“Not counting Craven, Melancholia and the White Cleaver, thirty-three. But they aren’t experienced. They’ve spent most of their adult lives in one Temple or another. They’ll put up a fight, but it won’t be a good one, so I’d consider it a personal favour if you don’t kill every last one of them.”

Skulduggery turned to him. “What makes you think we’re inclined to do you any favours?”

“I don’t know. Naivety?”

“Why don’t you want them dead?” Valkyrie asked.

Wreath shrugged. “They’re scared and confused and they’re a little dim, to be honest. But they don’t all deserve to die, not if they don’t have to. Craven absolutely deserves it. Melancholia, it’d be safer for everyone if she stopped breathing. But the others…”

“They’re harmless?”

“Well,” Wreath said, managing a smile, “maybe not harmless, but certainly misguided. They’re my brothers and sisters. Granted, not the type of brothers or sisters that you actually like, but even so, I’d hate to see them die for nothing.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Skulduggery said. “How long can we expect them to stay here?”

“Oh, they’re not going anywhere. Apart from the fact that they have no other back-up available to them, this is where Melancholia will try to usher in the Passage.”

Skulduggery’s voice turned sharp. “Tonight?”

“Yes indeed. I don’t know what Craven is thinking, because Melancholia will be much more powerful tomorrow night. Maybe he anticipates your interference, and he wants to get it all out of the way as soon as possible.”

Valkyrie ducked back. “I saw someone at the window. They’re in there, all right.”

“Then my work here is done,” Wreath said. “I wish you both the best of luck, and I have faith that you will foil their evil plans and save the day. Skulduggery, it’s been a pleasure as always. Valkyrie, once Melancholia falls, there’s going to be an opening in the Death Bringer department, so if you ever want to continue your training with me…”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she said sourly.

Wreath smiled, the shadows curled around him, and he was gone. Valkyrie looked at Skulduggery. “Another raid on a Necromancer stronghold?”

“It would appear so,” he said. “Although this is less a stronghold than a Retirement Home, but your point is well made. Still, I have a feeling this one is going to go much quicker than the raid on the Temple, so long as…”

“So long as we have Fletcher with us.”

“Yes. I am sorry, Valkyrie, but we do need his help.”

“Don’t apologise,” she said. “Just don’t ask me to call him. I doubt he’d pick up.”