,whereveryou look there’sdrama.Whatdoyou thinkof thiswholerefugees-from-another-realitything?Isn’tthatnuts?”“Haveyouseenit?Theportal?”“Yeah. I usually view dimensional portals as a bad thing, but the people
comingthroughjustlooksoscared…”“We’re helping them out at the Academy,” saidMilitsa. “It started with
food and blankets, but the High Sanctuary seems to have handed us full
responsibility for theirwell-being –which, you know, because they’re stillcomingthroughisalotmorethanwecanhandle.”“Areyouincharge?”“Well,I’mspearheadingit,yes,butthere’saloadofvolunteers.”“Thenit’llbefine,”Valkyriesaid.“Solongasyou’reinvolved,they’llbe
allright.”“Thanks for the vote of confidence,”Militsa said, smiling. “But it is not
whatIsignedupfor.I’maresearcherandateacher.Icanbarelyorganisemydesk,letalonereliefaidforthousandsofterrifiedmortals.Ikeepimaginingthat one of these days I’ll growup and become someonewho knowswhatthey’redoing,butsofarthathasn’thappened.Doyoueverthinkaboutthat?Growingolder,Imean?”Valkyrie shrugged.“That’s thegood thingaboutmagic, isn’t it?Growing
older isn’t something we’ll have to think about for another few hundredyears.”“That’sgrowingold.Wewon’thavetoworryaboutgrowingold.Growing
olderisdifferent.Westilldothat.”“Isuppose,”Valkyriesaid,herminddriftingtoAlice–wonderingwhatit
wouldbeliketowatchherlittlesistergrowupandagenaturally,reachingherthirties,herforties,whileValkyriestilllookednineteen.“SometimesIlookatpeopleliketheSupremeMage,”Militsawassaying,
“ortheheadmaster,orevenSkulduggery…Allofthesepeoplearehundredsofyearsoldand,Idon’tknow,Istarttowonderwhateffectthathasonthem.”Valkyriedrankhercoffee.“I’mnotsureIgetwhatyou’retalkingabout.”“Istudymagic,”Militsasaid.“It’swhatIdo.It’swhatIlove.But,whenI
look at sorcerers who’ve been alive for centuries, I start to ask questions.Aboutwhetherornotit’sworthit.”“Iamsonotgettingthis.”Militsalaughed.“Nevermind.I’mtalkingnonsense!”“No,no,”saidValkyrie,“comeon.Whatdoyoumean?”Militsahesitated.“Theylosesomething,Ithink.Themorelifetimesgoby,
theless…humantheybecome.Idon’tmeanthatinabadway–atleast,notin general. But I think there’s a sacrifice you make when you embracemagic.”“Maybethereis,”Valkyriesaid,“butIdon’tagreewithyouabouttheless
humanthing.Yeah,OK,China’sabitofamystery,butSkulduggery’sagoodperson.”“Toyou.”“Totheworld,whichhehassavedafewtimes.”“Ididn’tmeantooffendyou.”
“I’mnotoffended.Really.”“I just think … there’s a price to pay. We’re not immortal, and yet
compared to the mortal people we grew up with, our old friends andneighbours, compared with those poor people from the Leibniz Universe,immortal is exactlywhatweare.And I think there’s a sacrificewehave tomakeinordertolivelikethat.Apieceofyourselfyoucutaway.Howelseareyougoingtobeabletowatchthemortalsinyourlifegrowoldanddiewhileyoustayyoung?”Valkyriesmiled,andleanedforward.“Idonotwishtothinkaboutthisright
now.”Militsaleanedforward,too.“Idonotblameyou.Letusneverspeakofit
again.”“Thatworksforme,gorgeous.”Militsablushed.Ablushonaredheadwasextremelynoticeable.“You’rescarlet,”Valkyriesaid,andlaughed.“Shut up,” Militsa replied, looking away, to the front of the café. “Oh,
thankGod.Achangeofsubject.”Valkyrielookedround.Skulduggerynoddedtoherfromthedoor.She smiled atMilitsa. “Be right back,” she said, and joinedSkulduggery
outside.“Howareyoufeeling?”heasked.“Sore.DidyoumanagetospeakwithChina?”“Ididnot.Ishouldhavestayedattheclinic.Ishouldhavebeentherewhen
youwoke.”“What for?You’veseenme inonehospitalbed,you’veseenme in them
all.Ilookedintoherhead,youknow.”“Abyssinia?”“Itookherbysurprise,Ithink.She…It’slikesheopenedthedoorintomy
thoughts,butinsteadofherwalkingthroughintomymind,Ibargedstraightintohers.”“Whatdidyousee?”Valkyriehesitated.Skulduggerynodded.“Yousawme.”“Yeah.Sorry.Ikindofusedyouasananchortogetthroughhermemories.
IsawyouputonVile’sarmour,Isawthenightyoustabbedherandthrewherout the window… It’s weird because it was me. I was experiencing hermemoriesasher,soitwasmeyoustabbed.”“Oh.That’smostunfortunate.Isincerelyapologise.”“I’moverit.”“That’sgoodtoknow.Didyouhappentoseeifthechild…”
“Is reallyyours? Ididn’t.Doyou thinkhecouldbe?You toldAbyssiniayoudon’tremembereverythingyoudidasLordVile.Ididn’tknowthat.”“Thereareperiodsthatarehiddentome,”Skulduggerysaid.“Blankspots
inmyrecollections.”“Butyouremembereverything.”“Apparentlynot.”“Skulduggery…isCaissonyourson?”“Idon’tknow.”“Wouldyouwanthimtobe?”Skulduggerywatchedatrampass,anddidn’tanswer.“Militsa’swaitingforme,”Valkyriesaid.“Callmeinthemorning,OK?”“Iwill.I’mgladyou’realive,Valkyrie.”“Metoo.”Shewentbackinside.
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Omenwavedfrantically,butneitherSkulduggerynorValkyriesawhim,sohesat back in his seat, oddly dejected.A fellow trampassenger glared at himdisapprovingly.ThetramstoppedatShudder’sGateandhewenttherestofthewaytothe
CityofTentsonfoot.Sorcererspassedwithoutevenglancingathim,andtheCleavers stood silently on either side of the path. He could see his ownreflectionintheirvisors.Helookednervous,andhisshirthadcomeuntucked.Hetuckeditintohisjeansagain,triedtosmoothdownhishair,andfixed
hiseyesstraightaheadashewalked.Hedidn’tparticularlylikehisreflection.It reminded him of what other peoplewere seeingwhen he’dmuch ratherforgetaboutthingslikethat.Therewas a fencenow surrounding the camp, but he found the entrance
andmadehiswaytothemarket.HewentuptoAurniaatherstall.“Hi,”hesaid,unabletostopasmilefromspreadingacrosshisface.“How
areyou?Youlookreallynice.”“Hi, Omen,” Aurnia said. She sounded deflated at the prospect of their
date,and,asmuchashecouldn’tblameher,hedidkindoffeelhurt.Still,hepressedon.“I was thinking that I could take you on a tour of Roarhaven,” he said.
“Therearesomereallycoolparts,especiallyaroundtheArtsDistrict,thatarejustawesome.”“Ican’tgo.”“Oh,”hesaid.“Oh,OK,that’sfine.”“No,ImeanIcan’tphysicallygo.Theywon’tletme.”“Who?”Omenasked.“Thevillageleaders?”“Wedon’thavevillageleaders,”Aurniasaid.“Thatwasajoke.Butno,it’s
notanyofmypeople.TheGreycoatswon’tletusthrough.”“TheCleavers?Whynot?”“We’renotallowedtoleavethecampwithoutofficialsupervision.Ithink
they’reworriedthatwewon’tgoback,ormaybethatwe’llstealsomethingorcausetrouble.”
“Butyou’llbewithme.”“Imentionedyournametothemanintheuniform.Heaskedifyouwere
the Chosen One, then another man in uniform said no, the Chosen One’snamewasAuger,andhedidn’tknowwhoyouwere.”Omensagged.“Igetthatalot.Well,maybeyoucanshowmearoundthe
camp,instead?MaybeIcouldmeetsomeofyourfriends?”Aurniahesitated,andnotinagoodway.“Ornot,”saidOmen.“Myfriendsdon’tunderstand,”Aurniasaid.“Myfamilydoesn’t,either.”“Understandwhat?”“You. To them, all sorcerers are the same. They’re all dangerous. I tried
explainingthatyou’renot like that. I told themaboutyou.I told themwhatyouwerelike.”“Oh,really?”Omensaid,tryingnottosmile.“Whatdidyousay?”“Itoldthemyouwereharmless.”Hefrowned.“Well,Imean…I’mnotharmless.Harmlessis,like,apuppy,
ora…babycow.”“It’scalledacalf.”“I’mnotacalf.Imean,I’mnothreattoyou,orthem,butI’m…”“Ididn’tmeanitasaninsult.”“No,no,ofcoursenot.ButI’vedonestuff.Bravestuff.Afewmonthsago,
mylifewasindangerandIwasfighting.Ievenbrokeaguyoutofprison.”“Whydidyoudothat?”“No,no,hewasagoodguy,anditwasabadprison.Mypointis,I’mnot
…Idon’twantyoutothinkthatI’mboring.Imean,yes,mostof thetime,I’mnothing,butIamcapableofmore.”“I’vehurtyourfeelings.”“Youhaven’t.”“Ihave.I’mreallysorry.”Omenshrugged.“Don’tworryaboutit.Really.Iactuallyknowsomepretty
important people – I could talk to them. I’m sure I can arrange something.And,evenifIcan’t,theCleaversaren’tgoingtokeepyouconfinedforever,right?Onceeverythingiscool,you’llbeableto,like…”“Gofree,”Aurniasaid.“Well…yeah.”“Maybewewill.Ifwe’reallowed.”“It’s really not like that, though. They’re keeping you all in one place
becauseit’ssafer.”“Forwho?Wecan’thurtyou.You’resorcerers.”“Saferforyou,then.”
“Ithoughtyousaidweweresafehere.”“Youare,butsomepeople,theydon’tknowiftheycantrustyou.Justgive
themtime,Iswear,andthey’llrealisethatyou’renotathreatandeverythingwillbecool.”Aurnianoddedslowly,andsteppedback.“Itwas…veryniceseeingyouagain,”saidOmen.“Yes.”Hedidn’tknowwhatelsetosay,sohegaveheralittlewave,andwalked
backtoShudder’sGate.Hetookatrambacktoschool,butatthestopattheCirclehesawhisbrothersprintpast.Omenjumpedup,squeezingthroughthedoors right before they closed. Already Auger was disappearing round thecorner.Omenranafterhim,followedhimintoasidestreetandlosthimdownan
alley.Omenchoseaturnatrandom,thenanother,andwasabouttogiveupandheadbackwhenheheardtheunmistakablesoundsoffighting.Unable to think of any use he might actually be in a fight, Omen
nonethelessfollowedthesoundsdownanarrowcanyonofbrickandcement,steppingthroughstagnantpoolsofwater,hisfistsclenched,hisheartbeatingmadly.SuddenlytherewasarushoffootstepsandthenMahalawasthere,hereyes
glowing green, and she barged into him, and Omen hit the wall and shesprintedon.She’dbarelyevennoticedhe’dbeenthere.“Omen,”saidAuger,limpingup.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Omenscrambledup.“Isawyou,”hesaid.“IthoughtI’dcomeandseeif
youneededanyhelp.AreyouOK?”“I’mfine,”Augersaid.Hisshirtwasripped.“DidyouseeMahala?”Omennodded.“Hereyesweredoingthatglowingthingyoutalkedabout.”Augersighed.“Yeah.That’sprovingtobeaproblem.”Kaseshuffledby,hisfaceamessofcutsandbruises.“Hey,Omen.”“Hi,Kase,”Omensaid,andKaseshuffledon.“Sinceyouoffered,”saidAuger,“youmindhelpingmewalkforabit?I’m
alreadyhealing,butIcouldusetheassist.”“Sure,” said Omen, and took his brother’s weight as they made for the
street. “And hey, you knowwhat you’re doing and everything, and I don’twant to intrude where I don’t belong… but shouldn’t you call someone?Like,notevenSkulduggeryorValkyrie,buttheCityGuard,maybe?”“Weweregoingto,”Augersaid.“Idon’tknowifyou’venoticed,butthe
City Guard are not the most thoughtful of people. This is Mahala we’retalkingabout.It’sgoingtotakesomeprettyweirdmagic,afewmorepunchestotheface,andsomegoodold-fashionedfriendship,butwe’regoingtohelp
her andwe’re going to banishwhatever’s possessing her back towhateverhellitcamefrom.”“Right,”saidOmen.“Yeah,Icanunderstandthat.Doyouneedanyhelp?”Augerlaughed.“Dude,fromwhatI’veheard,you’vegotenoughonyour
platealready.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“IheardaboutAxelia.”Omensighed.“Ofcourseyoudid.”Augersmiled.“She’sacoolgirl.Asmartgirl.”“Smartenoughtoturnmedown.”“Heynow,comeon,don’tbehardonyourself.”“Ah,I’mOKaboutit.Iknewshewasgoingtosayno.”“Soyouknewitwasgoingtoendbadly,butyoustillhadtotry,huh?Iwill
neverunderstandpeoplewhosaywe’renotalike.”They emerged from the alley.Kasewaswaving a green amulet about. It
startedtovibrateinhishand.“Shewentthisway,”hesaid.Augerstoodonhisown.“Wegottago.”“Areyousureyoudon’tneedmyhelp?”askedOmen.“We’vegotthis,”saidAuger.“Kase,youagree?”“We’vegotthis,”saidKase.“Andwhat’llIsayiftheteachersstartaskingwhereyouare?”Augergrinned.“Justtellthemwe’rebackwherewebelong,”hesaid,and
Kaselaughedandtheystartedjoggingaway.Omenwatchedthemgo,anddidn’tbotherwonderingwhatthehellAuger
wasonabout.
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Skulduggery called at a little after nine the nextmorning, shakingValkyriefromadream.“DidIwakeyou?”heasked.“No,”shecroaked.“ItsoundslikeIwokeyou.”“Holdon.”Shegrabbedthebottleofwaterfromherbedsidetable,downed
whatwasleft.“OK,”shesaid.“Icantalknow.”“AbyssiniahasCaisson.”Valkyriesatup.“Dammit,”shemuttered.“Five dead sorcerers,” Skulduggery said, “all connected in someway to
Serafina,were recovered in Italyyesterday evening.Theprivate ambulancewasempty.”“Soshehashim.Well,that’swonderful.”Valkyriesighed.“Whatdowedo
now?”“WetalkwithChina.”“Anyideawhyshe’sbeenavoidingus?”“Afew,”hesaid.“IfIcan’tarrangesomethingbytheendoftheday,I’m
kickingdowndoorsuntilIgettoher.”“Well,” Valkyrie said, getting slowly out of bed, “you have fun kicking
thosedoors,OK?I’mstillrecoveringfromgettingstabbedintheheart.”“Youdidn’tgetstabbedintheheart.”“Closeenough.”“Itwasfivecentimetresaway.”Shewenttothemirror,examinedthebandage.“Fivecentimetresisn’tvery
much when you’re getting stabbed,” she said. “Anyway, today I’mrecuperating,andspendingtimewithmysister.”“WhatifIrequireyourassistance?”“Temperwillhelpyou.”“Temperhashisduties.WhatifIrequireyourassistance?”“Ifit’sreallyimportant,givemeacall.”“WhatifI’mboredandjustwantsomeonetotalkto?”
“Thenyouneedmorefriends.”“Mostofmyfriendsaredead.”“Andthat’sexactlythecheerystarttothedayI’vebeenlookingfor.”Shehungup.XenawaswaitingforValkyriewhenshewentdownstairs.Shepouredfresh
foodintothedogbowlandhadherbreakfast,thenwentwalkingthroughthewoods that surrounded the house. Xena disappeared into the undergrowth,dartingacrossherpatheverynowand thenon the trailof somemysteriousscent.Valkyriehadalatelunch,gotinthecaranddrovetoHaggard,whereshe
parkedacrosstheroadfromheroldprimaryschoolandwalkeduptothegate,barely resisting the urge to go in and take a look around. There’d been anextensionbuiltsinceshewasapupilhere,whichessentiallytripledthesizeofthe place. She wondered if her old classroom was the same, or if her oldteacherswerestillthere.More cars pulled up and parents walked over. The end of school was
approaching.“Stephanie?”Valkyrie turnedasHannahFoleycameforward,clad inyogapantsanda
hoody,herblondehairtiedbackintoaponytail.Valkyrierealisedtheywerehuggingafewsecondsafteritstarted.“Ohhhhh,”Valkyriesaid.“Hi…”Hannahsteppedback,handsonherstomachandasmileonherface.“How
areyou?JaneyMac,Ihaven’tseenyouinages!”“JaneyMacindeed,”saidValkyrie.ThewayHannahwaspattingherbelly,
it was like she was inviting Valkyrie to comment on the rather obviouspregnancy.Instead,Valkyriesaid,“Sowhathaveyoubeenupto?”“Well, I’m pregnant!” Hannah said, laughing. “I know what you’re
thinking:again?I justcan’tgetenoughof it!Ididn’tknowyouhadachildhere.”“Idon’t,”saidValkyrie.“I’vegotasister.”“Asister?”Hannahsaid,clearlyastonished.“Whatageisshe?”“Seven.”“That’squiteagap!”“Isupposeso.”“Sotellmeaboutyou,Steph!Whatareyoudoingwithyourself?”Valkyriekepthersmile.“Keepingbusy.”“Atwhat?Sure,youdon’tevenneedajob,doyou?Don’tyouhaveyour
uncle’smoney?Iremembereveryonetalkingaboutthatbackinschool–we
wereallsojealousthatyouwereamillionaire.Wecouldn’tunderstandwhyyoukeptcomingin,though!”ValkyrienoddedalongwhileHannahlaughed,andsaid,“Moneycan’tbuy
friendship.”“Ah, now this is true,”Hannah said. “And it can’t buyhappiness, either,
isn’tthatwhattheysay?”“I’vedefinitelyhearditsaid.”“Imean,don’tgetmewrong, I imagine itwaswonderful to suddenlybe
rich–butwaittillyoustarthavingchildren,Stephanie–thenyou’llfindoutwhatrealhappinessis.”“Yeah.”“I’m due to popwith this one in sixweeks – though, knowingme, it’ll
probablyarriveafewdaysearly!”She laughedagain, like thatwas funny,andValkyrie sneakedaglanceat
herwatch.“Noengagementring,Isee,”Hannahsaid,calmingdown.“Istherenoone
specialinyourlife,orhashejustnotbotheredtogetaclaimin?”“I’mnotlookingtogetmarried,”saidValkyrie.“Oh,youshould,Stephanie,youshould!Marriagewasthebest thingthat
everhappenedtome–afterbecomingamom,ofcourse.”“Ofcourse.”“Finding someone special, sharing your lifewith them, bringing life into
the world… That’s true happiness. You can have all the money you everwanted,youcanhavemillionsandbillions,butifyoudon’thaveafamilyofyourown,what’sthepoint,isn’tthatright?”Valkyriegaveatight-lippedsmileandshruggedwithhereyebrows.HannahtookinValkyrie’scar.“Isthisyours?Abittooflashyforme.You
wouldn’tfitababyseatintheback!That’smineoverthere,thepeoplecarrier.We’redeterminedtofillit,asyoucanprobablytell!”“Youcertainlyhavealotofchildren.”“It’shardwork,believeme.Onone level, I envyyou.Your time isyour
own,youhavenoresponsibility,youcanheadoffonholidaywheneveryouwant–butthereisnowayIwouldtradeplaces.Ijustwouldn’t.Youlooklikeyoudon’tbelieveme!”Valkyriewasprettysureherexpressionwascompletelyneutral.Hannah continued. “I didn’t inherit millions, but I’m rich in kisses and
hugsandsmilesandlaughterandlove.”Valkyrieblinkedather.“Rightthen.”Thebellrang,signallingtheendoftheschoolday,andsuddenlytherewere
kidsswarmingoutofthedoor.Itwasalarming.
“Stephanie!”Alicesquealed,launchingherselfintoValkyrie’sarms.Valkyrie laughed, picked her up as easily as she’d pick up a doll. She
turnedtoHannah.“Well,gottago.Goodluckwiththepregnancything.”“Oh,thankyou!Janey,I’manoldprobynow!”Valkyrie hurried to the car before Hannah could invite her to meet her
child.“Whoisthat?”Aliceaskedfromthebackseatasshebuckledherbelt.“Anoldfriendofmine,”saidValkyrie.“Issheamommy?”“Sheis.”“Whyaren’tyouamommy?”“BecauseIdon’twanttobe.”“WhydidshecallyouJaney?”Valkyrie smiled. “She didn’t. She meant JaneyMac. It’s just something
peoplesay.”“Whatpeople?”“Irishpeople,”Valkyriesaid,pullingoutontotheroad.“Whydotheysayit?”“I’mnotsure.It’sjustsomethingtheysay.”“Whydon’tyouwanttobeamommy?”“Becausechildrenaregrossandyucky.”Alicelaughed.“I’machild!”“No,you’renot,”saidValkyrie.“You’re,like,eighty.”Alicegiggled.“I’mnoteighty!I’mseven!”“Areyousure?”“Yes!”“Icouldhaveswornyouwereeighty.”“I’monlyseven!”“Thenwhydoyoulooksoold?”“Idon’tlookold!”Valkyrie pointed at anoldwoman theyweredrivingpast. “Seeher?The
oldwomanwiththewrinklyfaceandallthatlooseandsaggyskin?Youlookexactlylikeher.”Alice gasped theatrically. “Is thatwhat I’m going to look likewhen I’m
yourage?”“Oi!” Valkyrie said, and Alice giggled, and Valkyrie found herself
strugglingtokeephersmile.Ineightyyears’time,Alicemightverywellenduplookinglikethat–whileValkyriewouldn’thavechangedonelittlebit.She shook the thought fromhermind. “Want tograb amilkshakeon the
wayhome?”
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In the small room filled with cleaning equipment on the east side of theLacunaUndergroundCarPark,thewallrumbledandslidopen,revealingthetunnelbeyond.Tantaluspeeredintothedarkness,andfrowned.“ThisleadsintotheDark
Cathedral?”“Yes,itdoes,”saidSebastian.“TheCathedralisfullofsecretpassageways
likethis.”“Andhowdidyouknowaboutit?”Sebastianshrugged.“Itoldyou,I’vehadaninterestingpast.”Tantalus turned tohim. “Oryou’reoneof them.You’re adiscipleof the
Faceless Ones – you’re one of Creed’s agents sent to take us down fromwithin.”“Tantalus, come on,” Bennet said. “WhywouldArch-CanonCreed even
careaboutwhatwe’redoing?”Tantalusglared.“Foronething,we’reabouttobreakintohisCathedraland
stealoneofhisartefacts.Foranother,ifDarquessereturns,theneveryonewillturnawayfromhisgodsandstartworshippingher,justlikewedo.”“I’mnotworkingforCreed,”Sebastiantoldhim.“Anddoesitreallymatter
howIknowthatthistunnelishere?Wehaveawayin,don’twe?Sowhyarewestandingaroundtalkingaboutitwhenwecouldbefindingthescythe?”Tantalusraisedhisfinger,pointeditrightintoSebastian’sface,socloseit
almosttippedagainsthismask.“Idon’ttrustyou.You’vegotsecrets.”“Weallhavesecrets.”“Notlikeyours.Youwon’ttelluswhereyou’refromorwhatyou’reafter.”“IwanttobringDarquesseback,justlikeyou.”“Guys,”saidBennet,“wedon’thaveanawfullotoftimehere.”“Shutup,Bennet,”saidTantalus.“Thebeakedweirdoheremayhavewon
overyouandyourequallygullible friends,but I’mnot sostupid. I’vebeenwatchingyou,PlagueDoctor.I’vebeenlisteningtoyou.Youthinkyouhavealltheanswers,don’tyou?”“Notevenremotely.”
“And,afterallthistime,youstillwon’tletusseeyourface.Whyisthat?”“Tantalus,” said Bennet, “we’ve been through this. The Plague Doctor’s
uniformisapressurisedsuit thatkeepshimalive.Ifhetakesitoff,hedies.OK?Now, ifwe’regoing togo through the tunnel likeweplanned,canwepleasedoitbeforewe’rediscoveredandsomeonecallstheCityGuard?Whatdoyousay?”Tantalus glared again, then grunted, and clicked his fingers, summoning
flameintohishand.Bennetdidthesame,andSebastiantookoutatorchandflickediton.They walked along the tunnel, pushing the darkness ahead of them,
watchingitsqueezebyandfillupthespacebehind.“WhatarewegoingtodowhenwegetintotheCathedral?”Bennetasked.
“Imean,weprobablyshouldn’tsplitup,right?”“We’resplittingup,”saidTantalus.“Aw.”“We’llfindthescythefasterthatway,pluswe’llhavelesschanceofbeing
caught.”“But ifwe are caught,” Bennet argued, “staying togetherwouldmake it
easiertofightourwayout.”Tantalusscowled.“Wewon’thavetofightourwayoutifwe’renotcaught
inthefirstplace.Bennet,Itoldyounottocome.Iknewyou’ddothis.”“Dowhat?I’mnotdoinganything.”“Youdon’twanttosplitupbecauseifyou’recaught,youknowyoucan’t
fight.”“Icanfight.”“Closingyoureyesandflailingyourfistsisnotfighting.”“Idon’tfightlikethat.”“Yes,youdo.It’sridiculous,andsoareyou.”“Hey,”Sebastianinterjected,“hey,let’scalmdown.”“I’mnotridiculous,”Bennetmuttered.“Whatwasthat?”Tantalussaid,steppingcloser.“Whatwasthatyousaid?”“IsaidI’m…I’mnotridiculous.”“Really?” Tantalus said, and laughed. “So out of everyone here, Bennet,
whosewife lefthimforaHollowMan?Eh?Granted,wedon’tknowif thePlague Doctor’s wife left him for a Hollow Man because we don’t knowanythingaboutthePlagueDoctor–”“I’mnotmarried,”Sebastiansaid.“–butweknowforcertainthatmywifedidn’tleavemeforawalkingbag
ofgreengasbecauseIleftheryearsago.Sothatonlyleavesyou,Bennet,asthemostridiculousmanhere.”
Bennetblinkedquicklyandsaidnothing.Theycarriedonwalking.SebastianglancedatBennet.Hisheadwasdown
and his lip was quivering. There was an unspoken rule in the group thatnobody should mention what happened between Bennet’s wife and theHollowMan–arulethatTantalushadjusthurledtothefloorandkickedtodeath.Tenminuteslater,theycametoawall.“Allright,”Tantalussaid,“howdowegetthrough?”“Lookforaswitch,”saidSebastian,movinghishandsoverthesurface.Tantalus sounded surprised. “You mean the all-knowing Plague Doctor
doesn’tknowwhereitis?”“It’llbeheresomewhere.”“Iamshocked,”Tantalussaid.“Myfaithinhumanityhasbeendestroyed.
Whowill I believe in now that the omnipotent PlagueDoctor has revealedhimselftobejustanother—”“Willyoustop?”Bennetshouted.“Willyoujuststop?”Tantalusturnedtohim.“What?”“I am sick of the sarcasm and the constant petty remarks,” Bennet said.
“Whatareyou,achild?No,forgetthat,mysonwasneverasbadasyou.OK,wegetit,youfeelthreatenedbythePlagueDoctor’spresence.”Tantalusbristled.“I’mnotthreatened.”“But you know what the rest of us are doing, while you’re acting out?
We’regettingonwiththings.Yes,wedon’tknowwhathelookslike.Yes,wedon’tknowmuchabouthim.Buthehasbroughtmorepurpose toour littlegroupinthelastsevenmonthsthanwehavehadinthelastsevenyears.Sogetoverit,allright?”“Don’t…don’tyouspeaktomelikethat.”“You can’t order me around, Tantalus. You know why? Because we’re
about to go sneaking through a very scary place run by some genuinelydangerouspeople. Ifwe’re caught,doyouknowwhat’sgoing tohappen tous? I don’t. No one does. Because people who go sneaking through thesekinds of places are generally never heard from again. Faced with thissituation, do you really think I’m going to be intimidated by a bully likeyou?”“Bennet,you’dbetter—”“I’d betterwhat?”Bennet said, stepping right up to Tantalus. “I’d better
watchmymouthoryou’llinsultmeagain?You’llmockme?You’llbringupthe fact that my wife left me for a Hollow Man? Go ahead. You knowsomething?I’mgladOdettaiswithConrad,becauseIwasalousyhusband.Hecanat leastgiveher the loveandcomfort that Inevercould.That’smy
fault.That’sonme.Butyoudon’tgettousethatagainstme,youunderstand?You ever mention them again and I will close my eyes and flail my fists.Yeah,itmaynotbethecoolestwaytofight,butIcanguaranteeyou,someofthatflailingwillactuallyhityou.Sogoahead,Tantalus.Makemyday.”ThetunnelwascoldandquietasTantalusdecidedonhisnextmove.Heturnedaway.“You’reridiculous,”hesaid.“Yeah,”Bennetsaid,“I’mridiculous.”“Youare.”“That’sright.”“Soridiculous.”“Yeah.”Sebastianwaiteduntilthey’dfinished,thensaid,“I’vefoundtheswitch.”Theydidn’tsayanythingtothat,sohepulledtheleverandthewallparted
like curtains. They stepped through into an empty corridor, the overheadlightsflickeringonasthetunnelsealedbehindthem.Therewasnomorearguing.Theyweredeepinenemyterritory.Tantalusturnedtothem.“Youknowwhatwe’relookingfor.Lilysaidthe
scythe’sondisplaywithabunchofotherFacelessOnesjunk.Oncewehaveit,wesendoutamessage,andweallmeetbackhere.Ifsomeoneseesyou,pretend that you’remeant to be here.Act casual.Only run as a last resort.Bennet, you go left. Plague Doctor, you go right. I’m going this way.Questions?OK.”Hetookadeepbreath.“Goodluck.”Theysplitup.Sebastianfoundsomestairsandfollowedthemtoahigher
floor.TheCathedralwasquiet.Heduckedbackwhenpeoplepassed–clergy,mostly. They wore red with black piping, stylish robes designed to attractpotentialworshippers,astarkcontrasttothedrabgarmentswornbytheArch-Canon,DamoclesCreed.“Stop.”Sebastianfroze.“Turnround.Slowly.”Sebastian did as he was instructed. Two Cathedral Guards approached,
theirblackarmourmouldedtotheirpecsandtheireyesglaringfrombeneaththeirhelmets.“Whoareyoumeanttobe?”oneofthemasked.“Um,I’mthePlagueDoctor,”Sebastiansaid.“Howdoyoudo?”“Takeoffthemask.”“I’mafraidIcan’tdothatforhealthreasons.”“Areyoumeanttobehere?”“Yes.Definitely.”“Doyouhaveapass?”
“Theysaidthey’dgetmeone,but theyhaven’tyet.Theytoldmetowaithere.”“Whotoldyou?”“Uh…Jimmy.AndClive.”Theguardsglancedateachother,thenthetalkativeonepressedabuttonon
thewall and a security door slid down behind Sebastian, leaving himwithnowheretorun.Theycamecloser.“Putyourhandsoveryourhead.”“Butthat’swheremyhatis.”“Putyourhandsup!”“Hey,” another Cathedral Guard said, coming up behind them. “What’s
goingon?Whoisthis?”The other two stood to attention. “We caught an intruder,ma’am.We’re
bringinghiminforinterrogationnow.”“I’mnotanintruder,”Sebastiansaid.“I’mwaitingforJimmyandClive.”“Idon’tknowaJimmyoraClive,”thefemaleguardanswered.“You don’t?” Sebastian said. “Jimmy’s short? Clive’s tall? Clive has a
moustacheandhewalkswithalimp?You’resureyoudon’tknowthem?”“Pretty sure,” she said, and gestured to the security door. “Why is this
shut?”“Um… this iswhatwe’remeant to do ifwe find an intruder,” said the
talkativeone.“It’sstandardoperatingprocedure.”“Oh,yeah,”saidthefemaleguard.“Soitis.”She kicked the guard behind her, just spun and threw her leg up and
whackeditintohishead.Shecontinuedthespin,droppedlow,sweptthefirstguard’slegsfromunderhim.Hefellandsheswungherstaffintohisfacesohardhishelmetflewoff,andnowbothguardswereunconscious.Shestraightenedup,tookoffherhelmetandturnedtoSebastian.“Now,”saidTanithLow,“justwhothehellareyou?”
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Sebastiandidhisverybestnottowave.“YoucancallmethePlagueDoctor,”hesaid.Tanithnodded.“ThePlagueDoctor.Right.What’syourrealname?”“That’stheonlynameyouneedtoknow,”Sebastiansaid,andsquawkeda
little when Tanith grabbed the beak of his mask and yanked it down low,bendinghimover.Shestartedpullinghiminacircle.“I’mafraidthat’snotgoingtocutit,”shesaid.“I’llhavetoinsist.”Sebastiantriedtopullherhandsaway,butshewastwistinghismaskandit
was hurting his neck. “Ow.Stop. Please. I’m thePlagueDoctor.Youdon’tneedtoknowmyname.”With her other hand, she batted the hat from his head and rapped her
knucklesonhismask.Itechoedloudlyinhisears.“Don’ttrytotellmewhatIneed,allright?Whoareyou,andwhywereyousneakingaround?”“Whyareyousneakingaround?”Sebastiancountered,because it seemed
like a good idea at the time. She twisted his beak again and he cried out.Again.“I’m sneaking around because I’m here to do bad things,” Tanith said.
“Whyareyouhere?”“Ihavetostealsomething!”“What?”“Ican’ttellyou!”“Whydoyouhavetostealit?”“Ican’ttellyouthat,either!”Hefinallybrokefree,stooduptohisfullheightandreadjustedthemask,
glaringather through theglasseyeholes.“Iamhere,”hesaid,“ona secretmission. It looks likeyouarehereona secretmission, too. I can’t tell youwhatmymissionis,justlikeI’msureyoucan’ttellmewhatyourmissionis.”“I’mheretokillsomeone.”Sebastianblinked.“Oh.It…it’snotme,isit?”“Well,Idon’tknow,”saidTanith.“Maybeitis.What’syourname?Ifit’s
notthenameofmytarget,I’llletyoulive.”
“Really?YouthinkI’mthatstupid?I’mnottellingyoumyname,andthatisfinal.”Hedidn’tknowwhyhedidit,butashewasspeakinghewatchedhishandcomeup,onefingerextended,andashesaidthewordfinalheproddedTanith once, in the chest.He immediately regretted it.He regretted it evenmorewhenshegrabbedthatfingerandtwisted,forcinghimtohisknees.“Please!”hecried.“Don’tbreakmyfinger!Ineedittopointatstuff!”“Yourname.”“Ican’ttellyou!”“Yourname.”“Sebastian!”hehowled.“SebastianTao!”Shereleasedhimandhecradledhishand.“Hello,Sebastian,”shesaid.“Hello,Tanith,”hemoaned.“YouknowwhoIam,then.”Hegotup.“Yes.Ofcourse.Everyoneknowswhoyouare.”“Andyou’renotgoingtoaskwhyI’mheretokillsomeone?”“Idon’thaveto,”Sebastiansaid.“Iknowyou’reaKnifeintheDarkness.I
know you went back to them after Desolation Day. If you’re here toassassinatesomeone,I’msuretheyhaveitcoming.”“Youseemtoknowalotaboutme.”“Well,”saidSebastian,shakingouthissorehand,“Iknowalotaboutalot
ofpeople.It’soneofmygifts.Ipromiseyou,we’reonthesameside.”“I’ll make up my mind about that. Seeing as how you know so much,
Sebastian,doyouknowhowtogetthissecuritydooropen?Icancrackjustaboutanylock,butthisdoordoesn’tseemtohaveone.”“Isthatwhereyourtargetis?”“Itwillbe.”“Ithinkthat’swhereIhavetogo,too.Maybewecouldteamup.”“Yeah?Youwanttohelpmekillsomeone?”“Uh,well,notquite,but…Actually,Iwasthinkingmorealongthelinesof
youprotectingmeuntilIfindwhatIhavetofind,thenwekindof…goourseparateways.”“Tempting,”saidTanith.“Sotempting.OrIkillyou.”Sebastianfrowned.“What?Whywouldyoukillme?”“BecauseyouknowwhoIam.Youmighttellsomeone.”“Iwon’t.Iswear.”“Iwanttobelieveyou,Sebastian.Ido.Youhaveanhonestmask.Butlook
at this frommy point of view: life would just be a lot easier if I kill youbeforeyouhaveachancetomessanythingupforme.”
“UnlessIknowhowtoopenthisdoor,right?Like,ifIopenthedoor,youdon’tkillme?”“Idon’tkillyou.”“Atall?”“Rightnow.”Sebastianhesitated,thennodded.“I’llopenthedoor.BecauseItrustyou.”“It’snicetobetrusted.”Hewenttothespotonthewallhe’dseentheCathedralGuardpress,and
foundthebutton.Thesecuritydoorslidopen.Tanithputherhelmetbackon,andmarchedin.Sebastianfollowed.“Whatareyoudoing?”Tanithasked.“Comingwithyou,”saidSebastian.“Ithoughtyouwantedmenottokillyou.”“Tanith,listen.Ican’ttellyouwhatI’mafter…actually,Ican.It’sascythe
theyhave in theircollectionhere.But Ican’t tellyouwhyI’mafter it.YoujusthavetotrustthatI’mdoingtherightthing.”“Therightthingforwhom,exactly?”“Iprobablyshouldn’ttellyouthat.”“You’re a man of mystery, Sebastian, in a completely non-alluring way.
But,seeingashowanyalarmyouraisewouldalertmytarget,youcanstickwithmeuntilyoufindyourscythe.”“Thankyou.”“Thenyougetoutofmyway,”shesaid.“OrIwillkillyou.”
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Valkyrie roamedarounddownstairswhileAlicewent toher roomtopackasmallovernightbag.Shestoppedatthemirrorinthehall,pulleddownherT-shirttocheckthegauze,thenchewedonaleaftokeepthepainaway.Shewentintothelivingroom,smilingattheframedfamilyphotographson
the mantelpiece. She came to one of her nana and suddenly missed herterribly.Aliceraninbehindher,baginonehand,Sparklesintheother.“Willyou
teachmehowtodomagic?”sheasked.Valkyrieturnedslowly.“What?”“Iwant to learn,” saidAlice. “I’m good at learning.MissDonohoe says
I’mherprizepupil.”“What,uh,whatkindofmagicdoyouthinkIknow?”Aliceshrugged.“Magicmagic.”“Oh,right.AndwhydoyouthinkIcandomagic?”Alicelaughed.“Becauseyoucan!MomandDadarealwaystalkingabout
itwhentheythinkI’mnotlistening,butI’malwayslistening.”“Whatelsehaveyouheard?”“Skulduggery ismagic,andhe’sarealskeleton.ButI’mnotsupposedto
saythattoanyoneexceptyouandMomandDad.Yougethurtalot.”“DoI?”“That’swhatMomsays,andDadtellsher thatyou’rebigandstrongand
abletohandleyourself.SometimesMomcriesaboutit.”“Isee.”“Sowillyouteachme?”Valkyrie hesitated, then sat. “I don’t know if I should. Some magic is
dangerous.Itcanhurtyou.”“I’llbeverycareful.”“I knowyouwill, but somemagic can hurt you even if you’re themost
carefulpersonintheworld.”“Thendon’tteachmethatmagic,”Alicesaid.“Teachmethesafemagic.”“Sweetie,Idon’tknowifIcan.Maybewhenyou’reolder.”
“WhenI’meight?”“Maybealittlebitolderthanthat.IwastwelvewhenIfirstlearnedmagic.”“Butthat’sagesaway!That’s…”Shecounted.“Fiveyearsaway!”“You’reverysmart.”“Iknow,”Alicesaid,andgrinned,andthenlookedserious.“Butthat’stoo
long.Iwanttolearnnow.”“Ican’tteachyouuntilyou’retwelve.Sorry.It’stherules.”“Thencanyoushowmemagic?”“Um…well,Isupposeso.”Valkyrie held up her hand, and sent energy crackling between her
forefingerandthumb.“Wowwwww,”saidAlice.“CanItouchit?”“No,”Valkyriesaid,“it’dhurtalot.Youreadytogo?”Aliceheldupherbag.“Yes!”“IsSparklesreadytogo?”AliceheldupSparkles.“Yes,sheis!”Valkyrie’sphonerang.ItwasSkulduggery.“Holdonjustasecond,”shesaid,andanswered.“What’sup?”“China’sfreeforachatinanhour,”Skulduggerysaid.“Shecanfinallyseeyou?”“Shedoesn’tknowityet,butyes.”Valkyriestoodup.“Youdon’thaveanappointment,doyou?”“No, but I took a look at her schedule, and she doesn’t have an
appointment,either.Sowhatdoyousaywedropbyunannounced?”“Ican’t,”saidValkyrie.“I’mwithAlice.”“Bringherwithyou,”Skulduggeryresponded.“Chinahasn’tmetheryet,
hasshe?It’llbeagoodice-breaker.We’llprobablyneedone.”“There’snowayI’mdoingthat.”“Ineedyouthere,Valkyrie.Chinaactuallylikesyou.I’mnotgoingtoget
anyanswersifyou’renotthere.”Valkyriesmileddownathersister.“Idon’thaveababysitter.”“Alicewillbefineonherown.”“She’sseven.”“That’snotoldenoughtobeleftalone?”“No,itisn’t.”“Thencanyoudropherbacktoyourparents?”“I’minHaggardrightnow–IsaidI’d takeherfor thenight, remember?
It’stheiranniversary.”“Oh.Well,howaboutaskingFergusandBeryltomindher?”“What?No.Iwouldneverdothattoher.”
“Isn’tthereanyoneelse?”heasked.“Ineedmypartnerwithme.”Valkyrie sighed. “Unless you know of anyone offering a babysitting
service,Ican’tthinkof…”“Valkyrie?”Sheshrugged.“Ithoughtofsomeone.”“Oh,”Skulduggerysaid.“Me,too.”
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Omen raised his hand to volunteer, and Mr Peccant chose someone else.Omen put his hand down. He’d known the answer. It wasn’t often that ateacheraskedaquestioninclassthatOmenknewtheanswerto,sohelikedtoseizethechancewheneveritcroppedup.Butteachers,likelife,hadahabitofpassinghimby.October Klein gave the wrong answer, which turned out to be the right
answer, and Omen was glad now that he hadn’t been picked, but still feltaggrievednonetheless.Hesanklowerinhischair,anddeeperintodespondency.Neverhadbeen
right.Omen had beenwaiting for Skulduggery andValkyrie to call him toadventure,andofcoursetheywerenevergoingtodothat.Thelasttimewasafluke.They’dneededsomeoneinconspicuoustospyonagroupofstudents.Thatwasaveryspecificsetofcircumstances,unlikelytoeverberepeated.Omenhad to face it –he’dhadhis adventure. It hadbeen terrifying and
exhilaratingandbrilliantand terrifying,and then ithadended.SkulduggeryandValkyrieandAugerwerebottomlesscupsintowhichadventurecouldbepoured and theywould never fill up.Omen’s cup had already spilled over,andasusualhewasleftwithasoggymessandawideningpuddle.He turned toNever, a fewseatsaway,andmouthed thewords:Youwere
right.Neverfrownedbackathim,andmouthed:What?Youwereright.Iwaswhite?Youwereright.Aboutwhat?Whatyousaid.WhatdidIsay?Aboutmewastingmytime,waitingtobecalledonanotheradventure.Neverstared.What?Thestuffweweretalkingaboutlastweek.Useshortersentences,muppet.
Youwereright.Igotthatmuch.Aboutme.Yes.Wastingmytime.Pleasehurryup.Waitingforadventure.You’rewaitingforadenture?Adventure.Adenture?Adventure.Iwasrightaboutyouwaitingforadventure?Yes.Neverfrowned.Iknow.Oh.That’swhyIsaidit.IjustwantedyoutoknowthatIagreewithyou.What?Iagreewithyou.So?Iwantedyoutoknowthat.Isthatall?Yes.Canwestopdoingthisnow?OK.Nevernodded,andwentbacktopayingattentiontowhateverPeccantwas
sayingwhileOmenthoughtalittlemoreaboutwhathe’dbeenthinkingabout.Whenhe’d finished,he tried tocatchupwith the restof theclass,but theywereallscribblingfuriously.“MrDarkly,”Peccantsaid.Omenlookedup.“Yes,sir?”“Youlookconfused.”“No,sir.”“You’renotconfused?”“No,sir.”“Sothat’sjustyourface,then,isit?”“Yes,sir.”“That’sgoodtoknow,”Peccantsaid,andwentbacktowhateveritwashe
wasdoing.
Omen managed to not get in trouble until the bell rang for the end ofschool. He went to talk to Never, but she turned a corner and vanished,leavinghimaloneinthecrowd.He sawMahala approaching and he shrank back, barged into someFirst
Years,finallystumbledtothebenchalongthewall.Hesat,watchingherpass,diggingforhisphonetocallAuger–butthenhisbrotherappeared.Mahaladidn’t attack him. Come to that, her eyes weren’t glowing green. Omenwatchedthemtalk,veryintently,andthenAugernodded,smiledgrimly,andwatchedMahalahurryaway.If thathadbeenOmenstanding there, thecrowdwouldhave thrownhim
aboutlikealeafinastream.ButthestreampartedforAuger.Auger sawhimand raisedahand ingreeting, thencameover, satbeside
himonthebench.“Iseeyou’vegotMahalaback,”Omensaid.“Yes,”saidAuger,andamomentpassedandhenodded.“Yes.”“Um…how’sshedoing?”“She’s good. She’s doing OK. Back to normal, at least. She’s blaming
herselfforeverythingshedidwhenshewaspossessed,butIthinkthat’sonlynatural.”“Andthethingthatwaspossessingher?Didyoubanishitbacktothehellit
camefrom,likeyou’dplanned?”Augerhesitated.“Notquite.”“Oh?”“Wegot the spirit out ofMahala,whichwas great, but then itwent into
Kase.SonowKaseispossessedandhe’s,like,extra-angry.Soifyouseehim,andhiseyesstartglowing…justrun.OK?Justgetthehelloutofthere.”“I’lldothat.”“I’lltakecareofit,youknow?Ijustneedalittletimetocomeupwitha
newplan.”“AnyhelpIcangive…”“Iknow,dude.Thanks.”Heshookhimselfoutofhissombremood.“So,
hey,who’sthismortalgirlyou’vebeenshowingaroundtheschool?”Omensighed.“Ofcourseyouheardaboutthat.Hername’sAurnia.”“Doyoulikeher?”“She’sverynice.”“Yougonnaseeheragain?”“Idon’tknow.Hopefully.Imean,itcan’tgoanywhere,Iknowthat.”“Whynot?”“Areyoukidding?”Omenasked,and laughed.“Canyou imaginewhat’d
happenifMumandDadheardaboutit?”
