“This isn’t your fight. It isn’t your job to deal with these psychos and it isn’t your job to rescue people, as pleased as I am that Temper is alive.”

“You keep saying that,” Temper said. “I don’t think I believe you any more.”

“I’m sorry I disobeyed Skulduggery,” said Omen, “but I really want to be a part of this. It’s my one chance to be someone.”

“You’re fourteen,” Valkyrie said. “You have plenty of time to be someone. You don’t belong out here. You belong in school.”

“Hey,” said Temper, putting an arm round Omen’s shoulders, “show my boy here some respect. He saved me, Valkyrie. He hitched a lift with Nero, came into the lion’s den, sneaked by all the nutcases, freed me from my prison cell and then saved me from getting my ass kicked. It’s because of him that I got back in one piece. He can handle himself, OK? Which is more than either of us have done lately.”

“He’s a kid.”

“So were you.”

“And look at me now. Seriously. Look at what all that action and adventure has done to me. I’m a frickin’ basket case. My best friend has been taken from me and I’m barely holding it together. I’ve got parents who worry about me and a little sister I never see because I don’t deserve her love. My life is a mess, Omen. For the last five years, I’ve cried myself to sleep and practically every morning I’ve woken up screaming. I feel myself dip into these pits of sadness and I can see it coming, but I can’t do anything about it, and every time it takes me just a little bit longer to climb back out. Is that what you want? Is this the kind of adventure you’re looking for?”

Omen didn’t respond.

“Have a normal life,” Valkyrie said. “Please. Just walk away. Leave it all behind. Leave magic behind. Live as a mortal. That’s what I’d do, if I could do it all over again.”

“I don’t believe that,” said Temper.

“And it’s a good thing I don’t care what you think.”

“We could do with his help, Valkyrie, seeing as how we are so vastly outmatched as it stands.”

“Well, why stop there?” she asked. “Why stop with a fourteen-year-old? Why not get a couple of toddlers to draw enemy fire? Why not have an entire brigade of babies and idiots?”

“I’m starting to feel a little insulted,” Omen said quietly.

“And where did this we business start, anyway?” Valkyrie demanded. “We’re not a team, Temper. Skulduggery and me, we were a team. But I barely know you, and I hardly trust you.”

“Skulduggery trusted me.”

“Did he? You sure about that?”