She paused to check around her, making sure Scorn wasn’t anywhere about. Then she slipped by the Rippers at the door and walked quickly between the rows of cars, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. Her shoes, magnificently elegant though they were, had not been designed for walking across gravel, and were totally unsuited to walking across grass or, indeed, through woodland. But China had grace, and poise, and where a lesser woman would already have toppled, China remained upright. The real trick, of course, was to make it look effortless, even when there was no one around to appreciate it.

She cracked twigs and speared leaves with virtually every step, and there were certain kinds of branches that only wanted to snag her dress as she passed. She stepped from the treeline into a clearing. Gallow’s car sat quiet and dark, and China was already scowling as she approached. She banged her fist on the passenger side window. She doubted it would give Gallow a scare, but she had to at least make the effort after walking all this way. She opened the door and stooped to get in, froze when she realised Gallow wasn’t moving. She took a breath, bent lower. Gallow’s chin was resting on his chest. The upper half of his head was sitting on his lap.

There was a note on the dashboard, illuminated by a strip of moonlight. Too late, sweetie.

China stayed where she was. If anyone was sneaking up behind her, they weren’t making a sound. If anyone was watching from the trees, they weren’t making a move. She straightened up slowly. If this was a trap, then she was already at a disadvantage, and she wasn’t going to make things any better by losing her composure.

Her heart was beating so fast and so loud she swore it was audible. Resisting the urge to spin round, she smoothed down her dress and turned. No one jumped out at her. Back through the trees, back the way she had come, she could see the lights of the house. A house filled with sorcerers who didn’t exactly trust her, perhaps, but it was still a refuge. Skulduggery and Valkyrie were there, and Ghastly and Ravel. She would be safe there. At least she’d be able to see who was going to attack.

But if the roles had been reversed and it had been China who had planned this trap, then she would be lying in wait somewhere along that trail. Lure the prey in, scare the prey, and attack when the prey tries to run to safety. An ambush as simple as it was effective. Her options were clear. Take the quickest route out of the woods and probably run right into the attack, or turn and go the other way. Deeper into the woods.