“Sowhatiftheyfreakout?Don’tlistentothem,dude.She’sstillaperson,right?You’reallowedtolikeher.”“Idon’tthinkIam,though.WhenyoufallinlovewithaNecromancergirl
oryoustarttodateamermaid,theypretendnottonotice,butifItriedtogoout with a mortal girl from another dimension they’d be terrified that it’dtarnishtheDarklyname.”“Hey,”Auger said, holding up a finger. “I never dated themermaid.We
just…hungout.”“Ialwaysmeanttoaskyouaboutthat,actually.”“Ah,”Augersaidwithashrug,“don’t.”Omen laughed. “You know something? I can’t wait for you to face the
KingoftheDarklands,becausecanyouimaginewhatthey’llbelikeonceyoubeat him and the prophecy is complete?All those centuries ofwaiting andexpectationwillbeover,and they’llno longerbe theparentsof theChosenOne. They’ll just be normal sorcerers again. I can’t wait to see their faceswhentheyrealisethat.”Augernodded,butOmennoticedthatthesmilewasgone.Hesoftenedhis
tone.“Um,whatareyougoingtodoafterwards?”heasked.“AfterIfacetheKing?”Augersaid.“AssumingIsurvive?”“Youwillsurvive,”saidOmen,frowning.“Youhaveto.Theydon’tmake
propheciesaboutpeoplewhofail–theymakethemaboutheroes.Heroeswhowin.”“I’vebeenthinkingaboutthismoreandmore,”saidAuger,lookingaround.
“Youknow,I’mkindofinvinciblerightnow.I’minvincibleforthenextthreeyears,until I’mseventeenandIgoupagainst theKing.Until then,nothingmuchcanstopme.Itdoesn’tmeanthatI’mnotcareful.Icanstillbehurt.Icanstillbeinjured.Andhell,Icanstillbekilled,because,aseveryoneknows,no prophecy is guaranteed. But in general, as long as I’m smart, I’minvincible.”“Thatmustbeprettycool.”“Itis.Mostly.ButI’vebeenwondering…whathappensafter?IfIdefeat
the King of the Darklands, I’ll emerge alive, yes – but I’ll have lost thatinvincibility.SuddenlyIcantripandfalloffacliff,orgethitbyabus,orgetsickorsomething.Suddenlyanythingcankillme.”“You’llstillhavethetalentsyouwerebornwith,”saidOmen.“You’llstill
befasterandstrongerandsmarterthanmostpeople.”“Butnoneofthathaskeptmegoing,”Augerreplied.“Theonethingthat
has propelled me through all of these crazy adventures I’ve had is theconfidencethatI’llsurvivethem.That’smysecret.It’snotpowerorability,
it’sjust…Idunno.Purebeliefinmyself.That’swhoIam.Itkindadefinesme.”“Iwouldlovethat.”“Iknowyouwould,dude.SometimesIwonderwhatyou’dbelikeifyou
hadevenatenthofmyconfidence.That’swhatholdsyouback,youknow.”Omen waved his hand. “We’re not talking about me right now. So you
think that once the prophecy has been fulfilled and the King is defeated,you’ll,what…loseyourself?”“Maybe,yeah.”“I’veneverthoughtaboutitlikethat.”“See,IknowwhoIamrightnow.I’vealwaysknownwhoIam,whyI’m
here,whatI’mmeantfor…ButIdon’tknowwhoI’llbeonceit’sover.”“Whodoyouwanttobe?”Augerlookedupsuddenly.“What?”Omenblinked.“DidI…didIsaysomethingwrong?”“No,”Augersaid,staringathim.“It’s just…Idon’t thinkanyone’sever
askedmethatbefore.”Hisphonebeeped,andhelookedatitandsighed.“Thecalltoaction,”hesaid,andstood.“Goodtalkingtoyou,bro.”“Becareful.”Hegrinned.“Invincible,remember?”Auger hurried away, and themoment hewas out of sightOmen’s phone
rang.ThescreenlitupwithValkyrie’sname,andhejumpedtohisfeet.“Hello?”hesaid,hismouthdry.“Omen,”Valkyriesaid,“hey.”“Hi,”saidOmen.“Hi,howareyou?What’sup?Isanythingwrong?”He heard her hesitate. “Would you happen to be doing anything right
now?”“Nope,”Omensaidimmediately.“Nothing.”“Areyoubusyforthenext,maybe,twohours?Threeatthemost?”A teacherwalkedbyandOmen turnedaway,keepinghisheaddownand
talkingquietly.“I’mfree.I’mready.Whatdoyouneed?”“Ineedyourhelp,tobehonest.I’mabitstuck.”Hefroze.“Oh,God.You’retrapped?”“No,no,nothinglikethat.Howareyouwithkids?”Omenfrowned.“Like…fightingthem?”“What?No,Omen.Mindingthem.Ineedababysitter.Youin?”Hesagged.“Omen?”Thecalltoaction.“I’min,”hesaid.
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Valkyriegotchangedintoherblackclothes,andzippedherjacketallthewayup.Onherwaydownstairssheglancedthroughthewindow,sawNeverandOmen standing beside her car. Never was looking irritated, and teleportedawaywhileOmenwasstilltalking.ValkyriewaiteduntilOmenknockedbeforeopening thedoor.Shewaved
himin.“Hey,”shesaid.“Thankyoufordoingthis.Seriously.”“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“IseverythingOKbetweenyouandNever?Heseemedannoyed.Isitme?
Iknowhedoesn’tlikemeawholelot.”“No,”Omensaid.“No,it’sdefinitelynotyou.OK,itmightbe,justalittle,
butmostly… I don’t know. He’s been acting a little odd lately, that’s all.Keepingsecrets,maybe.”“Weallhavesecrets.”“Isuppose.”Alicepokedherheadoutofthekitchen.“Alice,comeoverhere,”saidValkyrie.“She’snotusuallythisshy.Alice,
thisismyfriend.HisnameisOmen.”Alicehesitated,thenhurriedover,andOmenwaved.“Hi,Alice.”AlicewavedfrombehindValkyrie’sleg.“There’sfoodanddrinkinthefridge,”Valkyriesaid,grabbinghercarkeys,
“andprobablysomesnackssomewhereinthekitchen.Ifyouwantapizzaorsomething, I think there’s amenu floatingaround,but I’llonlybegone fortwohoursorso.”“I’llbefine,”saidOmen.“We’llbefine.”“JustputtheTVon,”Valkyriesaid.“Or,Idon’tknow,shemightwantto
dohomework.Couldyouhelpherwiththat?”“IthinkIcanmanage,”Omensaid,tryingtosoundconfident.“Right,”saidValkyrie,“OK.Iwouldn’tbedoingthisifitwasn’timportant,
sothankyou.”
“Noproblem.”ValkyriebentdowntoAlice.“Iwon’tbegonelong.Omenwilltakecareof
you–he’sreallynice,you’llreallylikehim.”“Ishemagic,too?”sheasked.“Wedon’ttalkaboutmagic,remember?”“Yeah,butishemagic,too?”Valkyriesighed.“Alittle.Omen,don’tshowheranymagic.”Henodded.“Probablywise.”“You’regoingtobenicetoOmen,aren’tyou?You’regoingtobehaveand
dowhathetellsyou?”“Yes.”“WhenIgetback,we’llgotomyhouseandI’llshowyouyourroom,OK?
Thatsoundcool?”“Yes.”“AndwhenyouspeaktoMumandDadaboutthistomorrow…?”“I’mnottotellthemyouleft,”Alicesaid.“Goodgirl.That’svery important.”Valkyrie straightenedup. “Right. I’m
off.Begood.”She left the house, got in her car, and drove to Roarhaven. She met
Skulduggery in theHighSanctuary’s lobby and together they slipped awayfromthesorcererswhowerenotdoingagoodjobofkeepingasurreptitiouseyeonthem.Usingtheirpersonalcloakingspheres,theypassedbetweentheCleaversstandingguard,andwaitedatthedoubledoorstoChina’sRoomofPrisms.Skulduggerycheckedhispocketwatch.“Anymomentnow,”hesaid.Valkyrieheard footstepson theother side, and thehandle turned and the
leftdooropened.Shedodgedback,avoidingthemanwhocamethrough.Hewent to close the door after him, but Skulduggery put a hand to it andValkyrieslippedunderhisarm.Thesorcerer frowned,butSkulduggerywasalreadyfollowingValkyriein.Thedoorclosedbehindthem.They deactivated their cloaking spheres as they walked between the
hundredsofthincolumnsofmirroredglass.China,readingthroughafileasshe sat upon her throne, gave no indication that she saw their shiftingreflections,untilsheclosedthefileandleanedback,asingleeyebrowarched.“ArbiterPleasant.ArbiterCain.TowhatdoIowetheetcetera…?”“It’s been awhile, China,” Skulduggery said. “Wewere almost thinking
youwereavoidingus.”China smiled, and stood. Her dress was an extravagant affair, a low-cut
thingofpurpleandindigo,tighteverywherebutthesleevesandstuddedwith
beading that slowly changed its colours. Her dark hair was longer thanValkyrieremembered,andarrangedindeceptivelysimplebraids.“Nothing quite so dramatic, I’m afraid,” China said, coming down the
steps. “I’ve just been busy. It’s not easy running a city and overseeingpractically every Sanctuary around the world. Every hour brings freshchallenges. Disputes, power struggles … even violence. And then we getchallengesnoonecouldhaveprepared for, like thosepoorpeople from theLeibnizUniverse.”“Aretheyallthrough?”Valkyrieasked.“Thankfully,” saidChina, kissing her cheek. “Our technicians shut down
the portal device this morning. Astonishing thing, apparently. Discoveringhowitworkswillbequiterevelatory.”“What’sgoingtohappentothemortals?”Skulduggeryasked.“Thathasyet tobedecided. Iwish therewereaneasyoption, Iwishwe
couldallowthemtoassimilatewiththemortalsofourworld,butI’mafraidthey pose a substantial risk to our continued safety.Come,” she said. “Youlook like you have things on your minds. I have to rush off to my nextmeeting,butwecantalkasIgetready.”Sheledthemawayfromthethrone.“I’ve heard the First Bank of Roarhaven is about to open its doors,”
Skulduggerysaid.“Congratulations.Iknowyou’vebeenworkingat thisforyears.”ValkyriecaughtChina’sthinsmilereflectedinthemirrors.“Thankyou,”Chinasaid.“Allmyhardworkisfinallycomingtofruition.”“I have to admit,” Skulduggery continued, “I didn’t think Grand Mage
Vesperswas going to pull it off.The last I heard, the entire enterprisewasfloundering.Wheredidhefindnewinvestorsatthislatestage?”“Therewillalwaysbepeoplewilling to takeachanceonsomething they
believein.”“I heard some of the names of these investors,” Skulduggery said.
“Familiarnames,actually.Peoplewith,shallwesay,ahistory.”Thewallopenedbeforethem,andtheysteppedontoaraisedplatform.It
slowlybegantoriseintothedarkness.“Youwent toArch-CanonCreedforhelp,didn’tyou?”saidSkulduggery.
“ThemembersofhisChurcharesomeof therichestsorcerers in theworld.Thebankwasabout tofailbefore ithadevengotstarted,andheconvincedhisflocktoinvestandswoopedintotherescue.Whatdidhegetinreturn,Iwonder?”“TheReligiousFreedomAct,”Chinasaid,turningtofacethem.“We’llbe
announcingitnextmonth,butit’salreadyineffect.”
“Isee.CanIassumethattheActallowspeopletopractisewhatevertheirfaithdemands,nomatterhowmurderousitmightbe?”“It gives churches autonomy, yes.” Something new flickered behind
China’seyes.Doubt,maybe.“Itmakes thegroundsofeverychurchsacred,andaccordingtoourlaws—”“Sacred ground remains outside everyone’s jurisdiction,” Skulduggery
finished, “Arbiters included.You’ve given him free rein to dowhatever hewants.”“Actually,we’rekeepingaverycloseeyeonhim,”Chinasaid.“Wehave
insistedthatGrandMageVespersbeallowedtooverseeallChurchpractices.NothinghappenswithoutVespers’consent.”“Andyou’vegotyourpreciousbank.”“Roarhavenneedsitifweeverwanttoreachourtruepotential.”Theplatformcametoagentlestopandthedoorsopened.Theywalkedout
into China’s chambers, a luxurious apartment on the very top floor of theHighSanctuary.“Isthatwhyyouwanttotalktome?”Chinaaskedasshewalkedtowards
thebedroom.“Financeandinvestments?”“Actually,wewanttotalktoyouaboutAbyssinia.”Sheopenedtheclaspsofherdressandletitfalljustasshewalkedoutof
sight.“Goon,”shesaid.SkulduggeryandValkyriestayedatthedoorway.“Abyssinia has spent the last seven months searching for her son,”
Skulduggerysaid.“AmannamedCaisson.He,inturn,hasspentthelastfewhundred years being experimented on at Serafina’s pleasure.Last night,webelievemotherandsonwerereunited.”Therewasnoanswerfromthebedroom.Irritated,Valkyriewalkedin.Chinastoodwithherbacktoher,lookingat
clothesinhervastwardrobe.“Caisson is the King of the Darklands,” Valkyrie said, “the one in the
DarklyProphecy.Abyssinia’sfatherwastheUnnamed.China,thisisserious,andSkulduggeryandIare theonlypeopleinvestigating.WeneedCleavers.Weneedyou.”China turned.Her facewore a slack expressionValkyrie had never seen
before.Unguarded.“He’sstillalive,”shesaidsoftly.Valkyriefrowned.“Whois?What?”China stood taller, became more alert. She pulled an outfit from the
wardrobe,threwitonthebed,begantodress.“WhentheDiablerieteamedupwiththeDeadMen,”shesaid,“wereyoutoldaboutthis?”
“Yes,” saidValkyrie. “About tenyears afterVilebetrayedAbyssinia, sheturnedupalive.Startedkillingpeopleonbothsidesofthewar.TheDiablerieandtheDeadMendecidedtoco-operate,trackedherdownandkilledher.”“Wekilledhereventually,”saidChina,pullingontrousers,“afterbattling
her for days. She had somehow become extraordinarily powerful in theinterveningyears.During thecourseof thisbattle, Ibecameseparated fromtheothers.Ididn’tstandachanceagainstheralone.Butshedidn’tkillme.Isuppose,inourway,wehadbeenfriends.Sowetalked.”“Aboutwhat?”China buttoned her top. “Her son. I knew her well enough to recognise
genuinelovewhenIsawit.Shemayhavebeenabletowithstandourattacks,andmaybeevendefeatus,buttheboywasvulnerable.Iofferedherachancetosparehislife.”“How?”“Bysacrificinghers,”saidChina.“Shewouldallowherselftodie,andher
son would live. A fair trade, I thought. Abyssinia, being Abyssinia, had acondition.”“Whichwas?China?Whatwasthecondition?”Chinalookedather.“ThatIraisetheboyinsecret,”shesaid.Valkyriestared.Skulduggerywalkedintotheroombehindher.China continued. “Naturally, if I’d had any choice in thematter, Iwould
havelaughedandwalkedaway,butmylifewasbeingthreatened,soIassuredher that itwouldbeanhonour tocare forherchild. Imiraculouslyescapedher clutches, she told the boy what was about to happen, and he allowedhimselftobecaptured.”“Afterwhich,”Valkyriesaid,“AbyssiniasurrenderedandSkulduggerycut
outherheart.”“And I took Caisson in,” China said. “I passed him off asmy servant’s
child,butIwastheonewhoraisedhim.”“I’veneverpicturedyouas amother,”Valkyrie saidasChinaputonher
shoes.“Icanbenurturing.Inurturedyouwhenwefirstmet,didn’tI?”“YouforcedmetodonothingwhenSerpinewastorturingSkulduggery.”“Imeantafterthat.I’msurethereweremomentsofnurturing.”“Youmightbethinkingofsomeoneelse.”“Perhaps,”saidChina.“DidAbyssiniatellyouwhohisfatherwas?”Skulduggeryasked.Chinalookedathim.“ShesaiditwasLordVile.ButIneverbelievedit.”ThepainfromValkyrie’sinjurywasstartingtonagather,soshetookaleaf
fromher pocket and started chewing. “What kind of amotherwere you to
Caisson?”“Awonderfulone,Ishouldimagine,”Chinasaid,crossingtothedresserto
changeherearrings.“Iwaseducational,informativeandsuccinct.”“Allthehallmarksofagreatmum.”“Thankyou.”“Whatwashelike?”Skulduggeryasked.China paused. “Troubled. I was part of the group that killed Abyssinia,
after all, so there was a sustained period of adjustment. Nevertheless, heprovedhimselfacapableyoungman,soIkeptmypromise,asdangerousasitwas.IfMevolenthadknownthatthesonofAbyssiniawasinhisowncastle,he’dhavehadhimkilledwithout even thinkingabout it.But itwasgettingharderandhardertostopCaissonfromdrawingattentiontohimself–andhishatredofMevolentwasgrowing.SoItookhimaway.Wesneakedoutundercover of night. I sent word to my brother, who arranged a meeting withEachanMeritorious.ItwasagreedthatIwouldprovidetheSanctuarieswithvital information in the war against Mevolent, and I would be allowed toreturntoIreland–understrictconditions,ofcourse.”“Caissoniswhyyoudefected?”Valkyrieasked.“Essentially.”“Huh. I never would have thought it’d be because of someone… else.
Someonethatisn’tyou,youknow.”Chinanodded.“BecauseI’msolegendarilyselfish.”“Well…yeah.”“So it surprisesyou, toknow that I’mcapableof sacrificingsomuch for
someoneelse?”“Itdoes.I’mactuallyimpressed.”China’s smile dropped away. “Don’t be,” she said. “In this story, I may
havecometolovetheboy,butIreverttomyselfishwayseventually.”“Whathappenedafteryoudefected?”Chinapulledonajacket.“Despitemyverybestefforts,Caissongrewinto
anangryyoungman.HehatedMevolent,becausehe thoughtMevolenthadforcedhis father,LordVile, toattackhismother,andhehatedSkulduggeryforsubsequentlykillingher.Sorryaboutthat,Skulduggery.”“Understandable,”heresponded.“MevolentwasbeyondCaisson’s reach for themoment,butSkulduggery
provedaneasiertarget.Orsohethought.”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“Hecameafterme?”“And you beat him, easily and emphatically. You almost killed him, in
fact.”“Whenwasthis?”
“Idoubtyou’dremember.Somanypeoplehavetriedtokillyouover theyears.CaissonwouldundoubtedlyhavediedofhisinjuriesifawomannamedSolacehadn’tdiscoveredhimonmydoorstepandnursedhimbacktohealth.Theyfellinlove.”“Howsweet,”saidValkyrie.China walked out of the bedroom. They followed. “For a long time, I
thoughtthelovetheysharedwasenoughtohealthemboth.Notofphysicalwounds,buttheinvisiblewoundsweallcarryaroundwithus.Solacewas,inher own way, as troubled as Caisson. She had been one of Serafina’shandmaidensbefore fleeing thatwretchedplace. Iactually thought theyhadfoundtheirpeacewithineachother.Almostahundredandsixtyyearswentby. Ididn’t seemuchofeitherof them.And thenanotheroneofSerafina’shandmaidens happened to glimpse Solace on a quiet street. A chanceencounterthatchangedeverything.”“Theygrabbedher?”Valkyrieasked.China nodded. “And took her back toMevolent’s castle, where Serafina
plannedtotortureherforherdisobedience.Serafinahasalongmemory,anddoessolovetotorture.”“AndCaissonwentafterthem.”“Of course.He’d spent his teenage years in that castle – he knew every
secret it possessed.He sneaked in, intent on hismission to rescue his ladylove… but I don’t think he could resist the opportunitywhen it presenteditself.”“Whatopportunity?”Valkyrieasked,frowning.“CaissonkilledMevolent,”Skulduggerysaid.“He did,” saidChina. “Stabbed him repeatedly toweaken him, and then
drained his life force. Then he rescued Solace and they returned home. Ahappyending…untilSerafinacameknockingonmydoor,fullofquestionsand accusations. She thought it was Solace who had somehow killedMevolent,yousee,anddemanded toknowwhere to findher. I toldher thetruth,however,thatithadbeenCaissonwho’ddonethedreadfuldeed,andItoldherwheretofindhim.”“You…youbetrayedhim?”Valkyriesaid.“IwarnedyouthatIwouldreverttomyselfishways.”“Butyouraisedhimlikehewasyourownchild.”“Buthewasn’tmychild,”Chinasaid.“Rememberthat.”Shelookedather
watch.“Ihavetogo.”Shewalkedbythem.Skulduggeryhadhisheaddown,asstillasastatue.Helookedupsuddenly.“You’retheSupremeMage,”hesaid.“Youdon’t
have to worry about being late for an appointment.Who are you meeting
that’ssoimportant?”Chinasmiledcoldly.“Itwassonicetoseeyoubothagain,”shesaid.“Do
keepmeupdated,won’tyou?And,ifyouneedanyhelp,justask.”ThedoorsslidopensilentlyandChinasteppedontotheplatformandturned.“Youcanletyourselvesout,”shesaid.Thedoorsclosed.ValkyrieandSkulduggerylookedateachother.“Sayit,”shesaid.“Yousayit.”“She’schanged.”“Yes,shehas.”Theywalkedoutonto thebalcony,andSkulduggerytookValkyrie inhis
armsandtheydroppedslowlydownthesideofthebuildingtothestreetfarbelow.“I’mjustthinking,”Valkyriesaid,herheadrestingonhisshoulder.“Ididrecommendmoreofthat.”“There is a possibility, asweird and unlikely as itmay be, that you and
Chinaarekindof…”“Parents,”hefinished.“Yes.ShemaynotbeCaisson’smother,butyoucoulddefinitelysayshe’s
his stepmother.Awicked stepmother,which I thinkwould surprise noone.Doesthischangeanythinginhowwegoforward?”“It might,” Skulduggery replied. “China’s emotional reserves may never
have been overflowing, but they do exist. Her connection to Caisson mayaffectherdecisionsinthismatter.”“Sowecan’trelyonher.”“Ifweevercould.”“Andwhataboutyou?Whataboutyourconnection?”“Sowe’rebelievingAbyssinianow,arewe?”“No,notbelievingher.Butnotnotbelievingher,either.”“Idon’tknow,Valkyrie.Idon’tknowwhattothink.”They toucheddownon thestreet.Passers-bygave themguarded looksas
theyveered round them.“Gohome,”he said. “Spend timewithyour sister.TellherIsaidhello.”“Whatareyougoingtodo?”“Temperhaspromisedmeanupdateonthepreliminaryexaminationofthe
portaldevice.”“Ooh,”Valkyriesaid,“thatsoundslikefun.”“Iknowyou’rebeingsarcastic,butI’mquitelookingforwardtoit.”“Suchanerd.”“That’swhyyouloveme.”
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Itwasn’teasyentertainingaseven-year-old.Foronething,Aliceflittedfromactivitytoactivitylikeabright-eyedbutterfly.Atfirst,sheseemedcontenttowatchTV,butquicklygrewbored.Thenshewanted toplayagameonhertablet.Afterthat,shewantedOmentoplayagameonhertablet,andlaughedashetriedtofigureoutwhattheruleswere,whatthecontrolswere,andwhatthepointwas.Eventually,sheaskedhimifhewantedhertoputonashow.Shesangtwo
Disney songs,oneof them twice, thenbits andpiecesofEdSheeranandasongOmendidn’tknow.Itwascute,butgotboringveryfast.WhenAliceswungherarmswideandboweddramatically,Omenclapped.“Welldone!”hesaid.“Thatwasbrilliant!”“Thankyou,”saidAlice,noddingathiswisdom.“Whatwasyourfavourite
part?”“Thebitatthestart,andthenthemiddle,andthatbitattheend.Itwasall
great,itreally—”“Doyouwanttoplayhide-and-seek?”“Um,sure.”“Doyouknowhowtoplay?”“Ido.”“Didyouusedtoplayhide-and-seekwhenyouweresmall?”“Idid,yes,withmybrother.”“Isyourbrotherolderoryoungerthanyou?”“He’solder,butonlybyafewminutes.”“Mysisteriseighteenyearsolderthanme.”“Iknow.”“Ismysisteryourgirlfriend?”Omenlaughed.“No.She’smucholderthanme,too.”“Doyouhaveagirlfriend?”Hethoughtaboutit.“Ithinkso.”“What’shername?”“Aurnia.She’sverynice.”
“Doyouloveher?”“Ha.Notyet.”“Howcanshebeyourgirlfriendifyoudon’tloveher?”“BecauseIlikeheralot.”Alicenodded.Thisanswersatisfiedher.“Sodoyouwanttoplayhide-and-seek?”Omenasked.“No,”shesaid.“Doyouwantmeto,uh,readyouastoryorsomething?”“Yes.”“Doyouhaveanybooks?”“Wekeephalfofmybooksinmybedroom–they’reforbedtimestories–
andhalfinthatbookshelf.They’refordaytimereading.”“Well, OK,” Omen said, wandering over to the bookcase and hunkering
down. “What one do you want? Jack’s Amazing Shadow? Little Legends?Alice?Whichbookwouldyou…?”Alicedidn’tanswer.Shewasstaringoutofthebackwindow.“Alice?Whatareyoudoing?”Shepointed.“Therewasamanthere.”Omenstraightenedup.“Where?”“Outsidethewindow,”shesaid.“Hewaslookingin.”Fear’s cold fingers immediately started to tap their way down Omen’s
spine.Hewenttothewindow.“Whatdidhelooklike?”“Hewasold,”saidAlice.“Haveyouseenhimbefore?”Shenodded,andherelaxed.“Oh,good,”hesaid.“Wherehaveyouseenhimbefore?”Shepointedbehindher.“Atthatwindowoverthere.”Thefearcameback.Itwasprobablynothing.Itwasprobablyaneighbour,ormaybesomeone
hadbrokendownandneededtocallatowtruck,andtheyhadn’theardthateveryonehadmobilephonesthesedayssotherewasnoreasontoleavetheircar.Hesteppedintothehallandfroze.Thefrontdoorwasopen.Omenbackedaway.“Alice,”hesaidsoftly.“Alice,comehere.”Shewanderedoverandhetookherhandandkneltdown.“Iwantyoutobe
veryquiet,”hewhispered.“Canyoubeveryquietforme?”Shenoddedearnestly.Hetookouthisphone.“Thisisasurprise.”
Omencriedoutandwhirledround.CadaverousGantstoodbythestairs.“I was expecting parents,” Cadaverous said, “feeble mortal minds that I
could command to deliver my message. Instead, I have the lesser of theDarklybrothers.Ican’tcommandyou,canI?Butwhatdoyoudowhenlifehandsyoulemons?Youmakelemonade.”“Whatdoyouwantwithme?”“Idon’twantyou,littleboy.Iwanther.”HesmiledatAlice.“Hellothere.”Omen pulledAlice behind him. “You’remaking amistake,” he said. “A
hugemistake.”Cadaveroussmiled.“Yousee,it’sthatkindofthinkingthatmeantthishas
neverhappenedbefore.Untilnow,noonebotheredtofollowValkyriehome.Noonebotheredtofindoutwhereshelived,whoherparentswere,ifshehadanycuteandadorablesiblings.Atfirst,IfullyexpectitwasbecausetostrikeatValkyrieCainwould be to incur thewrath of SkulduggeryPleasant.Butthatchanged,I think,andsuddenly itwas thewrathofValkyrieherself thatfrightenedpeopleoff.“ButI’mnotscaredofMissCain,andI’mnotscaredoftheskeleton.I’m
notscaredofanyone,nowthatIcometothinkaboutit.NotevenAbyssinia–notanymore.”“Whydoyouwanther?She’sonlyakid.”“There’snoneedforyou toworryabout thewhysandwherefores. Iwas
going touseherparents todeliver themessage,but I can just aseasilyuseyou.Yourcorpsewillmakeitevenmoredramatic,Idaresay.”Omendartedtothefireplace,grabbedthepoker,helditbeforehiminboth
hands.“Stayaway.”“I’mnotoneforfisticuffs,littleDarkly,butwebothknowthatI’mstrong
enoughandfastenoughtowhipthatpokeroutofyourhandsbeforeyoucanswingit.So,please,havealittledignityinyourfinalmoments.”“Alice,”saidOmen,“whenItellyouto,youruntotheneighbours,OK?”Outofthecornerofhiseye,OmensawAlicenodding.“Run!”Omenyelled,andlaunchedhimselfatCadaverous.TheoldmanbattedthepokerawayandthenslappedOmensohardhespun
andcollapsed,histhoughtsfallingsilentforamoment.Dimly aware of Cadaverous speaking, when he blinked and looked up
again,Alicewaswalkingcalmlybackintotheroom.“Goodgirl,”saidCadaverous.“Don’tbescared,AliceEdgley.Don’tpanic.
Don’ttrytorun.”Omen looked around for the poker, but couldn’t find it. He clicked his
fingers,doinghisbest tosummona flame intohishand,butallhedidwas
attractCadaverous’sattention.“Didyoueverthink,littleDarkly,thatperhapsmagicjustisn’tforyou?”Omengottohisfeet.Cadaverouswalkedtowardshim,backingOmeninto
thecorner.“Youdon’thavetokillme,”Omensaid.“I’llmakeitquick.”“Youcantiemeuporlockmeawaysomewhere.”“Hushnow,”Cadaveroustoldhim,“andcomehere.”“Pleasedon’tkillme.”Omen’sbackhitthewall.Tearsrandownhisface.Cadaverousreachedfor
him–andstopped.Theystoodthere,frozen,whileCadaverousconsideredhisoptions.“I’mnotgoing tokillyou,”he said suddenly. “Iwasgoing tokillyou. I
stillmight.ButIprobablywon’t.ItmightbemorefunforCaintocomebackandlistentoyourpatheticexcuses.”Heheldouthishand.“Phone.”Omenwipedhiseyes.“Sorry?”“Yourphone,boy,”Cadaveroussaid.“Giveittome.”Omenpassed itover.Cadaverousdroppeditandslammedhisheel into it
three times. Then he took another phone out of his pocket and tossed it toOmen.“Thereisonenumber in thatphone,”hesaid.“WhenCaingetsback, tell
hertocallit.Whenissheduehome?”“Uh,halfanhour,maybe.”“Perfect.Youaretowaithere.Youarenottocallanyoneoralertanyone.
Youarenottostepoutsidethatdoor.Doyouunderstandme?”“Yes.”“Iftheskeletoncomesinwithher,makeanexcuse.DonotletSkulduggery
Pleasantknowwhatisgoingon.Alice’slifewilldependonit.”“OK.Ipromise.”“Sitonthecouchthere,likeagoodlittleboy.Sitandwait.”Thenhewasgone,andAlicewasgonewithhim.
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Likeshadows,theydriftedthroughtheDarkCathedral.Or at least, Tanith did. She was magnificent to watch. She became the
darkness,melted into it.Shewalkedalongwallsandceilings.Shevanishedwhenshehadto.Sebastianwaslesslikeashadow,morelikesomeonewearingaleathersuit
that creakedwhen hemoved,with an awkwardmask that curtailed a gooddeal of his peripheral vision.He alsodidn’t quitemelt into thedarkness somuch as lunge desperately.But hemanaged not to be seen,whichwas themainthing.Tanithhadanotheradvantageoverhim–sheknewwhereshewasgoing,
and led him straight to the display area. Set out in a large room like amuseum,therewereallmannerofexhibitsandbooksandstuffhedidn’tcareabout – and in themiddle of it allwas the scythe, turning slowlywithin aglass case andheld aloft by the small sigils carved into thebase.Sebastianreachedforit,andTanithsmackedherstaffagainsthishand.“What iswrongwithyou?”sheasked.“Areyouactually trying togetus
caught?”Henarrowedhiseyes.“Youthinkit’sriggedtoanalarm?”“Yes,Sebastian,Ido.”“Um…wouldyouknowhowtodismantleit?”Shelookedathimlikehewasanidiot.“Whydidyoucomehere,whyare
youdoingthis,ifyou’renotpreparedforexactlythissortofthing?Areyoualwaysthisill-equipped?”“Notalways,”Sebastiansaid.Tanithsighed,andpassedherhandoverthelock.Itclickedopen.“Cool,”Sebastiansaid,andonceagainTanithhithimwiththestaff.“Ow,”hesaid.“I’veunlockedit,”shetoldhim,“butthealarmisstillactive.”“Oh.”“Youknow,I’mnotentirelyconvincedthatyou’recutoutforthis lineof
work,”shesaid.“Youare,andIhaverefrainedfromusingthesewordsuntil
rightthissecond,incrediblyincompetent.”“Bitharsh.”“Notreally. Iknowyouthinkyouhaveamission,but Isincerelybelieve
thatyou’dbebetterleavingittosomeoneelse.”Beneath hismask, Sebastian smiled. “Iwish I could, Tanith. I really do.
Butnooneelsecanseewhat’sgoingon,andnooneelseunderstandswhathastobedone.”“Thenyoushouldreallyjustthinkaboutquitting,becauseyou’regoingto
getyourselfkilled.”“Maybe.ButIhavetotry.”“Whatareyouafter,Sebastian?Whyareyoudoingthis?”“Theworldneedshelp.”“Surelytherearemorequalifiedpeopletoprovidethathelp.”“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” He examined the glass case. “Do you
thinkwecouldcutthewiresorsomething?”“Thealarmisn’telectronic,”Tanithsaid.“Seethatsigil,inthecorner?The
little one? The moment the scythe is touched, that little sigil will startscreaminglikenothingyou’veeverheard.”“Canyoudisableit?”“Idon’tknowawholelotaboutsigils.”“PityChinaSorrowsisn’there.”“Thatwouldbeincrediblyhandy,”Tanithmurmured.“Youronlychance,as
farasIcansee,istograbitandrunasfastasyoucan.”Sebastianpeeredather.“That’sit?Youradviceistograbitandrun?”“As fast as you can, because theCathedralGuardswill be right on your
heels.Youhaveawayout?”Sebastiannodded.“ThenI’ddosomewarm-upexercisesandgetreadytosprint.”“Huh,”hesaid.“ThisheistplanisnotasintricateasI’dbeenhoping.”“Oh, don’t worry, I’m going to provide a distraction,” Tanith said. “I
probably won’t be able to get to my target without witnesses, so, when Istrike,thealarmwillberaised.That’syourcue.”“Anddoyouhaveawayout?”“Ofcourse.”“So,what,Iwaithereuntiltheassassination?”“Unlessyouwanttohelpmekillsomeone.”“Notreally.”“Nooffence,butIwouldn’thaveacceptedyourhelpevenifyou’doffered
it.Findsomewheretohide,Sebastian.You’llknowwhenmytargetisdead.”Shestartedtowalkaway.
“Hey,Tanith?Thankyou.”Sheturned,lookedback.“Idon’tknowwhatyourmissionis,butIhopeit
worksoutforyou.”“Samehere. Imean,y’know,good luckkilling theperson. I’msure they
deserveit.”“Ifanyonedeservesit,”saidTanith,“it’sChinaSorrows.”
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Valkyriepulledupoutsideherparents’home,strugglingtowrenchhermindaway from thoughts ofAbyssinia andCaisson and all this history thatwassuddenly starting to infect the present. So many secrets. So many hiddenlives.Shewasnostrangertothat,ofcourse,butshehadtokeepitseparate,hadtokeepitawayfromAlice.Valkyrietriedsmiling.Triedagain.Onthethirdattempt,ittook.Shegotout,enteredthehouse.“Hey,”shecalled.Thehousewasquiet.Omensataloneinthelivingroom.
“Thanksforthis,”shesaid,walkingin.“Seriously.Wassheanytrouble?”Omenstood.Itwasprettyclearhe’dbeencrying.“What’swrong?”sheasked.Thenshelookedaround.“Where’sAlice?”“Hetookher,”Omensaid.Valkyrietookastepforward.“What?”Hehesitatedbeforeanswering.“CadaverousGant.”Shewasonhimbeforehe’dfinishedspeaking,herhandscurling intohis
shirt,forcinghimback,pinninghimtothewall.“What?”“I’msosorry,”Omensaid,cryingagain.“Hewasgoingtokillme.Hesaid
I’vetogiveyouthis.”He had a phone in his hand. She released him, grabbed the phone. The
screen litup.Therewasonenumber, readytobedialled.Shehit thebuttonandwaited.“Hello,Valkyrie,”saidCadaverous.“Bring her back,” Valkyrie said, walking away from Omen. “I’ll do
whateveryouwant,justdon’thurther,andbringherback.”“You’ll bewanting to shut up now,” Cadaverous said. “I hear oneword
from you that isn’t an answer to a question, and I’ll end this right now bykillingher.Isthatunderstood,youarrogantbrat?”Shestiffened.“Yes.”“For the duration of this phone call you will refer to me as sir. Is that
understood?”“Yes,sir.”
“That’smuchbetter.Asyouhaveprobablyguessed, I tookyour sister inordertoleadyouintoatrap.”“Youdon’thavetoleadmeanywhere.Iwillwillinglygowherever—”“Ididn’taskaquestion.”Valkyriefroze.“Sorry,”shesaid.“Sorrywhat?”“Sorry,sir.”“OK,”Cadaveroussaid.“That’syour firstandonlywarning.Youdo that
againand I’llkillherand throwherbody inaditch.We’regoing toplayalittlegame,Valkyrie.Doyoulikegames?Ihopeyoudo.Thisisafungame.IcallitLet’sSaveAlice.Theobjectiveissimple.You’vegottofindherbeforemidnight. That’s it. The rules are: you have to do this alone. Omen didn’tfactorintomyplans,butlet’sfaceit–evenifyoutakehimwithyou,you’restillbasicallyalone.So,whenthiscallends,youleaveyourownphonewhereitis,youleavethoselittleshocksticksofyoursbehind,youdon’ttellanyone–especiallynottheskeleton–andyouandtheDarklyboygetinyourcarandyoudrive.Areyouwithmesofar?”“Yes,sir.”“Good. I’mnot going to tell youwhere your sister is – that’s for you to
figureout.YourfirststopwillbetoseeamancalledPalter.He’swaitingatTheIronBar,inRoarhaven.He’llletyouknowwhatyouhavetodoonceyougetthere.Isthatclear?”“Yes,sir.”“If I find out that you are cheating, or if you fail to retrieve her by
midnight,yoursisterdies.Whattimeisit,brat?”Valkyriecheckedherwatch.“It’salmostsix,sir.”“Thenyouhavejustoversixhours.We’llbewaiting.”Hehungup.Shestaredatthephone.“I’msosorry,”Omensaid.Valkyrie turned. She’d forgotten he was there. “Did he say anything?
Anything about where he was taking her or what he was going to do?Anythingatall?”“No,”Omensaid.“Hejusttoldmenottocallanyone.HesaidAlice’slife
dependsonit.”“Yeah,Igotthatpart.”“I’msosorry.Ilethimtakeher.Ididn’tevenfighthim.”“He would have killed you.” Valkyrie pulled her keys from her pocket.
“OK,comeon.”Shestalkedoutofthehouse.Hefollowed.“I’mcomingwithyou?”
“You’repartofthisnow,”shesaid.“Closethefrontdoor,thengetin.”Shegotin.Startedtheengine.Herhandsgrippedthewheel.Herheartwas
coldandpounding.Shewasn’tsureifshewasthinkingclearly.Omengotinbesideher.Shepulledoutontotheroadashewasbuckling
hisbelt.“Wasshescared?”Valkyrieasked.“I don’t think she knew what was going on,” Omen said. “He was
controllingher,tellinghernottobeafraidandtokeepcalm.”Shenodded.Thatwasgood.The ideaofher sisterbeingout there,alone
andterrified,wouldhavebeentoomuchforhertotakerightnow.
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HefollowedTanithatadistance,tryingtofigureoutthebestwaytogoaboutwhathehadtodo.Hismind,never thebestplace togofor ideas, remainedstubbornlyblank.He watched Tanith crouch by a balcony. Making sure he wasn’t seen,
Sebastianscurriedtothenearestcurveofthesamebalconyandlookedover.Walking below and deep in conversation was the Arch-Canon, DamoclesCreed.BesidehimwasChinaSorrows.Sebastianstartedtocreeproundthecurve.Whenhecametothebroadestpart,hecouldseeTanithagain,herbackto
him. She was focused on Creed and China, preparing to vault over thebalcony.Hedidn’twanttodothis.Hereallydidn’twanttodothis.Hecharged.Tanithheardhimand turned, sawhimcoming,madea face,gestured for
himtogoaway.Hestoppedchargingbecause itwasstupid,and insteadwalkedup toher.
Shestraightened,andmovedawayfromthebalcony.“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”shewhispered.“I…I’msorry,Tanith,”heanswered,speakingsoftly.“Ican’tletyoukill
her.”Tanithobservedhimcoolly.“Iunderstandthatyouhaveyourreasons,”hecontinued.“Igetthat,Ido.
ButIneedChinatostayalive.Ican’t…Ican’thavethedisruptionthatherdeathwouldbring.Doyousee?FormyplantoworkouthowIneeditto,shehastostayalive.I’msosorry.”“Youthinkyou’regoingtostopme?”Tanithasked.“I’mhopingyou’lljust…walkaway.”“AndifIdon’t?”Heswallowed.“ThenI’llhavetodomybesttostopyou.”Tanithsteppedcloser.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatshe’sdone?Anyidea,at
all, about the people she’s had killed? She was bad enough before she
crownedherselfSupremeMage,butnowthatshehasactualpower?She’samonster,Sebastian–andyouwanttosaveher?”“Ican’tletyoukillher.”Tanithsighed,andshookherhead.“Fine,”shesaid,layingherstaffonthe
ground.“Stopme.”Sebastianwinced.“Iamreally,reallysorryaboutthis.”“Whatever.”Hefeintedlowandwenthighandshehithim,squareinthesolarplexus.
Hissuitdidadecentjobofabsorbingthepunch,butitstillforcedsomeofthewindfromhislungs.Helungedandshecaughthiswrist,twistedhisarm,ledhimonewayand
thenflippedhimontohisback.Hegottohiskneesandgrabbedforherleg,butshemovedsidewaysand
kickedhimandhewenttumbling.Sebastian got up and ran at her.At first, it looked like shewas going to
dodge, but then she rammed her elbow into his chest, hit him a few timesabouttheheadandcaughthimwithanotherkickthatsenthimflying.Hecametoarollingstop,andbelowthemheheardadoorclose.Tanith’s eyes widened, and she hurried to the balcony and looked over.
Sebastianwatchedherstiffenwithfury,andshestalkedover,standingabovehim.“Youmadememissmytarget,”shesaid.“I’msorry,butIcouldn’tletyou—”“Whoareyoutostopmefromdoinganything?You’dhavebeenhauledoff
in shackles if it wasn’t forme.You’d have been interrogated and tortured.That stupidmaskof yourswouldhavebeen cut fromyour face, and,whentheyweredonewithyou,they’dhavedumpedyourbodyinashallowgravesomewhere.Isavedyourlife,youlittletoad.”“IneedChinatostayalive.”“She’satyrant.”“I’msorry.Iam.”“Ishouldkillyouforwhatyou’vedone.”“Areyougoingto?”Shelookedsomadthathewasactuallysurprisedwhensheshookherhead.
“Thiswasmychance,”shesaid.“ChinaneverleavestheHighSanctuary.”“Youknow therewas no guarantee you’d have actually been able to kill
her,right?She’sprettypowerful.Plus,you’dhavehadtodealwithCreedaswell,andhe’s…formidable.”“Youknowhim?”“We’vecrossedpaths.”
Tanithtookamoment,andshookherhead.“Youoweme,SebastianTao.”“Iknow.”“Goon,”shesaid,pullinghimup.“Gobackandgrab thescytheandget
outofhere.”“Thankyouforyourhelp.Seriously.”“IwishIhadn’tmetyou.”“Yeah.”ShewalkedovertothebalconyandjumpeditaseasilyasSebastianwould
takeabreath,andshewasgone.He hurried back the way he’d come. As he moved, he sent Bennet and
Tantalusamessage,tellingthemtomeethimatthetunnel.Heputhisphoneawaywhenhereachedtheglasscase.Hepreparedhimself,goingovertheescaperouteinhishead.Andthenhe
grabbedthescythe.Thealarmsplittheairandhewasoff,sprintingthroughcorridors,barging
pastclerics,stayingaheadof theCathedralGuardswhogavechase.Helostthem,tookthestairsdown,hislegsburning.HefoundTantalusinthetunnel,wavinghimon.HeraninandTantaluspulledtheleverandthewallclosed,sealingthemin
darkness.Sebastiandoubledoverandfoughttogethisbreathback.“Is that it?” Tantalus asked, summoning a flame into his hand. “Letme
see.”Sebastianlethimtakethescythe,andstraightened.Hetookouthistorch,
swungitaround.“Where’s…Bennet?”“Isenthimonahead,”Tantalussaid,examiningtheblade.“Therewasno
pointinbothofusriskingourlivestowaitforyou.”Sebastiandidn’tsayit,butthatlittlebitofnobilitysurprisedhim.Tantalus
guessedwhathewasthinking.“Idon’tlikeitthatwedon’tknowyournameoryourface,”hesaid.“Butyou’reoneofus,andwelookoutforeachother.”“Thankyou.”“ButIstilldon’tlikeyou.”“Understood.”“Atall.”“Gotcha.”“OK,”Tantalussaid.“Thisseemstobethegenuinearticle.”Hehesitated,
thenhandeditback.“I’vegotaverygoodreasonforhidingmyidentity,youknow,”Sebastian
said,hisbreathingundercontrol.“Icanonlyimaginehowharditmustbetotrustme,butitwillallmakesenseeventually.Ipromise.”
