“And the fact is, I don’t need another guy telling me how great I am. I know how great I am. I’m me. And, to be honest, I’m finding it fairly weird that you’re suggesting this so casually when the guy is, like, ten years older than I am. Aren’t you supposed to be advising me against older men?”

“This is very true,” Gordon said. “And you’re absolutely right. This Geraint is far too old. You’re to stay away from that boy.”

Valkyrie frowned. “And now suddenly he seems so much hotter.”

“Typical teenage girl,” Skulduggery said, “wanting what she can’t have.”

“So now you’re saying I can’t have him? My God, Geraint Mizzle is the hottest guy I’ve ever known.”

Skulduggery swept his hand towards the crowd. “Then go to him. Dance and fall in love.”

“Ah,” she said, shrugging, “maybe later.”

Hansard Kray came over, nodding to all of them. Valkyrie found herself standing a little straighter. “Pardon the interruption,” he said.

“Not at all,” Gordon replied, grinning. “Having a good night, are we? Do you like the music? It’s certainly music made to be danced to, isn’t it?”

Valkyrie glared at Gordon, but he ignored her.

“It is,” Hansard said, “and the night has been wonderful, thank you very much for inviting us. I was wondering, though, if any of you had seen my father.”

Gordon looked more disappointed than Valkyrie actually felt. “Oh,” he said. “No, I’m sorry, I haven’t.”

“He’s had too much to drink,” Hansard said, blushing slightly. “I’m afraid he might be wandering the house, insulting anyone he meets.” He looked at Valkyrie. “I do apologise for the things he said. Please know that if you had hit him, I would have understood.”

She smiled. “That’s good to know. I could help you look for him, if you want.”

“You would?” he said, relieved. “Oh, thank you very much. If you could search those rooms over there, I’ll search these rooms over here, and between us we should find him.”

He smiled again, and hurried off. Valkyrie frowned.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Skulduggery said. “A boy who can resist the charms of Valkyrie Cain.”

“Shut up,” she growled, walking off. He followed.

“He’s seventeen, you know,” he said. “From what I can gather, a thoroughly nice lad.”

“I don’t care.”

“I don’t know much about him, not really. His family keeps to themselves.”

“That’s nice.” They walked from room to room.

“From what little I do know, however, he does like girls, if that’s what you’re worried about.”