“I don’t know, Valkyrie. Maybe you subconsciously knew that Melancholia didn’t actually intend to kill you. Maybe Darquesse only emerges as a last resort in order to keep you alive. Or maybe it’s a whim. I don’t know.”

Valkyrie nodded. “She weakened, you know.”

Skulduggery tilted his head. “Melancholia?”

“Right before she inflicted the serious damage, she weakened. She almost fainted, I think. There’s something wrong with her. I didn’t stand a chance once she got her strength back, but if I’d gone after her in that moment, when she was weak, I could have battered her around the place, I know I could have.”

“Interesting,” Skulduggery said.

“What does it mean? Is it anything useful?”

“I’m sure it is,” he said. “Get some rest, OK? And maybe you should call Fletcher. You’ve been through a traumatic experience.”

“I’m used to them.”

“I’m sure Fletcher’s worried about you.”

“Since when do you care if he’s worried? I called him from the Sanctuary, told him I’m fine. I’m fine, he’s fine. You’re the only one who’s worried.”

“I care too much, that’s always been my problem. Well, if you’re absolutely positive you don’t need company, and you don’t need me to tell you a story before you go to sleep…”

“Actually,” she said, “maybe a small one.”

“Oh?”

“Having little Alice around got me thinking. You never did tell me why you abandoned your family crest.”

His head tilted. “Did I not? Are you sure? I’m sure I mentioned it. Possibly when we were fighting something huge and horrible. I think I shouted it to you, but you may have been too busy being thrown against a wall. Still, the important thing is that I told you, so let’s cherish that moment and move on.”

“Or you could just tell me again.”

“Oh, Valkyrie, you know how much I hate repeating myself.”

“Yet you’ve told me the story of how you saved that orphanage, like, a hundred times.”

“That’s because it’s an exciting story, with twists and turns, and it paints me in an impressive light.”

“So the story of why you abandoned your family crest paints you in a negative light?”

“Essentially.”

“Hey, if you really don’t want to tell me, that’s OK, I understand.”

“Excellent.” He walked towards the door.

She frowned. “So?”

He stopped. “So what?”

“So tell me.”

“You… said you understood…”

“Don’t you know anything? That was me, lying. Whenever someone says you don’t have to tell them, you have to tell them. That’s a rule. It’s how communication works.”

“It seems to be a flawed system.”

“Tell me why you abandoned your crest, and I’ll tell you one of my secrets.”

“You have no secrets.”

“I have loads.”