“Trustisn’teasy,”saidTantalus.“Especiallyforus.OncemostpeoplefindoutthatweworshipDarquesse,they…they’requicktojudge.”“Igetthat.”“But you’ve come through for us,” Tantalus continued. “Tracking
Darquessethroughdimensionsisyouridea.Andwhenyouarrivebackwiththescythe,whenBennetandIbothfailedtofindit…Anyremainingdoubtswillbesweptaway.”“Ihopeso.”“You’llestablishyourselfasaguidinglight.They’llprobablywantyouto
leadus.”“I’mnoleader.”“What’sthatline,abouthowsomepeopleareborngreat,whileothershave
greatnessthrustuponthem?”“Ithinkthat’sit,yeah.”“That’syou.Thereluctantleader.”SebastianshonethetorchatTantalus,abouttoreassurehimthathehadno
intention of replacing him, and the light glinted off the knife. He trieddodgingbutTantalusgrabbedhim,jabbedthebladeathisbelly.Sebastianfeltthe sharpness throughhis clothes, but theywere toughand thebladedidn’tget through.Hedropped the scytheand the torch, the light spinningcrazilyacross the ground, and seized Tantalus’s wrist with both hands and theytrippedovereachother.SebastianfellwithTantalusontop.Theyrolledintodarkness,rolledbackintolight.AllthoseyearsSebastian
hadtrainedforthisandallhecoulddowasholdTantalus’sknifehandawayfrom him. If that blade cut through his suit, his mission would be over,followedquicklybyhislife.Sebastianjerkedhisheadup,thepointofhisbeakstabbingTantalusinthe
eye. Tantalus cried out and Sebastian heaved, turned them over, one handpinningTantalus’sknifehandtothegroundwhilehepunchedwiththeother.Hisfisttwistedwiththefirstimpact,buthehissedagainstthepainandkeptgoing.Finally,Tantalusdroppedtheknife,andSebastianswipeditaway,thenfell
backasTantalusscrambledup.Sebastiangrabbedthetorchandstraightenedup.“Whatthehell,man?”Tantalus, one eye squeezed shut, had both hands pressed to his nose as
bloodranbetweenhisfingers.“I’lltelltheothersofthis!They’llknowwhatyou’vedone!”“Youattackedmewithaknife,younutball!”Tantalusshookhishead.“You’vegotnowitnesses.AndIdidn’tevendo
that.”
“Juststop,allright?”saidSebastian.“Youcan’tpretendyoudidn’tattackmewhentheattackfails.That’snothowthisworks.Iknowwhatyoudidandyouknowwhatyoudid.”“Youattackedmefornoreason.”“There’sonlythetwoofushere!Whyareyoulyingaboutthis?”“You’retheonewho’slying.”“Youactuallytriedtokillme!Why?BecauseI’dbetheonebringingback
thescythe?”Tantalusshookhisheadagain.“Areyousoinsecure?Areyousolonely?”Tantaluspointedatremblingfinger.“Youarrivewithyourstupidmaskand
yourstupid‘CallmethePlagueDoctor’,andallyourplansanddirection,andwhatamIsupposedtodo?Thisismygroup!Istartedit!I’mnotgoingtoletyou take that away fromme!When theothershearwhat you’vedone, thatyouattackedmefornoreason,they’regoingtokickyouout.”“You’reinsane,youknowthat?You’redeluded.”“I…Icastyouout.”“What?”“From the group. As leader, I cast you out. You’re gone. You’re not
allowedtocometoourmeetingsanymore.”“Tantalus,stopembarrassingyourself.”“No.”Sebastian sighed, and rubbed his wrist. He was afraid he might have
sprainedit.“Fine.Dowhatyoulike.You’reanidiot.”Hebenttoretrievethescythe.“Leavethat,”Tantalussaid.Sebastianpaused,thenslowlypickeditup.“Ifoundit.I’mtakingit.”“Giveittome.”“Notachance.What,areyougoingtoattackmeagain?Thatdidn’twork
outtoowellforyoulasttime,didit?”Tantalusclickedhisfingers,summoninganotherflame.“My suit’s fire-resistant,” Sebastian said. “Do yourself a favour – walk
away.We’lleachgiveourversionofeventstotheothers,andseewhotheybelieve.Thatsoundgoodtoyou?”Tantaluslookedaround,hiseyessettlingontheknife.“Don’tdoit,”Sebastiansaid.“Dude,seriously,don’t.I’vegotascythe.”“It’sbeeninaglasscaseforyears.”“It’saCleaverblade.Theystaysharpforever.Everyoneknowsthat.”“Idon’t.”“Thenyou’retheonlypersonwhodoesn’t.It’swovenrazor.”
Tantalustookasteptowardstheknife.Sebastian sighed.“Youknowwhat?This is the second fight I’vebeen in
today,andI’vehadenough.I’mtakingthescythe,andI’mgoinghome.”HeturnedawayfromTantalus,andstartedrunning.
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It was dark by the time they got to Roarhaven, and they wasted twentyminutes driving around before they found The Iron Bar. Omen sat veryquietlywhileValkyriecursed.Shewasscarywhenshewasangry,andrightnowshewasraging.And,ofcourse,itwasallhisfault.He hadn’t done anything. He’d just let Cadaverous take Alice. He’d
allowedittohappenwithoutevenputtingupanythingremotelyresemblingafight.Nooneelsewouldhavedonethat.Augerwouldhavealreadysavedtheday
bynow.“Finally!”Valkyriesaid,yankingthewheeltotheleft.Thecarmountedthe
pavementand she jumpedout, ignoring theangrybeepsof thecarsbehind.Omenreachedover,turnedofftheengineandtookthekeys,thenranafterherintothepub.“Palter,”shewassayingloudly.“I’mlookingforPalter.”Itwas a smallplace,with a stage in the corner thatwasobviouslynever
usedandahandfulofsurlypatrons.Omencountedeight,plusthebartender.“Palter!”Valkyriesaidagain.“Don’tknowanyoneofthatname,”thebartendertoldher,talkingslowly.
“Maybeyoushouldrunalonghomebeforesomeonerecognisesyou.”Valkyriewalked up to him. “I don’t have time for this. Palter.Where is
he?”Thebartender chuckledwithouthumour. “I swear I don’tknowwhoyou
mightbetalkingabout.”Heraisedhisvoice.“Anyonehereknowanyonebythenameof…Palder?Walter?Whatwasitagain?”Valkyrieputonehandonthebarandsprangoverit.“Hey,”thebartendersaid,“youcan’tcomebackhere!”Shehithim.Itwhippedhisheadroundandhestumbledback,brokeafew
glasses. She kicked him in the shin and he howled, and she grabbed him,smashedhishead into the fridge.Thebottles insidewere still rattlingashecollapsed.“Palter!”shecalled.
Outof thecornerofhiseyeOmensawahand lightup.Hewasabout toshoutawarning,butValkyriewasalreadyduckingthestreamofenergythatsmashedthemirrorbehindher.Shethrewaboltofwhitelightninginreturn,caughttheguyinthechest,senthimflyingbackwards.Itallwenttohellafterthat.Valkyriesprangbackoverthebar.OmenwatchedasfistsflewandValkyrie
caught them,dodged them,blocked themorgothitby them.She threwherown in return, alongwith some elbows, alongwith some headbutts. Therewasatussle,andtheywereontheground,andshesnarledandsnappedandbitandtheyyelpedandcriedoutandgaveway,onebyone,fallingwhileshekeptgoing,awhirlwindofrage.Shesmashedandcrackedandbashedthem.Shesentthemtothefloor,tothewall,sentthemoverthebar.The lastone ran tohis coat, triedpullingagun fromoneof thepockets.
Omenchargedathim,gotshovedaway,hitabrokenbarstoolandfellevenasValkyrieblastedtheguyandhewentdown,thegunspinningacrossthefloor.“Palter!”Valkyriescreamed.“Palter!”“I’m Palter,” said a man with long hair, stepping in through the door,
frowningatthecarnage.“I’mPalterGrey.SorryI’mlate.Thetrafficwas…Whathappenedhere?”Valkyriegrabbedhim,pinnedhimagainstthewall.Hedroppedthebaghe
washoldingandlookedterrified.“Where’smysister?”shesnarled.“I don’t know anything about a sister!” he said. “Iwas just…Listen, I
thinkthere’sbeenamisunderstanding,OK?I’mjustherebecausethisoldguypaidme!Idon’tevenknowhisname!”Omen scrambled up and hurried over.Keeping his voice soft, he said to
Valkyrie,“He’swhowecameheretosee.Maybeyoushouldlethimspeak.”Valkyrietookamoment,andsteppedback.“Gant,”shesaid.“Theguywho
paidyouisCadaverousGant.”Palter gave a cautious shrug. “Cool.You’reValkyrie Cain, aren’t you? I
recogniseyou.YoulookjustlikeDarquesse.”“WhatdidCadaverouspayyoutodo?”Palterfrowned.“He…hedidn’ttellyou?Aw,man…hesaidhetoldyou.
HesaidyouwereOKwithit.”“OKwithwhat?”“Um,well…”Valkyriesteppedcloserandheflinched.“Idon’thavetimeforabiglong
thing.WhenIaskaquestion,yougivemeanimmediateanswer.Gotit?Whatdidhepayyoutodo?”“Ihavetocarvetwosigilsintoyou,”Paltersaidimmediately.
“A tattoo?” Valkyrie said, frowning. “You’re here to give me a tattoo?Whatdoesitdo?”“It…Idon’treallyknowhowtosaythis…”“Bettersayitquickly.”“I’mreallysorry,thisisn’thowitshouldgo,but…hewantsmetocarve
sigilsintoyoureyes.”Valkyriestared.“What?”“Ithoughtyouwerecoolwithit.”Omensteppedforward.“Hewantsyoutotattoohereyelids?”“Nothereyelids.Hereyes.”“Jesus,”saidValkyrie.“Imean,Icandoit,”Paltersaid.“Youdon’thavetoworry.I’mnotgoing
toblindyou.Theywon’tinterferewithyourvisionatall,andtheywon’tbevisiblewhenthey’redone.”“What’lltheydo?Thesigils?”“Um…they’lllethimseewhatyousee.”Omenlookedather.“Hewantstospyonyou.”“It’snot,asyoucanimagine,it’snotaverycommonsigiltocarve,”Palter
said. “A fewhundredyears ago, they’dbe carved into the eyes of convictsreleasedfromgaol,sothatSanctuariescouldmakesuretheywerestayingoutoftrouble.Butthesedaysthat’slookedonasbeingalittlebarbaric,so…”“Right,”Valkyriesaid.“Fine.Howlongwillittake?”Palterfrowned.“Notlong.Notlongatall.About…Idon’tknow,maybe
fifteen, twentyminutes.Butwait – if you didn’t know about this until justnow,whywouldyougothroughwithit?”“HewantstomakesureIdon’tbreaktherules.Comeon,wheredowedo
this?”“Wejustneedachair.”Valkyriepickedoneupandsatdown.“Let’sgetitoverwith.”Palterhesitated,thenopenedhisbagandtookouthistools.“Omen,”Valkyriesaid,“standatthedoor.Makesurenobodycomesin.”Omennoddeddumblyanddidashewastold.Hewasgladshe’dsenthim
away.Hedidn’tthinkhe’dhavebeenabletowatchsomethinglikethat.HewishedAugerwashere.Augerwouldknowwhattodo.OrevenNever.
NevercouldteleportstraighttoSkulduggeryandSkulduggerywouldsortthisout.Valkyriewastooclosetoit.Shewaspanickingtoomuchtothinkstraight.
HerloveforhersisterputherindangerofmakingamistakethatmightcostherorevenAlicetheirlives.
Nobodytriedcomingintothepub,andby7.30itwasdone.OmenwalkedbackasPalterpackedhisinstrumentsaway.“Howareyoufeeling?”Valkyrieblinked.“Eyesight’sblurry.”“That’llpass,”saidPalter.“Ithink.”Omenfrownedathim.“Youthink?”“I’veneverdonethisbefore.”“But you did it right, didn’t you? You haven’t damaged her eyes or
anything?”“I didn’t damage anything, I promise. I did everything the way I was
supposedto.Hereyesightshouldclearinafewminutes.”Valkyriestood,andwent to thebrokenmirrorbehind thebar.“Sohecan
seewhatI’mseeingnow,isthatit?”“Yes,” said Palter. “I’ve already carved a corresponding sigil on to him
which will basically receive what you’re transmitting. I doubt he’ll bewatchingeverysinglesecond,though–hehastofocusonyouinordertoseethroughyoureyes.”“Buthecan’thearus,canhe?”“No,”saidPalter.“It’svisualonly.”Valkyrieglaredatherreflection,glaredrightintoherowneyes,andOmen
knewshewashopingCadaverouscouldseetheangerboilingbehindthem.“This isn’t cool,” saidPalter. “Iget the feeling thatyou’rebeingcoerced
into all this. Do youwantme to call someone?You hang aroundwith theSkeletonDetective,don’tyou?Wantmetocallhim?”“Don’tcallanyone,”Valkyriesaid.SomethinginPalter’sbagstartedbeeping.“Isthatabomb?”Omensaid,backingaway.Palter took out ametal box. “It’smymoney.He’s unlocked it remotely.
NowIjusthaveto…”Hetappedinacodeonthekeypadandthelidclicked,andheopenedit.Athickbundleofcashlayinside.“Idon’tfeelrightabouttakingthis.”“Take themoneyandgoback toyour life,”Valkyriesaid.“Hedidn’tsay
anything, did he? About where I have to go next? About where my sistermightbe?”“He didn’tmention anything about that, sorry.” Palter took out the cash,
shoved it in his pocket – then frowned, rubbing his thumb and forefingertogether like he was wiping off residue. “Aw, man,” he mumbled, andcollapsed.Omenstared.Valkyrie hurried over, checked Palter’s pulse. “He’s dead,” she said.
“Moneymusthavebeenpoisoned.”
“OhmyGod.”Thephone rang.Valkyrie took it outofherpocket. “I’mhere,” she said.
“Givememysister.”ShepacedawayfromOmen,andstopped.“Sir,” she said, struggling to be polite. “Yes, sir.Yes.”Another pause.A
longerone.“What?Youcan’t…Ican’tdothat.”Shelookedround,lockedeyeswithOmen.Hedidn’tsayanything.“Yes,sir,”shesaid,thenhungup.“Valkyrie?”Omensaid.“Stayhere,”sheresponded,andwalkedquicklyintothe
gents’toilet.
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Itreekedinthere.Valkyriewentstraighttothesink,grippedthesides,staredatherreflection
inthewater-fleckedmirror.Cadaverouswaswatching,sheknewhewas.Shesnarledathim,thenlookeddown,andfocused.Sheclosedhereyes,controlledherbreathing, reachedoutwithhermind.
The world was amass of grey, but there was a single light shining in thegloom and that’s where she sent her thoughts. Then she felt it – anacknowledgement.She opened her eyes again. Kept staring down at the sink. At the filthy
plughole.“Ow,”Kessaidfrombehindher.“Whatdidyoudo?”“Icalledyou,”saidValkyrie.“Iwasn’tsureifIcoulddoit.”“Well,don’tdoitagain–myheadissplitting.Whatthehelldoyouwant?
Jesus,areweinthemen’stoilets?Thisplaceisdisgusting.”“CadaverousGanttookAlice.”Amoment.“OurAlice?”“MyAlice,”Valkyriesaid.Then,“OurAlice,yes.”“Let’sgogetherback,”Kessaid,urgencybitingintoherwords.“Whereis
she?”“Idon’tknow.Notyet.Omen’swithme.”“Why?Thekid’suseless.”“Cadaverous toldme to bringhim.Nowhe…Nowhewantsme to kill
him.”“What?”Valkyrie struggled to keep her voice down. “In order to get to Alice,
CadaverouswantsmetokillOmen.”“Areyougoingto?”“Ofcoursenot.That’swhyIcalledyou.”“Whyaren’tyoulookingatme?”“HecanseewhatIsee.”“What?”
“He had a guy tattoomy eyes,” Valkyrie said. “He sees what I see. HewantstowatchmeshootandkillOmen.”“That’simpressivelysick.SowhatcanIdo?”Valkyriedidn’tknow.Shewasmakingthisupasshewentalong.“Doyou
think I see you?” she asked. “Like, do you actually think I’m seeing youphysically?”“Yes,”saidKes.“That’showseeingthingsworks.”“Butnooneelsecanseeyou.”“Yeah,becausenooneelseistunedtomyfrequency.Andyoucanonlysee
mewhenIwantyoutoseeme.”“ButamIseeingyouthroughmyeyes,”Valkyriesaid,“oramIseeingyou
withmymind?”Keshesitated.“Ah.”“If I’m seeing youwithmymind, thenCadaverouswon’t be able to see
you.”Kes moved behind her, like she was pacing. “I don’t know, Valkyrie. I
don’tknowhowthisworks.Itmightbeamindthing,itmightbeaneyething,oritmightbeboth.Why?What’syourplan?”“IfCadaverouscan’tseeyou,”saidValkyrie,“thenyoucanstandinfront
ofOmenwhenIshoothim.”“Whatgoodwillthatdo?Thebulletwilljustpassthroughme.”“Notifyoucatchit.”Keswentquietforamoment.“OhmyGod,”shesaid.“Youwanttoshoot
me.”“Youcanhealyourself.”“Youwanttoactuallyshootme.”“Butyou’llsurvive.Omenwouldn’t.”“I’vejustteleportedhere,andnowyouwantmetousemyweakreserves
ofpowertobecometangible,andthenyouwanttoshootme.”“Yes.”“No.”“Kes—”“Nowayinhell.”“He’sgoingtokillAliceunlessIdothis.”“Thendoit,”saidKes.“ShootOmen.Killhim.It’snotlikeanyone’sreally
goingtomisshimwhenhe’sgone.”Valkyrieclenchedherfists.“I’mnotgoingtomurderaninnocentboy.”“Butyou’refinewithmurderingme?”“Youcanhealyourself.”
“Youthink.Wedon’tknowthatI’llbeableto.Ican’tevenremaintangibleformorethanafewseconds.Besides,sowhat?SayIdostandtherelikeanidiotandyoushootmeinsteadofOmen–whatthen?Haveyouhadachancetodiscussthiswonderfulplanwithhim?Doesheknowthathe’llhavetofalldownandplaydead?”“No,”Valkyrieadmitted.“You’llhavetozaphim.”Keslaughed.“Zaphim?”“LikeyoudidwithLethe.WhenIfire,youzapOmen,makehimfall,make
himloseconsciousness.”“That’smorepowerformetouse,Valkyrie. I’dbestretched thinas it is,
just becoming tangible.But healingmyself and zapping him?How do youknowIwouldn’t justfadeawayafterwards?YourplanissomethingImightnotrecoverfrom.”“Wedon’thaveachoice.”“Yes,wedo,”Kessaid.“KillOmen.”“I’mnotgoingtodothat.”“It’sOmenorit’sAlice.Pickone.”“It’sOmen,it’sAlice,orit’syou.”Keslaughedwithouthumour.“Wow.”“Youcandothis.”“Youdon’tknowthat.”“Ido.You’restrongenough,andwedon’thaveanymoretimetotalkabout
it.Please.”“Youwon’tkillOmen,butyouwillkillme,isthatit?”“I’mwillingtoriskyourlife,yes.JustlikeI’dbewillingtoriskmine.”“AllofthismeansnothingifCadaverouscanseeme.”“Iknow,”Valkyriesaid,andturned,lookingKesstraightintheeye.“Well,
heeitherseesyourightnow,orhedoesn’t.”Kesdidn’tsayanything.Valkyrieheldthephone,andwaitedforittoring.Whenitdidn’t,sheputitbackinherpocket.“Please,”shesaid.Kesfoldedherarms,anddidn’tanswer.Valkyriewalkedout.“Whatdowedonow?”Omenasked.Valkyriepickedupthefallengun.Shecheckeditwasloaded,andturned.“Uh…Valkyrie?”“I’msorry,”shesaid,aiming.“Cadaverousneedsmetodothis.”“Dowhat?”Omensaid,hisfacegoingpale.“You’re…you’renotgoingto
shootme,areyou?Imean…that’dkillme.You’dbekillingme.”“I’msorry.”
Heheld uphis hands. “But, now,wait. I don’t understand.Whydoes hewantyoutokillme?Icanbeuseful.Icanhelp.Ican…Idon’tknowwhatIcando,butIcandoitandyouwon’thavetokillme.Valkyrie,please.Youcantiemeup.Youcantiemeupandlockmeinaroom.”“He’sgoingtokillAliceifIdon’tdoit.”Omen’s facecrumpled,and tears started to fall.Hestayedstanding,even
thoughhislegswereshaking.“Pleasedon’tkillme.”Herhand,thehandthatheldthegun,wassurprisinglysteady.Shethumbed
backthehammer.“Thisisatest,”shesaid.“IfIfail,he’llkillAlicerightnowandI’llneverseeheragain.”Omenwipedhistearswithhissleeve,butmorefell.Helookeddown,his
liptrembling.Thenhelookedup,andnodded.“OK,”hesaid.“Getyoursisterback.”“What?”“I’ddoit,”Omensaid,“formybrother.OrI’dwantto,atleast.Probably
wouldn’tbebraveenough.Probablymessitup.It’smyfaultanyway.Ishouldhaveputupmoreofafight.She’ssevenyearsoldandIlethimtakeher.”“Thisisn’tyourfault.”“Doit.It’sOK.Youcandoit.”“Thankyou,Omen.”Henoddedagain,andclosedhiseyes.“Iforgiveyou.”“Whydoeshehavetobesoinsufferablynice?”Kesmuttered,andstepped
infrontofhim,herhandsoneithersideofhishead.“Three,”shesaid,“two,one.”Powerpulsed fromher fingertips andOmen’s entirebody jerkedbackas
Valkyriefired, thebulletcatchingKesin theback.OmenfellandKescriedout,twisted,andvanishedbeforeshehittheground.Valkyrielookedawayimmediately.Afewsecondslater,thephonerang.“Ididn’tthinkyouhaditinyou,”Cadaveroussaid.“Hewon’tbethelastpersonIkill.”Cadaverous chuckled. “So many delightful promises. It really is quite
disconcerting,youknow,lookingattheworldthroughyoureyes.”“Where’sAlice?”“Ah-ah,notyet,I’mafraid.Youstillhavemilestogobeforeyousleep,and
stopstomakealongtheway.”“No,” she said, anger rising.“Ikilledaboy foryou. Imurdered foryou.
Tellmewheremysisterisandlet’sfinishthis.”“Itseemsthatsomeoneisforgettinghermanners.”Valkyriebitherlip.Hard.Thenshestartedagain.“Iwouldliketoseemy
sisteragainassoonaspossible,”shesaid.“Please,sir.”
“Soon,Valkyrie,”Cadaveroussaid.Shecouldhear thesmile inhisvoice.“But,beforethat,I’mgoingtoneedyoutodrivetothehomeofsomefriendsofmine.TheaddressisintheboxPalteropened.Turnround.Goodgirl.Seeitthere?Onthefloor.”Awhitecard.Shepickeditup,shoveditinherpocket.“This is fun,” saidCadaverous. “I imagine this iswhat it’s like toplaya
video game – although this is infinitely more entertaining. And pick upOmen,there’sagoodgirl,andlet’sgetbackontheroad.”Valkyriefrowned.“Omen’sdead.”“AndIcan’tverywellhavehiscorpsefoundatthisearlystage,canI?The
CityGuardwilldiscoverthissceneofcarnageandbestumpedforafewvitalhours.ButifweleaveOmenhere,theskeletonwillhearaboutitandlinkittoyouandme.No,no,it’sbettertocleanupafterusaswego.Takehimwithyou,there’sagoodgirl.”
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Temper Fray barged past the jerk in the robes and pushed the doors open.Creed’soffice, here at thevery topof theDarkCathedral,was just ashe’dimagined:bare,functionalandalittlebitcreepy.Therewasadeskwithacircularwindowbehinditandtherewerechains
onthewalls.Actualchains.Onthewalls.“Whyaretherechainsonthewalls?”heasked.“You cannot come in here!” the jerk in the robes shrieked. “You are
infringingupon—”“Leaveus,”saidArch-CanonDamoclesCreed,whohadn’tevenlookedup
fromthepapershewasreading.Thejerkwhimpered,andbackedout,closingthedoorsafterhim.“Thewalls,”saidTemper.“Whyaretherechainsonthem?”“Theyactasareminder,”Creedsaid.“Areminderofwhat?”“Theshacklesthatbindus.”“It’sweird.That’sallI’mgonnasayaboutit.It’sweirdandoff-putting.It’s
weird and off-putting and kinda unsettling. Do you have many visitors uphere? Idoubtyoudo. Idoubt therearemanypeoplewhowant tocomeformeetingsintheofficewithallthechainsonthewalls.”Creed sighed, and finally raised his big bald head. “I had forgotten how
muchyoutalked.”“Iamatalker.”“WhatcanIdoforyou,OfficerFray?Iamverybusy.”“I’d say you are,whatwith all the hijinks you’re getting up to.You got
yourfingersinsomepies,don’tyou,Damocles?”Creed’s eyes were heavy-lidded, which gave him the air of someone
permanently unimpressed. But Temper had been there during Creed’ssermons,when thoseeyeswidenedsomuch they threatened tobulgeoutofhishead.“We’reonafirst-namebasis,arewe?”Creedasked.“Ican’trememberus
everbeingsoinformal.”
“I’m tryingsomethingnew,”saidTemper.“I figured I spentenough timedeferringtoyouwhenIwasoneofyourmindlesslittledronesthatIshouldgivedisrespectashot.Youknowwhat?I’mkindalikingit.”“Youwereneveradrone,Temper,”Creedsaid.“Youwerealwaysoneof
myfavourites.”Hesatbackinthechair,hissimpleshirtstretchedtightacrosshis chest. “But now look at you, standing there in a uniform.Obeying thesamerules,enforcingthesamelaws,boundbythesamerestrictions…Ithinkyou’vefinallybecomethemindlessdroneyoufearedyou’dbecome.”“Those restrictions youmentioned – they happen to be connected to the
ReligiousFreedomAct?”“Ah,”saidCreed,“that’swhyyou’rehere.”“Wewere just toldabout it.Apparently,all religiouspracticesand rituals
arenowprotected.”“TheSanctuariesshouldneverhavebeenabletodictatehowanyreligious
orderisallowedtoworship.TheSupremeMageagreeswithme,andweareallthebetterforit,notjusttheChurchoftheFaceless.”“But,asfarasIknow,theChurchoftheFacelessistheonlyreligiousorder
toadvocatehumansacrifice.”“That’saridiculousaccusation.”“Iwasnextonthelisttobesacrificed.”“Wedonotkill.”“TheKithareasgoodasdeadandyouknowit.”Creed sighed and stood, coming out from behind the desk, reminding
Temperofjusthowmassivehewas.“TheKithwillbefirstinlinetomeettheFacelessOnesupontheirreturn.Youwoulddenythemthishonour?”“Iwould.”“Thenitisagoodthingthatyouhavestrayedfromthepath,Temper.You
areunworthy.”“If I hear that’s what you’re up to – if people start goingmissing? The
ReligiousFreedomActwon’tsaveyou.”Creedloweredhishead,hisheavybrowthrowingashadowoverhiseyes.
Hismouthwidened into a smile that creased his face.There. That glint ofmadness.“Doyouknowwhat theReligiousFreedomActmeans,Temper?What it
reallymeans?ItmeansIcouldkillyourighthere,withwitnessesjustoutsidethedoor.ItmeansIcouldtearyouapartandhaveeveryonehearyourscreams–andyourcolleaguesintheCityGuardwouldn’tbeabletoarrestmeforit,eveniftheywantedto.”Timeslowed,andthespacebetweenthemturnedjagged.
Temper drew his gun and Creed batted it from his handwith surprisingspeed.Temperhithim–anelbowtothesolarplexusthatCreeddidn’tseemto feel – and stepped back to pull his sword. Creed closed his hand roundTemper’swristandsqueezed,andTemper’sfingerssprangopen.Thesworddropped and Creed kicked him in the chest and Temper hit the wall, thechains rattling.Herebounded,winded, ragecoursing throughhim, tookonestepandpreparedtounleash–andfroze.Creed’s thin smile hadnever left his face, andnow it split, revealinghis
teeth. “You could kill me if you wanted,” he said softly. “Tear me apart.Decorate this room with my innards. But what would it cost you, OfficerFray?Everything?Ormore?”Tempercutoffhisanger.Starved itofoxygen.Hestraightened.Adjusted
hisuniform.Creed walked back round his desk and sat, resumed reading the papers.
“Getout,”hesaid.“Andclosethedoorafteryou.”Temperpickeduphisweaponsandleft.Hedidn’tclosethedoor.
HereturnedtotheVault,thatconcreteblockofabuildingthathousedtheCityGuard, and changed out of his uniform and into some civilian threads.Skulduggerywaswaitingforhimoutside.“SorryI’mlate,”Tempersaid.“Ihadathingtodobeforemyshiftended.”“Takeawalkwithme,”Skulduggery said, andTemper shruggedand fell
intostep.“Hastherebeenanybreakthroughwiththeportaldevice?”“Not yet,” said Temper, “but the guy who’s in charge of the reverse-
engineering isconfidenthecanfigureouthowitworks.A littleguynamedForby.Niceenough,ifalittleweird.”“Iheardtheportalitselfwasshutdownthismorning.”“Yeah. What you may not have heard is that there were another ten
thousandmortalswaitingontheothersidewhenthebuttonwaspushed.”Skulduggery tilted his head. “I was under the impression that they’d all
comethrough.”“I’m afraid you were misled. Mevolent’s forces were getting too close,
apparently.Rather than riskaconfrontation, thedevicewasdeactivatedandour people pulled out –which left those ten thousandmortals prettymuchdefenceless.”“Chinagavethatorder?”“Icanonlyassumeso.”“Thosepeoplewillhavebeenslaughtered.”“AsCommanderHocpersonallyremindedmewhenIbroughtupthatexact
point–theyain’tourmortals,anditain’tourproblem.”
“That’s theCommanderHocIknowandadore,”Skulduggeryresponded.“SoallourhopesliewiththisForby,dothey?”“They do,” said Temper, “and I don’t envy him having to deliver on
everythingthat’sexpectedofhim.Ifhedoesn’tfigureouthowtostopportalslike that fromopeninganywhere at any time, there’ll benothing topreventMevolent from attacking. Hell, we could be talking a full-scale globalinvasion.Skulduggery?”“Yes?”“I’mtalkinginvasionsandyou’rebarelylistening.”“I’llhaveyouknowthatIwaslisteningtoeverywordyousaid.ButIwas
also checking on the gentlemanwho’s been followingme for the last half-hour.”Without looking round,Temper said, “Theguy in thebaseball capor the
guyinthegreenjacket?”“Thegent in the jacket ismerely lost.Ourbaseball-cap-wearing friend is
theonewe’reinterestedin.”“Areweleadinghimsomewhere?”“Weare,”saidSkulduggery.Theyturneddownasidestreetandwaitedfortheguyinthebaseballcapto
hurryby.Skulduggerysteppedoutfrombehindcoverandgrabbedhim,threwhim against the wall. The cap came off. The guy beneath was scruffy andstartled.“ArgosyPelt,”Skulduggerysaid.PelttriedtorunoffandTempershovedhimback.“Youknowhim?”“I’veglancedathisfile,”Skulduggerysaid.“Hehadbeenincarceratedin
ColdheartPrisonwhenAbyssiniatookitover.”“ForacrimeIdidn’tcommit!”Peltblurted.“Shutup,” saidTemper,and frownedatSkulduggery.“Didyouglanceat
thefilesofalltheinmates?”“Ofcourse.”“Howmanywasthat?”“Sevenhundredandthirty-two.”“Andyourecognisedhisfacefromhismugshot?”“It’samemorableface.”“Isit?”“Lookatit.”“I am, but I’m forgetting it evenas I’m looking at it.Doyou remember
anythingyoureadinhisrapsheet?”Skulduggeryshrugged.“He’sbeenarrestedbefore,multipletimes,spenta
totalofthirty-sevenyearsinvariousgaolsforassault,robberyandmurder.”
“Ineverassaulted,robbedormurderednoone!”Peltscreeched.“HewassentencedtonineteenyearsinColdheartforkillingamortalina
barfightthreeyearsago.”“I’minnocent!”Pelt roared.“Iwasn’tevenin thatbar!Myreflectiondid
it!”“Andhealwayssayshisreflectiondidit,”Skulduggerycontinued.“Itdid!”“You’ve been examined by Sensitives, Mr Pelt. They all say you
committedthosecrimes.”“Myreflection’sgotthemallfooled!”Peltroared.“Listentome,OK?My
reflectionsneaksoutofmymirroratnightwhileI’msleeping.Itgoesoutandcommits crimes. Then it sneaks back into my house and transfers itsmemoriesbacktome,andthatiswhatthebloodypsychicsseewhentheygopokingaroundmyhead!I’maninnocentman,Itellyou!”“Thenwhyhaven’tyouthrownoutthemirror?”Temperasked.“I can’t. The reflection’s blackmailing me, see. It’s committed worse
crimes,andit’sgotevidence,andifIgetridofthemirrorthentheevidencewillbesenttotheSanctuaryandI’llbelockedawayforever.”“Thatisonehellofadeviousreflectionyougotthere,MrPelt.”“Iknow,”Peltsaid,hiseyesbrimmingwithtears.“Iusedittoomuch,see,
whenIwasyounger.Ibrokeit,andnowit’sevil.Or,youknow,smarterthanme.”“Whyareyoufollowingme,Argosy?”Skulduggeryasked.“I’massuming
youweresentbecauseAbyssiniathoughtIwouldn’trecogniseyou.”Pelt nodded. “I was told to stay at a distance, but keep you in sight. It
wasn’teasy.IthoughtI’dlostyou,like,atleastthreetimes.”“You did,” said Skulduggery. “And then you were following the wrong
manfortenminutes.”“Iwas?”“Thetallmaninthebrownsuit.”“Thatwasn’tyou?”“Ismysuitbrown?”Pelt looked at Skulduggery’s suit. “Oh,” he said, “it’s blue. But – but I
foundyouagain,didn’tI?”“Iletyoufindme,Argosy.”“Oh.”“Whywereyoufollowingme?”“It wasn’t anything bad, I swear. I wasn’t sent to kill you, or anything.
Abyssinia just told me to keep you in sight, and she’d call when she wasreadyandI’dtellherwhereyouwere.”
Pelt’sphonerang.HelookedatSkulduggery.HelookedatTemper.Hetwisted, lungingforhisphone,rippingitfromhispocketashelashed
out, hitting no one, managing to trip over himself while Temper andSkulduggeryjuststoodandwatched.“Theycaughtme!”heyelled into it. “It’sa trap! It’sa trap!”Hestopped
rollingaroundonthegroundandlistenedforamoment,thenheldthephoneouttoSkulduggery.“She’dliketotalktoyou,”hesaid.Skulduggerytookthephoneandheldittohisskull.“Hello,”hesaid.TemperpulledArgosyPelt tohisfeet.“Yourreflection is framingyou, is
it?”“Iswearitis.Iswear.”Tempernodded.“I’lllookintoit.”“Thank you. Thank you so much! I’m going to run away now, if that’s
OK.”“Yeah,sure,man,whatever.”Pelt smiled gratefully, and fled.Temper turned back asSkulduggerywas
tellingAbyssiniawhatstreettheywereon.Thenhehungup,anddroppedthephone.Temperraisedaneyebrow.“Thisisrisky.”Skulduggeryadjustedhistie.“Shewantstotalk.”Temperlookedround,sawNeroandAbyssiniateleportinontheotherside
ofthestreet.Shewaswearingaredbodysuitthatpracticallysparkledintheafternoonsun.Shespokeafewquietwords,andNerostayedwherehewaswhileshewalkedover.TemperandSkulduggerytookouttheirguns.Abyssinia held up her hands. “Don’t shoot,” she said. “As unlikely as it
sounds,Icomeinpeace.”Skulduggery thumbed back the hammer. “I think I might shoot you
anyway.”“I’mherebecauseIneedyourhelp.CadaverousGanthasCaisson.”“Isn’tCadaverousonyourside?”Temperasked.“Hewas,” saidAbyssinia. “He’snot anymore.Call itwhatyouwill – a
disagreement,afalling-out,abetrayal–theendresultisthesame.IneedtofindCaisson,retrievehimsafely,andkillCadaverous.”“And to do this,” Skulduggery said, “you need my help. This is an
interestingrequest,Abyssinia,seeingashowIcan’tseewhyonearthIwouldeverpossiblyhelpyou.”“Becausehe’sourson,Skulduggery.”“Wait,”saidTemper,“what?”
“Skulduggeryisthefather,”Abyssiniasaid.“Well,it’seitherhimorLordVile,Ican’tbetoosure.”Shesmiled.“ButIknowwhichoneI’dprefer.”TemperstaredatSkulduggery.“Isthistrue?”“Sosheclaims.”Temper took amoment toprocess thepossibility.Hehad a friendwho’d
used magic to have a kid. It wasn’t exactly common, but not unheard of,either.Heshrugged.“Congrats.”“She’sundoubtedly lying,”Skulduggerysaid,“andhasyet toprovideme
withagoodreasonnottoshackleherrighthere.”Abyssinialoweredherhands.“Becauseyou’regoingtoneedmyhelp,too.
IfCadaveroushasgonesofarastomakeanenemyoutofme,thenheknowshistimeistickingaway.Whichmeanshewillattempttotieupanyunfinishedbusinesshemighthaveleft.”“Meaningwhat?”Temperasked,butSkulduggerywasalreadypullingout
hisphone.Temperwatchedhimdialand thenput thephoneagainsthisskull.When
nooneanswered,SkulduggerymarcheduptoAbyssiniaandpressedhisguntoherforehead.“Where’sValkyrie?”“I assure you, I don’t know,”Abyssinia answered calmly. “Butwherever
sheis,oursonwillprobablybethere,too.SoI’mcomingwithyou.”“Theonlywayyou’recomingwithusisifyoucanhelpus,”Skulduggery
said.“Ifyoudon’tknowwherehe’stakenValkyrie,thenwhowould?”
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Ittookunderanhourtogettotheaddressonthewhitecard.ValkyriepulledupoutsidethesmallcottagejustoutsideFerbaneinOffalyjustastheclockonthedashboardturned8.30,withOmenstillunconsciousinthebackseatofthecar.ThreeandahalfhourstogetAliceback.Valkyriegotout,joggeduptothedoor,andawhite-hairedoldwomanina
floraldressandaheavycardiganopeneditbeforeshecouldknock.“Comein,comein,”saidtheoldwoman.Valkyriehesitated,thenentered,walkingintoawarmkitchenwhereafire
burnedinanancientstove.“I’mRosemary,”theoldwomansaid,closingthedoorbehindthem.“That
uselesslumpoverthereisPádraig.”The oldman in the armchair smiled and gave a nod, thenwent back to
readinghisnewspaper.Rosemarywavedataricketychairbythetable.“Sure,takeoffyourjacket
thereandhaveaseat.CanIgetyouacupoftea?”“I’mOK,thankyou,andIwon’tbestayinglong.”“Notevenforacup?BeGod,butit’swarminhere.Areyounotroasting,
altogether?”“My,uh,myjacket’sprettylight.”Rosemarypeeredcloser.“That’ssomeoutfit,thatis.What’sitmadeof?Is
it leather?” She reached out, caught a crease between her thumb andforefingerandrubbedgently.“No,notleather.Muchsofter.Whatisthis?”“Idon’treallyknow,”Valkyriesaid,resistingtheurgetomoveaway.“Pádraig,comeoverhereandfeelthis.”Pádraigrolledhiseyes.“I’msurethenicegirldoesn’twantusfeelingher
clothes,Rosemary.ForGod’ssake,leaveheralone.”“Shedoesn’tmind,”Rosemarysaid.“Youdon’tmind,doyou?CanItryit
on?”IttookamomentforValkyrietoanswer.“Myjacket?”Pádraiglaughed.“Sure,that’snotgoingtofityou,woman!You’rehuge!”
“Shutup,you!”Rosemarysnapped.“I’monlyaskingtotryiton!”“You’reembarrassingher,”Pádraigsaid.“No,I’mnot!HowamIembarrassingher?”ShesmiledatValkyrie.“I’m
notembarrassingyou,amI?”Pádraigloweredhispaper.“She’shardlygoingtosayyes,nowisshe?She
doesn’twanttoinsultyou.”“Andhowwouldsheinsultme?”“Bytellingyouyou’rewaytoobigtobewearingajacketthatsize.Lookat
her,wouldyou,andthenlookatyourself.She’sagrandgirl,bigandstrong,butcomparedtoyoushe’sastick.Andyou?You’retheoppositeofastick.”“Oh,really?”Rosemarysaid.“Andwhatexactlyistheoppositeofastick?”“Ah,Idon’tknow,”Pádraigresponded.“Therestofthetree,I’dimagine.”“AndIsupposeyou’resomefinespecimenofaman!”Rosemarysaid.“I
supposeyou’reperfectineveryway,areyou?Withyourearsandyournoseandyourbighairybelly?”Pádraiggrinnedandpattedhisstomach.“It’sasighttobehold,allright.”“I’msorry,”Valkyriesaid,“butI’minabitofahurry,soifIcouldjustget
whatwaslefthereforme…”Rosemary flapped her hands at the notion. “That’s the problemwith the
worldtoday,inmyopinion.Everyone’sinahurrytogetsomewhereelse.SitdowntherenowandI’llmakeyouthatcupoftea.”“Thanks,butIreallyhavetogetgoing.”“Justonecup!”“Sorry,no.”“Ah,you’llhavejustonecup,won’tyou?”“Goon,goon,”mutteredPádraig,andlaughed.“Shutup,youbigeejit,”Rosemaryscowled,thenturnedhersmilebackon.
“You must think we’re awful thicks. It’s just … we’ve been very excitedabout this.We knowwho you are.The Valkyrie Cain. I’ve heard somuchaboutyou.MrGantnever stopsgoingonabouthowmuchhewants tokillyou,howmuchhewantstobashyourbrainsin.”Shelaughed.“ButI’msureyou’reusedtothatsortofattention,aprettygirllikeyou.Probablyhavemenliningupdownthestreettogetachancetobashyourbrainsin.”“You’reembarrassingthegirlagain,”Pádraigsaid,notlookingup.“You have something for me?” Valkyrie asked. “Something from
CadaverousGant?”“Yes,wedo,”Rosemarysaid,“yes,wedo.Hehasyoursister,doesn’the?
Hetoldusaboutthat.Isn’tthisexciting?Hehasyoursisterandhe’sgoingtokillher.Ooh!”
Valkyrie stopped herself from throttling this woman. “Could I have it?Whateverheleftforme?”“Yes,yes,”saidRosemary,andstartedlookingaround.“Pádraig.Pádraig!”Pádraigsighed.“Iheardyouthefirsttime.Whatisit?”“Where’sthecard?”Rosemaryasked.“Whatcard?”“Thecard,youdafteejit!Thecard!Thecard!”“You can repeat yourself till the cows come home,” Pádraig said, “but I
stilldon’tknowwhatitisyou’relookingfor.”Rosemaryfroze,likeshe’djustbeenremindedofsomething,thenturnedto
Valkyriewithaworriedlookonherface.“You’vegotthosesigils,don’tyou?MrGanttoldusaboutthem.Onyoureyes?Sohecanseewhatyousee?”“Yeah.”Immediately, Rosemary straightened up and started tugging at her hair.
“Pádraig!”shewhisperedloudly.“MrGant!Hecanseeus!”“Ah,Jaysis,”Pádraigsaid,throwingthenewspapertoonesideandgetting
tohisfeet.HesmootheddownhisscruffyV-neckjumper.“MrGant,”Rosemarysaidloudly, lookingValkyriestraight in theeye,“I
would just like toonceagain thankyoufor thehonourofbeing included inthese activities. I have led a humble life, as has my husband, but we areendeavouringto—”“Hecan’thearyou,”Valkyriesaid.Rosemaryfaltered.“Begpardon?”“Hecannothearyou.”“Well…maybenot,butI’msurehecanlip-read.”“Right,”saidValkyrie,“I’vebeenaspoliteasIcanwithyoupeople,butI
don’thavetimeforthis.CadaverousGantgaveyousomethingtogivetome.SogiveittomebeforeIlosemygoddamntemper.”Rosemary’shandflutteredtoherchest.“Oh!Oh,well…!”Pádraig hurried over, patting his wife on the back. “You’re OK there,
Rosemary.”“I’m in shock, Pádraig,” Rosemary said, sagging against him. “Shock, I
say!”PádraigglaredatValkyrie.“Lookwhatyou’vedone,andinourownhome,
noless!”Rosemaryclutchedathim.“Oh,Pádraig!IthinkImightfaint!”White lightning toreachunkoutof thewallbehind them,andRosemary
andPádraigcriedoutandwhirledtoValkyrieasenergycrackledbetweenherfingertips.Theyblinked.
