“But as you’ve just pointed out,” Skulduggery said, “we’re not official Sanctuary operatives, so I think we’ll be skipping that part of things, if it’s all right with you.”

“It’s not all right with me.”

“And yet we’re going to skip it anyway. Please, feel free to tell Thurid Guild that this was all your doing, while we focus on going after Scarab and his lot. And don’t worry, when we arrest them, you can tell everyone you did it. We don’t do what we do for the glory or the fame or the credit; we do it for the quiet satisfaction of making the world a better place, saving the lives of innocents, and being better than you are.”

Skulduggery tilted his head to one side and Valkyrie knew he was smiling.

40 WITH GORDON

40
WITH GORDON

Valkyrie and Fletcher teleported into Gordon’s house, arriving in the living room where the sun struggled to come in through the windows.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” said Valkyrie, making for the stairs.

“I’ll come with you,” Fletcher said, following.

She turned. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“I’m just going up to the study.”

“I’ll help you.”

“You don’t read.”

“I read loads. Just not when you’re around.”

“Read down here.”

“Why can’t I come up?”

“Because the study is a treasure trove of secrets, and somewhere I like to be alone. It’s my uncle’s space.”

“What’s a trove?”

“A trove is a collection of valuable objects.”

“How would you know that?”

“It’s the kind of thing Skulduggery tells me.”

“You must have scintillating conversations.”

“They do put this one in the shade. I like the use of scintillating by the way.”

“I thought you’d be impressed. So can I see the study?”

“You ask that like you think you’ve argued your point and won.”

“I haven’t?”

“Big words don’t win arguments.”

She left him and climbed the stairs. The study was the same as she’d left it – books on shelves, notes in bundles, awards as paperweights. Valkyrie closed the door and pulled back the false book on the far bookcase, causing the bookcase to swing open. She walked through into the hidden room, the room that contained all of her uncle’s most secret magical possessions. The Echo Stone glowed on the table, and Gordon Edgley shimmered into existence before her.

“Well?” he asked. “How did the rescue mission go? How is Skulduggery?”

“Oh, yes, we got him back.”

“You did? Well, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy!”

“Yeah.”

Gordon looked around. “I’m always in this room. There are no windows in here.” He looked back at her. “What’s wrong? You look troubled. Are you feeling OK?”

“I’m fine. I’ve just got another headache.”

“Another…?”