“Pádraig,”Rosemarysaid,hervoicequiet,“gogetthatcard,there’sagoodman.”Pádraig made sure Rosemary wasn’t about to fall over, then went into
another room.Rosemary tookamoment tocomposeherself, andwalked tothecutlerydrawer.“MrGantleftsomethingelse,aswell,”shesaid.“Toldustomakesureyou
putitonbeforeyou’regiventhecard.”Shetookoutabraceletmadeofburnishedgoldmetalandpasseditover.Therewere sigils carved into themetal – sigilsValkyrie recognised. She
got the sense that Cadaverous was looking through her eyes right at thatmoment,sosheputthebraceleton,madesurehecouldseeitclickshutroundherleftwrist.Thesigilsglowedonceandshefelthermagicdull.“Canhestillsee?”sheasked.Rosemaryfoldedherarms.“What?”“Thebraceletbindsmymagic,”Valkyriesaid.“Doesithaveanyeffecton
thesigilsonmyeyes?”“Doyouknownothing?”Rosemaryresponded,asneeronherlips.“Those
arepassivesigils.Passivesigilscan’tbeboundquitesoeasily.Sodon’tyoubeworrying, girly,MrGant can still seewhat you see, so you better keepbehavingorhe’llcutyourlittlesister’sthroat.”ValkyrieshovedRosemaryback.“Saythatagain,”shesaid.“Sayonemore
thingaboutmysister.Seewhathappens.”Rosemary’seyesnarrowed.“You’reanastygirl.Iknewitthemomentyou
steppedinhere.You’redirty,aren’tyou?Dirtygirlsareallthesame.Harlots.You’reprobablyoozingwithdiseases,aren’tyou?Dirty,filthygirl.”Pádraigwalkedback into theroom,holdingupan identicalwhitecard to
theoneinPalter’smetalbox.“Foundit,”hesaid.Valkyriestrodeover, snatched itoutofhishand.“Is that it?Thebracelet
andthecard:that’sallhegaveyoutogiveme?”“That’sallhegaveus,”saidPádraig.“Andhedidn’tsayanythingelse?”“He did say one other thing,” Pádraig replied, and frowned. “Rosemary,
whatwasthatlastthing?Afterwegiveherthebraceletandthecard,whatdidhesaywehadtodo?”“Whateverwewanted,”Rosemarysaid.“Ah,yeah,”Pádraigsaid.“That’sright.”Valkyrie stuffed the card into her jacket pocket and turned for the door.
“Well,I’llleaveyoubothtoit,then.Haveanicelife,youfrickin’psychos.”“Where are you going?” Rosemary asked, and swung something hard
againstValkyrie’shead.
Valkyriestumbled, trippedon theedgeof therugandfell, turnedoverasRosemaryadvanced.“MrGanttolduswecoulddowhateverwewantedwithyou,”shesaid,and
swungthepokeragain.
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Temperdidn’tlikebeingteleported–itmadehimfeelqueasyandoffbalance.He especially didn’t like being teleported by amurderous little psychopathwithbleachedhair.Thatjustupsethimatafundamentallevel.But, most of all, he didn’t like being teleported straight into Coldheart
Prison, where hundreds of convicted killers, terrorists and generalwhackadooswalkedfreelyandwithoutshackles.The convicts stared down at them from the higher tiers as Temper and
Skulduggery followed Abyssinia to the dais that hovered over the deadlyenergyfield.“WhathasCadaverousbeendoinglately?”Skulduggeryasked.“Wherehas
hebeenspendinghistime?”“I’mafraidIdon’tknow,”Abyssiniareplied.“Hewouldget inthatblack
car of his and disappear for days. As for what he’s been doing, I’ve beenassigninghimhisduties–dutiesthathedeemedunworthyofhisskills.”“Hewasunhappyhere?”“Apparently.Iwilladmit,Ididnoticehisgrowingdiscontentasmysearch
foroursoncontinued.”“Don’tcallhimthat.”“Ican’twaitforyoutomeethim.”“Let’sgetbacktoCadaverous.”“Ofcourse,”saidAbyssinia.“Traitor,”Neromuttered.Temperlookedoverhisshoulder.“Yousaysomething,buddy?”Neroscowled.“Youbetrayedus.”“How’dyoufigurethat?”“Youpretendedtobeoneofus.”“Iwasundercover,jackass.Pretendingtobeoneofyouiswhatundercover
means.Ican’tbetrayyouifIwasneveroneofyoutobeginwith.”“Yousaidyouweremyfriend.”“Ifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,youstillholdaspecialplaceinmyheart.”“Shutup.”
“Needahug?”“Shut.Up.”Tempergrinned.“Cadaverous killed one ofmymost promising sorcerers,”Abyssiniawas
saying,“Ithinktospiteme.AwonderfulyoungmancalledAvatar.Isuspectthathisbodywasthrownoverboardorvaporisedintheenergyfield.Speakingofwhich–watchyourstep.”She came to the end of thewalkway and hopped over the gap on to the
dais.Skulduggerydid the same,andTemper followed,keepinghis eyesoffthecracklinglakebeneath.Whentheywereallonthedais,itstartedtorise.Theypassedtierupontier
ofsilentconvicts,itchingtotearthemapart.The dais stopped at the very top andAbyssinia led theway off.A huge
convictsteppedoutofhiscellonceAbyssiniahadwalkedby.“The Skeleton Detective,” the big guy sneered. “You got some nerve
cominginhere,comingintoourhouse.Youthinkwe’regonnaletyouleavehereinonepiece,littleskeleton?Youthinkwe’regonnaletyou—”Skulduggerygrabbedhim,twisted,andthrewhimoverthebalcony,andthe
bigguyscreamedallthewaydown.“Sorry,”SkulduggerysaidtoAbyssinia,“youweresaying?”Theyresumedwalking,andTemperwavedtotheconvictsherecognised.“Nero,RazziaandDestrierwerewithCadaverouswhenhetookCaisson,”
Abyssiniasaid.“I’velookedintotheirminds–theyhadnoideawhathewasplanning.”“We’llneedtospeaktothem,”Skulduggerysaid.“Iassumedasmuch.”Theycametoalargecellfilledwithbooksandacomfortable-lookingbed.
RazziaandDestrierstoodattheopendoor.“These are Cadaverous’s quarters,” Abyssinia said. “We haven’t yet
conductedasearch.Ithoughtyouwouldliketobethefirstonetodoso.”“Verymuchappreciated,”Skulduggerysaid.“Razzia,verygoodtoseeyou
again.”Shesmiledback.“G’day,Skulduggery.”“Cadaverous’shome—doyouknowwhereitis?”Razziafrowned.“You’relookingatit.”Skulduggery shook his head. “Cadaverous’s home is his castle. He
transforms it into whatever his imagination can conjure. That’s where he’sgone. That’s where he’s taken Caisson, and that’s where Valkyrie is. He’sdrawing us in towhere he has all the advantages.” Skulduggery glanced at
Abyssinia. “Your powerwon’tmean awhole lot in there.You realise that,yes?”“Itdoesn’tmatter,”sheanswered.“Hehasmyson.”“Ilikedyoubetterwhenyouwereevil,”Razziasaid.“Youweremorefun.
Youthreatenedtokillpeoplemore.”“I’mstillfun,Razzia.Youjusthavetogivemeachance.”“Hespokeaboutitonce,”Destriersaid.Skulduggeryswivelledhishead.“Cadaverousspokeabouthishome?What
didhesay?”Destrier’seyeswereonhisshoes.Hishandswereintertwined.Hisfingers
tapped nervously against each other. “Not much,” he said. “He thought Iwasn’t listeningbut Iwas. Ihear everything,butmostof it doesn’t interestme.Notverymuchinterestsme,apartfromthethingsthatdo.Theyinterestmeverymuch.Hedidn’tsaywhereitwas,buthesaidhehadanewhome.”“Whenwasthis?”Temperasked.“Fiveyearsandtwomonthsago.Andtwelvedays.”“Anyideawhichcountryitwasin?”Destriershookhishead.“Cadaverous has been preparing for this for a long time,” Skulduggery
said.“Ifthat’strue,”Abyssiniaresponded,“thenhemanagedtokeepitfromme
whenIwasinsidehishead.Acleverboy,thatCadaverous.Trulycunning.”Skulduggery stepped into the cell, and went straight to the bookcase.
“Shakespeare’splays are all in chronologicalorder apart from thisone,”hesaid,takingTheTempestfromtheshelf.Heflickedthroughit,caughtawhitecardasitfellout.“Anaddress,”hesaid.Abyssiniaclappedherhandsdelightedly.“We’vefoundhim!”Temperraisedaneyebrow.“Abittooeasy,don’tyouthink?”“I’dagreewithTemper,”Skulduggerysaid.“Butit’salead.”“Thenwe’llfollowitwhereverit takesus,”saidAbyssinia,andsmiledat
Skulduggery.“Togetheragain,eh,mylove?Thewayitwasalwaysmeanttobe.”
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Sheliftedfromthemurkandtheworldsharpened,andsheopenedhereyes.Shelayonthefloor,herhandsboundbehindherwithtape,herlegsboundattheankles.Ithurttomoveherhead.Valkyrieturnedover,ontoherside.Pádraigwasworkingatthestove.“MrGantisn’tgoingtobehappy,”Valkyriesaid.Pádraig lookedround,andsmiled.“You’reawake!Youmusthaveahard
head!Anddon’tyouworryaboutMrGant.Hetoldusthatoncewe’dpassedoverthecardwecoulddowhateverwewantedwithyou.Andwe’regoingtoeatyou.”Heturnedbacktoshovemorewoodintothestove.“I’msorry?”Valkyriesaid.“We’regoingtoeatyou,”Pádraigrepeated.“We’vebeeneatingpeoplefor
yearsnow,RosemaryandI.”“You’recannibals?”Pádraiglookedatheroverhisshoulder.“Ah,now,wedon’tliketheword,
so we don’t. We don’t like it. It has unpleasant connotations. But yes,essentially, cannibals arewhatwe are.Butwe only eatmagical folk. Theytastethebest.”“Areyougoingtoeatmealive?”Pádraiglaughed.“Jaysis,no!Wouldyoueatachickenalive?Oracowora
pig?No,no,no.We’regoingtocookyouandtheneatyou.Well,firstwe’regoingtoboilyou,andyou’llbealivewhenyou’rebeingboiled,butIdoubtyou’llstaythatwayforverylong.It’sourwayofmarinatingyoubeforewestartthecooking.”“MrGantwantstokillmehimself.”“Yesandno,”saidPádraig.“Thisisatest,yousee.Ifweeatyou–andwe
will– thenyou’llhave failed the test, and so itwouldn’tbeworthhis timekilling you. If you escape us – and you won’t – then you’ll have provenyourselfworthy.Youunderstand?”“AmIgoingtobegivenanykindofafightingchance?”
Pádraiglookedpuzzled.“Thisisyourfightingchance.”Satisfiedwiththestove,hetookacookbookfromtheshelfandlaiditonthetable,andstartedflickingthroughthepages.“Whattimeisit?”Valkyrieasked.Hecheckedhiswatch.“Almostnine.”She groaned. “I’ve only got three hours left. OK. Could you hurry this
along?Ireallydon’thavetimetowaste.”Hechuckled.“You’rereallynotgettingthis,areyou?It’sover.You’reover.
You’re tied up and you’ve got nomagic. D’you knowwhere Rosemary isright now?She’s on the toilet, emptying herself andmaking room for you.Becauseinthreehoursyou’renotgoingtobesavingyoursister.You’regoingtobeamidnightfeast.”Valkyrieturnedoverontoherknees.Shegothertoesunderherandrocked
backontoherheels,thenstood.Pádraiglookedup,andsighed.“Whatareyoudoing?”“You’renotgoingtostopme.”“IfIletyousitinthearmchair,willyouquitbeingsilly?”“Sure.”Pádraigcameforward,armsouttoguideher.“You’regoingtohavetohop
overthere.I’mnotasstrongasIusedtobe.”Valkyriewaiteduntilhewascloseenough,thenslammedherforeheadinto
thespace rightbetweenhiseyes.Bright light flashedbehindhervisionandshehadtojumpmadlytostopfromtopplingover,butwhensheregainedherbalance Pádraigwas sprawled out on the floor, hands tapping feebly at hisface.Bloodgushedfromhisbrokennose.“Guessyou’reright,”shesaidasshehoppedover.“Idohaveahardhead.”She jumped, came down on his bellywith both knees. Pádraigwhooped
andshefellsidewaysashecurledupinsilentagony.Sheranherhandsdownthebackofherlegs,strugglingalittletogetthemoverherbootheels.Whentheywereover,shesatup,drewinherfeet,startedtorakeatthetaperoundherankles.Itwasthick,butshemanagedtoscratchasmallholeinit,andshekeptgoing,makingtheholebigger.Sheheardatoiletflush.Valkyrie lookedaround.Under the tablewasafork.Sherolledover to it,
grabbedit,satupagainandusedittotearintothetape.“Ifeel tenpoundslighter,soIdo,”Rosemarysaid,walkingin.“Pádraig?
Pádraig,whereareyou?”Rosemary’s heavy footsteps came closer, heading for the stove. Any
momentnowandshe’dseeherhusband.Valkyriehacked.
“Pádraig!” Rosemary cried, and stumbled into view, about to fall to herkneesatherhusband’sside.ButatthelastmomentshesawValkyrieandshestraightenedup.“You!”shesnarled.“Howcouldyoudothistohim?He’sanoldman!”Valkyriedidn’tbotheranswering.Shejustkepthacking.IttookamomentforRosemary’seyestoflickerdownwards,torealisewhat
Valkyriewasdoing.“Oh,no,”shesaid.“Oh,noyoudon’t.”Rosemary clicked her fingers, summoning a ball of fire into her hand.
Valkyrieturnedoverasshehurledit,feltitstrikeherback,andthenValkyriewas on her feet, tearing her ankles apart while Rosemary grabbed a meatcleaver.Valkyrie kickedRosemary in the chest, hearing bones crack and sending
theoldwomanflippingover the table.She landedon the flooron theothersideandstartedyellinginpain.Valkyrieignoredher,exchangedtheforkforthesharpestknifeshecouldfindandused it tocutawaythe taperoundherwrists.Herphonerang.Shefreedherselfandanswered.“They’realwaystryingtoeatpeople,”Cadaveroussaid,chuckling.“Iwas
introducedtothemthroughafriendofafriend.They’renotfriendsofmine,perse–Itrynottoassociatewithknowncannibals–buttheydohavetheircharms,don’tthey?”Valkyriepulledthecardfromherpocket.Therewasanaddressprintedon
it.“DoIgoherenow?”“Valkyrie,Valkyrie…yousoundimpatient.”“I’mjustkeenlyawareofhowlittletimeIhave.”“Oh,Iguessyouhaveapoint.Yes,Valkyrie,that’swhereyougo,andit’s
thelaststopbeforeyougettoyoursister.It’sfortyminutesawayifyoudrivereallyfast.Tick-tockgoestheclock,Valkyrie.’Pádraigmoaned asValkyrie hurried past. She didn’t even bother to kick
him.She got in the car, swung back out on to the dark road, the headlights
splittingthenight.Sheheardanothermoannow,frombehindher.Shefixedhereyesstraight
ahead.“Omen,”shesaid.“Omen.Omen.”“Uhhh…”“Don’tsitup.”Themoaningstopped.“Valkyrie?”“You’re meant to be dead,” Valkyrie responded. “So no sitting up,
understand?”
“You…didyoushootme?”“Do you have a bullet in you? No? Then I didn’t shoot you. But
Cadaverousthinksyou’redead,andwe’renotgoingtodoanythingtobreakthatillusion.”“Myheadfeels—”“Idon’tcare.”“Youdidn’tshootme.”“Ofcoursenot.”“Ishe…ishelookingthroughyoureyesrightnow?”“Idon’tknow.Idoubthe’slookingeverysinglemoment,butIhavenoway
ofknowing,soI’massumingthathe’sconstantlywatching.”“Wherearewegoing?”“I’vegotonemorestopbeforehetellsmewhereAliceis.Iexpectthere’ll
besomeonetherewho’sgoingtotrytokillme.”“Valkyrie?”“What?”“Thankyoufornotkillingme.”Shesoftened.“Noproblem.Thankyouforunderstanding.”“ShouldIsneakawayandcallSkulduggery?”“No,”shesaid.“Wecan’tcallanyone.IfCadaverousevengetsawhiffthat
I’mnotplayingbyhisrules,he’llkillher.”“So…soyoudon’thaveanyback-up?Atall?”“Ihaveyou,don’tI?”“Isuppose.WhatshouldIdo?”“Liebackthereandpretendtobedead.”“ButImustbeabletohelp,”Omensaid.“Imean,Cadaverousholdsallthe
cards,right?Thisishisplan,he’sastepahead,buthedoesn’tknowthatI’malive.So,like,thisiswhereweturnthetables.”“I appreciate the optimism, Omen, but you’re not my secret weapon. I
don’twantyoudoinganything,atanytime.Iwantyoutostayinthecarandnotmove.That’sall.”“Idon’tknow,Valkyrie–thatseemslikeawaste.Wehavetheelementof
surprisenow.Shouldn’tweuseit?”“No,notreally.”“Iwouldn’tletyoudown.”“Iknowyou’dtryyourverybest,and,alotofthetime,that’dbeenough.
ButAlice’slifeisindanger.Ican’ttaketherisk.”“Yeah,”Omensaidsadly.“Igetit.”
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NeroteleportedthembacktoRoarhaven,totheBentleyparkedbythesideofthestreet.“Whyarewetakingacar?”Neroasked,confusionriddlinghisprettyface.
“Icangetusanywhereinaneyeblink,remember?”TemperwatchedasSkulduggeryturnedandputahandonNero’schestto
stophim.“You’renotcomingwithus.”“Oh,youthinkso,doyou?”Skulduggery seemed unimpressed with Nero’s sudden posturing. “I only
barelytrustoneTeleporterwithsillyhair,Nero,andthat’snotyou.Abyssinia,sendhimaway.”“We’llbemuchfasterwithNerothanwithacar,”Abyssiniasaid.“Sendhimawayorthispartnershipendsrighthere,rightnow.”Abyssiniasighed.“Yes,fine.Nero,shoo.”“Youwantme togo?”Nero said, frowning. “But…butyouwon’thave
anyback-up.”“I’mthePrincessoftheDarklands.Idon’tneedback-up.Goonnow.”“Yeah,”Tempersaid.“Shoo.”Neroglared,andvanished.While Skulduggery got behind the wheel, Temper opened the passenger
door, pulled the seat forward, and motioned for Abyssinia to climb in theback.Shepeeredin.“Youwantmetogetinthere?Butit’ssocramped.”“I’vealreadycalledshotgun,I’mafraid,”saidTemper.“Inyougo.”Sighing,Abyssiniamanoeuvredherwayinwithnosmallamountofgrace.
Temperreturnedtheseattoitsoriginalpositionandgotin.
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Thecountryhouse,everydetailcapturedinthewarmglowoffloodlights,wasasbigasGrimwoodandevengrander.IthadafountaininthedrivewaythatValkyriecircled,beforeparkingfacingtheexit–incasesheneededtomakeaquickgetaway.Shelookedintherear-view.Someonewaswalkingover.“Staydown,”shesaidtoOmenassheundidherseatbelt.Shegotout.Themanwhoapproachedworefox-huntinggear–agreenjacketwithfour
brassbuttons,ridinghat,jodhpursandpolishedboots.Helookedtobeinhisforties.Hewastall,andobservedherdisdainfully.“Youarelate.”Valkyrie ignored thevoice inherhead that toldher topunchhim.“What
amIherefor?”Heobservedherforabitlonger,thensighedandturned.“Thisway.”Shefollowedasheledherroundthehouse,towherethecountrysiderolled
tothestarryhorizonondarkwaves,spottedhereandtherewiththelightsofisolated houses and passing cars. A line of thirteen horses stood directlybehind the house, their riders in an assortment of black, green and tweedjackets. Standing in front of the horses were maybe twenty people. Theylookednervous.Jittery.At the bottom of the hill was woodland, and built into that woodland,
twisting in and around the trees, was a massive hedge maze, like nothingValkyriehadeverseen.ThemaninthegreenjacketindicatedthatValkyrieshouldstandbesidethe
scaredpeople.Shedidso,asheclimbedintothesaddleofthebiggesthorse.Now that she could see themproperly,Valkyrie realised the riderswere allwearinggrotesquemasks.She sighed, and turned to the woman next to her. “We’re going to be
hunted,aren’twe?”Thewomanmet her eyes, and laughedwith an excitement that Valkyrie
founddisturbing.“At thecentreof thatmaze,” theman in thegreen jacket said loudly, “is
safety.Anyonewhoreachesitwilllive.Anyonewhodoesn’twilldie.”
Valkyriesteppedforward.“DoIhavetodothis?Youseemtohaveathinggoingonhere,butI’mjustlookingformy—”“Backinline!”roaredthemaningreen.Valkyrieglared,andsteppedback.“For thosewho reach themiddle,”he continued, “youwill join theWild
Huntatournextmeet.Youwillbeoneofus,withall theprivilegesthatgowith that. Every hunter you see before you has been where you are. Weunderstand your fear.” He glanced at Valkyrie again, and irritation washedoverhisface.“Asforyou,thereisacardinthemiddleofthemaze.Writtenonthatcardisanaddress.Intheunlikelyeventthatyousurvive,thatwillbeyourreward.”Hetookoffhisridinghat,pulledonacarvedmask,andputhishatonover
it.“IamtheMasteroftheHunt,”hesaid,“andItellyoutorun!”ThemenandwomenaroundValkyrieran.Shehesitatedlongenoughtosee
thehuntersdrawcurvedswords,thenboltedafterthem.Thegrasswaswetandslippery.Alreadysomeofherfellowtargetshadlost
theirfootingandweretumblinguncontrollablydownthehill.Valkyriepassedtheexcitablewoman,whoreachedouttograbher.Valkyrieshovedherawayandkeptgoing.Behind them, a horn blew, and the night trembled with the thunder of
approachinghooves.Someone fell in Valkyrie’s way and she leaped over him, reached the
bottomofthehillandsprintedon,findingherselfnearthefrontofthecharge.Thereweresomeseriouslyunfitpeoplerunningfortheirlives.Shepassedawheezingwomanwhowas slowingwith each step.Shewas about to reachoutandpullheralongwhenanarrowthuddedintothewoman’sheadandshedroppeddead.Valkyriestartedzigzaggingassheran.Therewere screamsbehindher as thehorses caughtup to the stragglers.
Valkyrie glanced back, caught the flash of a curved blade, saw an arc ofblood.Anarrowhithershoulderandbouncedoff.Anotheronepiercedtheground
ather feet.A third landedaheadofher,but thisoneexploded inaburstofliquid.Asimilararrowhitamantoherleft,madehimstumblebutdidn’thurthim.
Heranon,hisbackdrenched,disappearingthroughtheentrancetothemaze.Somethinghitherinthesmalloftheback.Shereachedbehindher,feltthe
wetness,andthenshewasthrough,intothemaze.Valkyrie slowed down to catch her breath. Outside the maze were the
screamsofthedying–insidewasthehushedpantingofthedesperate.They
plungedonwithout thought,without strategy,bargingpastValkyrie in theireagernesstowinaplaceintheWildHunt.Psychos,shedecided.Huntersandhunted,bothasbadaseachother.Therewas a rule aboutmazes, she knew therewas.Keep right,maybe?
Keeptrailingyourhandalongthewalltoyourrightanditwillleadyoutothecentre?Orwasitleft?She looked back as the hunters streamed into the maze on foot, swords
glinting.Sheturnedrightandran.The hedges ranged from knee-height to threemetres tall. Soundworked
differently here. All around her were the sounds of the pursuers – theirfootsteps, their calls, their laughter, their shouts – and the sounds of thepursued–theirfootsteps,theircries,theirsobbing,theirscreams–butthesesoundscreptupfromoddangles.Sometimestheywerebehind,sometimesinfront.Sometimesabove,andsometimesjustoverhershoulder.ThedeeperValkyriewent,thefurtherfromthelightsshemoved,thedarker
itgot.Shecrouched,listeningtosomeonebeggingnearby.Therewasalaugh,andasudden,gurgledmoan,andthebeggingstopped.Therewassomeonecomingforher.Valkyriemovedon,keepinglow.Shetuggedatthebraceletroundthewrist,
buttherewasnowayitwascomingoff.Shestopped.Herhand.Itwasluminousorange.Shetwisted,lookingdownatherself,hissingacurseunderherbreath.Her
jacket, her trousers, drenched with that liquid, now glowed in the dark, abeacontothehunterswhowereclosingin.Footsteps.Rushingher.Valkyriespunandthehunterstoppedrunning.He
laughedbeneathhismask.Shesagged.“Comeonthen,”shesaid,allowinghervoicetotremble.“Get
itoverwith.Ifyou’regoingtokillme,killme.Just…justmakeitquick.”Sheraisedherchinandturnedherheadalittle,givinghimacleanswingat
herneck.Hemarchedforward,confidentinhersubmissionandhisinevitablevictory. He raised the sword as he walked, and when he was in range heswung.Valkyriesteppedintohim,leftarmwrappingroundhisrightwhileherotherhandcrackedintohischin.Hestumbledbutsheheldon,hithimafewmoretimesashewentdown,thenhithimafewmoretimesafterthat.Shestraightened,lookedaroundforthesword.Ithadflownfromhisgrip
andwasnowlostinahedgesomewhere.“Here!”anotherhuntershouted,andValkyriebolted.
She tore off her jacket as she ran, dropping it, thankful that the T-shirtbeneathwasblack.Shetookacorner.Thereweretwohuntersahead,hackingamantodeath,andValkyrieduckedbehindthenextcornerbeforetheysawher,thenslippedbackwardsintotheshadows.Shecrouched,doingherbesttohidethepartsofherthatglowed,andheldherbreath.Thehunteronhertailranpast.“Shecomethisway?”thehunter,awoman,barked.“Who?”oneoftheotherhuntersasked.Thewomandidn’tbother answering.Shehurriedback to the corner, and
Valkyriesquirmedfurtherintothedarkness.Thewomanpassed,swordinhand,andValkyriesteppedout,wrappingan
arm round her throat – but the hunter grabbed her arm and twisted andValkyrieflewoverhershoulder.Shemanagedtopullthehunterdownwithherandtheybothhittheground.
Thewomandidherbesttoscrambleup,butValkyriedivedonher,grabbingthewristthatstillheldthesword.The hunter squirmed, scratching Valkyrie’s face, trying to push her off.
Valkyrie kept control of the woman’s sword hand, worked her way into adominant position, and started to ram her elbow into the hunter’s jaw. Thehunterwasstrong,roughlythesamesizeasValkyrieherself,butitdidn’ttakemuchtoputherout.Valkyrie swapped her trousers for the hunter’s jodhpurs and pulled her
bootsbackon.Someonescreamed.Someoneelselaughed.Valkyriecarriedon.Shegot through thenext fewminuteswithoutmeetinganymorehunters.
When she came to smaller hedges, she climbed over them, heading for thelightshecouldseeeverynowandthenthroughtheleaves.Shequickenedherpace,andherfeethitsomethingandshetripped,wenttumbling.“Shush!”saidthemanshe’dtrippedover.“Shhhh!”Valkyrieglaredatwhoeveritwas.“Yousawmecoming,”shewhispered.
“Youcouldhavewarnedmeyouwerethere.”“Youshouldlookwhereyou’regoing!”“It’sdark!”“That’s no excuse!” theman said, straightening up. “Now I have to find
anotherhidingspot!”Heturned,walkedrightintoaswordthrust.“Eryx?”hesaid,gasping.Thehunterpeeredcloser.“Pyramus?”hesaidthroughhismask.“Itisyou.
Hey.Uh…oh,man.Sorry.”Pyramusgurgled,andfelldown,andEryx thehunterturnedtoValkyrie.“Hewasafriendofmine,”hesaid.“Iencouragedhimtotakepart.Ifeelreallybadnow.”
Valkyrienodded,andran.Heranafterher.Shescrambledforthecorner,sprinteddownanotherpath,turnedthecorner
andimmediatelyduckedandspunandcrouched.SheheardEryxrunningup.Gettingcloser.Closer.Shepoweredoutofhercrouch,catchinghim in thesideashe turned the
corner.Hewent flyingand she slippedon thewetgrass.The sword landednexttoher.ShegrabbeditasEryxcameuptohisknees,holdinghisribs,strugglingto
breathe.Helookedaroundforhissword,sawitinValkyrie’shandsandfroze.Shestood.Hehelduphishands.“Pleasedon’tkillme,”Eryxsaid.“Takeoffthemask.”Hedidashewastold.Hisfacewasunexceptional,andshinywithsweat.“Handsonyourhead,”saidValkyrie.“Interlacethefingers.”“Oh,God,”Eryxsaidashecomplied.“You’regoingtokillme,aren’tyou?
Youare.Justsayit.Justtellme.You’regoingtokillme.”“Shutup,Eryx.”“I’llbegifIhaveto.”“You’realreadybegging.”“I’llbegmore.I’llbegbetter.Pleasedon’tdoit.Ihaveafamily.Ihavea
wifeandchildren.”“Isthatso?”Valkyriesaid,steppingcloser,tappingthetipoftheswordon
oneofthebrassbuttonsonEryx’sjacket.“What’syourwife’sname?”Heblinked.“She…she’smyex-wife.”“What’syourex-wife’sname,Eryx?”“I…Ican’tremember.”“Ithinkyou’relyingaboutthefamily,Eryx.”He shook his head. “I love them very much. Please don’t deprive my
childrenoftheirfather.Theyneedastrongmalerolemodelintheirlives.”“Youmurderpeople,Eryx.”“Youcan’tblame themfor that.Please.Thinkofmykids.Thinkof little
Timmy.”“IthinklittleTimmywillbefinewithoutyou,Eryx.”“Hewon’t,”Eryxsaid,crying.“He’suseless.”“Doyouknowthismaze,Eryx?HowdoIgettothemiddle?”Sobbing,helookedaround.“We’requiteclosetoit,”hesaid.“Keepgoing
that way. Look for the openings to get narrower. The narrower the better.They’lltakeyourighttothemiddle.”
“Thanks for that,” Valkyrie said, and hit him behind the ear with thepommelofthesword.Eryxfellforwardandshecarriedon.Shefollowedhisadvice,chosethenarroweroftheoptionsavailabletoher,
and in under three minutes she stepped into a clearing. Before her was afountainsurroundedbyasmallhedge.Nooneelsewashereyet,butupontheledgeofthefountainlayawhitecard.Andthenabladepressedagainstherthroatfrombehind.
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Valkyriedroppedtheswordandturnedso,soslowly.Twohuntersstoodthere–awomaninablackjacketandamaninagreen
one. The Master of the Hunt. It was the woman’s sword that scraped herwindpipe.“Ireachedthemiddle,”Valkyriesaid.“No,”saidtheMaster.“That’sthemiddle.Overthere.Youhaven’treached
it,whichmeansyou’regoingtodie.”“Cadaverouswon’tbehappywithyou.Hewantstokillmehimself.”“YouthinkIcarewhatCadaverousGantwants?”theMastersaid.“Iowed
him.Iagreedtoincludeyouintonight’shuntinordertorepaymydebt.Nowwe’resquare.Infact, I ratherenjoytheideaofkillingsomeonehewants tokillhimself.Ireallydon’tlikehim.”Valkyrielickedherlips.“I’llpayyou.”“Wedon’tdothisformoney.”“Well,holdonnow,”thewomanintheblackjacketsaid.“Tellmemore.”“Arelativeleftmealotofmoney,”Valkyriesaid.“Hewasawriter.Gordon
Edgley–youheardofhim?”Thewomanloweredhersword.“TheGordonEdgley?”Valkyrie nodded. “He leftmehis fortune. I canpayyou, bothof you, to
walkaway.”TheMasterlookedatthewoman.“Hypatia,no.”“Howmuch?”Hypatiaasked.“Alot.”“You’relying,”theMastersaid.“She’slying.”HewenttostabValkyrie,butHypatiaheldhimback.“Howmuch?”“Mostofitistiedupininvestmentsandpoliciesandthings,butI’mpretty
sureIcangetyouamillion.Each.”“Notinterested,”saidtheMaster.“Maybeyou’renot interested,”Hypatiasaid,“becauseyou’vegotmoney.
You’vebeenaroundfor twohundredyears.But I’myoung.Amillioneach,yousay?”
“Incash.”“Youexpectustotrustthatyou’llliveuptoyourend?”“Thisisabigreward,”Valkyriesaid.“You’vegottotakeabigrisktogeta
bigreward.”“Stop this,” said the Master. “This very conversation is cheapening the
name of the Wild Hunt. Hypatia, maybe I was wrong about you. Maybeyou’renotoneofus,afterall.IthinkI’llhavetotalktotheothers.”Hypatia stuckher sword through theMaster’s chest.Hegavea surprised
sigh,andcrumpled.“Twomillion,”Hypatiasaid.“Forme.”Valkyrienodded.“Agreed.”“Ifyoutryandcheatme…”“Iwon’t,butI’mgoingtoneedsomewaytocontactyouwhenIhavethe
money.”Hypatiatookoutherphoneandhelditup.“I’mrecording,”shesaid.“Give
meanemailoranumberorsomething.”Valkyrie recited her number and Hypatia put her phone away. “Three
days,”shesaid.“Agreed,” Valkyrie said, and ran to the fountain. Upon the card were
printedfivewords:
MidnightattheMidnightHotel
Shespun.“Whattimeisit?Thetime,quickly!”Hypatialookedatherphone.“Tentoten.”“Isthereashortcutoutofhere?”Valkyrieasked,hurryingback.“Ineedto
gettomycar.”“Fortwomillion,”Hypatiasaid,“IthinkIcangiveyoualift.”ShewrappedanarmroundValkyrie’swaistandbroughttheairin,boosting
themhighoverthemaze.Theyleapfroggedlikethisallthewaybackupthehill,comingtoastopatthecountryhouse.“You know,” said Hypatia, “you did reach the middle of the maze, so
technicallyyou’reinvitedtojointheWildHunt.”“Isthiswhatyoudo,then?Huntingdownpeopleandkillingtheonesyou
catch?”Hypatiashrugged.“It’snotallwedo.We’rean interestinggroup. I think
you’dlikeus,ifyougaveusachance.”“Thanks,butI’vegotenoughfriends.”Valkyriestartedrunningforhercar.
“Youcanneverhaveenoughfriends!”Hypatiashoutedafterher.“I’llcallyou!”Valkyriejumpedinthecar.“Iheardhorses,”Omensaidfromthebackseat.“Alice is in the Midnight Hotel,” Valkyrie said, starting the engine and
puttingherfootdown.Thecarkickedupstonesasitspedfortheroad.“Huh,”saidOmen.“Supposethatfits.”“Youknowaboutit?”“Yes,”heanswered.“Well,kindof.Wejustcovereditinschool.”“Thenyouknowwhereitis?”“Itchangeslocationeverytwelvehours.”“Iknowthat–Imeandoyouknowwhereit iswhenit’s inIreland?I’ve
been there, butSkulduggery always drove and I didn’t really pay attention.Doyouknowtheaddress?”“Um…”“What?What’swrong?”“I,uh…I’mnotverygoodatrememberingfactsaboutthings.Iknowthat
the hotel is planted at each new location. There are these green seeds thatgrowinthebushesaroundthehotel–youputoneinthegroundandyouaddwaterandanewhoteljust…sproutsup,andthepeopleinsideareteleportedstraightintoit.Theexistinghotel,like,wilts,orwhateveritisitdoes,withersaway to nothing. I saw a video of it, taken back before people had properphones.Theyhadthecameralookingoutthewindowandeverythingoutsideissobig,becausethehotelisonlygrowing,youknow,andeveryoneinsideistiny? It only takes a fewminutes for it to reach full size, though, and thenthere’sabrand-newhotel.It’sprettycool.”“Omen.Ineedtheaddress.”“I…Idon’tknow.”“I know roughlywherewe’re going, but I really need you to think now,
OK?Ineedtheexactaddress?”“It’s… um… it’s in…Wait.” He frowned. “OhmyGod,” he said. “I
knowthis.Iactuallyknowthis!I’verememberedsomethingfromschool!”“Studentofthegoddamnyear,”Valkyriesaid,andgunnedtheengine.
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The address on the card led them to a small apartment building that hadpoppedupbehindanewsagent’sinsomewherecalledMountmellick–whichwasinLaois,apparently.TemperhadneverbeentoLaoisbefore.Itseemedlikeaniceenoughplace.Skulduggeryactivatedhisfaçadeandwenttopickthelockofthesidedoor,
but Abyssinia just kicked it open and strolled through. Temper watchedSkulduggery lecture her on the way up the stairs. Abyssinia agreed witheverythinghesaid,butwasobviouslyignoringhim.Itwaskindofamusing.TheyreachedthedoortoCadaverous’sapartment.“If this isCadaverous’s home,”Skulduggery said, “wemight bewalking
intosomethingwe’renotreadyfor.”“Let’sgo,”saidAbyssinia.“Holdon,”Skulduggerysaid.“HelikestosaythatinhishomeheisGod.
And,whilethatmaybegrandiose,it’snotuntrue.”“Let’sgoinandfindout.”“Justwaitasecond,wouldyou?”She grabbed Skulduggery, slammed him against thewall. “Our son is in
there!”“Wedon’tknowthat,”Skulduggeryrespondedcoolly.“Also,handsoffthe
suit.”“Icouldcrushyou,”Abyssiniasnarled.“Hands.Off.Thesuit.”Thedoortotheneighbouringapartmentopened,andamanwithashaggy
beardcameout,aknapsackoveroneshoulder.Helookedatthethreeofthem.“Howyeh,”hesaid.Temperwaved.“Hithere.”Thebeardedmanhesitated,thenclosedhisdoor,walkedbetweenthemand
movedontothestairs.Whenhewas gone,Abyssinia releasedSkulduggery and stepped back, a
smilesweepingtheangerfromherface.“You’remaddening,”shesaid.“You
never used to be like this.Razziawas right.You’remore funwhen you’reevil.”“Aren’twe all?” Skulduggery said, straightening his tie.He knelt by the
doortopickthelock.AbyssinialookedatTemper.“Wewereinlove,”shesaid.Tempernodded.“Loveisnice.”Skulduggeryputhis lockpicksaway,andstood.“WhenIopen thisdoor,
anythingmighthappen.Cadaveroushashadfiveyearstobuildthenightmareofhisdreams–wecouldliterallybewalkingintohell.”“I’mready,”saidAbyssinia.“Icouldwaitinthecar?”saidTemper.Skulduggerydeactivatedhisfaçadeanddrewhisgun.“Thenlet’sgo.”Temperdrewhis, too, andwhenSkulduggerypushed thedooropen they
swarmedin––toanemptyapartment.“Huh,”saidTemper.Therewasoneitemoffurniture–atablewithawhitecardplaceduponit.
Temperreadwhatitsaid.“Abyssinia–youdidn’tthinkitwouldbethiseasy,didyou?We’regoing
toplayalittlegame,youandI.IcallitLet’sSaveCaisson.Theobjectiveissimple. You’ve got forty-eight hours to find him, and you have to do thisalone.NoTeleporters.Noback-up.Yourfirststopwillbeto—”Abyssinia snatched the cardout ofTemper’s hand and read the rest of it
herself.“Hethinkshecanmakemeplayhisgame?Theinsolenceoftheman!Iwillfindhimandcrushhim.”“Again with the crushing,” Skulduggery muttered, coming out of the
bedroom.“IfhisplanwastodrawAbyssiniainlikethis,”Tempersaid,“thenmaybe
he’sdonethesamethingwithValkyrie.”“CallOmen,”Skulduggery said, checking theemptycupboards. “Hewas
babysittingAlicethisafternoon.”TemperdialledOmen’snumberandwaited.“Whatareyoudoing?”AbyssiniaaskedSkulduggery.“Lookingforclues,”hesaid.“Areyoufindingany?”“Notreally.”“Thenyou’rejustwastingtimewhileCaissonisinthehandsofalunatic.I
heardthatyouhadbecomethisgreatdetectiveinmyabsence,but,asidefromfindingacardinabook,Ihaveyettoseeyoudetectinganything.”
Temperputhisphoneaway.“Omenisn’tanswering.YouthinkCadaveroushasAlice?”“Ido,”Skulduggerysaid.“YouthinkhehasOmen?”“IfOmenislucky–yes.Ifheisn’tlucky,he’salreadydead.”“Damn.Omen’sagoodkid.”“WhocaresabouttheDarklyboy?”Abyssiniasnapped.“Heisn’teventhe
importantone!Noonewillmournforhim!Wehavetofocusonwhatmatters– finding Cadaverous before he kills Caisson. Everything else is anirrelevance.”Skulduggeryopenedthecupboardunderthesink.“Nothingis irrelevant,”
hesaid,steppingbacktoletthemseethebodycurledupagainstthepipes.“Aclue!”Abyssiniacried.Skulduggery pulled the body out. Now little more than a skeleton, it
crumpledtoapileofbonesonthekitchenfloor.“Thismustbekindaweirdforyou,”Tempersaid.“Notreally,”Skulduggeryreplied,pickinguptheskull.Hetiltedhishead.
“IthinkIknowhim.”Temperfrowned.“Howcanyoutell?”“Irecognisehimfromsomewhere.”“I don’tmean to be…uh,whatever…but how can you recognise him
whenhe’s…likethis?”Skulduggery lookedatTemper. “Youdon’t thinkall skulls lookalike,do
you?”“Kinda,yeah.”“Youdo?”“Ofcourse.”Skulduggerystartedsearchingitsclothes.“DidIevertellyouthatIlostmy
skullonce?”Tempersighed.“Yeah,youdid.Goblinsranawaywithit.”“AndforyearsafterwardsIworeareplacementskull.Foryears,Iwalked
around with a different head. The jaw was different, the cheekbones weredifferent, the nasal aperturewas hilariously off – I’m still surprised peoplerecognisedmeatall.”“Maybethefactthatyouwereaskeleton…”UnabletofindanyID,Skulduggerytoreoffalargestripofthedeceased’s
shirt.“Thepointis,askullisasuniqueasthefacethatsitsuponit.”Skulduggerylaidtheclothoverthehead,andmanipulatedmoistureoutof
the air to dampen it until it clung to the skull. Then he put both hands up
underthejawandeversogentlytheairbegantoflow,fillingoutthecheeksandtheeyesocketsfrombeneath.“No,”Skulduggerymurmured,“thatisn’tit…”Temperwatched as the cloth face billowed slightly, somehow giving the
corpse lips, lending it the appearance of substance. Every so often,Skulduggerywouldgiveanothermurmur.Hewaslikeasculptor:happywithone part of the face, he’dmove on to the next, until it became somethingdefinite.“SatrapBeholden,”Skulduggerysaid,removingtheclothfromthecorpse’s
skullashestood.“Ihaven’theardfromhiminyears.Haven’tseenhiminadecade.”“Yousureit’shim?”“There’snomistakingSatrap.”“Whowas he?”Abyssinia asked. “Andwhy is he dead in Cadaverous’s
apartment?”“Hewouldhavetoldyouhimselfthathewasnobodyofconsequence.He
stayedoutofthewar,hedidn’tbotheranyone…”“Howdidyouknowhim?”“ImethimwhenhewasgoingoutwithAntonShudder,”Skulduggerysaid.
“Therelationshiplastedfiveorsixyears.HehelpedAntonruntheMidnightHotelbeforetheybrokeup.”“Whenwasthis?”Temperasked.Skulduggeryturnedhisheadlikehewas
listeningtosomething,butdidn’tanswer.“Hello?”“The Midnight Hotel,” Skulduggery said softly. “When Anton died, it
wouldhavebeenpassedontohisnextofkin.Antondidn’thaveanyfamily.If he’d named Satrap in the will, he mightn’t have had time to change itbeforehisdeath.”“So Satrap here inherited the Midnight Hotel,” Temper said. “And
Cadaverouskilledhimforit?”“WhatisthisMidnightHotel?”Abyssiniaasked.“It’s a building that moves,” Skulduggery said. “Every twelve hours, it
growsinanotherlocationaroundtheworld,andeveryoneinsidegoeswithit.Forsomeonewhosepowerisrootedinwheretheylive—”“Amovinghouseisadreamcometrue,”Abyssiniafinished.Sheheldup
thewhitecard.“Hethoughthewouldleadmeonatreasurehuntthatwouldtakemeforty-eighthours.Instead,wecangostraightthere.”“Andcatchhimoffguard,”Skulduggerysaid.“Tothecar!”Abyssiniaannounced,tearingthecardintwo.“Icall–what’s
thephrase?–shotgun.”Shewalkedout.
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AllthelightswereonintheMidnightHotel.Valkyriedroveupslowly,thetyrescrunchingongravelandtwigs.Atwo-
storeybuilding.Fadedwhiteplaster.Darkwoodendoorandwindowsills.“Arewehere?”Omenaskedquietly.“Keepyourheaddown,”Valkyriesaid,gentlypressingthebrake.Hereyesflickeredtotheclockonthedash.Anhourandthirty-fiveminutes
untilmidnight.Alicewas still alive – providingCadaverousGant could becountedontokeephisword.“What’swrong?”Omenasked.“Hislasthomelookedcompletelynormalontheoutside,too,buttheinside
wasallmetalwalkwaysovera lakeof fire.Themoment Igo in there,”shesaid,“he’sgotallthepower.”“Well,” Omen responded, “and I don’t want to bemean, but doesn’t he
haveallthepoweranyway?He’sgotAliceandheknowsyou’recoming.Thisisahugebigtrapthatyouhavenochoicebuttostepinto.Theonlyadvantageyou’ve actually got, and I know I’ve said this before and you’re probablygetting sick of it, but the only advantage you’ve got is that he thinks I’mdead.”“You’renotcomingwithme,Omen.NowthatI’mhere,you’vegottofind
yourwaytoaphoneandcallSkulduggery.”“Cadaverouswillkillyou.”“Notimmediatelyhewon’t.”“I’mnotgoing.”“Yes,you—”“Youweregoingtoshootme!”heblurted.“Imean,Iknownowthatyou
weren’treally going todo it, but Ididn’tknow that then,did I?So I stoodthereandthoughtyouweregoingtokillme,andIwasgoingtoletyoudoit.Iwaswilling todie,Valkyrie,because I thought itwouldgetAlicebackandalso, kinda, because it was my fault she was taken. Valkyrie, please. Youdon’towemeanything,butyousortofowemethis.Letmehelp.”“Omen…”
Shestopped.CadaverousGantsteppedfromtheshadowsatthesideofthehouse.Hewavedtoher,smiling,thenturnedandwalkedaway.“Staydown,”shesaid,andeasedoffthebrake.Shestartedtocirclethehotel,givingitawideberth.Attherearofthebuildingwasagarage.Cadaverousstoodinfrontofthe
roller door,waving to her.His smilewas a rictus grin. The door started toopen.“Seatbelt,”Valkyrie snarled, gunning the engine and spinning thewheel,
thecar fishtailingslightly,andnowshewas lookingat theoldmanstraightdownthebonnet.Therollerdoorbehindhimhadrisentowaist-height.“Braceyourself!”sheshouted,andstompedontheaccelerator.Cadaverous duckedunder the door andValkyrie followed right after, her
eyestightlyshutasthecarhitthedoorandcrashedthrough,thewindscreencracking,theairbagexploding,knockingherbackinherseatasshebraked.Herfootstillonthebrake,shereachedout,putthecarinneutral.Shesat
there for a moment, her eyes still closed, the engine’s low growl the onlysound.Whenshewaslikethis,thewindscreencouldhavecrackedbecauseeither
therollerdoorhadhitit,orbecauseCadaveroushad.Whenshewaslikethis,theoldman could either havebeen injured and alive in front of the car, ordeadbeneathherwheels.Anythingwaspossible, so longas shestayed likethis.LikethecatinSchrödinger’sbox,theoldmanwasbothaliveanddead.Untilsheopenedhereyes,shewasbothagoodpersonandakiller.Alice.ShehadtofindAlice.Alicewastheonlythingthatmattered.Omengroanedbehindher.She pushed the deflating airbag to one side, squinting against the harsh
garagelightasshekickedthedooropen.Shewashalfwayoutwhenhereyesadjusted.Thelightwasn’tcomingfromabulb.Itwascomingfromablazingsun.It
wasn’tagaragefloorshehadsteppedoutonto.Itwashard-packeddirt.Shestood,andlookedbackthewayshe’dcome.Thegaragedoorwasstill
open,andthroughitshecouldseethetreesandthesmallroadandthedarksky,couldstillmakeoutthetrackshercarhadmadeinthemud–butthedoorwascutintoavastwallofrock.Itwasacliffface,wideenoughtovanishintodistanthorizonsoneitherside,tallenoughtoreachthesky.Shesteppedback,craningherneck.Itdidreachthesky,andthenitfolded
back,becamethesky.Thesky,ratherthananinfiniteexpanse,wasaceilingashighasacathedral’s,withdriftingcloudsanditsownsun–brilliantbutnotblinding–directlyoverhead.Andonthesurfaceofthesun:clockhands,countingdowntomidnight.
ThesheerimpossibilityofValkyrie’ssurroundings–anenvironmentmuchtoobigforitswallstocontain–madeherdizzyandshealmoststumbled,hadtoleanagainstthecarforsupport.Ahotbreezestirred.Shewasonadirtroadonahill.Thedirtroadleddown,becomingareal
roadafewmilesfurtheron.Theroadswervedthroughaforestofdarktreesand then narrowed, became themain street of a small townon the edge ofwater. Thewaterwas black, the reflection of the sun on itswaves sendingsplintersofamigrainedeepintoValkyrie’sbrain.Beyond the townwasabridge toasmall island. Itwas too far forher to
makeanythingout,butsheknewthatwaswherehersisterwas.Hereyeswidenedandshejumpedawayfromthecar.Thebonnet,though
scraped,was clear of any deadman’s body. She dropped to her belly. Theunderneathwasclearalso.Nocorpse.NoCadaverous.Shegotupagain,slowly,brushingthedustoffautomatically.A phone rang. A payphone, right there on the side of the dirt road. She
lookedatitwhileitrang.Letitringagoodlongtime.Thenshewalkedover.Slowly.Shereachedouttopickitup,anditstopped.“Realmature,”shemurmured.Shekepthereyesonit.Aminutewentby.Sheturnedtogobacktothecar
anditrangagain.Sheanswered.“Welcome,”Cadaveroussaid,“tomyhumbleabode.”
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“I’mhere,”Valkyriesaid.“Imadeit.Givememysister.”“Ah-ah, you haven’t made it quite yet,” Cadaverous responded. “Just a
littlebitfurther,that’sall.Thewoodsarelovely,darkanddeep.Butyouhavepromisestokeep—”“Andmiles togobefore Isleep,”Valkyrie finished.“Yeah, Iknowafew
poems,too.Wannahearone?ThereoncewasamanfromNantucket—”Cadaverouscutheroffwithalaugh.“Youareprovingtobeeverybitthe
adversary I had been hoping for, Valkyrie. This wouldn’t be nearly assatisfyingifyouweren’tuptothetask.”“I’mgladyou’reenjoyingyourself. I’llbe interested tosee ifyou’restill
havingagoodtimewhenIdragyououtofhere.”“Now,now,webothknow that’s not going tohappen.This ismyhome,
Valkyrie. Granted, it’s a little different from my last one, but I needed achange.Doyoulikeit?Iknockeddownafewwallstomakemoreroom.”“Icanseethat.”“Ispentalongtimeonthisplace,Valkyrie.Fiveyears,infact.Ipouredmy
heart andsoul into it. I constructedeverypebble, every speckofdust.Thatbreezeyou’refeeling?Thattooktwoweekstogetjustright.”“Onceagain,youproveyourselfthemasterofhotair.”“Masterofmydomain,Valkyrie.Rememberthat.Inhere,IamGod.”“Sowhydon’tyoustrikemedown?Huh?I’mstandingrighthere.Come
getme.”Cadaverouschuckled.“No,no,no,Valkyrie.That’snothowthisisgoingto
workatall.Yourjourneyisn’toveryet,andtimeisstillcountingdown.”“Bull,”Valkyriesnarled.“Yousaidgettoyourhousebymidnight.I’mhere
withanhourandahalftospare.”“Butthat’snotthehouseImeant,”Cadaveroussaid.“ThehouseImeantis
attheendofthisroad.You’dbetterhurry.Yoursisteriswaiting.”Hehungup.Valkyrie slammed the phone back on to its cradle. Picked it up and
slammed it back down again. A shout of frustration welled up inside and
escaped,andshekickedatoneofthosepebblesthatCadaveroushaddesignedand watched it skip across the road, raising little puffs of Cadaverous-designeddustasitwent.“Valkyrie?”Omensaidfromthecar.“Staythere!”shesnapped,andstormedbacktothecar,pullingthedeflated
airbagfromthesteeringwheel.Shegotinandslammedthedoor,putthecarinto gear. She glared into the rear-view mirror, hoping Cadaverous waswatching,andgavehimthefinger.Thecarshotforward.
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TheBentleypulledupoutsidetheMidnightHotelandtheygotout.Skulduggery stopped at the front door and drew his gun. “OK,” he said.
“Whenwegoin—”“Enoughtalk,”Abyssiniasaid,marchingpasthimandintothehotel.Skulduggerymutteredsomethingandfollowed,andTempercamelast.Theyweresuddenlyinthemountainssomewhere,anditwasdaytime.The
airwascrisp,theskyblue,thetreestall.Temperlookedback.Thedoorwaywas the mouth of a cave. Through it, he could see the dark sky and theBentley.“ThisisliketheTARDIS,”hesaid.“I don’t know what that is,” Abyssinia responded, still looking around.
“We’reintheCarpathianMountains.”“Yourecognisethis?”Skulduggeryasked.“IrecogniseitfromthetripsItookintoCadaverous’shead.Thisiswhere
he spent the first eight years of his life before moving to America. He’sreplicateditexactly.Eventhe…”Shetrailedoff.“Abyssinia?”“Myson ishere,” she said, and startedwalking, away from thepath and
intothewoods.Temperstartedafterher,thenturnedtoSkulduggery.“Youcoming?”“Thesun,”Skulduggerysaid,lookingup.“There’saclockinthesun.”
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The road was wide and smooth and there were signs everywhere, all withAlice’snameonthem,allpointingstraightahead.“Howfastarewegoing?”Omenaskedfromthebackseat.“Shutup,”saidValkyrie.“OK.”Herfooteasedupontheaccelerator,though.Justalittle.She’dbenogood
toherlittlesisterifshecrashedbeforeshegottoher.She passed a sign different from the others – small, sticking out of the
groundbythesideoftheroad.IthadHelpscrawledonit.Therewasasimilarsignahead,besideabiggeronethathadAlice’sname
inlights.Again,itsaidHelp.The road turned slightly, then straightened out again. More big signs,
goading Valkyrie on. But more small signs, too, this time with arrows, allpointingleft.Aminutelater,Valkyriecametoaleftturn.Sheslowed.Thebigsignstoldhertogostraighton,toldherthatAlicewas
waitingahead.But thesmallsigns, theoneswrittenbyhand, toldher togoleft,downanarrowerroad.“Iseverythingallright?”Omenasked,andValkyrieignoredhim.Sheturnedleft.Theydrove for fiveminutes, until a city roseup in thewindscreen.Cars
passed and people walked. Valkyrie pulled into the kerb and waited. Herfingerstappedthewheel,gentlybutquickly.“CanIsitup?”Omenasked.“No.”“It’snotverycomfortablelikethis.”“Idon’tcare.”“Arewethereyet?”“Idon’tknowwhereweare,orwhothesepeopleare.”Acarturnedtowardsher.Sheresistedtheurgetoduckdown.Itslowedas
itapproached. Itwasanoldcar.Boxy.Itbelonged in theeighties. Itpassedandshegotalookatthedriver.
“Cadaverous,”shesaid.“Where?”Omenasked.“Hejustpassed.”Sheputthecaringear,preparedtomakeaU-turn,maybe
smash into the back of him, drag him out and kick his head in, but rightbeforeshestompedontheacceleratorsheglimpsedamaninanovercoatoutforawalk.Cadaverous.Again.Valkyrieturnedinherseat,watchedtheboxycardriveaway,thenlooked
backattheotherCadaverous.“What’swrong?”Omenasked.“Valkyrie?”“Therearetwoofthem,”shemuttered,thenturnedofftheengineandgot
out.“Givememysister,”shesaid,stridinguptoCadaverous.Heblinkedather.“I’msorry?”Sheslappedhim,theheelofherhandslammingintothehingeofhisjaw.
Cadaverousfellbackwards,unconsciousbeforehehitthepavement.Valkyriefrowned.Shehadn’texpectedittobesoeasy.“Hey!”someoneyelledfromacrossthestreet.Awoman,inaflowingskirt
andheels,ranover.“Getawayfromhim!Isawwhatyoudid!That’sassault!”Thewoman got closer andValkyrie jumped back. ItwasCadaverous, in
lipstickandeyeshadow,withlonghair,wagginghislong,bonyfingerather.“I’llcallthepolice!Isaweverything!”Valkyriestaredathim.“Whatareyoudoing?”Cadaverous knelt down beside the other Cadaverous. “This poor man!
Whatdidyoudotohim?”Three people hurried closer – a businessman and a couple in jeans and
jackets.AllthreeofthemwereCadaverousGant.“She attacked him!” the Cadaverous in the dress said. “An unprovoked
attack!”Valkyriebackedoff.“Where do you think you’re going?” said theCadaverous dressed as the
businessman.“I’m calling the cops,” said one of the Cadaverouses wearing jeans.
“Where’sthenearestpayphone?”Valkyrieran.She ducked into an alley, sprinted its length, splashing through a puddle
and nearly falling over an old-fashioned dustbin, the galvanised steel kindshe’d only seen inmovies.A trash can, really.Crossing the next street shecameto,shehurrieddownanotheralley.Shegothalfwaythroughwhenshe
stopped. There was a puddle ahead of her. Beyond that, an old-fashioned,galvanisedtrashcan.Thekindshe’donlyseeninmovies.Sheranahandalongthewall.Itlookedrough,uneven,butitwassmooth
to the touch. Shewalked back theway she’d come, back through an alleyidentical to theoneshe’djust left.Howmanyof theseidenticalalleys therewere in this city, she couldn’t begin to guess. Cadaverous had designedeverythinghere–shesupposedsheshouldn’thavebeensurprisedtofindthathe’dusedduplicatesforsomeofit,andhadn’tbotheredwithexactdetail inthepartsthatdidn’tmatter.Maybe that applied to the people, too.He needed a population, after all,
andshesupposedthattheeasiestthingwouldbetopopulateitwithversionsofhimself.Itwasweird,sure,butkindofunderstandable.She turned left, feelingcalmernow,heading for thecarsandpeople.She
reachedthecornerandstoodthere,watching.People passed, all wearing Cadaverous’s face. They ignored her, for the
mostpart,butitdidn’tseemtobeoutofspite.Rather,theyeachappearedtobe caught up in their own thoughts. Like regular people. Those who didhappentoglanceather,tocatchhereye,didn’tflyintoarageorcallontheothers to attack. Instead, they gave a quick nod and carried on walking,chatting or driving. A city of Cadaverous Gants, and not one of themrecognisedher.ACadaverous shuffledby,usingawalking stick.Valkyriewalkedbeside
him.“Excuseme?”shesaid.Helookedather,irritated.“Yes?”“I’mterriblysorry,butIthinkI’mlost.”“Sowhyareyouapologisingtome?”She smiled. He was a mean-tempered old grouch. “Could you tell me
whereweare?Thenameofthiscity?”He grunted, eyes returning to the pavement on which he was walking.
“Citiesdon’thavenames.Everyoneknowsthat.”“Oh,”saidValkyrie,“ofcourse.What’syourname?I’mValkyrie.”“That’sastupidname.”“What’syours?”“Whydoyouwanttoknow?”“Ithinkwecouldbefriends.”Hegruntedagain.“Charlie,”hesaid.“I’mCharlie.”“Hi,Charlie.Whereareyouoffto?”“Home.”“Isthatclose?”
“Roundthecorner.”“I’m looking for someone. Maybe you’ve seen her? Her name’s Alice.
She’smysister,andIthinkshe’ssomewherehere.”“Don’tknowanyAlice,”Charliesaid.“She’sonlyseven.Haveyouseenanykids?Charlie?”Hestopped,reluctantlygivingherhisfullattention.“Whydoyouwantto
befriendswithme?Eh?EveryonehatesmeandIhateeveryone.”“I’msurenoteveryonehatesyou.”“Ofcoursetheydo,”hesaid,barkingoutalaugh.ACadaverousinascarf
walkedby.“Hey,you,doyoulikeme?”TheCadaverousinthescarfglared.“Ihateyou,”hesaid.“Everyonedoes.”
Andhewalkedon.“See?”Charliesaid.“Nobodylikesme.Notincollege.Notinwork.Notin
life.”“Whatdidyoudo?Forajob?”“I taught,” he said, chest swelling a little. “I’m retired now, but I taught
Englishliteraturetoidiotsandairheads.Gavethemalittleculture,notthatitdid them any good. Ungrateful lot. Do you know the problem with theyounger generation? They’re victims. They think they’ve got it worse thananyonewho’severcomebefore them.Theycollectweaknesses likebadges,wearthemforalltosee.”“I’myoung,”saidValkyrie.“I’mnotavictim.”“Youcouldbe,”Charliesaid.“Justaseasily.Youcouldbe.”Helookedat
herforalongwhile,thengrunted.“Asister,eh?IthinkI’veseenalittlegirlsomewherearoundhere.”Valkyrie’seyeswidened.“Isshehere?Issheclose?”Hestartedwalkingagain.“Comealong.Comethisway.”Valkyriewantedtopickhimupandrunwithhim,butsheforcedherselfto
matchhispace,agonisinglyslowthoughitwas.Theyturnedthecornerontoaresidentialstreet,linedwithidenticalhouses.Perfectlyidenticalhouses.Two-storeyed.Wooden.Dark.Thecurtainswere
drawnateverywindow.Charlie shuffledup to his front door. “Inhere, I think,” he said. “I think
she’sinhere.”Heledthewayin.Valkyriefollowed.Insideitwasdark.Musty.“Whata
nicehouse,”shesaid.“Yes.ThehousewhereIgrewup.Comenow.Yoursisterisinhere.”Heopenedanotherdoorandstoodthere,walkingstickinhand,waitingfor
hertorushpast.Hiseyeswerebright.Helookedeager.Expectant.
“Youhadanotherhouse,didn’tyou?”Valkyrieasked.“Biggerthanthis,I’dsay.”He shook his head. “Lived here my whole life,” he said. “Come now.
Hurry.”“Youhadanotherhouse,”shesaidagain.“Ithadalotofdifferentbuilders
working on it. There were doors that led nowhere. Hidden stairs. Hiddenrooms.Traps.Yourememberallthat,Charlie?”He frowned. “You must be … you must be getting me mixed up with
someoneelse.”“Yousureitdoesn’tringabell?ItwaswhenyouwerelivinginMissouri.”“I…I’venever…”“Yes,Charlie?”“I’veonlyeverlivedhere.I’veneverlivedin…”Heshookhishead.“I’ve
neverlivedinStLouis.”“Ididn’tsayyoulivedinStLouis.IsaidyoulivedinMissouri.”Herubbedhisforehead.“Whatareyoudoingtome?”hemuttered.“What
areyoudoingtomyhead?”Shewalkedup.“Idon’tthinkyouarewhoyouthinkyouare,Charlie.Parts
ofyouaremissing.Whydidyouwantmetocomeinside?Wereyougoingtokillme?”“No.”“I think youwere going to try and killme, just like you killed all those
otherpeople.Mostofthemwereyourstudents,weren’tthey?Theidiotsandairheads who didn’t appreciate what they were being taught? You invitedtheminand thenwhatdidyoudo?Didyouhunt them?Didyouhunt themthroughyourlittlehouseofhorrors?”AsmilebrokethroughCharlie’sconfusion.“Yes,”hesaid.“Youhuntedandkilledthem,didn’tyou,Charlie?”“Yes,”hesaid,eyesbrightening.“You’renotwhole.There’ssomethingmissing.Youcanfeelit,right?”Charlienodded.“I’mnotme,”hesaid.“I’mnotwhoI
am.”“There’s aman out there,Charlie.His name isCadaverous.He’s got all
your thoughts andmemories, and hemade you.Hemade this city, and allthese people. But he didn’t bother making you whole. He left bits out.Importantbits.Thebitsthatmakeyouwhoyouare.”“Thebitsthatmakemehappy.”“Yes.Yes, thosebits.He’sasloppycreator.He’swaitingforme,Charlie.
He tookmysisterandhewantsme togo tohim.Hewants tohurtme.Hewantstokillme.”
“Killyou.”“ButIthinkmysistergotawayfromhim.Ithinksheleftmesignstocome
here.Isshehere?Wherewouldshehide,ifshewerehere?”“Kill you,” Charlie muttered, and swung his walking stick at Valkyrie’s
head.Shedodgedback instinctively, andCharlie launchedhimself at her, teeth
bared.Shestumbled,wrestlingwithhim,thengotahandtohisthroat,pushedhimbackandkneedhimbetweenthelegs.Hejerked,andstiffened,andthencrumpled slowly, unable to even gasp. He sank to his knees and Valkyrieresistedtheurgetobreakhiswalkingstickoverhishead.“You’vegottohelpme.”Valkyrieturned.Ateenageboystoodinthedoorway.Hewasdressedinfrayedtrousersand
a threadbare shirt. His shoes were heavy. Looked uncomfortable. SherecognisedCadaverousinhisfeatures,butnothiseyes.Hehadsadeyes.“Youputupthosesigns?”sheasked.“I’m sorry,” he said.His accentwasAmericanwith a hint of something
else–Russian,maybe.“Ihadtotalktoyou,butIcannotleavethiscity.HewillfindmeifIdo.”“Whowillfindyou?Cadaverous?”Theboynodded.“HedoesnotknowI’mhere.Hethoughthe’ddestroyed
me,longtimeago.Healmostdid.I’mnothingtowhatIwasonce.”“Listen,I’msorry tobe theoneto tellyouthis,buthe’sseeingyouright
now,throughmyeyes.”“Yes.AndIfeelhisrage.Buthecannotfindme.Thiscity,forhim,it’stoo
confusing.”“Buthebuiltit.”“Hedid, tostore thoughts, toput themawayandnever think themagain.
This land he’smade, it’s him.Hismind. To create something so big… issomethinghehasnevertriedbefore.Hecontrolsmostofit,butthereareareaswherehefearstotread.”“IneedtofindAlice.”“She’swaitingforyou,inhishouse.Ontheisland,beyondyourtown.”“Mytown?”“He spent five years building this land, but he kept a space for you.He
builtitspecially.It’spoweredbyadistortedEchoStonethatwilldrawfromyourmemoriesandconstructyourtownwhenyougetclose.Hewantstohurtyou.HewantstokillyouforwhatyoudidtoJeremiah.”“I didn’t do anything to Jeremiah,” Valkyrie said. “He attacked me. He
fell.”
“You’reresponsible,”theboysaid.“I’m not arguing about this,OK?You gotme here, fine.How do I beat
him?”“Inhere,youcan’t.Youhavetogethimoutside.”“Canyouhelpmedothat?”“Ican’tdoanything.”“Thenwhatdoyouneed?HowcanIhelpyou,ifIcan’tbeatCadaverous?”“Youcan’twin,”hesaid.“Hehasyoursisterandhewillkillher.This is
goingtohappen.Whenhedoesthis,Ifear,you’llattackhim.Thenhe’llkillyou, too. And this place will go on, and I’ll stay here and hide here andnothingwilleverchange.Unless…”“Unlesswhat?”“Unlessyouacceptyoursister’sdeath.”“No.”“Youmust.Doitnow,sothat,whenithappens,youareready.Don’tplay
his game.When she is dead, run.Leadhimout of this place, andkill him.Whenhedies,destroythisland.”“I’mgettingoutofhere,withmysister.”“No,”theboysaidsadly,“you’renot.”Hefrowned.“You’dbettergo.The
cityisstartingtonoticeyou.”Hestoodaside.Valkyriehesitated,thenwentpasthim,emergingontothe
street.A car slowed, then stopped. The driver, Cadaverous, looked straight at
Valkyrie.Acrosstheroad,peoplestoppedwalking.Theylookedover.“You’dbetterrun,”saidtheboy.Valkyriewantedtogetbacktohercar,buttherewasacrowdcominground
thecorner so shedartedacross the road.Acarpulledup,narrowlymissingher.Cadaverousopenedthedoorandtriedtograbher.She ran. There were people chasing her. There were people in front,
running at her. Cadaverous lunged out of a doorway just ahead and shejumped,slammedakneeintohischest.Hewentdownandshestumbledoverhim,managedtostayonherfeet.Ranon.Therewasaparkonherleft,butthefencewastoohightoscale.Sherolled
acrossthebonnetofaparkedcar,avoidingthehandsthatreachedforher.Shelandedon theother side, punched someone.Someone elsegrabbedher andshe headbutted him, tore free, sprinted. The streets surged with people,everyone wearing Cadaverous’s face, like antibodies flushing out a virus.They were right behind her. She couldn’t turn back. The road ahead wasblocked.Crowdsfloodedinfromeitherside.Shestoppedrunning.Nowhere
torunto.Sheturned.Turnedagain.Theywereallaroundher.Theyclosedin,readytotearherapart.Aphonerang.The city stopped. It just … stopped. The people, all those snarling
Cadaverouses, stopped moving, stopped snarling. Not a sound but for theringingphone.Nodistantcarengines.Notonesingingbird.Nothing.Justthatringingphone.The telephoneboxstoodnext toastreetlamp.Likeeverythingelse in the
city,itlookedlikeitwasfromtheeighties.Herbreathingundercontrolafterallthatrunning,Valkyriewalkedtowardsitslowly.AllthoseCadaverouseyeswatchedher,butnotoneofthoseCadaverousfeetmoved.Shepulledthedoortooneside.Itopenedlikeanaccordion,foldinginon
itself.Shepluckedthereceiverfromthecradleandheldittoherear.“You’renotsupposedtobethere,”saidCadaverousGant.“Itookadetour,”shetoldhim.“Talkedtoaniceyounggentleman.”“Heshouldn’thavedonethat.NowIknowwhereheis.”“Heseems to thinkyou’reafraid tocomehere. Is that true?Whatwould
happenifyoudid?Wouldyougetlost?Wouldyoubeconsumedbyalltheseversionsofyourself?”“IshouldkilllittleAlicerightthissecond.”“Whatdoyoucallthisplace,anyway?”Valkyrieasked,hervoicedripping
withaconfidencethatsprangfromsomewheredesperate.“Cadaverousburg?Gantville?Yeah,itlookslikeaGantville.”“Didn’tyouhearwhatIsaid?”“You’renotgoingtokillher,”saidValkyrie.“Youdothatandthegame’s
over.I’vestillgotanhourtogettoyou.Thosearetherules.”“You’dbetterhurry.”“I’llgettoyouwhenIgettoyou,”shesaid,andhungup.
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After five minutes of trampling through the Carpathian Mountains asremembered by Cadaverous Gant, they came to three wooden shacks in aclearing.“Recognisethese?”Skulduggeryasked.Abyssinia shook her head. “I was never able to get this far into
Cadaverous’smind.Treadcarefully.”TherewasarustleofmovementandTemperturnedintimetoseeahatchet
swingforhishead.He jerked back and his attacker, a scrawny man in filthy clothes with
hatchets inbothhands, swungat himagain andkept swinging, hisbeardedfacecontortedinfury.OneofthehatchetsswishedbyTemper’sfaceandhesteppedin,hiskneebucklingtheguy’slegwhilehisfistcrackedagainsttheguy’sjaw.Hisattackerhittheground,oneofhishatchetsspinningoutofhisgrip.He
scrambledupandlaunchedhimselfbackintothefightandTempersenthimtothegroundagain,thistimewithanarmtwistedandTemper’skneeonhischest.“Thankyou,”TempersaidtoSkulduggeryandAbyssinia.“Thankyoufor
juststandingthere.”“Youhaditcovered,”Skulduggerysaid.Abyssiniawalkedover,lookeddownatthesquirmingwildman.“Andwho
mightyoube,myunshavenfriend?”He snarled at her in a languageTemperdidn’t know. It soundedvaguely
Russian.AbyssinialookedatSkulduggery.“You’rethegenius.What’shesaying?”Skulduggerytiltedhishead.“I’mexpectedtoknowallthelanguages?”“You’refourhundredandfiftyyearsold.Whatelsehaveyoubeendoing
withyourtime?”“Punchingpeople,mostly.”The wild man tried to break free, but Temper wrestled him down, then
glancedatAbyssinia.“Can’tyoureadhismindorsomething?”
“Oh,heisn’treal,”shesaid.“Heisnomoreself-awarethanthatrock,andeventhatrockisn’treal.EverythingyouseeherehasbeenconjuredinsomefashionbyCadaverous,andactsaccordingtotherulesofthisworld.”“Icanunderstandroughlyeverythirdwordthathe’ssaying,”Skulduggery
said.“Heisnotpleasedtoseeus,andhe’scallingussomeverybadnames.”Abyssiniaraisedaneyebrow.“Howdareyou.Iamroyalty.”“Nowhe’sthreateningus.Hedoesn’tseemparticularlyperturbedtobein
the presence of a talking skeleton, by the way, but I put that down to thelimitationsofhisprogrammingrather thana truereflectionofwhoeverhe’smeanttobe.”Therewasascreechbehindthem,andakidofaboutsixtorefromthetrees,
ahatchetinhishand.“I’mnothittingachild,”Tempersaidimmediately.“Well,I’mnotdoingit,”saidSkulduggery.“I’lldoit,”saidAbyssinia,andsteppedforwardtokicktheboyintheface.Heflippedoverbackwards,unconsciousbeforehe’devenlanded.“Jesus,”Tempermuttered,thewildmangoingnutsbeneathhim.“Idosolovekickingchildren,”Abyssiniasaid.Shelookedup.“Oh,come
on.He’snotevenreal.”“He’srealtothisguy,”Temperresponded,twistingthewildman’swristin
anefforttocontrolhim.“Askhimwhereoursonis,”Abyssiniasaid.“He’sclose.Icansensehim.”“Forthelasttime,”Skulduggerysaid,“stopcallinghimourson.”Abyssinia smiled.“Admit it,darling.You’recoming round to the ideaof
beingafatheragain,aren’tyou?”“Areyougoingtostop,oristhispartnershipover?”“I’llstop,”saidAbyssinia.“Fornow.”Skulduggeryspoketothewildman,andthewildmanrespondedwithhis
usualsnarls.“He claims not to know,” Skulduggery said, then asked the wild man
somethingelse,mentioningValkyrie’sname.Thewildmansnarledandspat.“Youaremostdisagreeable,”Skulduggerymurmured.Hebabbledfurther.“What’shesayingnow?”“I’mnotsure.”Skulduggerylistenedforanotherfewseconds.“Something
aboutanaxe.Amanwithan–no,anAxe-Man.”“IshetheAxe-Man?”Abyssiniaasked.“No.HesaystheAxe-Man’scoming.”
“Well, that’ll be nice,” Abyssinia said. “The Axe-Man sounds friendly.Maybehe’lltelluswheremysonis.”Ashapemoved,outbythetrees.Forafewseconds,therewasnothing,andTemperwasabouttolookaway
when aman appeared.Hewasmadeofmuscle, close to eight feet tall andcovered in bloodwith a sack tied over his face.Hedragged a gigantic axeafterhim,theblademakingfurrowsinthedirt.“Um,”saidTemper.Abyssinialookedround.“What?”“Icouldbewrong,”hesaid,“butIthinktheAxe-Man’shere.”
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The town ahead of themwavered, like itwas caught in a heat haze, but itsolidifiedastheygrewcloser.Bushes,trees,hedges,lowwallsandlampposts– landmarks that had evolved sinceValkyrie’s childhood, lining the road toHaggard.Theypassedthegraveyardandthewidegatesofthenursery,passedtheservicestationon their leftand thecottageson their right, thebusstop,and theChinese restaurant that everyone still regarded as the newChineseplaceeventhoughithadbeenthereforthelasttenyears.Therewerepeople,too,andcarsontheroad.“They’vestoppedlookinglikehim,”saidOmen.“Down,”shesaid,keepinghereyesawayfromtherear-viewmirror.“I’m just peeking,” Omen said. “Look at the people. They’re not like
Cadaverousanymore.”“No,”saidValkyrie.“They’retakenfrommymemories.”Shehadbecomeawareofapressure,somewhereinthebackofhermind,
like the tentativeproddingoffingers.Sheeasedherfootoff theaccelerator,letthecarslowrightdownasshefocused.“AreyouOK?”Omenasked.“Quiet.”“Sorry.”She’d had a few lessons on how to shield her thoughts from a psychic
assault, and she tookwhat she’d learned and built awall aroundhermind.The townspeople flickered inandoutofexistence.Shebuilt thewall taller,madeitthicker,andthestreetemptiedofbothpeopleandcars.Omenlookedaround.“Where’dtheygo?”ThecardriftedandthefrontwheelhitthekerbandValkyrieveeredoffand
braked.Thepeopleweresuddenlyback.“Thisissoweird,”Omenwhispered.Theystayedwheretheywere,pulledintothesideoftheroad.Carsbehind
her slowed, waited for the opposite lane to clear, and overtook. All verynormal.Valkyriefocused,buildingthewallupagain.
“Um,”Omen said, sitting forward and pointing. “Is that realAlice or anAlicefromyourmemories?”Valkyrie lookedupasAlice crossed the road in frontof them,got to the
pavementandranoff.Tearingoffherseatbelt,Valkyriethrewopenthedoor,forcingapassingcar
to swerve.The driver honked his horn, but she ignored him as she jumpedout.“Valkyrie,wait,”Omensaid.“Itmightnotreallybeher!”“Staythere!”Valkyrieshoutedback,andranafterhersister.Shepassedaneighbour,outwalkingherdog.Shepassedheroldfriend,J.
J.Pearl,whonoddedahelloshedidn’t return.Shegot to thecorner justasAlicedartedthroughthedoorintoHogan’sFlowers,andValkyrieslowed.The frontwindowwas filledwith flowers of extraordinary colour.Every
Valentine’s Day as a kid, she’d accompany her dad as hewent to buy hermumabouquet.She’dhelphimpickouttheperfectselection,andthenthey’dtellMrHoganandhe’dchuckleandstartpickingandpluckingandarranging.Everytime,everysingletime,he’dtakealollipopfromthejarbesidethetillandhold itout toher, and she’dwalkup shylyand take it fromhim.Thenhe’dchuckleagainandgobacktowork.But therewas something aboutMrHogan that had always unnervedher.
The look inhis eyes,maybe, or the fact thatwhenheheldout the lollipophe’dnever step forward.Shealwayshad togo tohim.Then therewas thatafternoon she’d been playing hide-and-seek with her friends up and downMainStreet.She’dducked into the flower shop tohide andMrHoganhadflownintoarage,hadgrabbedherbythearmandyankedherintothecorner.His fingers, like steel, roundher arm,his face, contorted in anger, heronlywayoutblockedbyhisbulk…She’dhada recurringnightmareabout thatmoment.She’dforgottenthat.Valkyriesteppedintotheflowershop.“Alice?”shecalled.“Alice,comeout.”Theinsideoftheshopwasdark.Flowerslinedthewallsandspilledfrom
the shelves.Hanging baskets swayed slightly on thin chains. Therewas anopeningtoacellarinthemiddleofthefloorthatshedidn’trememberbeingthereintherealshop.Greasyyellowlightbledoutfromthegloom.MrHoganshuffledoutofthedarkness,apottedplantinhishands.Hesaw
herandchuckled.“Lookwhoitis,”hesaid.“LittleStephanieEdgley.Haven’tseenyouaroundinages.”Hermouthwas dry. “I’m looking formy sister,” she said. “She came in
here.”
“Did she now?” Mr Hogan said. “Well then, she must be somewhere,mustn’tshe?Feelfreetotakealook.”Valkyrietriedtobuildawallagain,triedtomakehimvanish,butthebricks
werecrumblingevenbeforetheycouldset.She walked forward on stiff legs, quickly checking behind shelves and
peering into alcoves. She turned and cried out as she jumped back – MrHoganwasstandingthere,ayellowlollipopinhishand.“Wantasweetie?”heasked.That’swhatheused tosaywhenshewasakid.Only,no, itwasn’tquite
right.Therewassomethingelse,somethingheusedtocallher…“Wantasweetie,sweetie?”heasked.Valkyrieshookherhead.“Ijustwantmysister.”Hechuckled.“She’sprobablydownstairs,then.”Hesteppedback,allowing
heraclearpathtothestepsleadingdowntothecellar.Shewasshaking.Shewasshakingandherkneeswereweakening.“Isshe
downthere?”“That’swheretheyallgo,”saidMrHogan,shufflingaway.Thiswasallwrong.She’dneverbeenthisscaredofMrHoganbefore.He
was a creepy old man who turned nasty when there weren’t any adultsaround,but this fearwas coming fromsomewhere else.Thiswas akindoffear she’d only become familiarwith recently, in the last few years. It hadsidled up to her, lain at her feet like a dog, had started to accompany herwherevershewent.Itwasthekindoffearthatweakenedher.Thatparalysed.Thestepsdown to thecellarwereoldandwooden.Thesmellof flowers
waspungent in thehumidair, like theywereripe, like theywerestarting torot.Valkyriesteppedontothedarkfloor,intothemulchofpetalsandleavesandstalksthatcovereditlikeacarpet.Cratesandwoodenboxeswerestackedawayfromthesinglebulbthatdidn’ttryveryhardtopiercethegloom.Someofthoseboxeslookedlikechildren’scoffins.“Alice?”Valkyriecalled.Hervoicewasquiet.Itsoundedscared.Shewalkedfurtherawayfromthelightbulb.Furtherawayfromthestairs.
Thedarknessbeckonedher.Shestopped.Steppingintodarknesswasbeyondstupid,sosheallowedher
voice togoonahead.“Alice,”shesaidagain, louder this time.“Alice?Areyouhere?”Nothing.Ithadn’tbeenher.Alicewouldhaveanswered.Alicewouldhave
comerunning.Valkyriewascertain.Sheturned,headedbacktothestairs.Andyet…MaybeAlicewasfrightened.Maybeshewastoofrightenedtoemergefrom
hiding.Maybeshewascrouchedsomewhere,tearsinhereyes,waitingforher
bigsistertocomeandfindher,countingonherbigsisternottobescaredofthedark.Goddammit.Valkyriewenttothestairsandlookedup.“MrHogan,”shecalled,“doyou
haveatorchIcouldborrow?”Nosoundfromupthere.Nomovement.“Right,” she said, still speaking loudly as she turned and strode into the
gloom.“Alice,I’llberightthere.Holdupyourhandwhenyouseeme.Calloutforme.Canyoudothat?Ofcourseyoucan.You’reabravelittlething,aren’tyou?”Into the gloom, into the darkness, checking the corners, moving aside
crates,thecloyingsmellofflowersmakingherfeelsickwitheverymomentshespentdownhere.Stillshemoved,stillshemarched,makinglotsofnoise,talkingallthetime,pretendingtobebrave,pretendingtobeheroldself.The groundwas getting softer.With every step,Valkyrie had to pull her
footoutofthesicklysweet-smellingmuckthatsuckedatherboots–andthenthegroundgavewayandherlowerlegplungeddownintoit.Whensheputherweightonherotherlegtotryandfreeherself,thatfootbegantosink.Sheimmediatelystoppedwhatshewasdoing,butitwastoolate.Shelookedaroundforsomethingtograb.Therewasatablebesideher.She
reachedforit,butitwastoofaraway.Shecoiled,thensprang,butthegroundhadherandwasn’tlettinggo.Shesplasheddown,triedtopushherselfupandnowshe’dlostherleftarmuptotheshoulder.Panicsquirmeddeepinherbelly.Themulchwaslikequicksand.Shehadnobaseunderher,nosolidground
from which to stabilise. She craned her neck, keeping her chin above themuckasherbodysanklikealeadweight.“Help,” she said. Then again, louder. “Help.” She wasn’t even able to
scream.Screamingrequiredmovementandshecouldn’taffordtomove.Mucktippedoffherchin.Itwascold.“Someone,”shesaid.“Helpme.”Shetriedtotwist,triedtolunge,andthatwasamistake.Withalast,desperatebreath,shewentunder.
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“Idon’tgetit,”Tempersaid,hisbackbracedagainstthedooroftheshackastheAxe-Man’sfistspoundedonitfromtheoutside.“Whydoesn’thejustusehisridiculouslylargeaxetobreakthrough?”The shackwas small.Rusticwouldhavebeengenerous.Therewere two
beds–oneof them tiny– in thecorners.A rockingchair, covered inpelts,stoodnexttothefireplace.Abyssinia,sittingatthesmalltableinthemiddleoftheshack,crossedher
legs.“Maybehe’sstupid,”shesaid.“Skulduggery,perhapsyou’llbeabletousehisstupidityagainsthim.Itmightbemoreeffectivethanyourbullets.”Skulduggery, who had already used the Axe-Man as target practice,
reloadedhisgun thoughtfully.“Ifyou think that’sapracticaloption,please,tosshimabookofSudokuandwe’llsneakawaywhilehepuzzlesoverit.”“I don’t knowwhat Sudoku is,” Abyssinia responded, looking up at the
ceiling and sounding bored. “I’ve been a heart in a box for two hundredyears.”“Asyounevertireofremindingus.”“AreyouimplyingthatItalktoomuchofthetimeyoutriedyourverybest
tokillme?”“I’ve tried to kill lots of people,” Skulduggery replied. “You don’t hear
themcomplainingaboutit.”“Excuse me,” Temper said, “could you two possibly stop bickering and
comeupwithawaytogetoutofwhateverthehellisgoingonhere?Also,thekid’sawake.”Theylookedoverattheboy,lyingonhisbedinthecorner,armsandlegs
bound.“Trynottokickhiminthefaceagain,”Skulduggerysaid.“He’stiedup,”Abyssiniareplied.“There’snosportinit.Askhimwhohe
is.”“Ialreadyknowwhoheis.ThisisCadaverousGantyou’relookingat.”Abyssinia raised her eyebrows with renewed interest. “It is? My, my.
Runningaroundwithahatchet,strangeAxe-Mencomingtokillhim…No
wonderhegrewuptobeaserialkiller.”“So this is a memory?” Temper asked. “An eight-foot-tall lunatic who
doesn’tmindgettingshotreallydidattackhishousewithanaxe?”SkulduggerypeeredoutofthewindowastheAxe-Mancontinuedtopound
thedoor.“Wedon’tknowthat,”hesaid.“Forallintentsandpurposes,we’reinside Cadaverous’s mind right now, so we shouldn’t be too surprised ifthingsgetalittlemuddled.Temper,youshouldprobablymoveawayfromthedoor.”Temper nodded and straightened up, just as the axe blade came through
rightwherehisheadhadbeen.“He’susinghisaxenow,”Skulduggeryexplainedhelpfully.
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Dark.Wet.Cold.Valkyrietriedbringingherhandstoherface,butthemuckwastoothick.
Shewasstillsinking.Shecouldfeelit.Triedtoturn.Couldn’t.Theearthwasin her nose and ears and mouth. Her lungs begged to inhale something.Anything. Even muck. They didn’t care. She could feel her body start torespond. Against every command she was issuing, her body was going tobreatheinthefilthandthenshewasgoingtodie.Shetriedtokickherselftothesurface,eventhoughthiswasn’twater,even
thoughshecouldn’tmoveherlegs.Apartfromherfoot.Herrightfoot.Itwasmoving.Shecouldmoveit.Andnowherleft.Onemomentitwasjustthefoot.Thenitwastheankle.Shekeptsinking.Themoreshesank,themoreshecouldmove.Herrightknee.Shecouldbendherrightknee.With her lungs burning,Valkyrie kicked out, felt herself sink faster. She
wasemerging fromtheotherside,whatever itwas,wherever itwas, soshesquirmed,andherhipswerefreenow,andshesquirmedmore,andmore–– and she fell, dropping, gasping, and she splashed into mud, mud that
grabbedather,pulledather,andshewipedhereyesclear,sawthatshewasstill in the cellar, and before themuck claimed her she looked up, saw themuckontheceiling,andthenshewassubmergedonceagain.This time she didn’t try to raise herself up. This time she focused on
burrowingherselfdown,andafteramomentherfootbrokefreeofthemud,justlikelasttime.Shewasgoingtosinkandfallandsinkandfall,anditwasgoingtogoon
untilshedrowned.Her hips were free, and she could picture her legs dangling from the
ceiling.Shekickedthemupbehindher,plungingthemintothemudevenashertorsokeptsinking.
Therewasamomentwhenshethoughtshe’dmessedup,amomentwhenshehungthere,onthevergeofdroppingbutnotbeingableto,andthenshewasoutandfallingonceagain.Thistimeshecoveredherfacewithherhands,twistedherbodyandsuckedinadeep,deepbreath.Shehitthemudwithherelbowsfirst,herheadwentinshouldersdeep,her
bodysplashingdownbehind.Squirmingtogofaster,shekeptherfeetoutofthemudforaslongasshecould.Shesankheadfirst.Whenshecouldn’tmoveherfeetanymore,sheknew
shewasclosetobeingthrough.Secondspassed.Long,longseconds,andalotofthem.Again,shebecameafraidthatshe’dmiscalculated.And then she emerged. She gasped, took her hands away from her face,
clearedhereyes,blinkingrapidly.Thecellarlookeddifferentfromuphere.The tablebeside themuck. Ifshecouldgrab it,shemightbeable topull
herselfoutofthiscrazycycle.Whenherwaistwasfree,shestartedswaying,andby the timeher thighswereemergingshewas swayingbackand forth,tryingtotimeitright.Suddenlyshewasfalling.She reached out, stretchedwith both arms.Her hand slapped against the
tableandthenshewasinthedirtagain–withonehandclosingroundatableleg. She went to pull herself out, but only succeeded in yanking the tablecloser.Shestartedsinkingagain.Shepulledthetableround,graspingthesecondlegwithherfreehand,and
tuggedthembothintothemuck.Withherfullweightpressingdown,thisendofthetablesankquickly.Onceshe’dmadearamp,Valkyriestarteddraggingherselfup.She clamberedon to the table,welcoming thepainful knocks, and rolled
across,landingonthefloor.Despiteherexhaustion,shedidn’tstaydownincasethemulchherestartedpullingonher,too.Sheheavedherselftoherfeetandstumbledtothestairs.Shealmostcriedwhenherfootfoundthefirststep.Howfirmitwas.Howsolid.Shestartedup,andashadowfellacrossher.“Wantasweetie,sweetie?”MrHoganasked.His bulk blocked out the light, transforming him into a shape of pure
darkness.Thenhegrunted,andfellforward,andValkyriedodgedbackashecrashed
downthesteps.Omenpeereddown.“Whathappenedtoyou?”
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The Axe-Man was shredding the door to splinters. Temper was not happyaboutthisturnofevents–nothappyatall.EvenAbyssiniawasonherfeet,thoughstilllookingbored.“Whydon’tyoudosomething?”Temperaskedher.Hehadtospeakloudly
tobeheardovertheracket.“You’reallsuperpowerfulandstuff,right?”“I am super powerful, this is true,” she responded, “but we’re in
Cadaverous’sworldnow,andhereI’mprobablyjustascompletelyweakanduselessasyouare.”“Right,”saidTemper.“Thanks.”Skulduggerywalkedovertothewildmanandstarteduntyinghim.“Whatareyoudoing?”Temperasked.“Theenemyofmyenemyismyfriend,”Skulduggerysaid.“Notallthetime,”Abyssiniacountered.“Well,no,notallthetime,butdefinitelysomeofthetime.”Abyssiniamadea face.“That’sdebatable.A lotof the time they take the
opportunitytotrytokillyou,too.”“Thisisalsotrue,”Skulduggerysaid.Hepulledawaythelastoftherope.
“Buthopefullynotinthiscase.Temper,handhimhishatchets.”Temperstared.“Thehatchetshetriedtokillmewith?”“Unlessthereareothersyoucansee.”“Hetriedtokillmewiththem,Skulduggery.”“ButIdoubthe’lltryitagainwhenthere’sablood-drenchedmanwithan
axetryingtogetinandhe’sgothissontoprotect.”Temper grabbed the hatchets, hesitated, and tossed them over. The wild
mancaughtthem,butdidn’tattackanyofthem.Yet.Skulduggeryuntiedthekid,wholeapedupandbackedintothecorner.Thedoor,orwhat little therewas leftof it,brokeapartand theAxe-Man
camethrough,heftinghisgiantaxeinhisgianthands.SkulduggeryglancedatAbyssinia.“Doyouwanttotryfirst?”Sheseemedtoconsiderit,thenshookherhead.“Notespecially.Ivotewe
allattacktogether.Unusproomnibus,omnesprouno.”
Temperfrowned.“Saywhat?”“Oneforallandallforone,”Skulduggerytranslated.“Ah,”Tempersaid,“TheThreeMusketeers.”“Idon’tknowwhatthatis,”saidAbyssinia.Thewildmangaveawarcryandranforward,hatchetsattheready,butthe
Axe-Mancuthimintwowithonemightyswing.Asbothhalvesofhisbodyhitthefloor,Abyssinialetoutasigh.“DoesnoonespeakLatinanymore?”Temper scooped up one of the fallen hatchets as the Axe-Man stepped
furtherintotheshack.LittleCadaverouswhimperedinthecorner.Skulduggery adjusted his cuffs, and took a single step towards theAxe-
Man.HesaidsomethingTemperdidn’tunderstand.Hewavedhishands.Thetone of his voice indicated that he was making a joke. The Axe-Man,however,appearedimmunetoSkulduggery’scharms,andSkulduggeryhadtododgebacktoavoidthebladethatcutdeepintothefloorboards.“Gethim!”Tempershouted,leapingforward.“Whilehisaxeis—”TheAxe-Manpulledhisaxeouteasily.“Nevermind,”Tempersaid,leapingawayagain.TheAxe-Manturnedhissack-coveredheadinhisdirection.“That,”Tempersaidtohim,“isareallynicesack.Skulduggery?”“Lovelysack.”“Abyssinia?”“It’sasack,”shesaid.“I’mnotgoingtosayit’sanythingspecialwhenit’s
justasack.”TheAxe-Manturnedtoher.Shefoldedherarms.“Don’tactoffended.Youwearabagonyourhead.”The Axe-Man swung, impossibly fast, and Abyssinia barely ducked in
time.SkulduggerysnappedhispalmagainsttheairandtheairrippledandtheAxe-Man stumbledbackwards.But thenhe charged,knockingSkulduggeryoffhisfeet.Abyssiniacrashedintohim,triedtosuckouthislifeforce,buttheAxe-Man’smassivearmsweptherintothewalllikeatidalwave.Shefelltoherknees,gasping.Temperturned,grabbedthelittleboy,andranforthedoor.TheAxe-ManimmediatelylostinterestinSkulduggeryandAbyssinia,and
startedthunderingafterthem.Temperranroundthecorneroftheshack,plungingintothetreesbeforethe
Axe-Mancaughtsightofhimagain.Thekidclungtohim,terrified.Tempermovedquickly,stayinglowandkeepingtothetreeline.Hewaited
for the sounds of the Axe-Man crashing through branches before he crept
backoutofthetreesandracedovertothesecondshack.Thedoorwasopenandheranthrough,puttheboydown,puthisfingertohislips.Thekid,CadaverousGantasachild,nodded.Hehadbigeyes.Theywere in a small barn. Therewas a table ladenwith rough farming
toolsandafewclothsacks in thecorner.Thereweremore tools leaningupagainstthewall,butnowheretohideiftheAxe-Mancamelooking.Temperturned back to the door to peek out, saw theAxe-Man coming straight forthem.Cursing,he jumpedback, reached for thekidandcouldn’t findhim.The
littlecreepwasdigginghiswayunderagapinthefarwall.TheAxe-Manhadtoturnsidewaystofitthroughthedoor.Temperbackedoff,buttheAxe-Manwentstraightfortheboy.Grabbinga
pitchfork,Temper ranupbehindhimandsank theprongs intohisback.Hegotanelbowinthefaceforhistroubleandthatknockedhimtotheground,toostunnedtodoanythingbutregistertheAxe-Manturninginhisdirection.Atthelastmoment,henoticedtheaxerising,andhisbrainkickedintogearandhe rolledunder the table.Theaxecame straight through, sent the farmtoolsclattering,butTemperhadalreadygottohisfeetontheotherside.TheAxe-Manpulledthepitchforkfromhisbackandflippeditinhisfree
hand.HekickedtheremainsofthetabletoonesideandTemperbackedoff,hisavenuesofescapecutoff.TheAxe-Man thrust thepitchforkathimandTemperskippedsideways,almostfastenoughtododgeit.Almost.Two prongs sliced into him and he gasped as the Axe-Man forced him
backwards. He hit the wall and stayed there, eyes wide, the pain justbeginningtoblossom.TheAxe-Manletgoofthepitchforkandstrodeacrosstheshack,grabbingthekidbytheanklesandhaulinghimback.Thelittleboyscreamedandstruggled.Temperwenttohelp,butthepitchforkwaspinninghimtothewall.The Axe-Man lifted the sack on his head, exposing a huge, misshapen
mouththatseemedtogrowasitwidened––andhedroppedthekidintoit.Temper stared. The Axe-Man let the sack cover his head again, and
adjusted the rope that secured it. Then he paused, and looked at the wall.Cockedhishead.Hestrodeoutoftheshack.Temper pulled the pitchfork from his side, cursing in pain as he did so.
With his hands over thewounds, he stumbled to the hole the kid had beentryingtoescapethroughanddroppeddown.HecouldseeacrosstheclearingtowhereAbyssiniawas approaching the third shack.TheAxe-Man’s boots
passedinfrontoftheholeandTemperjerkedback,stiflingamoan.HegotupasSkulduggeryappearedatthedoor.“You’rehurt,”Skulduggerysaid.“Hestuckaforkinme.I’mdone.”Temperlaughedwithouthumour.“He’s
goingafterAbyssinia.”“Where’sthechild?”“Heswallowedhim.”“Heatehim?”Tempershrugged.Eventhatwaspainful.“Ididn’tseeanychewing.Ijust
sawswallowing.”Fromoutside, the soundofa fight,butSkulduggerywasn’tmoving from
thedoorway.“Are we going to help?” Temper asked. He had a packet of leaves
somewhereonhim.Heknewhedid.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutthat,”Skulduggerysaid.Bloodwas soaking throughTemper’s clothes as he searched his pockets.
“Youwantthebigguytokillher.”“Idoubthe’dbeabletokillher,”Skulduggerysaid,“buthemightbeable
toinjureherenoughsothatIcancutoutherheartagain.”Temper found the leaves, stuffed them in his mouth. The pain lessened.
“Man,”hesaid,“thatiscold.”“Youobject?”“Me?Naw.Butthatdoesn’twarmitupany.”“Isupposenot.”Therewerecrashesnow.Thesoundofwoodsplintering.“Andwhat dowe do if he does beat her?”Temper asked. The painwas
nothingmorethananirritationnow.“Howdowestophim?”“Wedon’thavetostophim,”Skulduggerysaid.“Weavoidhim.Wewalk
away. He hasn’t actually killed anyone – not anyone real anyway. If hedoesn’tposeathreattoinnocentlife,whywoulditbeourproblem?”“Iguessso.Course,nowIfeelstupidforriskingmylifetosaveakidthat
doesn’texist.”“Heexistedonce.”“Not like this, though. I mean, this can’t be a memory if Cadaverous’s
younger self gets swallowed whole by the big guy. Unless he manages totunneloutsomehow.Whichisjustweird.”“Thisisn’tpurememory,”Skulduggerysaid.“Ithinkit’sareinterpretation
ofthedayhisfatherwaskilled.”“Sowho’stheAxe-Man?”
“RightnowI’mthinkingitmightbethephysicalmanifestationofhisownviolenturges.”“Man, I hate those,” said Temper, and then Abyssinia came crashing
throughthewallinanexplosionofwoodandsplinters.
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ValkyrieusedOmen’sjackettowipethemudfromherfaceandarmsasshedrove. She handed his jacket back to him and he thanked herunenthusiastically.HerT-shirtwassoaking,andclungtoher,andthejodhpurswerestainedblack.Sheturnedontotheroadthatsweptbythepieranduptoher family’shouse–but slowedas shecame to the turn.Thepierwasn’t apier. InCadaverous’sworld, itwasawoodenbridge that crossed thewater,linkingupwiththeislandinthedistance.Shemanoeuvredthecarontothebridge–itwasnarrow,withnorailings–
and drove slowly, the dark water lapping on either side. She glanced upthrough the windscreen. The sun hadn’t moved its position, but, when theclockhandtickedover to11.15, thesun immediatelydarkenedtoaburningamber that infected the sky, and a multitude of blazing reds and orangeswashedoverandbanishedtheblue.“Cool,”Omenwhispered.Forty-fiveminutesleft.Forty-fiveminutestosavehersister.
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Abyssiniadustedherselfoffand,withoutlookingateitherofthem,said,“Oneforallandallforone,huh?”“Wewerejustabouttogoandhelp,”Skulduggerysaid.ShelookedatTemper.“Andyou?”Heshowedheralltheblood.“I’minjured.Ineedmedicalattention.”“I’mdisappointedinyouboth.Ithoughtwewereateam.”“Weweremakingplans,”saidTemper.“Discussingtheories.Skulduggery
thinkstheAxe-Manisametaphor.”“SoIwasthrownthroughawallbyametaphor?”Abyssiniaasked.“Well,
that’snice.”“Speaking of whom,” Skulduggery murmured, and walked to the hole
Abyssiniahadmade.Temperjoinedhim,andtheypeeredout.Theskyhadbecomeapaintingof
bleeding red and burning orange. The sun was darker, too, but still in thesameposition.TheywatchedtheAxe-Manwalkbacktothecabin.Hestartedswingingtheaxeintothefrontdooragain.“Thedoor’sbeenfixed,”Tempersaid.“Howdidthedoorgetfixed?”“Idoubtthat’stheonlythingthat’sbeenreset,”Skulduggerysaid.“Youthinkthegentlemanwiththehatchetsandthechildareinthere,don’t
you?”Abyssiniaasked.“Ithinkthey’reonaloop,yes,”Skulduggerysaid.“Good,”saidAbyssinia.“Nowthathe’sdistracted,Icantakealookinside
thatrevoltinglittleshed.”Shewalkedout.SkulduggeryandTemperfollowed.Theycrossedtheclearingtothesmallestshack.Abyssinialedthewayin.
Temperwent last, and immediatelygaggedat the smellof rottingmeat andcongealingblood.Theshackwassplitintotworooms.Inthefirstone,animalcarcasseshung
fromchainsandblackcloudsoffliesrosefrommoundsoffursandpelts.Alargetable,stainedwithbloodandscarredwithnotches,tookupmostofthespace.Despitethehistoryofdeathcarvedintoit,thetablewasneat.Orderly.
Notsothesmallertable,forthesmallerhunter,thatsatinthecorner.Thistable was littered with the butchered remains of animals. There was noevidenceofthepractical,pragmaticskinningandpreparingofprey.Herewasevidenceofapsychopath’sdelight.Abyssiniaignoredallthis.Shewentstraighttotheotherroomlikeshewas
pulledthere.“Caisson!”shecried.TemperandSkulduggeryglancedateachother,andfollowedherin.
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The bridge narrowed even further, and Valkyrie had visions of the tyresslippingoffthesideandthecarplungingintothesea.Shetookadeepbreathandcontinuedon.The island was a flat, grassy pebble. There were no trees, no other
vegetation.Shestoppedthecar.Thetwo-storeyhouseattheisland’sexactcentrewas
tallanddarkandpointed.Theporchwaswide,supportedbysquarecolumns.Therewasarockingchairbesidethedoor,whichstoodopen.“IsupposeIshouldstayhere,”saidOmenfromthebackseat.“No,”Valkyriesaid.“Imightneedyourhelp.”“Really?”She turned tohim.“Omen, ifwe findAliceandyouget thechance,you
grabherandgetthehellout,OK?Youforgetaboutmeandyourun.Doyouunderstand?”Omenhesitated,thennodded.Theygotoutofthecar.Valkyrierakedherfingersthroughherhair,coming
outwithfistfulsofdryingmudthatsheflungatthegroundastheyenteredthehouse.Most of the doorways on the ground floorwere arched, and lacking any
actualdoors.Valkyriecouldseestraightthroughtothecorridorsthatstretchedto the rearof thedeceptively largebuilding.Corridors linedwith toomanycloseddoorsforallofthemtoactuallyleadanywhere.A wide staircase rose lazily along the wall to her left, its bottom step
beginning just beyond the doorway to the living room – a wood-panelledroomwithalargefireplaceandasinglearmchair.Totheirright,throughacorridor,thekitchen.“Alice?”shecalled.“Alice,whereareyou?”Foramoment,therewasnothing,andthen—“Stephanie?”“Alice!”Valkyrieshouted,stridingforthestairs.“Stephanie!I’mhere!”
Valkyrietookthestairstwoatatime,Omenrightbehindher.“Whereareyou?Describewhereyouare!”“I’m in a room!”Alice shoutedback from far away. “It has a bed and a
chairandabedsidetablewithalamp!”Valkyriegottothelanding.“Isthereawindow?”“No!Butthere’sadoor!”“Bangonthedoor,Alice!Letmehearyou!”Somewhereinthehouse,sheheardlittlefistsbeatinguponadoor.“Keepdoingthat!”sheshouted,movingagain.“I’llfindyou!”Theyfollowedthesounddownacorridor,pickingupspeed,runningnow,
feetonfloorboardsthatcreakedsharplywitheachstep,nowontoathinrug,thenback to floorboards, thenback toa rug thatgavewaybeneathherandValkyriedropped,hermomentumslammingher intothesideof thepit.Shehungthere,fingersdigginginforpurchase,legsdanglingasthepitswallowedtherestoftherug.Sheglanceddown,sawanotherholebeneathher,revealingadroprightintothebasement.Omenreacheddown,grabbedher,andpulledherup.“Traps,”hesaid.Shenodded.“Thishousewillbefullofthem.”Theymovedon,morecautiouslythistime,andfollowedAlice’svoicetoa
door.Valkyrietriedthehandle.Itwaslocked.“Alice,I’mhere.”“Stephanie!Letmeout!!”“Standbackfromthedoor,OK?Standagainstthewall.”Valkyriesteppedback.“OK!”Alicecalled.“I’magainstthewall!”Valkyriekickedand,althoughthedoorshuddered, it feltassturdyashell
underherboot.Shekickedagain,andagain,andthenrammedhershoulderintoit.Thathurt.“Holdon,Alice,”shesaid,andturnedtoOmen.“Findsomethingto—”AdooropenedbehindOmen,andValkyriegrabbedhim,pulledhimbehind
herasCadaverousGantsteppedout.TherealCadaverousGant.“You made it,” Cadaverous said. “And it’s not even midnight. But you
seem to have broken the rules. Omen Darkly, aren’t you supposed to bedead?”“LetAlicego,”saidValkyrie.“Whateverplansyouhaveforme,letAlice
go.Shecan’thurtyou.”Cadaveroussmiled.“Neithercanyou,Valkyrie.Not inhere. Inhere,you
areasineffectualasafive-year-old.”“I’mseven,”Alicesaidfrombehindthedoor.
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“Caisson,”Abyssiniawhispered,kneelingbyherson.“Whathavetheydonetoyou?”Caissonwasunconsciouson the floor,next to the rearwallof the shack,
andwasinnoconditiontoanswer.Hissilverhairwaslongandmatted.Hisfacewasdrawn,hisskinanunhealthypallor.Heworeanoldhospitalgown,andhiswristswereshackled.TemperandSkulduggerywatchedAbyssiniacheckhersonforanyobvious
injuries.“Hedoesn’tlookawholelotlikeme,”Skulduggerysaid.“Iwouldn’t take itpersonally,”Abyssinia responded.“Myfamily’sgenes
havealwaysbeendominant.Ihopeyougettomeethimproperlyoneday–assumingyousurviveyourencounterwithCadaverous.”“You’releaving,Itakeit.”AbyssiniascoopedCaissonintoherarms,andstood.“Aspreciousas this
little team of ours is, yes, I am. I feel our special bond ended when youdecided to let that monster with the axe try to kill me. I hope you findValkyrie.I’dhateforhertomissthatparticularsensationofyoubetrayingherthewayyoubetrayedme.”“IthoughtyoucameheretorescueCaissonandkillCadaverous.”“Oh, I did, but if you love someone youmust prioritise, and our son is
muchmoreimportanttomethanthechancetoexactsomechildishrevenge.”SkulduggeryturnedtoTemper.“Gowithher,”hesaid.Temperfrowned.“What?Why?”“You’rehurt.”“Ifeelfine.”“You’rehurt,andyou’relosingtoomuchblood.IcanfindValkyrieonmy
own.”“Seriously,man,Icandothis,andyouneedtheback-up.I’vegotplentyof
leavestokeepmegoing.”“Yourpacketisempty.”“No,it’snot,”Tempersaid,takingitfromhispocket.“See?”
SkulduggerypluckeditfromhishandandclickedhisfingersandTemperwatchedtheleavesflareandburn.“Icannotbelieveyoudidthat,”hesaidsoftly.“There’smore leaves in theBentley,”Skulduggery said,handinghim the
keysbeforewalkingtothedoor.“Betterhurryoryouwon’tmakeit.”Temper watched Skulduggery leave the shack and rise off his feet,
disappearingfromsight.Abyssinia carriedCaisson to the door and, too late,Temper saw a string
that ran fromCaisson’s shackles to thewall. Itwent taut, andhe started toshoutawarningwhenthestringbroke,andatinybellsounded.That’sall.Notrapwassprung.Nopitopenedbeneaththem.Abyssiniakeptonwalking,andTemperfrownedandfollowed.
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Cadaverous halted, his head turning slightly, like he was listening tosomethinginthedistance.“Huh,”hemuttered, “she’s early.”He smiledatValkyrie. “I’mafraid I’ll
have todividemyattention.But youwill stayhere,won’t you?Youwon’tfind someway to escape? If you do, I promise I’ll tear your little friend’sarmsoff.”Movingimpossiblyfast,hegrabbedOmenandshovedValkyrie.Shespun
backwards,rightingherselfjustintimetoseehimdraggingOmenthroughadoorthatslammedshutafterthem.
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Omenwentstumblingforward,fallingtohiskneesonthedirtasCadaverousstrodebyhim.Hewasoutside, inaclearingwithafewricketyoldwoodenshacks. He was in the mountains. He looked around. Definitely in themountains.Someonemovedinthedoorwayofthenearest–andsmallest–shack,and
Abyssiniasteppedoutintothesunlight.Shecarriedanunconsciousmanwithhairassilverasherown.Caisson.“YouplayedmygamebetterthanIanticipated,”Cadaveroussaid,smiling.“Ah,”saidAbyssinia,“Iwaswonderingwhenyou’dappear.Thankyoufor
keepingmysonsafeforme.”“Itwasentirelymypleasure,”Cadaveroussaid.“Wasita joyfulreunion?
Weretheretears?”“Iwaspracticallyovercomewithemotion.”TemperFrayemergedfromtheshackbehindher.Hiseyesnarrowedwhen
hesawCadaverous,thenwidenedwhenhesawOmen.“You’realive,”hesaid.Omendidn’tknowhowtorespondtothat,sohenoddedandsaid,“Yes,I
am.”Abyssiniaturned,andpassedCaissontoTemper.Hegruntedashetookthe
weight.“Takemysonoutofhere,”shesaid.“Ifyouharmhim,orleavehimbehind,Iwillcrushyou.Doyouunderstand?”Temper didn’t appear to have anything much to say to that, so he just
noddedandsaid,“Yup.”CadaverousandAbyssiniametinthemiddleoftheclearing.“Isthismypunishment?”sheasked.“Forneglectingyou?”“You didn’t neglect us,” Cadaverous replied. “You abandoned us. You
promised us glory, power, redemption … but the moment we helped youcomebackyouforgotitall.Youbetrayedus.”TempermotionedquicklytoOmen,andOmengotup
andscurriedovertohim,givingawideberthtothetwoevilnutballs.“Youkeepsayingus,”Abyssiniasaid,“yetallIseeisyou.”
Cadaveroussmiledagain.“I’mtheonlyonewhoisn’tscared.”“Inhere,youmean.Outthere,youwouldneverdaresaythesethings.”“But we’re not out there, are we? Out there, you would rip me apart
withoutathought.ButIbroughtyouhere,straighttomyhome,whereIholdthepower.Igaveyoumorecredit,Abyssinia.I’mdisappointedinyou.”“Idosohatetodisappointmychildren.”Cadaverouslaughed,andattackedher.OmenreachedTemper.“Howdidyougethere?”hewhispered.“I camewith Skulduggery. He flew off to find Val. Here, helpme with
this.”Omen did his best to take Caisson’s weight while Temper repositioned
himself. When he straightened up, Temper was carrying Caisson in afireman’slift.“We’regettingouttahere,”hesaid.OmentookhiseyesoffCadaverous,whowasthrowingAbyssiniaaround
like she was a broken doll, and noticed Temper’s bloody shirt. “You’reinjured.Oh,God, you’re injured.Do you have your phone?We could callNever.”“Myphone doesn’twork in here, slick.We’re gonna have to do this the
old-fashionedway.”“You’re…bleedingreallybadly.”Tempergrimaced.“ThenIguesswe’dbetterhurry.”
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Valkyriefoundapokerdownstairs,andusedittotrytoforcethedooropen.Thewoodsplinteredbutdidn’tgive.“Alice,”shesaid.“Hey,sweetie.What’stheroomlike?”“Um,” Alice replied. “It’s square. The walls and the floor are made of
wood.”“Isthereanyfurniture?”“No.Canyougetmeoutofhere?”“Iwill,Alice,Iwill.Ipromise.Howyoudoing?Areyouworried?”“No,I’mOK.”Valkyriesmiled.“Goodgirl.That’swhatIliketohear.I’llhaveyououtas
soonasI…”Sheturnedherhead,frowning.Thenshehearditagain,closerthistime.Skulduggery,callinghername.“Uphere!”sheshouted.“I’muphere!”Sheheardhimrunningupthestairs
andshouted,“Becarefulofboobytraps!”Skulduggerycameroundthecorneratspeed,hisfeetcentimetresabovethe
ground,floatingovertheholeshe’dfalleninto.Sherantohimashelanded,hugginghim.“Sogladyou’rehere.”“Ofcourseyouare,”hesaid.“You’recoveredinmud,bytheway,andthis
isanexquisitesuit.”“Sorry,”shesaid,releasinghim.“Howdidyoufindus?”“Yourcarisparkedonanislandjustoffwhatappearsto
beanexactreplicaofyourhometown.Whereelsewouldyoube?“Alice,”Valkyriesaid,bangingherfistagainstthedoor.“Standback.”“Istillam!”Aliceresponded.Skulduggery swept his armwide and the door flung open, and Valkyrie
scoopedAliceupinthebiggesthugshecouldmanage,noticingSkulduggeryactivatinghisfaçadejustintime.“Thetwoofyouhavehadadventures,”hesaid.“Omen’s here, too,” Valkyrie said. “Cadaverous took him, just a minute
ago.Skulduggery,youneedtoflyAliceoutofhere.”
“I’m sure I canmanage that,” he said, his hand onAlice’s back as theyturnedforthestairs.ButadooropenedbeforethemandCadaverouscamethrough,dragginga
broken and batteredAbyssinia after him. “Andwhere do you think you’regoing?”heasked.SkulduggerytossedafireballintoCadaverous’sface,thenpushedattheair.
Cadaverous’sclothesrippledwildly,buthedidn’tevensway,soSkulduggerystrodeuptohimandlashedakickintohisknee.Cadaverous laughed, swung a punch that Skulduggery ducked, laughed
againasSkulduggerykickedathisotherknee.Itdidn’tsomuchasbuckle.Keeping Alice behind her, Valkyrie watched as Cadaverous grabbed
Skulduggeryandmarchedhimbackwards.Withhisfreehand,heslappedthewall and the wall opened, and Cadaverous shoved Skulduggery into thedarkness beyond.He slapped thewall again: it closed up, and he turned toValkyrieasshepickedupAliceandran.His laughter following her, Valkyrie leaped over the pit and kept going
towardsthestairs.Halfwaytothebottomtheytrembledbeneathher.Shegrabbedthebanister
withherfreehandandjumped,jammingherfeetagainstthewallasthetopofeach step slid back into the riser, exposing theupturned rustynailswaitingbeneath.“Hold on,” she said toAlice, and sprang over the banister, adjusting her
grip as she did so. Her feet hit the wall below. She let herself hang, thendroppedtotheground.Sheheftedhersisterinherarms.“YouOK?”Alicenodded,andValkyrieranforthefrontdoor,butahatchintheceiling
openedandCadaverousdroppedthrough.Valkyriehissed,turned,sprintingintothenearestcorridor.Theyfollowedit
round,anditnarrowedastheyreachedthedooratthefarend,whichopenedtowardsthem.Beyondwasmorecorridorandanotherdoor.Valkyrieglancedbehind.NosignofCadaverous.Shecarriedon,buthad toputAlicedown.The seconddoorwas smaller
than the first.Through theywent,and round thecorner.The thirddoorwassmallerstill,andValkyriehadtoduckherheadtogetthrough.Thecorridorwastight.Hershouldersbrushedthewallsoneitherside.Alicehurried through thenextdoorwithoutan issue,butValkyriehad to
benddouble.Theyhadnochoicebuttomoveinsinglefilenow.Anothercornerturned,andtheycametoawallwithatinydoor.Valkyrie lay flat, pushed it open. The corridor returned to normal
proportionsontheotherside.“Goon,”shesaidtoAlice.“Wrigglethrough.”
Aliceobeyed,crawlingthroughquicklyandeasily.Valkyriestuckherheadinafterher.Therewasaropeonthewallnexttoher,loopedroundabracket.Shecouldn’tlookupfarenoughtoseewhatitwasconnectedto.Hershouldersbrushedthetopofthesmalldoorasshepassedthrough.She
tried toheaveherself in the restof theway,buther rear endhitwithmoreforce than her shoulders and she heard a clack and suddenly the ropewasunravelling.“Grabtherope!”sheshouted,andAlicelunged,gotherhandstoitandthe
ropewenttaut,jerkedheroffherheelsforamoment.Valkyrietwisted,lookedup,sawtheguillotinebladehoveringabove.“Yourbumistoobig,”Alicesaid.“Apparentlyso,”Valkyriewhispered.“Thisropeisheavy,”saidAlice.Valkyrieheldoutherhands.“Giveittome,”shesaid,smiling.The normal-sized door at the other end of the room opened, and
Cadaverouscamethrough.“Thereyouare,”hesaid,smiling.Valkyrieyankedontherope,triedtowrigglethrough,butCadaveroushad
alreadytakenAlice’shand.“Leaveheralone,”Valkyriesaid.“Alice,comeback!”Butthenhewasleadingheraway.Andthentheyweregone.
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Temper stumbled over a tree root, falling to one knee. “Aw, hell,” hemurmured.OmentriedtocatchCaissonbeforehedroppedoffTemper’sshoulder,but
allhecoulddowasslowhisdescenttotheground.“I may need urgent medical attention,” Temper said. His breath was
laboured and he was sweating. His clothes were drenched in blood. “Alsosomethingforthepain.Andpossiblyastretcher.”“Howfaristheexit?”Omenasked.“Notsure,”saidTemper.“Orifwe’reevenontherighttrack.”“Youthinkwemightbelost?”Omenasked,panicrisinginhischest.“But
youjustcamethisway!”Temper wiped his forehead. “Slick, I can navigate my way through any
urbanjunglewithoutanoverabundanceofhassle.Butoveramountain?Allthese trees look the same. All these rocks look the same. See that bush? Idon’tknowif it’smyfirst timeseeing thatbushor thefourth.Wemightbetotallyscrewedhere,kid,andIhavetoadmitIain’tthinkingsostraight.”“OK,”Omensaid,noddingfiercely,“I’lltakecareofit.I’llgetusout.”“You’re taking charge,” said Temper. “That’s what I like to see. That’s
good.Ifeelbetternow.ThoughImightneedalie-down.”“Youcan’t,”Omensaid,pullinghimupwhenhetriedtosit.“You’relosing
toomuchblood.Ouronlychanceistokeepgoing,allright?Weneedtofindtheexitandgettothecar.”“Ican’tcarrythisguyanymore.”“Maybe,um,maybeIcould.”“Idon’tseethathappening.”“Then… then how aboutwe drag him?We each take an ankle and just
draghimbehindus?”Temperwipedthesweatfromhisbrow.“Yeah,wecouldtrythat,Iguess.
Helpmeup.”Omenheardaloudtick,andlookedup.Throughthetreeshewatchedthe
sunfliplikeacoin,revealingthemoononitsotherside,andtheskychanged
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Both hands gripping the rope, Valkyrie pulled, raising the guillotine blade.She turnedslightly,squirmed through, tuckingherknees toherchestasshereleased her hold. The blade thunked into the ground behind her and sherolledtoherfeetandranon,bargingthroughthedoor.“Alice!”sheshouted.“Skulduggery!”Lightswereflickeringonalloverthehouse,throwingbackthedarknessas
Valkyrie panicked. She shouted for her sister, shouted again – and finallyheardAlicerespond.“Alice!”Valkyrieyelled,burstingintothelivingroom.Cadaverous was sitting in the armchair. There were suddenly roaring
flamesinthefireplace,butnosignofAliceorSkulduggery.Valkyriestalkedover.“Wherearethey?”Cadaveroussmiled.“Closeby.”“Ifyou’vehurtthem—”“Why would I have hurt them already?” Cadaverous interrupted. “You
thinkI’dgo toall this troubleandnotevenhaveyoupresentforsomethinglikethat?No,no,no.Youhavetowatch.Youhavetoseetheminpain;youhavetoseethemdie.Then,andonlythen,willIallowyourpaintoend.”“Andthat’sit,isit?Thenit’salldone?”“Thenit’salldone.”Hestood.“Areyouready?”“No.”“Well,fortunately,it’snotuptoyou.”“That’s notwhat Imeant,”Valkyrie said. “When I spoke to the boy, the
youngerversionofyou—”“He’snotreal,”Cadaveroussaidirritably.“Heneverexisted.”“He’srealsomewhere.Somewhereinyourhead,thatboyisreal,andheis
you,aversionofyouthatdidn’tsinkintoallthisevil.WhenIspoketohim,hetoldmesomething.Hetoldmenottoplayyourgame.”NowCadaverouslaughed.“Mydeargirl,inhere,mygameisallthereis.”“Iknow,”saidValkyrie.“Whichiswhyweshouldn’tbeplaying.”
She backed off, turned to a door, lunging through, Cadaverous’s laughfollowing her into the hall. She ran to the kitchen, careful not to touchanything,waryofboobytraps.Sheignoredthebackdoor.In theoldhouse,the real house, in St Louis, the back door had been rigged to deliver anelectric shock. Instead, she clambered up beside the sink, kicked at thewindow,crackedit,kickedagain,smashedit,theglasstryingtogetthroughthe jodhpurs. She cleared the edge with her boot and crouched, then slidthrough,droppingintoweedsandscrubthatsnatchedatherankles.Roundthecornerofthehousesheran,sprintingforhercar.The front door opened and yellow light spilled out and from that light
Cadaverouscame,jumpingdownthesteps,snatchingather,butsheduckedhimandhisfoothitherownandtheybothwentdown,sprawlingawayfromeachother.Valkyrierolled,cameupwithherkeysinherhand,leapedontothebonnetandslidacross.Pulledthedooropen.Keyintheignition.Engineroaring.Knockedthecar
intoreverseandthewheelsspun,throwingdust,Cadaverouspunchingahandthroughthepassenger-sidewindow,reachingforher.She yanked the wheel, spinning the car, leaving Cadaverous to stagger,
leavinghimforthegloomtoswallow,andshegunnedtheengineandwasoff.Sheflickedontheheadlights,litupthebridgeamomentbeforeshereachedit,andthenthewoodenslatswerethunderingbeneath,andoneithersidewerethedarkwatersofCadaverousGant’smind.Theothersideofthebridgeapproachedquicklyandthenshotby.Nomore
thunder. Just the enginenow, and the familiar crunchof tyreson tarmac asValkyriefollowedtheroadupintothetownthatwasn’tHaggard.Beforesheswerved on to Main Street, she raised her eyes to the rear-view mirror.Glimpsedheadlights.“Comeon!”sheshouted.“Comeandgetme!”MainStreetwasemptynow.Shedrovedownthemiddleoftheroad,gotto
thebendoppositetheservicestation,nearlyjumpedthekerbandhitthewall,butsheforcedthecarbackundercontrolandkeptgoing,bitingdownonherlower lip the whole time. From here on, it was a straight blast to thegraveyard,andherfootgotheavieronthepedal.Thedarknessblurredby.Theengine’sroarfilledherears.Valkyriegripped
thewheel andkepther elbows locked.At this speed,onemistake,one tinymistake,wouldflipthecar,wouldbringthismanufacturedworldcrashinginontopofher.Herseatbelt.Shewasn’twearingherseatbelt.Thegraveyardapproached.Shedidn’tlethereyesflicker.Once beyond the graveyard, Valkyrie eased off the accelerator. The roar
decreased.Sheturnedthewheelslightlyandthecarslid,andshetriedturning
intotheskid,butthenthecarwasspinning,andshecrackedherheadagainstthewindowandcametoasudden,rockingstopinthemiddleoftheroad.Amomenttositthere,justamoment,tomakesureshehadn’tcrashed,she
hadn’t killed herself, then a glance around to establishwhere shewas.Thetownthatwasn’tHaggardinfrontofher.Thewayoutbehind.And,speedingtowardsher,CadaverousGant’sCadillac.Reverse.Footdown.Onehandonthewheel,theotheracrosstheheadrest
of the passenger seat, looking behind as much as in front. The Cadillac’sheadlightsfilledthecarlikewater.Bumpertobumper,shefledandhechased.Reflectedlightgaveheraglimpseofthatgrinning,manicface.Her free hand, pulling the seatbelt across her body. Switched hands.
Clicked it in. Braced herself. A foot on the brake and a sharp turn of thewheel.TheCadillachitherandshespunandtheCadillacsweptbyandnowshewasfollowingit,cursingatit,rammingintothebackofit.Theyfollowedthecurveoftheroad,uptothewoods.Uptothenarrow,narrowroadintothewoods.She pulled alongside the Cadillac, going faster with every heartbeat. He
bashed into her, shaking the car. Shebashed into him, harder.Did it again,nudginghimover,makinghimgiveupthemiddleoftheroad.Sheaimedthecarat thegapbetweenthetreesandwentfaster,faster,waytoofast–Jesusshewasgoingtokillherself,goingtohitoneofthosetreesoneithersideandgoupinafireball,everythingblurring.OnetipfromthatCadillacanditwasallover––andthenshewasplungingbetweenthetrees,herrear-viewflashingwith
theCadillac’sswoopingheadlightsasCadaverousswervedawaytoavoidanimpact.Valkyrie’s footeasedoff theacceleratorand tapped thebrake.Stillgoing
fast,butmanagingit.Controllingit.Slowingdownmoreasshecametothebendintheroad.Shehadtime.Shetookonehandoffthesteeringwheelandflexedthepainfromherfingers.Didthesamewiththeotherone.Shetastedbloodinhermouth.Herbottomlipwasbleeding.Sheslowedfurther.TheendofthewoodlandwasjustaheadandValkyrie
rolledtowardsit,andstopped.Sheturnedofftheengine,andgotout.Shestoodbesidethecar,eyesonthe
bendintheroadbehind.Listening.Thiswouldn’tworkifhe’dgivenup.Thiswouldn’tworkifhe’dalreadygonebacktokillAliceandSkulduggery.Pleaselethimnothavegoneback.Through a gap in the branches, high overhead, she could see the clock
moon.Itwastwentyminutestomidnight.
“I’mhere!” she shoutedat thedark trees. “I’m righthere!Comeandgetme,youcoward!Comeon!”In the woods, there was no warm breeze. In the woods, there was only
stillness.Andthenheadlightssnappedonatthebendintheroad,likeagreatbeast
openingitseyes,andtheCadillaccameroaringforher.
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Valkyrie jumped in the car, twisted the key and floored it. The car leapedforward, but theCadillac still bashed into the back of her. Shewas thrownaboutinherseatasthecarfishtailed,scrapedatree,ricochetingfromonesidetotheother,theCadillacbehindherstraightasanarrow.Outofthetreeshercarscreamedandnowtherewasthehill,therewasjust
thehill,andthenshe’dbeout,andthat’swheresheledhimandthat’swherehe followed, so determined to catch her, to kill her, that maybe he didn’tnotice,maybehe didn’t care howclose theywere to the exit.TheCadillaccameuponherrightandcrashedintoherinashriekoftorturedmetal.Stilltheyspedon,lockedtogether.Upthehill.Towardstheexit.Cadaverousreachedthroughherwindow,fingersclosingroundValkyrie’s
soddenT-shirt.Shecursed,triedtobreakthehold,buthewasalreadypullingheroutofthecar.Herfootlefttheacceleratorandherhandleftthesteeringwheel and the car turned on its own, flipped, left the ground and rolledthroughtheairastheCadillacspedon,leavingValkyrie’scartocrashtothegroundbehindthem.Now, instead of trying to break free of his hold, Valkyrie held on,
desperatelykeepingherfeetoffthespeedingroad.Theywereatthetopofthehillnow,passingthepayphone,andCadaverous
brakedhardandtheCadillacswervedandskiddedtoahalt,astone’s throwfromtheexit.Theenginewasturnedoff.Suddensilence.Valkyrie letherfeet touchtheground.Cadaverouspulled
herincloseandsmiled.Hisbreathwashot,likethebreeze.Shegrabbedhiswrist,triedtotwistit.Shedugherthumbintohiseye.He
didn’tevenflinch.Helaughedatherstruggles.HewasGodhere,afterall.Butoutthere,outthroughthatgarage-door-sizedholeinthecliffface,he
wasjustaman.ValkyriemanagedtopullherT-shirtloosebutCadaveroussnarled,grabbed
atheragain,yankedoutaclumpofherhairthatbroughttearstohereyes,butshewas freeandshewas running.Sheheardhim jumpoutof theCadillac,
heardhimrunafterher,butshewasrightthere,shewassoclose,justanotherthreestepsandshe’dbeout.Hekickedatheranklesandshehittheground,bitinghertongue,thehard-
packeddirtscrapingatherskinassheskiddedandbounced.Herelbows,scratchedandcutandbleeding,restedonthecementlipofthe
MidnightHotel’sgarage.Itwascoldouthere,outintherealworld.Theairwaschilled.Fingersclosedroundheranklesanddraggedherback.Valkyrietwisted,triedtobreakfree,buthejustlaughed,swungheralittle
andlethergo.Thistime,whenshehittheground,shedidherbesttoroll,butshewas so tired, so exhausted, thatwhile shemanaged to comeupon oneknee,sheimmediatelyfellback.“Are you quite done?” Cadaverous asked, standing between her and the
exit.Shespatbloodanddidn’tanswer.Shesuckedinadeepbreath,turnedover
andgotupvery,veryslowly.ShenoddedatthebatteredCadillac.“Lasttimesomeonedamagedyourcar,youwentspare.”“Spare?” Cadaverous said, raising an eyebrow. “Must be an Irishism I
haven’tsampledbefore.Ididindeed‘gospare’,butonlybecausemycarisathingofbeauty.Thevehicleyouseebeforeyouisn’tmycar.TherealCadillacisparkednearbyandisquitesafe,Iassureyou.ThisismerelytheCadillacIconstructedforuseinhere.They’realmostidentical,aren’tthey?Almostbutnotquite.Theinteriorandthegrillearedifferent,andthewheelsarenot—”Valkyrieheldupherhand.“Iwasjustmakingsmalltalkbeforeyoukilled
me.Ireallydon’tcareaboutyourstupidcar.”“Howmany times do I have to tell you?You’re not going to die before
yoursisterand theskeleton.Thatwouldspoil thefun.”Hewavedhishand,andthebootpopped,andslowlyopened.“Inyougo,”hesaid.“I’mnotgettinginthere.”“Icouldthrowyouin,ifyou’dprefer,oryoucouldclimbinyourselfand
maintainsomedegreeofdignity.”“Dignity’snotgoingtodomeanygoodstuckinacarboot.”“Verywell,”hesaid,andwalkedtowardsher.She tried to dodge past him, but he grabbed her easily, his hand closing
round the back of her neck. His fingers squeezed so tight she went light-headed,almostdidn’tnoticehimdragginghertowardstheCadillac.Shegotherfeetbackunderher,tookherownweight.Hisgriploosenedslightly.Notenoughforhertobreakfree,butenoughsothatshewasn’tgoingtoblackout.“… today’s generation,” Cadaverous was saying. “No dignity. No self-
respect.Youdon’twork for anythinganymore.You just expect it all tobe
handedtoyou.Dignityisearned.Itcomesfromperseverance.”Valkyriemanageda laugh.“Your little friendJeremiahdidn’tshowmuch
dignitywhenhedied.”Cadaverousstoppedwalkingforamoment.BeforeValkyriecouldstartto
prisehishandaway,however,he lungedat theCadillac, slammingher faceintotheside.He held her there, pinned, unable to do anything about it, and then he
leaneddown.“Don’tyoutalkabouthimthatway,”Cadaveroussaid.She didn’twant to say anything else. She didn’twant to utter onemore
word.Allshewantedwastostayquietandlethimdumpherintheboot.Allshewantedwasforhimtostophurtingher.Instead,shemadeherselfsmile.“Hesquealed.”Cadaverousleaneddown.“Whatdidyousay?”“Whenhefell,”shesaid.“Or,whenIlethimfall,Imean.Hesquealedall
thewaydown.”His eyes positively bulging from his gaunt face, Cadaverous hauled her
back,andnowallshecouldseewastheCadillac.Thepretty,prettyCadillac,alldentedandbashedandscrapedandcovered indust from thechase.Thepassenger’s sidewindowwas rolled up. It was the one part of the car shecouldseethathadyettosustainanydamage.Then it was hurtling towards her and she closed her eyes and theworld
crashedandwentdark.
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TheCaingirlhadgonelimpinhishands.Cadaverousdroppedher,disgusted,andshecrumpled–lesslikeahuman
body,morelikeasackofhumanremains.Bloodranfreelyfromthecutsonherface.Atleastshewasn’tsayinganythinganymore.Atleastshehadshutupnow,hadstoppedspewingallthoseliesaboutJeremiah.Ofcourseshehadlied.Itwasn’tevenherfault.Shewasawoman.Itwasintheirnature.Hehadlearnedthisa long, longtimeago,hadlearneditasachild.Hismotherhadbeena liar.Shehad lied tohis fathersomany times that ithadreduced themantonothing.Sharpwordswerelikethebladeofanaxe–enoughswingsandtheywouldchopdownthetallestoftrees.Hetookholdof thegirl’sankle,draggedhereasily,enjoying thestrength
hishomeprovidedhim.Hisbackdidn’tspasmwhenhebentdowntopickherup, andhismuscles didn’t strainwhenhe liftedher into the trunk.His agedidn’tmeananythinginhere.Inhere,hisenergywaslimitless.Heshutthetrunk,wentroundtothedriver’sside,gotinbehindthewheel.
He paused for amoment,wondering if he’d killed her.He didn’twant herdeadjustyet.Thatwouldspoilhisplans.He focusedon looking throughhereyes,expectingnothingbutdarkness.
Instead,hesawaredlight.Theinteriorofthetrunk.Shewasconsciousagain,andshewasalive.Hewasn’tsurprised.Shehad
survived a lotworse than getting her head smashed through a carwindow.Shewastough.Itwasoneofthethingshealmostrespectedabouther.He lefther to the red light, thesteeringwheel swimmingback intoview.
Jeremiahhadn’tbeentough,notlikethat.Inmanyways,infact,Jeremiahhadbeenweak.Sometimesevenpetulant.Buthe’dbeentalented,andthathadmeantalot.Thewayhe’dworkedhad
been a wonder to behold. Watching Jeremiah, Cadaverous had often beenremindedofhimselfasayoungman.He started the car,made aU-turn,was almost to the payphonewhen he
glancedintherear-viewandsawthatthetrunkwasopen.
Hebraked.Leapedout.SprintedafterValkyrieCainasshestumbledfortheexit.Shepassedthrough.Hefeltherleaveandithithimlikeheartache.He stopped, right at the doorway. She turned to him. Bloodmasked her
face,raninrivuletsdownherthroat,mixingwiththemudthatcakedherT-shirt. She stood just out of reach.Tograb her, he’d have to step out of hishome.He’dbevulnerablethere.He’dbestrong,andfast,butnotthisstrong,notthisfast.Onemorestepandshe’dhaveachancetostophim.“I’llkill them,”hesaid.“I’llkill theskeletonfirst.I’ll tearhimapartand
burnhisbones.I’llscatterhisashes.ThenI’llkillyoursister,yourhelpless,terrifiedlittlesister.”“You’re going to kill them anyway,”Valkyrie responded, spraying small
dropsofbloodeverytimeherlipsmoved.“Ihavetokillhim,”Cadaveroussaid.“Formyownfuturesurvival.Ican’t
have Skulduggery Pleasant running around after I’ve killed the great andterribleValkyrieCain.ButIdon’thavetokillher.Icanlethergo,solongasyoucomebackinside.Igiveyoumyword.”“Youexpectmetotrustyou?”“Ihaveneverbrokenmyword,”Cadaverous toldher.“Idonot intend to
startnow.”“Everythingyousayisalie.”Cadaverousshrugged.“Youcanbelievethat, ifyouwish.If itmakesyou
feel better. If it lets youwalk away.But, if you dowalk away, then Iwilldefinitelykillher.Ifyouleave,youwillbecuttingyourownsister’sthroat.”“Ifyouhurther,IsweartoyouI’llkillyou.”“Maybeyouwill.But thatwon’tbringherbacktolife.AndIcanstayin
hereamightylongtime.”Valkyrieraisedahandtoherhead,asifshewasjustnoticingherinjuries.
Shelookedatherhand,lookedatthebloodthatcoveredit,andherlegsgaveoutandshestumbledbackwards,collapsed.Cadaverous fought the urge to lunge at her during this moment of
weakness.Evenwithhermagiccutoff,shewasaformidableopponent,andhecouldn’tbesurethatshewasn’tfakingthisvulnerabilityinanattempttodraw him out. So he stayedwhere hewas, watching her as she got to herhandsandknees.“Webothknowyou’renotgoingtorunaway,”hetoldher.“It’snotinyour
nature.You’regoingtoexchangeyourlifeforyoursister’s,soletusforgothepretenceandgetitoverwith.Midnightisalmostuponus.”She stood. She looked genuinely unsteady, and her face – what little he
couldseeofherskinbeneathallthatbloodanddriedmuck–wasstartlingly
pale.Hebegantothinkthatmaybeshewasn’tfakingit,afterall.Hetookastepovertheborder,intotherealworld.ValkyrieusedherdirtyT-shirttowipesomeofthebloodoffherface.Her
cutswerestillbleeding,though,forgingnewriversthatdrippedintohereyes,off her nose, off her chin. She was blinking rapidly, half blind, two stepsaway.Justtwosteps.Cadaverous reached for her and saw a grin start to form and he jumped
backovertheborder,safeintheworldinwhichhewasall-powerful.AndValkyrielaughedsohardshedoubledover.“You’resuchacoward!”
she cried. “You’re such a typical little bully! Scurrying back to your safeplace!”Cadaverousfeltthatoldangerrisingup.Shewasstartingtosoundlikethe
restofthemnow.“You’rebigandstrongwhenyou’reonhome turf, aren’tyou?” she said,
tauntinghimin thatwaytheydid,wheretheirwordsneedledintohismind,prisedawayhiscontrol.“Butthemomentyoustepoutintotherealworldyourealisehowsmallyouare.Howpathetic.”“Shutyourmouth,”Cadaveroussnarled.“Howinsignificant.”“I’llkillher,”hesaid,walkingbacktohiscar.“Yoursisterisgoingtodie
andit’syourfault.Youcouldhavesavedher,butyouweretoobusyshowingoff.”“Jeremiahdiedscreaming!”Cadaverousspun.“Youshutyourlyingmouth!”“He took after you,”Valkyrie said, a snarl of her own on her face. “He
talked toughand then it all fell apart.Hebeggedme tohelphim.Whenhewasabouttofall.Hebeggedmetohelp.Hewascrying.Knowwhatelsehesaid?Hesaid,‘Please,MrGant,pleasesaveme.’Howpatheticisthat,huh?AndthenIlethimgo,andhefell,screaming,begging,withyournameonhislips.”Hisfistswereclenched.Hismusclesknotted.“Iknowwhatyou’retrying
todo.You’retryingtogetmetolosecontrol.”“No.I’mtryingtogetyoutobeaman.”Ascreechrosefromsomewherewithin.“Whoareyoutoquestionme?”Valkyrieshrugged.Aninnocent,insouciantlittleshrug.“Noone,”shesaid.
“I’mjustagirl.Justaweak,helplesslittlegirl.Idon’tevenhavemymagictodefendmyself with. Butwho are you?You’re a big, full-grownman.Andyou’retooscaredtocomeandgetme.Youkilled,what,adozenwomenbackwhenyouwereaserialkiller?Andhowmanypeoplehaveyoukilledsinceyoudiscoveredmagic?Doyouevenremember?Isupposeitdoesn’tmatter,
becauseobviouslynoneofthem,notaone,everchallengedyou.Notoneofthemwas inaposition to fightback.And thenyoumeet someone likeme,someonewhoisgoingtofightback,andyou’re tooscaredtocomeandgetme.”Helookedather,andhisfistsunclenched,andhechuckled.Shefrowned.“You’ve overplayed your hand,my dear,” he said. “Itwas close. Itwas.
Youalmostgotme.Maleprideisasurprisinglyfragilething,especiallywhenaweak,helplesslittlegirllikeyouispokingatit.But,ofcourse,you’renotaweak and helpless little girl, are you? You’re dangerous, and you have ahistoryofsnatchingvictoryfromthejawsofdefeat.Soforgiveme,Valkyrie,if I’m not prepared to play your little game tonight.” The Cadillac’s dooropenedashewalkedovertoit.“Coward!”sheshoutedathim.Heglancedatthemoon,thenbackather.“Youhavetenminutes,andthen
theskeletonandyoursisterdie.Who’sthecowardnow,Valkyrie?”
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He left her there, drenched in blood and impotent, and drove through thewoodland, through the town and across the bridge. He stopped outside thehouseandwalkedupthestepstothefrontdoor.Acalmnesshadsettledoverhim.She’deitherfollowhimandhe’dkillher,orshewouldn’tandhe’dkillhersister.Eitherwayhe’dwin.Eitherwayhe’dbeatenher.The housewhispered to himwhen he entered,welcoming him back.He
patted the table as he passed. The floorboards creaked and he smiled. Theceilinggroaned.Hepaused,swappinghissight forValkyrie’s. Itwasdarkwhereshewas.
Hewatchedherhandspullingapartweedsandbranches.Shewaslookingforsomething.Hermovementsdesperate.Good.ThelivingroomswambackintoviewandsuddenlyAbyssiniawasinfront
ofhim,herhandsclampedontoeithersideofhishead.Buthejustlaughed.“Youthinkyoucandrainmylifeforce?”heasked.“Youthinkthat’seven
possibleinmyownhome?”Hegrippedherbythethroat.“IamGodhere.”Hehurledherthroughthewall,thewoodsplintering,andshecrashedinto
the hidden room beyond. Skulduggery Pleasant, wearing a false face andholdingAlicewithhisleftarm,ignoredherassherolledtoastopathisfeet,andraisedhisgun.SixbulletshitCadaverous.Threetothechestandthreetothehead.Noneofthempiercedtheskin.NoneofthemmadeCadaveroussomuchasflinch.TherewasanoddripplearoundAlice’shead.“What a nice thought,” Cadaverous said. “Using the air to protect her
delicateears fromall thatgunfire.Not thatshe’sgoing toneedherhearing.Shewon’texactlybegettinganyolderaftertonight.”Pleasant put the gun away. “At the risk of stating the obvious,” he said,
“sheisonlyachild.Youdon’thavetokillher.”“Valkyriemustlearnthatthereisacosttoshirkingone’sresponsibilities.”“Shegotaway,then.”
“I’msureshe’llbeback,”Cadaveroussaid.“Shewouldn’tjustabandonthetwoofyou,wouldshe?Idoubtshe’dbeabletolivewithherselfafterwards.”“Sowhatdoyouproposewedonow?”Skulduggeryasked.“Waitforherto
arrive?”“No.Iwanttoinflictpain.Putthechilddownandcomeforward.”Pleasanthesitated,thenlookedatthelittlegirl.“You’regoingtohavetobe
bravenow,OK?Canyoudothat?I’mgoingtoputyoudownandIwantyoutostayasfarbackasyoucan.”Thelittlegirlnoddedherdelightfullittlehead.Cadaverous smiled. “Are all children sowell-behaved?Thiswhole time,
shehasn’tcriedorcomplainedonce.Alotofgrown-upsIknowcouldlearnalessonfromher.”Pleasantputthegirldownandshewanderedofftothebackwall.“So obedient,” Cadaverous said, and the table crashed into him from
behind.Hestumbledslightly,andlaughed,andPleasantwavedhisarmsagainand
thearmchairliftedoffthefloorandflewathim.Itknockedhimbackafewsteps,butonlymadehimlaughlouder.“You can’t do it,” he explained, adjusting his tie. “You can’t beatme in
here.Don’t you understand?You boast somuch about how intelligent youare,butsometimesItrulydodoubtit.”A fireball hit him, exploded across his face, andwhen hewiped it away
Pleasantwasonhim,handsgraspingeithersideofhishead,thumbsdigginginto his eyes. Cadaverous ignored it all, and pressed his hand againstPleasant’sshirt,feltthematerial,stiffyetsoft,preciselywhatwasrequiredofashirtthatgavetheillusionofaflesh-and-bloodbodybeneath.Butofcoursetherewasnoflesh-and-bloodbodybeneath,andCadaveroussankhisfingersin,gripping theribcage.Pleasantgasped, tried topullback,butCadaverousraised him off his feet and threw him across the room. He hit the wallpleasingly,droppedandcamebackup.“Ow,” the skeleton said,brushingdust fromhis lapel.Cadaveroushad to
handittohim–hehadstyle.Pleasantdartedin.Cadaverouswenttobathimaway,buttheskeletondid
something, some fancy move that Cadaverous had never seen before, andsuddenlyhewasbehindhimandCadaverous’sheadwas inhishandsagainandPleasantwrenchedittotheside.But Cadaverous’s neck didn’t break, because CadaverouswasGod here,
andGod’sneckdoesn’tbreak.HehitPleasantwiththebackofhishand,littlemorethanalazyswipe,and
Pleasanttwistedandwentstumbling.
“Isn’titdisheartening,”heaskedastheskeletonstraightenedupagain,“tobeconsistentlydeniedthekillthatyousorichlydeserve?BecauseIadmitit–youdeservedtokillmethere.Bothtimes.Youcamein,gotpastmydefences,andwentstraightforthehead.Straightforthekill.Andyet,thereyoustand.Denied.Iknowhowyoufeel.Iknowwhatthat’slike.TimeandagainIhavebeendeniedwhatIdeserve.”Pleasant nodded, then suddenly pushed at the air, sending furniture
crashingintothefarwall.ButnotasinglehairstirredonCadaverous’shead.Cadaveroushithim.Hithimagain.Hithimafewtimesandthenhithima
fewtimesmore.Hewishedtheskeletonwasn’taskeleton.Hewishedhewasa flesh-and-blood man, so he could break the flesh and spill the blood.Anotherpleasuredeniedhim.Still,atleasttheskeletonfeltpain.Atleasthefelteachpunchasitlanded.
Atleasthefeltitwhenhisbonescrackedandfractured.“I like your suits,” Cadaverous said, as Pleasant tried to crawl away.
“Wheredoyougetthem?”He picked Pleasant up and launched him through a door that splintered
openonimpact.Pleasantwent rolling. Groaned. “A friend ofmine,” hemuttered, “made
themforme.”“Doyouthinkhewouldconsidermakingoneforme?”“Sure,”Pleasantsaid,standing.“I’llintroduceyou.”HeswungapunchthatcrackedagainstCadaverous’sjaw,butinflictedno
damage,andCadaverousrespondedwithanotherbackhandthatsentPleasantslidingacross the floor.His facemelted fromhis skull, retreatingunderhiscollar.Cadaverous smiled, and dragged the skeleton back into the living room.
The little girl was trying to wake Abyssinia, but she looked up whenCadaverouscalled.“Look at this,” he said, holding Pleasant up so that she could see him
properly. “Look at Skulduggery. Look at what he really is, when he’s notwearingamask.”Heexpectedhertoscream,ortocry,ortodosomething.Instead,shejust
stared.“That was anticlimactic,” Pleasant muttered, and Cadaverous let him
collapse.Andthenthemoonbegantochime.
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“Midnight,”Cadaveroussaid,smilingagain.“AndValkyrieCainhasn’tcometosaveyou.Areyoudisappointedinher?Ithoughtshewasmadeofsternerstuff.”Pleasantwavedahandinhisdirection.“Ihavearetort,”hesaidfromthe
floor.“Andit’sagoodone.Justwaitthere.It’llbeworthit,Ipromise.”“Iamdreadfullysorry,”saidCadaverous,“butyour timehas runout.No
morewaitingforyou.Nomoreprocrastinating.”Thelittlegirlranuptostandbetweenthem.“Stophurtinghim,”shesaid.
Herlittlehandswereonherlittlehips.Itwasalmostadorable.Pleasantmoaned.“Youtellhim,Alice.”“Hurtingpeopleiswrong,andyoushouldn’tdoit.”Thelittlegirlwagged
herfinger.“Youarebeingnaughty.”Cadaveroushunkereddown,andpeeredather.“Youdon’tfeelanyfear,do
you?Notanounce.Notonejot.”“I’mbrave,”thelittlegirlsaid.“Likemysister.”Cadaveroussmiledandshookhishead.“I’msorrytobetheonetotellyou,
but your sister is not brave. If she were brave, she’d be here right now,fightingforyou.”Alice frowned, and looked back at Pleasant, who was on his feet and
testinghisjaw,probablytomakesureithadn’tfallenoff.“Isheright?”sheasked.“No,”Pleasantsaid.“He’s justacrankyoldmanwhodoesn’tknowwhat
he’stalkingabout.Ifyoursisterisn’theretofightforyou,thenIam.You’llalwayshavesomeone,Alice.”Cadaverousstraightened.“Oh,Iapologise,arewenottellingherthatshe’s
abouttodie?It’sjust,oncesheseesmekillyou,theideamightoccurtoheranyway.”Pleasant moved Alice behind him, and took out his gun. “I’ve got my
secondwind,”hesaid.“AndI’vebeenstudyingyourmoves.Iknowexactlyhowtobeatyou.”“Youdo?”
“Yes,”saidPleasant,andthrewhisgun.ItbouncedoffCadaverous’shead.Cadaverouslaughed.SodidPleasant.“I’mgoingtokillyounow,”Cadaveroussaid.Pleasantsquaredhisshoulders.“I’dimagineso.”AndthenValkyrieCaincalledCadaverous’sname,fromoutsidethehouse.“Huh,”saidCadaverous,andwalkedto thefrontdoor.Pleasantfollowed,
holdingthelittlegirl’shand.Valkyrie stoodwaiting in themoonlight, her clothes caked indriedmud.
Most of the blood flow had stopped,which allowedCadaverous to see thedeeplacerationsalongherforehead.Theskeleton’scarwasparkedbesideher,andshewaschewingonsomething–probablythosefoul-tastingleaves–inanefforttodullherpain.Sheheldnoweapons,andthebraceletonherarmwasstillsecure,sosheobviouslyhadn’tfoundwhatevershe’dbeenhuntingfor.“You’relate,”Cadaveroussaid,“and,sadly,theofferIextendedtoyouwas
time-sensitive.I’mafraidIcannolongerallowyoursistertolive.”Valkyrieshrugged.“Iwouldn’tworryaboutthat, ifIwereyou.I’mabout
togiveyouanass-kickinglikeyouwouldn’tbelieve.”“Is that so? I’ll admit, such a proclamation would ordinarily have me
positively quaking inmyboots, but unless you found aGod-Killerweaponhiddensomewhereintheundergrowth,Isincerelydoubtit.”Valkyriewipedatrickleofbloodawayfromhereye.Inthemoonlight,the
blood lookedblack.“Idon’tneedaGod-Killer tostompyourhead into theground,”shesaid,andstartedwalking.Cadaverouswatchedher,ohsocasual,ohsocool,asshedisappearedround
thesideofthehouse.Hereachedback,tookAlicebythearm.“Comealong,”he said. “You, too,Detective.Youwouldn’twant to leaveAlice alonewithme,wouldyou?”He walked after Valkyrie, not even feeling Alice as she tried in vain to
struggle fromhisgrip.Theygot to the sideof thehouseandkeptwalking.Cadaverouswasenjoyingthis.Nomatterhowweakherhandwouldturnouttobe,Valkyriewasactingasifshewasleadinghimintoatrapfromwhichhewould not escape.Hewas looking forward towatching the confidence slipfromherface.Hewaslookingforwardtocatchingsightofthefirstflickersoffear.Thatwasoneofhisfavouritemoments.Theycameroundthecorner,andCadaverousstopped,andfrowned.“Iwasn’t looking foraweapon,”Valkyrie said, standingon the roofofa
building that shouldn’t have been there, a building that was no taller thanValkyrieherself.“Iwaslookingforaseed.”
Ittookhimamomenttorecognisethebuilding.ItwastheMidnightHotel,anditwasgrowingslowlybeforethem.But… but no. They were in theMidnight Hotel. This didn’t make any
sense.TheywerebothintheMidnightHotelandoutsideitatthesametime.Holding the chimney for balance,Valkyrie raisedher foot andbrought it
down hard on the roof, and thunder shook the sky and made the moontremble.Heshouldhaveleapedforward.Shouldhavepulledherdownandsnapped
herneck.Butinhisconfusionhecouldonlysay,“Stop.”Hecouldonlysay,“Whatareyoudoing?”She brought her boot down again and, to the north, the sky over the
mountainssplintered––andagiantfootbrokethrough.
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Valkyrie gazed down through the hole in the roof, and saw the mountainsbelow.Then she lookedup, saw them in thedistance, across thewater, and saw
herbootdanglingabovethemlikeGod’sownfoot.Shewiggledit,justtoseeitwiggle, thenpulledher legupand stampeddownagain.Thecrash, fromboth the roof below her and the world around her, was a thunderclap ofmonstrouscollisions.She reacheddown, grabbed a jagged collectionof timbers.The roof, not
even close to being fully formed, peeled away, leaving herwith a gap justaboutbigenoughtodropthrough.ShecaughtAlice’seye,winked,thensteppedintotheholeandletherself
fall. She landed, bending her knees, in themiddle of themountains. Theywereunevenandshealmost twistedanankle,but she reachedout, steadiedherself by grasping the tallest snow-capped peak. She took a moment toorientateherself.Themountainscameuptohershoulders.Thedarkseawasnownomorethanasmallpond,and,beyondit,theislandwithCadaverous’shouse.Valkyriestraightened,thetopofherheadbrushingthesky,andsteppedout
intothesea.Thewaterdidn’tgohigherthanhercalf.She hurried to the island, kicking up a tsunami with every step. If the
thoughtoccurredtoCadaveroustoclimbontothehotelandfollowherdown,itwas all over.The only thing stopping that fromhappeningwas the sheershockhewashopefullyfeeling,andhisownlackofimagination.Shepassedunderthemoon,paused,andmovedthebighandalmostallthe
wayround.Herheadhitthemoonandshescowledandcontinuedon.AnyhopeshehadofendingthisbyjustsquishingCadaverousbeneathher
bootvanishedwhenshesawhimwalkingtowardsher.Hewasgrowingwitheachstep.Ifshewasthesizeofamountain,hewasthesizeofahouse,andthenachurch,andthenatowerandthenaskyscraper,andwhenhesteppedofftheislandandintotheseahewasasbigasshewas.
“Notnearlycleverenough,”hesaid,andthrewapunch.Valkyrie saw it coming and stepped into it, absorbing it along her upper
arm. It didn’t send her flying. It was a good punch, a strong punch, but itwasn’tstrongenoughtostaggerher.SherealisedhowtiredCadaverousnowlooked–asiftheefforttogrowtothissizewastakingallofhisenergy.She snapped out a jab that rocked him, then grabbed his shoulder and
lungedinwithanelbowthatsenthimbackwards.Hefell, toppling,intothesea.“Thisisembarrassing,”saidValkyrie,backingawayalittle.“Howdareyou!”he screeched, splashingabout ashegotup. “Howdare
you!”Wipingbloodfromhisnose,hestalkedafterherassheledhimawayfromtheisland.“IamGodhere!Thisismyworld!Thisismycreation!”Hedivedatherandsherammedherforearmintothesideofhisneck.He
gaspedandshedraggedhimoverherhipandflippedhim.Hehit thewater,managedtobreakfree,rolledawayandstood,cursingher.Heseemedsmallernow.Hewassmaller.Notbymuch,buthehaddefinitelylostsomeheight.Sheskippedin,kickedathisleg.Hehowled,staggeredback.Themoreshe
hithim,thesmallerhegot.Shegrinned,likingthisgame.Heranather.Shetriedtofliphimagain,butshemistimeditandtheyboth
went down, splashing into the sea.Cadaverous snarled, going for her eyes.She gripped hiswrists, turning him,wrapping himwith her legs.He got ahand free and pulled her hair and she hissed, tried to break the hold. Hescratchedather,shovedheroffandscrambledontop.Hishandsatherthroat,on her face, forcing her head underwater. Lungs burning, eyes shut, shewrappedhimupwithher legs again, crossingher ankles and extendingherbody.Squeezinghim.Thatwasn’tworking.Hisfingerswerelikeiron.Sheslammeda fist into thecrookofhiselbowandhisarmbentandshe
surfaced,gaspingforair.Yankingoneofhisarmsacrossherbody,sheswungherright legupon tohisshoulderand thenshiftedherweight,hookingherleftkneeoverherownrightinstep.Eyesbulging,heforcedherbackandshetook a breath before submerging. She didn’t mind it this time. After amoment,hestoppedtryingtodrownheranddevotedhisattentioninsteadtogettinghimselfoutofthetrianglechoke.Hebroughthisfeetinunderhim,strugglingtostand.Valkyriedidherbest
tokeephimonhisknees,buthewastoostrong.Hestraightened,takingherupoutofthewaterwithhim.Heturned,staggeredafewsteps,Valkyriestillstucktohimlikealimpet.Sheglancedoverhershoulder,sawwherehewasbringingher.Thebridge.He fell forward.Valkyrie hit the bridge and smashed through it, and felt
something give in her side. All sensation left her fingers and toes and
darkness clutched at her vision. She waited until it started to recede, thenshookherheadandflexedherfingers.Shecouldfeelthemagain.Cadaverouswasonhisfeet,drawinginlungfulsofair.Valkyriewenttoget
up, but he snarled, and lashed in a kick, his shoe striking that broken rib.Exquisitepainlancedthroughher.He tried another kick, but she brought her knee up, her boot absorbing
someoftheblow.Grittingherteethagainstthepaininherside,shegrabbedhislegandscrambledup.Cadaveroushoppedangrily,tryingtomaintainhisbalance. Valkyrie backed off, taking him with her, then spun him, and hehoppedandcursedanditwouldhavebeenfunnybutfor thebrokenribandthebruisesandthecutsandthefactthathewastryingtokillher.Itwasgettinghardertocontrolhim.Thesmallerhegot,thestrongerhegot.
ButValkyriewas shrinking, too.While the interior dimensions of this newMidnightHotelwereallmessedupduetoCadaverous’smagic,thefactwasthatthehotelwasstillgrowing,andeverypassingmomentrobbedherofanyadvantageshemightstillpossess.He torehis leg fromhergrip and theycollided, stumblingoutof the sea
and on to dry land. They crushed houses, flattened trees, left footprints inroads.Sheheadbuttedhim,wasrewardedwithadefinitereductioninhissize,buthepunchedher square in thechestand thatblastedherbackwards, intothe city.Herhip scraped against an apartmentbuilding, her elbow smashedthrougha skyscraper,but she foundsomething tograbon to to stopherselffromfalling.Shewasstilltallerthantheskyscrapershe’djustdamaged,butonlyjust.Breathingheavily,blooddrippingfromagashacrossthebridgeofhisnose,
Cadaverousfollowedherin,demolishinganoverpasslikehewaskickingatweeds.Themoreshedamagedhim,themoreheshrank,themoredangeroushe became. This was not a winning strategy. Her only hope was thatSkulduggerywasatleasttakingadvantageofthedistractiontoflyAlicebackintotherealworld.If that was actually possible. The moment she’d planted that seed,
Cadaverous’sworld and everyone inside itwere immediately transported tothe new hotel that had begun to growwithin the old one.Valkyrie tried tofigureoutwhat thatmeantfor theexit,butbeforeshegot toofardownthattrainofthought,Cadaverouswasattackingheragain.Sheduckedunderhim,butfeltherribsslideagainsteachotherandgasped,
faltered,andheshovedherandshefell.Clutchingatherself,Valkyrietriedtocry out but couldn’t. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cadaverousbreakingaspireoffthetopofatower.Holdingitlikeadagger,hejumpedontoher.Shebroughtherkneesupandtheycrashedagainsthischest,butthere
wasnothingshecoulddoaboutthespirethatwascomingforherfaceexceptraiseherlefthand,andthespirewentcleanthrough.Valkyriefoundhervoice,andscreamed.Spittleflyingfromhisclenchedgrin,Cadaveroustuggedthespireoneway
andthentheotherandValkyrie’sscreamsreachednewheights.Shegrabbedhiswristwithherfreehand,foughttogetherfeetbetweenthem,andthenshepushedhimbackwithherlegs.Hehitabuildingandwentstraight through,collapsing floors on top of himself, andValkyrie got up, stumbled and ran,holdingherlefthandclosetoherbody.She kept low and darted right, followed a long street, turning slightly to
stop her shoulders from hitting the buildings on either side. Shewent left,rightagain,glancedbacktomakesureCadaverouscouldn’tseeher,andsankdownwithherbackagainstsomethingthatlookedlikeabank.Shewatchedtinycarsbrakeandtinypeople,allwithCadaverous’sface,shoutather.Shepulledherfeetoutoftheparkopposite,pulledthemclose.Onlythendidshedarelookatherhand.Thesightofitmadeherwanttobesick.Thespire,toher,wasmaybethe
lengthofapencil,butshewasshrinking,whichmeantitwasgrowing,whichmeantshecouldn’taffordtoletitstaywhereitwas.Shetriedtotakeholdofit,buteven touching it like thatwas toomuchand tearssprang tohereyes.ShewasdimlyawareofallthoselittleCadaverous-peoplelaughingather.She scooted forward, tore a tree from the park, then scooted back again,
pressedherspineagainstthebankbuilding.Sheputthetreebetweenherteethandclampeddown.TherewasacrowdoftheCadaverous-peoplebesideher,pointingupand jeering.She slammedherhandon topof them.Thecrowdsquelched beneath her and the spire shot up and she did her very best tomuffleherscream.Shetastedbarkandbloodinhermouth,andwhippedthespirefromherhandandletitfall.Blood poured from the puncture wounds. She spat out the tree and sat
there,gasping,crying,tryingnottomakeasound.Shewipedawaythetearswithherforearm,theparkonceagaincomingintoblurryfocus.Onlythendidsherememberthetattoosonhereyes.
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Cadaverousreachedover thebankwithbothhands,grabbedherby thehairandhauledherupanddraggedherback,spinearchedacrosstheroofofthebank.He landed a fist in her belly and she curledup, fell sidewaysoff thebank roof, knees flattening cars and snapping lamp posts.Cadaverous tookholdofherheadinbothhishandsandpickedherup,walkedherbackwards,gruntingoutcursesandobscenitiestheentiretime.Hecrackedthebackofherskulloffabuildingandstoodoverherasshecollapsed.Whenshewaslyingontheground,hesteppedonherhead,grindingitinto
thestreet.“Howmanytimes,”heasked,“doIhavetobeatyoubeforeitregisters?”Valkyrie wanted to throw him off, to jump to her feet, to knock that
triumphantgleamoutofhiseyes,butshewaswaytootiredandfartoohurt.Hisshoescrapedagainsthercheek.Hisheelcrushedherear.Fromdownhere, shewas seeing the city fromanewangle, and realised
thatthiswasthestreetshe’dvisitedearlier.Itlookedquitedifferentnow,likeaplayset.Rubble andglass covered the road, and all the littleCadaverous-people had scampered away. It was quiet and still, so that when Valkyrieglimpsedmovementitstoodoutlikeitwascaughtinaspotlight.ShewatchedSkulduggery – tiny, tiny Skulduggery – creeping up, using the debris forcover.Cadaverous,allthewayupthere,hadn’tnoticedhimyet.“You’renotworthyofthis,”Cadaveroussaid.“Youknowthat,don’tyou?
You’renotworth the timeandtheeffort thathasgoneintokillingyou.YoushouldhavebeenjustanothernameaddedtothelistofthepeopleI’vekilled.That’s all you deserved. And yet somehow, somehow, you’ve survived upuntilnow.Whyisthat,doyouthink?”Skulduggery crouched,waiting for something,waiting forCadaverous to
lookaway.Valkyriedidn’tknowwhathewasplanningtodo,orwhatheevencoulddo.Hewasaboutthesizeofherthumbnail.“Doyou thinkyou’re special?”Cadaverous asked. “Doyou thinkyou’re
unique?DoyouthinkIviewyouasamortalenemy?”
Skulduggery launched himself forward, flying low to the ground, anddisappearedunderherbracelet.ThesoundofCadaverous’svoicechangedslightly,andValkyrieknewhe
waslookingdownather.“Idonotviewyouasanysuchthing,”hesaid.“Youareanannoyance.That’sallyoueverwere.Andyou’relucky.Iwillgiveyouthat.Butluck,likeblood,runsouteventually.”CadaverousgaveValkyrie’sheadapush,thensteppedaway.Clutchingher
leftwristtokeepherinjuredhandsteady,shehidSkulduggeryfromviewasshesatupslowly.Cadaveroushunkereddownnexttoher.“Thiswasagoodattempt,”hesaid.“Growinganewhotel,smashingyour
wayintoit…Thatshowsingenuity.Itshowsinitiative.Irespectthat,muchas it painsme to admit it. Jeremiah… Jeremiahwouldn’t have thought ofsomethinglikethis.Itwould,sadly,havebeenbeyondhim.It’sevengotmeconfused,andI’maverysmartman.LetmeseeifI’vegoteverythinginthecorrect order.Thehotel youdropped into – that’swhatwe’re in right now,yes?Wewereallteleportedintoitthemomentittookroot.Butthenyouleftthehotelwewerein,anddroppedintohere,whichisstillthehotelwewerein,but…not.AmIright?AmImakinganysense?Idon’tthinkIam.Letmetryagain.”Helaughed,closedhiseyes,focusing,andValkyriedidherbestnottogasp
as the bracelet sprang open andmagic flooded her body. She immediatelytwisted her arm so that Cadaverous wouldn’t see what had happened.Skulduggeryvanishedbehindabuilding.“Let’sthinkaboutexits,”Cadaveroussaid.“Ifweweretowalkoutofhere
thewaywecamein,we’demergeintothefirsthotel,wouldn’twe?Andwhenwewalked out of that thewaywe came in,wewould actually be outside,wouldn’t we? I think wewould.” He laughed again, and clapped. “This iswonderful!Arewecaughtinaparadox?I’veneverbeencaughtinaparadoxbefore.It’squitefun.Andwhyhaven’ttheoldversionsofthehotelwitheredawayyet?Arewedamagingitbeyondrepairbyforcingpreviousversionstomaintain their structures?Will I need to find a new homewhen all this isover?Oh,Idohopenot,notafteralltheworkI’veputintotheplace.”“Ishouldneverhavecomeinhere,”Valkyriemuttered.“Whatwasthat?”Cadaverousasked.“Whatdidyousay?”Sheclearedherthroat,andspokemoreclearly.“Ishouldneverhavecome
inhere.”Cadaverousnodded.“Obviously.”“Willyoulethergo?Mysister?Shehasn’tdoneanything.She’sachild.”“Sheisachild,yes,”saidCadaverous,“andarelentlesslyupbeatchild,at
that.ItwouldactuallypleasemenoendtoallowhertoleaveafterI’vekilled
youandtheskeleton.”“Thankyou,”saidValkyrie.“But I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he continued. “In ten years, she’ll be
formidable – especially if she follows your example. And she’ll rememberme,andshe’llcomeafterme.I’mdreadfullysorry,Ijustcan’thavesomeoneouttherewhoharboursanykindofgrudge,letaloneavendetta.I’llhavetokillher.”“Cadaverous,she’sakid.Please.”Hewavedahand.“Idon’tseewhyyou’regettingupset.You’regoing to
dienow.Whyshouldyoucarewhathappenstoanyoneafteryou’vedied?Itseems to me to be a waste of energy.” He stood, towering over her. “Youreally shouldn’t have come in here. Look at you. You’re growing smallereverymoment.”Hewas right. The hotelmust have hit a growth spurt in its final stages,
becausecarsthatValkyriecouldhavecrushedbetweentwofingersamomentagowerenowbiggerthanherhand.“I suppose your failure isn’t entirely your own fault,” he said. “It’s not
everydayyoufightagod.”Gritting her teeth against the pain from her broken ribs,Valkyrie started
gettingup.“Actually,I’vefoughtgodsbefore.”Shestraightened,andflickedherwet,filthyhairoutofhereyes.“They’renotsotough.”Cadaverouslookeddispleased,openedhismouthtosaysomethingandshe
raisedherrighthandandsentanarcoflightningstraightintohisface.He stepped back, cursed, turned away, the damage already fading, but
Valkyriehoppedontoanearbybuildingandsprangathim,cryingoutinpainasshewrappedanarmroundhisthroat.Firstruleoffightinggodsistokeepthemoffbalance.Iftheycan’tforma
coherentthought,theycan’tasserttheirpower.ValkyriekickedatthebackofCadaverous’slegandhiskneebuckledand
they toppled backwards. She tried to steel herself before they landed,Cadaverousontop,butherribssentdaggersshootingthroughherside.Tearsstreaming from her eyes, she wrapped her legs round his waist while shelocked in thesleeperchoke.He thrashedwildly,pullingatherarms,almostbreaking the hold by pure strength alone. If he’d kept at it, he could havesnappedherbones,butbothairandbloodwerebeingcutofffromhisbrain,and Cadaverous was doing what everyone did in that situation – he waspanicking.Valkyrieclungonasherolledtohishandsandknees.Hetriedstandingbut
shepulledathim,topplinghimagain.Hewasshrinkingnowandshehadto
adjustherposition,hadtotightenherarms.Therewereafewmomentswhentheywereofequalsize,buthewasshrinkingfasterthanshewas.She squeezed. She squeezedwith everything she had left.Her exhausted
armswerelittlemorethanuselessbandsofrubber,andstillshesqueezed.Shedidn’tstop.Shecouldn’t.Hersisterwasinhere.Shehadtosavehersister.Valkyriesqueezedandsqueezedandshuthereyesandgrittedherteeth,and
whensheletgoitwasn’tbecauseshewantedto, itwasbecauseshehadnoother choice. Her arms failed her and sprang apart as she collapsed back,Cadaverousrollingofftooneside.Buthedidn’tgetup.Hejustcontinuedtoshrink.She took a few deep breaths, then heaved herself on to her knees and,
movingslowlyandawkwardly,withherlefthandheldawayfromherbody,shestood.Skulduggeryranup,Aliceinhisarms.Valkyriewastwiceasbigashim.Skulduggery put Alice down and turned Cadaverous on to his belly. He
triedsnappingthecuffson,butCadaverous’swristswerestilltoothick.Anotherfewseconds.That’salltheyneeded.Anotherfewsecondsandthis
wouldallbeover.Cadaverousopenedhiseyes.He threwSkulduggerybackand ignoredValkyrie’s lightningashegot to
hisfeet.“Thatwasclose,”hesaid.“Thatwasastonishinglyclose.Congratulations
mightwellbeinorder–butfailureisfailure,andthegameisatanend.”“Notyetitisn’t,”Valkyriesaid.“What else do you have?” Cadaverous asked. “What else is there? You
havenothing.Doyoustillthinkyourlittleboltsoflightningaregoingtohurtmeinhere?”“I’vegotmorethanlightning.”“Doyounow?Andwhatmightthatbe?”Valkyrieshowedhim.
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Omen and Temper dragged Caisson out through the front door of theMidnightHotel,andTempercollapsedandOmendroppedtohiskneesbesidehim.“Car,”Tempersaid.“Leaves.Forthepain.”Omen lookedaround.“There isnocar.Temper, there isnocar.Listen to
me, Ineedyourphone.Temper,please,yourphone. I cancallNever. I cancallforhelp.”Temperdugintohispocket,cameoutwiththephoneandunlockedit,then
handed it over and lay back and blacked out. Omen jumped up, dialled anumber––andRazziasnatchedthephonefromhishandandtosseditbehindher.“Oh,hell,”saidOmen.Nerowalkedby,stoodoverCaissonandnudgedhimwithhisfoot.“He’s
stillalive,”heannounced.“She’ll be happy about that,” Razzia said, then looked down at Omen.
“Where is she,mate?Where’sAbyssinia? I haven’t heard her voice inmyheadsinceshetoldmetocomehere.”“She,um,she’sinthere,”Omensaid,jerkingathumbatthehotel.There was another woman with them, a dark-haired lady with an angry
scowlonherface.“Gogether,orwe’llkillyourfriend.”Omen’seyeswidened.“No,no,don’tdothat!Ican’tgether–Idon’tknow
wheresheis.Insidethere,itisn’tliketheinsideofthehotel,it’sawholeother—”“WeknowwhatCadaverouscando,”Razziasaid.“AllIknowisthatCadaveroushasAbyssinia,”saidOmen.“Theyfought,
kindof,andhe…well,hebeather.Andhetookheraway.”Razziafrowned,andlookedatNero.“We’dbettergoin.”Neromadeaface.“Inthere?Theoldmanwillmurderus.”Thescowlingwomansteppedforward.“ValkyrieCain,”shesaid,“isshein
there?”
Omennodded,andthescowlingwomanturnedthatscowlonNero.“We’regoingin.”
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Valkyrie reached for Cadaverous’s thoughtswith hermind. She could hearthem, faint though they were, like a muffled conversation held behind acloseddoor.Shehadtogetcloser.Shehadtoopenthedoor.Valkyrielungedathimandhelaughed,lethercome,letherclampherright
handontohishead,andsuddenlythedoorburstwideopenandhisthoughtsbecameloudandclearandoverwhelming.But she expected this and so narrowedher search, cutting through to his
memories, just like Abyssinia had done. Valkyrie copied her techniqueprecisely, following thosememories down a flickering tunnel of sights andsoundsandemotions,burrowingpasthisadultlife,pastthepeoplehe’dkilledandthepeoplehe’dmetand thepeoplehe’dknown,backandback,deeperanddeeper,toachildhoodthatwassharpattheedgesandcoldinthecentre.Time stopped. Cadaverous’s childhood didn’t so much lie before her as
unspoolaroundher.SuddenlyValkyrieknew.Sheknewhisearliestmemoryassurelyassheknewherown.Sheknewthesmellsofthecabinhelivedin.She knew the hunger. She remembered his mother. She remembered hisfather.His mother was her mother. His father was her father. Valkyrie was
Cadaverous. His hatred and frustrations crowded hermind. She knew nowwhyhekilled.Sheunderstoodnowthecompulsionsthatdrovehim,theurgesthattwistedhispotential,thatsethislifeonthecourseittook.Shehadkilledthesamepeoplehehadkilled.Shehadkilledforthesamereason.Hermotherandherfather.Shehadwatchedhermotherdieatherfather’s
hands.Hehadbeatenher,andstrangledherwhileValkyriescreamed,whileshe triedand tried topullhimaway.ButValkyriewassmall,andherfatherwas big and strong and even as Valkyrie struggled harder, her mother’sstrugglesweakened.Herheartbroke.Theonlyloveshe’deverknownintheworlddriftedfrom
hermother’sdulleyes.Nowitwasjust thetwoof them,herfatherandher,aloneinthosemountains.Withoutanyonetoprotecther,Valkyriewasbeatenbyhand,bybelt,bybranch.Sheknewpain,andfear,andhelplessness.Her
life progressed in cuts and bruises and broken bones. They were how shemeasuredthepassingoftime.Hewas going to kill her.Hewas going to use her up and discard her, a
rattlingthingofjangledboneswithdulleyes.Soshepickedupthathatchet,and she cleaved his skull in two while he slept, and she felt relief and apeculiar kindof joy. Itwouldbe a long timebefore she felt that joy again.Killingsmallanimalswouldonlyofferataste.ShewouldhavetowaituntilshehadbeentakentoAmerica,untilshehadkilledthathomelessman,untilshehadbashedhisheadinwithabrokenbrickandwatchedhisblooddripontohershoe,watchedthegentlewayitsplashed—No. That wasn’t her. That was Cadaverous. That had happened to
Cadaverous andValkyrie could see it, hismemories playing all around herlike projections on the walls of an attic, projections she could walk into.Touch.Change.She went back to Cadaverous’s father strangling his mother, and she
thoughtabouthishandsliftingawayfromherneck,thenwatchedithappen.Thiswas hard.Thiswasworse than hard, thiswas painful. She couldn’t
feel her body any more, but she could feel the pain this was causing her.Nevertheless,shepersisted.She thoughtaboutherown life, the loveherownparentshadshownher,
haddemonstratedforheragainandagain,andshetookthatloveandreleasedit here. She fed Cadaverous the love she had known, the smiles and thelaughter. She fed him the support and the understanding. She fed him thelight,alightthatbeatthedarknessback.She knewCadaverous, knewwhat drove him, but now she also saw this
clumsyveilshehadpulledoverhispain.Itwasstretchedtight,andwouldn’tlast,andwasalreadybeginningtotearasshebackedoutofhisthoughts.Butitwaslove,anditwassomethingCadaveroushadnevertrulyknown.Valkyrie blinked. She was standing, her hand pressed against his head.
Cadaverous’seyeswereglazed.Sheletgo,almoststumbled.Hisvoicecrackedwhenhe spoke. “Whatdidyou…whatdidyoudo to
me?”Shesteppedback,ignoringtheheadache.Shefeltbloodrunfromhernose
andwipeditaway.“Areyouallright?”sheasked.Hefocusedonher,andfrowned.“Idon’t…Whatdidyoudotome?”“Idon’tknow,”sheansweredhonestly.She heard footsteps behind her. The teenage boy walked forward.
Cadaverousstaredathim.
“Helpme,”Cadaveroussaid.Slowly,theboyputhishandontheoldman’sface.“Idon’tthinkIcan.”TearsrolleddownCadaverous’scheeks.“Please,”hesaid.“We’re toodamaged,” theboysaid,andsmiledsadly.“Youdidn’thavea
chance.”“Ithurts.”“Iknowitdoes.”TheboyturnedtoValkyrie.“Go,”hesaid.“Thankyou,
andgo.”Valkyrie turned, tried to pick up Alice, but her ribs wouldn’t let her.
Skulduggeryputhishandonherarm.Shelookedup.Abyssiniastoodthere,withNeroandRazziaandSkeiri.“You’ve been in my head,” Abyssinia said. Her face was bruised and
bloody, and she was standing like her bones were broken. “Don’t look sosurprised:youleftfootprintsallovertheplace.”Skeiri’sfacewaspurehatred.Herteethwerebared,hereyesnarrowedto
slits.Violenceradiatedfromherwholebody.“You’repowerful,”Abyssinia continued. “Youdon’tknowhowpowerful
you are. But you’re … inelegant. I could trace you from one memory toanother. You crossed the bridge between us, Valkyrie, and then walkedthroughmymemories.”“Ididn’tbuildthatbridge,”Valkyriesaid.“Thatwasyou.”SkeirisuddenlylaunchedherselfatValkyrie,butAbyssiniacaughtherand
inaninstanthaddrainedher,healingherbonesandherbruises.Abyssinia sighed, much happier. “Ooh, that’s better,” she said. “And it
doesn’tmatterwhobuiltthebridge,Valkyrie.Whatmattersisyoucrossedit.Thiscannotgounpunished.”HereyesflickeredbrieflytoCadaverous.“Youwent trampling through his memories as well, didn’t you? I can see thealterations you made. A clumsy … what did you call it? A clumsy veil.Clumsybuteffective.You’veactuallycuredhim.Temporarily,ofcourse,andwithsignificant flaws…Cadaverous,howdoes it feel tohave love inyourlife?”TheboystoodinfrontofCadaverous.“Youcouldhavedonethisforhim,”
hesaid.“Youcouldhavehelpedhim.”“Perhaps,” said Abyssinia. “I would assuredly have done a better job.
Maybe I’dhavecuredhimcompletely, takenaway thisurge tokill thathashauntedhimsincehewasaboy.”“Leave,”Cadaveroussaid,hishandontheboy’sshoulder.“Allofyou.”Abyssiniasmiled.“Youcan feel itbeginning toslipaway,can’tyou?Do
youwanttospendyourlastfewminutesalonewithyourmemories?They’re
notyours,youknow.She’smergedhermemorieswithyourown.Thepeopleyou’rethinkingofhaveneverbeenyourrealparents.”“Idon’tcare,”Cadaveroussaid.“Leaveme.”“Ofcourse.There’sjustonethingIneedtodo.”Valkyrie felt Abyssinia’s thoughts dart into Cadaverous’s mind, piercing
theclumsyveilandslashingitopen.Cadaverouscriedout,handsathisheadashefelltohisknees,theteenageboydoinghisbesttocatchhim.Abyssinia lookedatValkyrie. “Stayoutofmyhead,” she said, andNero
teleportedthemaway.Skulduggery picked upAlice, practically threw her intoValkyrie’s arms.
“Getheroutofhere.I’llholdhimoff.”“Won’t do any good,” Cadaverous said, and let the boy fall, his neck
broken.“Youshouldhavekilledmewhenyouhadthechance.Nownoonegetsoutofherealive.”Valkyrie crouchedwearily. “Don’tworry,Cadaverous. I’mnotdonewith
youyet.”Shetookaseedoutofherpocket,showedittohimbeforedroppingitonthegroundandcoveringitwithdirt.Hiseyeswidened.“What,”shesaid,“youthoughtIonlygrabbedoneofthesethings?If the
last fewyearshave taughtmeanything, it’s toalwayshaveaback-upplan.Skulduggery,somewater?”Skulduggerywaved,andalightrainfelljustoverherhand.“No!”Cadaveroussnarled,scramblingupevenas thenewhotelbeganto
sprout.Skulduggery shot off his feet, straight into Cadaverous, who staggered
under the impact. Skulduggery punched him, sent him reeling, butCadaverouswas regaining strengthwith everymoment that passed.He gotholdofSkulduggeryandtheywrestled,kickingupdust.Valkyriehunkeredprotectivelyover thehotel. Itwas thesizeofanapple
now,butsoft. If they trampled it, they’dallbekilled.Theycamecloseandshecursed,chargedintothem,managedtopushthemaway.Theyfell,allthreeofthem,atangleofarmsandlegs.Cadaverous closed his hand roundValkyrie’s throat. It was like shewas
caught in a vice. Skulduggery fell back, swinging a kick that would havesmashed bone into splinters – but all his foot did was bounce offCadaverous’sjaw.Cadaveroussmiled.Then the world was nothing but deafening thunder and apocalyptic
earthquakes andCadaverous releasedValkyrie and she fell, hands over herears, glimpsing the horizon shatter and the hand of a god pulverising
mountains, levelling cities and filling the sky as it reached in and rearedabovethem.Andthenthehandwasfalling,thoseimpossiblefingerscurling,andCadaverousshriekedashewaspluckedfromtheground,vanishingintotheirfolds.Valkyrie glimpsed beyond the hand, to the shattered horizon, where she
sawagiant’seyeblinkingather.She looked around at the growing hotel, still no bigger than a child’s
lunchbox,andathersister,whowasreachingthroughitsbrokenwall.Alice tookbackherhandand thegod’s appendagewithdrew fromabove
them, taking Cadaverous with it. Alice came over. She held out her hand,showed Valkyrie the tiny Cadaverous Gant, lying helplessly in one of thecreasesofherpalm.ThenAlicelookedatValkyrie,smiled,andclapped.
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Dawn split the darkness, and a new day broke acrossRoarhaven. Shadowsstretched as the sun rose, and then shrank as it rose higher, feeding somewarmth into thechill air.SebastianarrivedatLily’shousebeforeeight,butTantalus was already there. Sebastian watched him through the window.Sebastian had already told Bennet and Forby about the fight in the tunnelwhenhe’dhandedoverthescythethepreviousnight,butnowTantaluswastellinghisversion.TheothermembersoftheDarquesseSocietylistened.Notoneofthemwasarguing.ItoccurredtoSebastianthatheneededthemmuchmorethanhe’drealised.
Yes,Forbyandthedevicewereessentialtohisplan,buthewasaloneinthiscity. He had no friends. He had no one he could talk to. This group ofoddballswastheclosestthinghehadtoafamilyanymore.Hecouldn’tlosethem.Steeling himself, he knocked. Lily answered, let him in. He joined the
othersinthelivingroom.Forbygavealittlewave.Tantalusglaredathim.Theotherslookeduneasy.Itwasallveryawkward.“PlagueDoctor,” Tantalus said, “so good of you to join us.We’ve been
talking amongst ourselves regarding your future with us. While we haveappreciatedyourinputandsuggestionsoverthelastfewmonths,wefeelthatyoumaynotbetherightfitforourlittlegroup.”“Right,”saidSebastian.“Idon’tsupposeIgetachancetoarguemycase,
doI?”“Let’snotmake thisanymoreuncomfortable than ithas tobe,”Tantalus
said.“Ithinkweshouldtakeavote.Handsup,allthosewhothinkthePlagueDoctorshouldbeexcludedfromtheDarquesseSociety.”Heputhishandup.Nobodyelsedid.“What?” Tantalus said, looking around. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you
understandtheoptions?”“Hands up,” said Bennet, “all those who think Tantalus should be
excluded.”
Allhands– exceptTantalus’s–wentup. Itwas soutterlyoverwhelmingthatSebastiandidn’tevenhavetoraisehisownhand.Buthediditanyway.“Youcan’tbeserious,”Tantalussaid,hiseyeswide.“We’resorry,”saidKimora.“Youcan’tkickmeoutofmyowngroup!”“Wait,”Ulyssessaid,“sincewhenisityourgroup?It’sourgroup.”“Itwasstartedinmylivingroom.”“Thatdoesn’tmakeityours.”Tantaluswentquietforamoment,thenpointedatSebastian.“Heassaulted
me.”“Youattackedhimwithaknife,”saidBennet.“Ididn’t!He’s lyingabout that! Ididn’t evenhave aknife!Heassaulted
me!”“Why?Whydidheassaultyou?”“He tried to kill me, because then he could blame it on the Cathedral
Guardsandhe’dbefreetotakeoverasleader.”“You’renottheleader,Tantalus,”Lilysaid.“ThenwhydoeseveryonedowhatIsay?”“Becauseyounever stopmoaningwheneverwedon’t,”Tarry responded.
“It’saneasier life ifwegoalongwithyour stupid rules.Butyoucan’t justattackpeople.”Tantalus folded his arms. “You can’t stop me from coming to the
meetings.”“We’renotgoingtotellyouwhenthemeetingsare.”“This… this isn’t fair.Why are you all taking his side?We don’t even
knowwhoheis!Hecouldbetheenemy!”Demurefrowned.“Whatenemy?”“Wehave loadsofenemies,you justdon’t see them!Everyone isagainst
us;everyonehatesus!Forallweknow,he’soneofthem!Imean,whywon’theshowushisface?”“Hecan’ttakehismaskoffforhealthreasons,”saidBennet.“He’s keeping his identity secret for a reason, you idiots!” Tantalus
screeched.“Weallhaveoursecrets,”Bennetsaid.“Idon’tmindthathedoesn’ttake
offhismask.It’skindacool.”“Ithinkit’scool,too,”saidKimora.“IwishIhadamask,”saidForby.“Sorry,Tantalus,”Bennetsaid.“You’regoingtohaveto
go.”
AveinpoppedoutonTantalus’s forehead.“You…youareallmakingabigmistake.”“SayhitoWendyforme.”“Die,Bennet.OK?Justdie.”Demuregasped.“Tantalus!”“Oh,shutup!Foronceinyourlife,Demure,justshutup,willyou?Allow
therestofustheluxuryofyoushuttingup!”“That’snowaytospeaktoDemure,”saidTarry.“Oh, here he comes!” Tantalus cried. “Rushing toDemure’s defence yet
again! She’s never going to leave her husband for you, Tarry! She barelynoticesyou’realive!”Tarry gaped, and went bright red, and now everyone was arguing with
TantalusandTantaluskickedoverthecoffeetable.“That’sit!”heroared.“I’mout!I’mleavingallyoulosersbehind!Ihope
youalldie!”Andhestormedoutofthehouse.BennethelpedLilyrightthecoffeetableasTarrytriedsmilingatDemure.“Idon’t…uh…Idon’twantyoutoleaveyourhusband,”hesaid.“Ofcoursenot,”saidDemure,avoidinghiseyes.Sebastianclearedhisthroat.“Ijustwanttosay…thanksforstickingupfor
me.Idon’thaveanyfriendsinRoarhavenrightnow,sothatmeansalot.”“You’reoneofus,”saidBennet,shrugging.Sebastian smiled. “Thankyou.”He turned toForby. “Sowas itworth it?
CouldyougetanyFacelessOnes’DNAfromtheblood?”“Idid,”saidForby.“OrwhatpassesfortheirDNAanyway.It’lltakeafew
daystoalignthedevice,butweshouldbeabletobeginthesearchbytheendoftheweek.”“That’samazingnews,”saidSebastian.“Anyideahowlongit’lltake?”“None.Notaclue.Bymycalculations,itshouldbeabletoscanuptosix
thousanddimensionsanhour.That sounds likea lot,untilyou factor in thepossibility of an infinite number of dimen-sions. I can adjust the searchparametersaswego,butweneedtobepreparedforthreepossibilities.One,the search takes a day. Two, the search takes fifty years. Three, the searchtakesforever,andstilldoesn’tfindwhatwe’relookingfor.”“That’ssortofdepressing,”saidKimora.“Nonsense,” Sebastian responded. “It’ll justmean that whenwe do find
Darquesse it’ll be evenmore astonishing, that’s all. I’vegot a good feelingaboutthis.Ithinkit’sgoingtowork.”Theothersglancedateachother,andnoddedtoBennet.“Willyoubeourleader?”Bennetasked.
Sebastianpaused.“Me?”“Youseemtoknowwhattodo,”Demuresaid.“Ithoughtwedidn’treallyhaveleaders,though.”“Wedon’t,”saidLily.“Butwecouldstart.So…willyou?”Hehesitated.He’dneverbeenaskedtoleadbefore.Thiswasawholenew
experienceforhim.“Yes,”hesaideventually.“Yes,Iwillbeyourleader.”Theycheered,andSebastianbeamed.
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Omen’s arm was bruised where Cadaverous Gant had grabbed him. Fourdistinct bruises, and a fifth whereGant’s bony thumb had pressed into hisflesh.Amarkofviolence.Abadge.Omenpulledhissleevedown,coveringit,andwentbacktoeatinglunch.“Hey,”Neversaid,smoothingdownherskirtbeforeshesatinfrontofhim.“Hi,”saidOmen,hismouthfull.Neverappliedabitofglossand smackedher lipsbefore speakingagain.
“Listen…Iwasthinkingaboutthebabysittingthing,youknow?Idon’tthinkyou shoulddo it again ifValkyrie asks. Imean, she’s usingyou, isn’t she?She’sgoingoff,havingadventures,andsheasksyoutocomeinandtakecareofher little sisterbecause sheknowsyou’ll sayyes.That’snot right.She’stakingadvantageofyoureagerness.”“Idon’tthinksheis.”“Ofcourseyoudon’t.She’skindofyouridol.Whenshewasyourage,she
was going offwith Skulduggery and saving theworld and that’swhat youwant.”“I’m,uh,I’mnotsureitis,actually.”Neverraisedaneyebrow.“Sincewhen?”“I’vebeen thinkingabout it, thinkingaboutwhat shegoes throughevery
time she has one of these adventures. It’s not just a… a fun rollercoaster.People’s livesare indanger. Innocentpeople,sometimes.There’sbloodandbrokenbonesandyougethotandsweatyandyouacheand…”“Andit’sreal,”Neversaidquietly.“Yeah,” saidOmen. “It’s real. So, like,maybe I’mOKbeingwho I am.
MaybeIwillleavethedangerousstufftotheprofessionals.”Neverchewedherlip,andforthefirsttimeshelookedupandmetOmen’s
eyes.“Ihavesomethingtoconfess,”shesaid.“Um…”“Youhaveanewboyfriend?”saidOmen.“No.”Omenleanedforward.“Anewgirlfriend?”
“No,notthat,either.Idon’treallyknowhowtosaythis,soI’lljustsayit.I’vebeen…helpingAuger.”Omensatback.“Oh.”“TheyneededaTeleporter,”Neversaidquickly.“Hetoldyouaboutwhat
wasgoingon,didn’the?WithMahalabeingpossessed,andthenKase…?Heaskedformyhelpand,youknow,whatwasIsupposedtosay?No?Icouldn’tdothat,soI…Ihelpedout.”“Right.”“You’remadatme,aren’tyou?Oh,God,youhateme.”“Idon’thateyou,Never.”“Yes,youdo.Youhateyourgorgeous,glamorousfriendNever.”Omenhadtosmile.“Idon’thateyou.”“Areyoumadatme?”“Tobehonest,Idon’tknowwhatIam.ButIdon’tblameyouforsaying
yes.Ofcourseyousaidyes.Whowouldn’t?”“I just feel bad about it. I feel like I’ve betrayed you or something.You
wanted the adventure, and I went off on one and left you behind to, like,babysitValkyrieCain’slittlesister.That’shardlyfair,isit?”“Don’tworryaboutit.”“You’retakingthisreallywell.”“Isitover?”Omenasked.“IsKaseallright?”“He’sback tonormal,”saidNever.“Theevilhasbeenvanquished.Good
guysrule.Statusquomaintained.Auger’swaitingtotalktoyou,actually,butIwantedtobetheonetotellyou.”“Isitgoingtobeathingnow?Areyou,like,partofmybrother’sgang?”Neverhesitated.“Idon’t reallyknow.Whatwouldyou thinkabout it if I
was?”Omen triedhis best, but therewasnoway to disguise the sadness in his
voice.“I’dbefinewithit.”“We’dstillbefriends.”“Iknowthat.Never,seriously,youdon’thavetofeelbad.”“Thanks, Omen.” Never watched Auger approach, and stood up. “I’m
gonnahead.Talktoyoulater?”“Sure,”saidOmen,andNeverwalkedoffwhileAugertookherplaceatthe
table.“It’slikeatagteamhere.”Augersmiled.“Howareyoufeeling?”“AboutNeverhelpingyouout?I’mfinewithit.I’mnotmadeofglass,you
know.I’mnotgoingtobreak.”“Iknow,”saidAuger.“Hey,rememberwhatweweretalkingaboutbefore,
whenyouaskedmewhoIwantedtobeoncetheprophecyisfulfilled?”
“Vaguely.”“I think I want to be normal,” said Auger. “I think I want to be like
everyoneelse.IstillwanttobeabletodothethingsIdo,but…Idon’twantthepressuretohavetodothem.Youknow?Isthatselfish?”“Idon’tthinkso.”“It sounds selfish. If you have gifts, don’t you have an obligation to use
themtohelpothers?”“Bythatstage,you’llhavedonethat,”saidOmen.“You’llhavebeatenthe
KingoftheDarklands.You’lldeserveaquietlife.”Augerthoughtforamoment,thenshrugged.“Anyway,that’swhoIwantto
be.”“Youseemalmostcheerful.”Auger laughed.“Iam,actually.Lifeafter theprophecywasalways justa
hazeforme–butnowIcanactuallyseeit.Icanseemyselfbeinghappy.”Omensmiled.“That’scool.That’ssocool.”“And it’sall thanks toyou,”Augersaid,“forbothering toaskaquestion
thatnobodyelseasked.Thanks,dude.”“Um…sure.Noproblem.”Augerstood.“Gottago.I’vegotatesttostudyfor.What’veyougotnext?”“We’reactuallygoingovertotheCityofTentsnowwithMissGnosis,so
I’llbemissingdoublemaths.”“Result,”saidAuger.“SayhitoAurniaforme,won’tyou?”Omensmiled.“Iwill.”
Afterlunch,OmengotintoasmallbuswithAxeliaandtheothervolunteers.Thebackseatwasloadedwithheavycardboardboxes.“OK,”MissGnosissaid,turningtothem,“todaywe’regoingtobehanding
out pamphlets containing phone numbers andwebsites that our friends aregoingtoneedwhentheymoveintotheirnewhomes.”“Theyhavehomes?”Axeliaasked.MissGnosissmiled.“They’removingintoRoarhaven.TheSupremeMage
hasorganisedaccommodation–she’sgotpeoplearrangingtrainingschemesandallkindsofwonderfulthings.They’vegotahomeagain,andIgotaletterfromtheHighSanctuarythankingeveryoneofyouforyoureffortsinmakingtherefugeesfeelcomfortableandwelcome.Sowelldone,thelotofyou.”“Dotheyevenknowwhatawebsiteis?”someoneasked.“Well, no, they don’t – not yet anyway. But that’s what the training
schemesarefor,togetthemuptospeedwithourworld.I’llbesplittingyouintogroupsofthree.Theusualrulesapply,gotme?Noonewandersoffaloneandeveryonestayswithinvisualrange.Questions?No?OKthen.”
They got to theCity of Tents, andOmen and the only other boywho’dvolunteered, an American student named Navada Machete, unloaded theboxes.Omenwas put into a groupwithNavada andAxelia, and they eachtook an armful of pamphlets and off they went. The mortals were busypackinguptheirmeagrebelongings,buttheytookthepamphletsbecausetheydarednot sayno to a sorcerer.Omen tried offering a reassuring smilewitheachpamphlethegaveout,buthewasn’tsureitwasworking.Aslenderhandpluckedapamphletfromhisgripandheturned.“What’sawebsite?”Aurniaasked,readingfromit.“It’sapageonacomputer,”saidOmen.“Weweretoldaboutthose,”Aurniasaid,“butwedon’thaveany.”Omen smiled. “Every house inRoarhaven has one.Do you knowwhere
you’llbelivingyet?”Aurniafoldedthepamphletandputitintoherjeanspocket.Itwasweird,
seeing her in regular clothes. “Not yet,” she said. “But Supreme MageSorrowstolduswe’llallbelivinginthesamearea.Thankyou,bytheway.”“Me?”saidOmen.“Ididn’tdoanything.”“Youmademeanambassador,” saidAurnia.“If Iwasn’tanambassador,
I’dneverhavemetGrandMageSorrows.Sheis…unearthly.”“I suppose she is. So, like… you’re moving into Roarhaven. We’ll be
neighbours!Kinda.”“Yes,”Aurniasaid,smilingbroadly.“Wehaveanewlifehere.I…Ican’t
tellyouwhatthatmeanstous.Ourlivesbackhomewere…difficult.Banditswouldattack,or sorcererswouldarriveanddestroyhalfourvillage just forfun. I thought thatwasexistence. I thoughtmy lifewasalwaysgoing tobethisway.“Andthenwecamehere,andwewereterrified;weweresomewherenew
andscary, somewherewedidn’tunderstand.And thenyouarrived,handingoutblankets,tellingusthatitwasgoingtobeOK.Thankyou,Omen.”“I’m,uh,I’mgladIcouldhelp.Maybewecouldspendsometimetogether,
y’know,onceyou’reinyournewhouseandeverything?IcouldgiveyouthattourIpromisedyou.”“That’dbenice,”Aurniasaid,smiling.Amomentpassed,andOmenwantedtoleaninandkissher.Hewantedto
kisshersobadly.Thiswas theperfectmoment.Heknewitwas.He tookadeepbreath.“Pleasedon’tkissme,”Aurniasaid.“Yep,”Omenresponded,nodding,“OK,fairenough.”“I’m…I’msorry,”shesaid.“Youjustlookedlikeyouweregoingtotryto
kissme.”
“DidI?Iwasn’t.Well,no,Iwas.Imean,IwasgoingtoaskifIcould.But,obviously…Ican’t.”“I’msorry,”saidAurnia,andshelookedgenuinelysad.“There’saboythat
I’velikedforaverylongtime,andIdidn’tthinkhelikedmeback.Butthenheheardaboutyouandthatmadehimcomeupandtellmethathedidlikeme,andheaskedifwecould…Idon’treallyknowwhatthewordforit ishere.”“Goout?”Omenventured.“Isthatit?Heaskedifwecouldgoout?So…Isaidyes.I’msorry.Ididn’t
meantodothis.Ididn’tknowitwouldhappen.ButI’velikedhimmywholelifeandhe’s…Isupposehe’soneofus…”“Andnotasorcerer,”saidOmen.“No.He’snot.It’seasier.Myparents,especially,theydidn’tunderstand…
you.”“Igetit,”Omensaid.“You’dlikehim,I think.He’s just likeyou.He’sfunnyandsmartandso
nice.You’dreallygetalong.”“That’scool.”“Ididn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings.Canwestillbefriends?”Omenlookedawayforamoment,thenback.“Iwouldlovethat,”hesaid.Aurniasmiled.“Good.Itwasniceseeingyouagain,Omen.”“You,too.”He watched her walk off. After a while, he became aware of someone
standingbesidehim.“Rough,”saidAxelia.Omenlaughed.“Don’tworryaboutme.”Shefrownedathim.“Youkeepsayingthat.Youkeeptellingpeoplenotto
worryaboutyou.Whyisthat?”“Uh…”“DoyouwanttoknowwhatIthink?”“Notifit’sgoingtobemean.”“Ithinkyoudon’tviewyourselfassomeonewhoisworthworryingabout.
Iwastalkingaboutyouwithmyfriends.”“Oh,God.”“Shush.We’vecometotheconclusionthatAugergotalltheattentionand
alltheaffectiongrowingup,andmaybeyouwerestarvedofitasachildandnowyouwalkaround,notbelievingthatyoudeserveanyforyourself.That’swhatwethink.”Sheshrugged.“Wemightbewrong.”“I…Ithoughtyourfriendshatedme.”
Axeliafrowned.“Whywouldtheyhateyou?You’relovely.You’renicetoabsolutelyeveryone.Thewholeschoollikesyou.”Tears,actualtears,cametohiseyes.“What?”“You’re so silly,” she said, and walked on, giving out pamphlets to the
mortalswhopassed.
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AfterReveriehadgivenbothoftheEdgleysisterstheall-clear,ValkyriegotchangedintoacleansetofclothesanddrovebacktoHaggardinacarshe’dborrowed from the High Sanctuary. Alice chatted the whole way like shehadn’tjustbeenthroughtheabsoluteworstkindofhell.Valkyriedidn’tknowhowshedidit.Theygottothehouse,andValkyriefollowedherlittlesisterintotheliving
room where Kes was waiting with her arms folded. She responded toValkyrie’slookofdelightedsurprisewithaglare.Alicegothalfwayacrosstheroomwhenshefroze.Valkyriefrowned.“Alice?YouOK?”Aliceturnedslowly.“What’swrong?”Valkyrieasked.“Alice,talktome.”“Ithink,”Alicesaidatlast,“thatIneedtopee.”Shescrunchedupherface,
andnodded.“Yep.”Thensheranofftothebathroom.Valkyriebreathedout.“Forasecond,Ithoughtshecouldseeyou.”“Howawfulthatwouldbe,”Kessaid.“I’malive,bytheway.Nothanksto
you.”“Iknewyou’dsurvive.”“Yeah?Because Ididn’t. It tookeverything Ihad tohealmyself, and for
therestof thenight Ihad to just lie thereon thepubfloor.TheCityGuardcameandtheykeptsteppingonmeandthroughmeandIwasn’tevenstrongenoughtocrawlintothecorner.”“Thankyou,”saidValkyrie.“Whatever.”“No,seriously–thankyou.Ineededyoutodosomethingincrediblyrisky
andyoudidit.Thatmeansalot.”Kesgrunted.“Yougotthemunchkinback,then.”“Yeah,”Valkyrieresponded,smiling.“Youshould’veseenher–shewasso
brave.”“Whatareyougoingtotellthefolks?”Valkyriehesitated,andKeslaughed.
“You’regoingtolietothem,aren’tyou?”“Ithinkit’sthewisestthingtodo,”saidValkyrie.“AnddoyouthinkAlicewillbeabletomaintainthatlie?”“Idon’tknow,tobehonest–butwhatchoicedoIhave?If theyfindout
whathappened…Idon’tknowwhatthey’ddo.”Kesshrugged.“Maybethey’dfigureit’ssaferforAlicetogrowupwithout
herbigsisteraroundthatmuch.”“Yeah,”saidValkyrie.“Maybe.”“They’reprobablyright.”“No,”Valkyriereplied.“Thiswasaone-off.Noonehas
goneaftermyfamilylikethisbeforethis,andnoonewillafterthis.”“TellthattoCarol.”“Thatwasdifferent.Thatwas…Thatwon’thappenagain.”“You know what?” Kes asked as Alice came back in. “You sound like
you’retryingtojustifywhatyou’redoing.”“Doyouwanttoseemydancing?”Aliceasked.“Yousoundlikeyouknowyou’rewrongandthatyou’rebeingselfishand
thatthebestthingforthepeopleyouloveistostayasfarawayfromyouaspossible—”“Stephanie?Doyouwanttoseemydancing?”“–butyoucan’tbringyourselftodoit,canyou?”ValkyrieforcedherselftosmileatAlice.“Yes,”shesaid.“Iwouldloveto
seeyourdancing.”Ahappysmileonherface,Aliceranoff.“I just got back,”Valkyrie saidquietly. “I spent fiveyearswithout them.
Withouther.Ican’tdoitagain.”“Youcouldquit,”saidKes.“Wouldn’tthatbethebestcompromise?Living
your lifeasanormalpersonwouldmakesure thatnoonecomesafteryourfamily ever again. So retire. Leave magic behind. Leave Skulduggerybehind.”Acarpulledupoutside.TheBentley.“But you can’t do that, either, can you?” Kes asked. “Because you’re
addicted.You’readdictedtomagicandyou’readdictedtohim.”“Icanhandle it,”saidValkyrie.“Icanmakesuremyfamily issafe from
nowon.”“Ilikeyou,Valkyrie,”saidKes.“You’remyonlyfriendinthewholeentire
world, so I’m kinda forced to like you. But you’re not being honest withyourself.”Thedoorbellrang,andKesdisappeared.“It’s Skulduggery!” Alice yelled out from the hallway. “Stephanie, it’s
Skulduggery!”
Thesoundofadoorbeingopened,andAlice’sexcitedchattermixingwithSkulduggery’svelvettones,andValkyriestoodthere,buryingheranxietyandherdoubtsandherfearsinabigholeinhermindandfillingitin,shovelfulaftershovelful, fasterandfaster,untilshecould turnandsmileas theybothcameintotheroom.“Skulduggery’shere!”Aliceexclaimed,leadingSkulduggerybyhisgloved
hand.“Hehasaface!”“Icalledatyourhouse,”Skulduggerysaid.“I thoughtyoumightbehere.
AmIinterrupting?”“No,” saidValkyrie, “not at all.We’rewaiting forMum andDad to get
back.Alicewasabouttoshowmeherdancing.”“Oh,yeah!”Alicesaid,andranoutoftheroomagain.Skulduggery was wearing a navy three-piece. His façade flowed away.
“Howareyoufeeling?”heasked.“Sore,”shesaid,holdingupherbandagedhand.“AndIlooklikeabushit
me.Apartfromthat,I’mfine.How’sTemper?”“Patchedupandwalkingaround.Ipaidavisittothatcountryhouse,bythe
way.Ifoundthemazeandplentyofblood,butnosignoftheWildHuntortheirvictims.”“Whataboutmyclothes?”“Nosignofthem,either,unfortunately.”Shesagged.“ButGhastlymadethemforme.”Alicecamein,tappingthescreenofatablet.“Foundit,”shesaid.Skulduggery hunkered down next to her. “And how are you feeling,
Alice?”Shelookedathim.“I’mfine,thankyou.Howareyou?”“I’m fine, too. How did you sleep last night? Did you have any
nightmares?”Aliceshookherhead.“Wereyouscared,atall?”“No,”Alicesaid.“Thebadmanisgone,isn’tthatright,Stephanie?”“That’sright,sweetie,”Valkyriesaid.“CanIdancenow?”“Ofcourse.”Aliceputthetabletdownandasongplayed.Shestarteddancing.Skulduggery stood beside Valkyrie and they watched the performance.
“Sheseemstobeingoodspirits,”hesaidsoftly.“Sheis,”saidValkyrie.“She’sgoingtotellMumandDadthatweplayed
gamesanddancedandwatchedmoviesyesterday.Shesaysshe’snotgoingtomentionanythingthathappened.”
“Doyouthinkshe’llbeabletodothat?”“She’scopingreallywellsofar.Idon’tseewhynot.”“Anddoyouthinkthisisthewisestcourseofactiontotake?”Valkyriesighed.“Notyou,too.”Hetiltedhishead.“Whoelsehasbeentalkingtoyouaboutthis?”“Noone,”shesaidquickly.“Ididn’tmeanitlikethat.Imeantit,like…”“Hey!”Alicecalled.“You’renotwatching!”“Weare,”Valkyrieassuredher.“Sorry.Continue.”Alicewentbacktodancing.“Anyway,”Valkyriecontinued,“Ithinkshe’llbeabletokeepthesecret.”Thesongended,andanotherbegan,andAlicehesitated.“Idon’tknowthe
danceforthisone.”“Makeitup,”saidValkyrie.“Likethis.”ShetookAlice’shandandstarted
dancing,andAlicelaughedanddidherbesttocopyherbigsister’smoves.“Whendidyoulearntosalsa?”Skulduggeryasked,clearlyamused.“IlearnedallsortsofthingswhenIwasaway,”Valkyriereplied,andheld
outherhandtohim.“Comeon.I’mnotdoingthisonmyown.”Alice laughedagainwhenSkulduggery tookValkyrie’shand.Shedanced
with them for averseor two, thenbroke free and starteddoinggymnasticsacrossthefloor.SkulduggeryspunValkyrieout,pulledherbackin,andtheydanced like that,Valkyrie enjoying every single step despite her aches andpains.“Mommy!”Aliceyelled,suddenlysprintingfromtheroom.Valkyrie turnedoff themusic, glancedatSkulduggery formoral support,
and followed her sister out into the hall just as the front door opened.HermothersweptAliceintoherarms.“Hellothere!”shesaid.“Mom!Didyoumissme?”“Idid,Idid,somuch.”“Didanyonemissme?”Desmondasked,closingthedoorbehindhim.“Idid,Daddy!”“Well,that’snicetohear.DidyouhaveagoodtimewithStephanie?”Valkyrietriedtofixasmileontoherface,butitwouldn’tattachproperly.Alicenoddedvigorously.“Islept inmyownroomatStephanie’shouse,”
shesaid.“AndweplayedgamesandIplayedwithXena.Canwegetadog?”Desmondgroaned.“Should’veknownthiswouldhappen.”“I’d really like a dog likeXena.Stephanie, doesXenahave a sister or a
brother?”“Idon’tthinkso,sweetie,”Valkyriesaid.
Hermum’s eyeswidenedwhen she took a proper look atValkyrie. “OhGod.Whathappened?”Valkyriesmiled.“Nothing.Don’tworryaboutit.”“Yourfaceis–”“I’mfine,Mum.Really.”ThereweresuddenlytearsinMelissa’seyesthatshequicklyblinkedaway.
“Well,OK,youknowwhatyou’redoing,” she saidwitha smileas fakeasValkyrie’s.“IsSkulduggeryhere?Wesawhiscaroutside.”“I’m just leaving,” Skulduggery said, stepping out of the living room,
wearinganewfaçade.“Oh,youdon’thavetoleave,”saidValkyrie’smum.“Ihavebusinesstoattendto,”Skulduggerysaid.“Itwasveryniceseeing
youagain.Alice,anabsolutepleasureasalways.”Alicegrinnedathim.“Bye,Skulduggery.”Valkyrie followed Skulduggery out, closing the front door behind her. If
she’dspentanothermomentwithhermothershewouldhaveburstoutcrying.“Alicehandledthatwell,”shesaid,thankfultofocusonsomethingelseas
shewalkedhimtotheBentley.“SheevenaddedthatbitaboutXena.She’sabornfibber,thatgirl–Ishouldprobablybeworried.”“Youprobablyshould,”Skulduggerysaidquietly.Valkyriefrownedathim.“EverythingOK?”Thefaçademeltedfromhisskull.“You’reright,”hesaid.“Alicehandled
thatwell.Shehandleditverywell.Impossiblywell.”Valkyrieshrugged.“She’sanEdgley.Impossibleisourthing.”“Any other child of that age – any other person of any age – would
probably be traumatised bywhat happened.Alice is not traumatised. She’shappy.”“What’swrongwiththat?She’salwayshappy.”“You’vementionedthatbefore,actually.Thefactthatshe’salwayshappy.
Canyouthinkofaninstancewhenshewasn’thappy?”“Why?”“Indulgeme.”“Kindofaweirdthingtoindulgeyouwith.”“Please.”Valkyriesighed.“Sure,OK.Um…”“Haveyoueverseenhercry?Idon’tmeanfromagrazedkneeorastubbed
toe.Haveyoueverseenhercrybecauseshe’ssad,orupset,orangry?”“OfcourseIhave.”“When?”
“Well,Imean…Ican’trememberexact—OK,Idon’tthinkIhave,butsowhat? I’ve been gone for most of her life. What are you getting at,Skulduggery?You’restartingtofreakmeoutalittle.”“Haveyoueverusedyouraura-visiononher?”Valkyriestaredathim.“WhywouldIdothat?”“Maybeyoushould.”“Why?”“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“IjustknowthatAliceshouldnotbeashappyas
sheis–notaftereverythingthat’shappenedtoher.”“Youthinkthere’ssomethingwrongwithher?”“Yes.”Anger boiled, mixed with the dread that was suddenly coursing through
Valkyrie’sveins.“Whatdoyou…?Whatdoyouexpectmetosee?”“I’dprefernottosay.”“Tellme.”“No,”hesaid.“Notuntilyoulook.”Shewasshaking.Herkneesweretrembling.Sheclenchedherjawtostop
herteethfromchattering.Somehow she turned; somehow shewalkedback towards thehouse.She
peered through the living-roomwindow.Shecouldsee them in thekitchen,her parents and her sister, talking and laughing. She tried to turn the aura-visionon.Triedagain.Itwouldn’twork.No,itwouldwork–shejustdidn’twanttodoit.She forced herself to switch it on, and she peered in again. Her parents
shonewithastrongyellowlight–warmandhealthy.ButAlice…Alicedidn’thavealight.Valkyrie staggered back from the window. “No,” she said. “No. No.”
Skulduggerycaughtherandshepulledawayfromhim.“Whatis it?What’swrongwithher?”“Whatdidyousee?”heasked.“Shedoesn’thaveac-colour,”Valkyriestammered.“Shedoesn’th-h-have
one.What’swrongwithher?Whatdidhed-dotoher?”“Thiswasn’tCadaverous,”Skulduggerysaid.“Thisisn’tarecentthing.”“Wh-whatareyoutalkingab—?”Shestopped.Shecouldn’tfeelherbody.Shecouldn’tfeelthetearsthatshe
knewwererunningdownhercheeks.“Ididit,”shesaid.“WhenIkilledherandbroughtherback…Idamaged
her.Shedoesn’thaveasoulbecauseofme.”“Valkyrie—”
Hereachedforherandshetookastepback.Energycrackledbetweenherfingers.Shecouldfeelitbehindhereyes.Building.“Valkyrie,”Skulduggerysaid,“listentomyvoice.It’sgoingtobeOK.You
just…youjusthavetocalmdown.”She shook her head.The energywas all around her now, building like a
scream, and then it tore loose and she shot off the ground, into the air,lightningtrailingbehindher.Sheclutchedherheadandtwisted,shriekingherpain and her rage and her guilt, spinning through the sky, into the clouds,roaringhergriefattheplanetthatcurvedbeneathher.
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Hefoundherhourslater,huddlingononeofthetinyislandsofftheHaggardcoast.Herclotheswerescorched,andhangingoffher.Hertrainershadburstapart.Shedidn’trememberthemdoingthat.Hedroppedfromtheskygently,quietly,andtookoffhisjacket.Hedraped
itoverher shoulders, andsatbesideher.Theywatched thewater lapat thesmall,stonybeach.“WhathaveIdone?”shewhispered.He put his arm round her, and pulled her tight. “We’ll fix her,” he said.
“We’llmakeherbetter.”
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Flanerydidn’tliketobeintheOvalOfficepastfiveattheverylatest,butitwasnearingmidnightandhewasstillhere,stillsittingbehindhisdesk,stillbeingpresident.Sometimeshe took a fewmoments out of his day to thinkabouthowfarhe’dcomeinhissixty-sevenyears,fromthesonofahumblemillionaire toa self-madebillionaire to the leaderof the freeworld,andhecouldn’t help butwonder how his lifewould have turned out if he’dmadedifferentchoices.Buthedidn’tthinkaboutitfortoolong.Introspectionwasforlosers.WilkesknockedonthedoorandFlanerycalledhimin.“I was just checking to see if there’s anything you need before I punch
out?”Wilkessaid,smilinglikeanidiot.Flanery smiled back. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I think I’ve got
everythingundercontrol.Don’tyou?”“Oh, yes, sir,” Wilkes said, and laughed. “If anyone does, you do.
Goodnight,sir.”Flanerynodded,andwaitedforWilkestoalmostreachthedoorbeforehe
asked,“DidyoucallAbyssinia,bytheway?”Wilkeshesitated,thenturned.“She’sprovingelusive,sir.”“Elusive,huh?”“I’lltryagaininthemorning.”Flanery leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands over his stomach.
“Whatdoyouthinkofmyidea,tomoveuptheoperation?Behonestnow.”Wilkeschewedhislipforasecond,thensteppedfurtherintotheroom.“I
thought itwasgood, sir.You’re absolutelycorrect:youneed thecountry togetbehindyou.Myonlyconcernisthatthisoperationneedstobepulledoffperfectlythefirsttime.We’rereallynotgoingtogetasecondchance.”“Iagree,”saidFlanery.Wilkesblinked.“Youdo?”“Ofcourse.Ilistentoyou,Wilkes,evenwhenyoudon’tthinkIdo.You’ve
beenwithmefromthestart.Youhelpedgetmeelected.”“Thankyou,sir,butIreckonthatwasallyou.”
“Ijusttoldthepeoplewhatthey’dbeenwaitingtohear,”Flanerysaid.“Alltheyneededwassomeonewhounderstoodthem.AndIdounderstandthem.Iknowwhattheywant.Iknowwhattheyloveandwhattheyfear.They’remypeople,Wilkes.Allofthem.”“Yes, sir,MrPresident,”Wilkes said, andgaveanodanda smilebefore
turningtoleave.“Areyougoingtocallher?”Flaneryasked.“Sir?”“Abyssinia.AreyougoingtocallAbyssinia?”“Oh,”saidWilkes.“You,uh,youstillwantmetotellhertomoveupthe
operation?”“No,no,”Flanerysaid,wavinghishand.“We’vejustdecidedthatwecan’t
affordtorushthat,haven’twe?No,Iwaswonderingifyou’regoingtocallhertobriefheronwhatI’vebeenupto.”“I’mnotsureIunderstand…”“Youdon’t?”Flanerysaid,raisinghiseyebrows.“CorrectmeifI’mwrong,
but…youareherspy,aren’tyou?”Wilkeslaughed.“Uh,I’mnospy,MrPresident.”“No?Iwasmisinformed?”“Youmusthavebeen,sir,”Wilkessaid,havingagoodchuckle.“Goodnight
now.”“That’s so weird,” said Flanery. “So your sorcerer name isn’t Vox
Askance?”Wilkesfroze.“Iknowallaboutyou,”Flanerycontinued.“I’veknownforweeks.Ididn’t
believe it at first. I saidWilkes is too spineless to be a spy.Weak-WilledWilkes,Icalledyou.ButthenIwasshownproof.”Wilkesturnedslowly.“Youbetrayedme,”Flanerysaid.“Youliedtomeandbetrayedme.You’re
oneofthem.You’reafilthy,degenerateweirdo.”Wilkeswasstandingdifferently.Hisbackwasstraighter,hisshouldersno
longerstooped.“Whotoldyou?”“Youbetrayedme!”Flaneryscreamed,jumpingtohisfeet.“You knowwhat?”Wilkes said. “I’m glad you know. I’m delighted.Do
you have any idea how hard it has been, these last few years, to even bearound you? You are detestable. You are ignorance personified. I’ve beenaroundsomenastypeople,I’vebeenaroundmurderers,butyou?Youarebyfartheworst.Andthat’ssayingsomething.”Flanerysneered.“Youthinkyou’re—”
“Shut up,” said Wilkes, and snapped out his hand. A gust of wind hitFlanery so hard it toppled him backwards over his chair, and he wentsprawlingontothecarpet.“Youwereshownproof,wereyou?”Wilkessaid,walkinguptothedesk.
“Wasitwithpictures?Becauseitsureashellwasn’tawrittendocument.Godforbidyoueverhavetoreadsomething.”Flaneryscrambledup.“Get–getawayfromme.”“You’re an insufferable littleman, you know that? I deserve amedal for
what I’ve had to put upwith.Abyssinia shouldmakeme a general for notsnappingyourneckeverytimeyoublatantlyliedaboutsomethingyouknewIknew.Abyssinia’splan? Itwasn’t your idea, youmoron. Itwashers. IwastherewhenPartheniosLiltexplainedittoyou.Andthenyoutrytotakecreditforit?Whatiswrongwithyou?”Flanerylungedforthebuttononhisdesk,butWilkesgrabbedhiswristand
twisted. Flanery cried out.He tried to hitWilkes, but he’d never thrown apunchbeforeanditbouncedoffWilkes’sshoulder.Wilkes laughed. “Everything about you is soft,” he said, forcing Flanery
backwards until hewas pressed against thewall. “Your arms are soft, yourbelly’ssoft,yourhands…dearGod,yourhandshaveneverdoneamoment’shardwork,havethey?Notasinglemoment.”“Help,”Flanerywhispered.“Helpme.”“Oh, don’t worry, Mr President. I’m not going to kill you. Abyssinia
wouldn’twantthat.Sheneedsyoufortheplantowork.Herplan.Wecanstillwork together, can’twe?Sure, there’ll have to be some changes.You’ll betreatingmealotbetter,foronething.Hell,you’llbetreatingeveryonealotbetter. In fact, I reckon you’re going to turn over a whole new leaf, MrPresident.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthat?”Flanerylickedhislips.“Helpme.”Wilkesleanedin.“Hasthatfragilemindofyoursfinallysnapped?I’mnot
goingtohelpyou.I’mtheonethreateningyou.”“Ithinkhewastalkingtome,”saidthetallmaninthecheckedsuitbehind
him.WilkesturnedandCrepuscularVieshithiminthethroat.Gasping, gagging, Wilkes stumbled to the desk and slid along it.
Crepuscularfollowed,walkingslowly.Flaneryhadneverseenhiminthelightbefore.Hedidn’thaveany lips.Hisgumssimplymergedwith theskin thatwasstretchedtootightroundhishead.Hischeekbonesandeyesocketswerepronounced,andtheeyesthemselvesbulgedliketheyweregoingtopopoutatanysecond.
Flanery stared, his fascination mixing with revulsion, and watched asCrepuscularreachedout,pulledWilkestowardshim,andbrokehisneck.Wilkesfell.“You…youkilledhim,”Flanerywhispered.“Did I?” saidCrepuscular, andglanceddown. “Oh, so I did.”Hemoved
roundtoFlanery’schair,laidhispork-piehatonthedesk,andsat.“Lookatme,”hesaid.“I’mthePresident.”Hisblackhairwaspartedinthemiddle,liketheyusedtodointhe1920s.
He leaned back, put his feet up. His socks were brightly coloured, andmatchedhisbowtie.Flanery’stremblinglegstookhimtothemiddleoftheroom,andheturned
inacircle,panicrisingwithinhim.“Whatarewegoingtodo?Whatarewegoingtodo?”Crepuscularraisedaneyebrow.“Aboutwhat?”“AboutWilkes!”“Don’t worry about Wilkes,” said Crepuscular. “We’ll tell Abyssinia he
disappeared,andwe’llkeepgoingalongwithherlittleplanforaslongasit’sinourbestinterests.”“Imeantthebody!Imeantthedeadbody!”“Oooooh.Well, leave thatwithme,Martin. I’myourgo-toguynow. If I
can’tgetridofacorpsefromtheOvalOffice,whatuseamI?”“Youdidn’t…”“What’sthat?Sorry?”“Youdidn’ttellmeyouweregoingtokillhim.”Crepuscular fixedhimwith a stare from those hideous eyes. “You’re not
mypresident,Martin.Ididn’tvoteforyou.I’mnotevenAmerican.SoIdon’thavetotellyouanything.Ididn’thavetotellyouthatWilkesherewasaspyforAbyssinia,butIchoseto,becausewe’reinthistogether.Ididn’thavetotell you that the secret magical government of the world has been subtlyinfluencingyouandyourpeople…butIchoseto.Why?”“Becausewe’re…we’reinthistogether?”Crepusculartappedafingeragainstaninvisiblegong.“Exactly.And,now
thatit’sofficial,I’mgoingtobeintroducingyoutoalotofinterestingpeoplewhocandoalotofinterestingthingsforyou.”“Morepeoplelikeyou?”“Heh.There’snooneelsequitelikeme,buddyboy.ButI’llbeintroducing
youtofriendsofmine.Sorcerersandthelike.Inparticular,there’sadoctorIwantyoutomeet,athingcalledNye.Ithasaproposalforusthatjustmakesmegiddywithjoy.”
CrepuscularwassittingbehindthatOvalOfficedesklikehewasborntoit.Nowthat theshockwaswearingoff, that littlefactwasstartingtowormitswaydownthebackofFlanery’sspine.“What’sinitforyou?”heasked,feelingtheoldbravadoreturning.“Me?”saidCrepuscular.Heputonehandonthedeskandvaultedoverit,pluckinguphishatwith
thesamehandandplacingitonhisheadasheloomedoverFlanery.“I’vegotscores to settle, buddy boy. I’vewaited hundreds of years for this, andmytime is finally here. I’ve got a list of things Iwant to destroy and a list ofpeopleIwanttokill,andyou’regoingtohelpmedoit.”Flaneryswallowed.“OK.”Crepuscular put an arm round Flanery’s shoulders. “This is the start of
somethingspecial,Martin.Canyoufeelit?Icanfeelit.Together,we’regoingtosmasheverythinggoodinhislifeandkilleverylastthingheloves,andI’llstandoverhim,rightattheend,andI’llsay,‘See?Ibeatyou.Iwon.’”“St-standoverwho?”“Hmm?Oh,sorry,buddyboy,”Crepuscularsaid,andlaughed.“Hisname’s
SkulduggeryPleasant.I’mgoingtokillSkulduggeryPleasant.”
OceanofPDF.com
TheSkulduggeryPleasantseries
SKULDUGGERYPLEASANTPLAYINGWITHFIRETHEFACELESSONES
DARKDAYSMORTALCOIL
DEATHBRINGERKINGDOMOFTHEWICKEDLASTSTANDOFDEADMENTHEDYINGOFTHELIGHT
RESURRECTIONMIDNIGHT
THEMALEFICENTSEVEN
ARMAGEDDONOUTTAHERE
(aSkulduggeryPleasantshort-storycollection)
TheDemonRoadtrilogy
DEMONROADDESOLATION
AMERICANMONSTERS
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TableofContents
TitlePage 2Copyright 3Dedication 4Epigraph 5Contents 6Chapter1 9Chapter2 15Chapter3 17Chapter4 23Chapter5 29Chapter6 34Chapter7 38Chapter8 45Chapter9 49Chapter10 54Chapter11 57Chapter12 58Chapter13 64Chapter14 67Chapter15 69Chapter16 72Chapter17 79Chapter18 86Chapter19 89Chapter20 95Chapter21 96Chapter22 100Chapter23 105
Chapter24 111Chapter25 113Chapter26 120Chapter27 121Chapter28 125Chapter29 131Chapter30 136Chapter31 143Chapter32 147Chapter33 152Chapter34 157Chapter35 160Chapter36 163Chapter37 168Chapter38 177Chapter39 181Chapter40 184Chapter41 187Chapter42 193Chapter43 198Chapter44 203Chapter45 210Chapter46 215Chapter47 218Chapter48 222Chapter49 223Chapter50 229Chapter51 232Chapter52 237Chapter53 240
Chapter54 242
Chapter55 243Chapter56 251Chapter57 254Chapter58 258Chapter59 260Chapter60 262Chapter61 267Chapter62 268Chapter63 270Chapter64 273Chapter65 275Chapter66 276Chapter67 278Chapter68 281Chapter69 283Chapter70 287Chapter71 290Chapter72 294Chapter73 297Chapter74 300Chapter75 304Chapter76 308Chapter77 310Chapter78 315Chapter79 319Chapter80 325Chapter81 332Chapter82 333KeepReading… 338