Melior put his hand on the Soul Catcher and the hose sucked out Tanner Rut’s life force. Valkyrie didn’t watch him die. He tried not to scream, but that didn’t last long. Thankfully, it was over in seconds, and then he was nothing but a dried-out husk and Melior was transferring his energy into Abyssinia.

The birth continued, spurred on with renewed vigour. Valkyrie became aware of the silence. The prisoners weren’t cheering any more; they were staring. Whether in fascination or revulsion Valkyrie didn’t know. On her part, it was a definite mixture of both.

Abyssinia was at her full height now. Her body was curled up like a foetus in the womb. Her internal structure complete, skin was beginning to form. It spread like paint. Silver hair sprouted and grew long.

Then the Soul Catcher emptied.

Lethe stood beside Razzia and Smoke, watching Melior as the doctor ran a glowing hand over Abyssinia’s body.

“Well?” Lethe asked. “Is it done?”

“Almost,” Melior said, his voice cracking with weariness. He looked up at Valkyrie. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “We need just a little more.”

The convicts cheered and hollered, rattling cups against the bars of their cells, and Memphis made to jump down.

“Stay where you are,” Cadaverous said. “I’ll do it.” He grabbed the final hose, swapping it out for the one in the tripod. But as he reached for the nozzle it leaped into Skulduggery’s hand.

“And how do you intend to get to her?” Skulduggery asked, lifting off his feet.

“Lethe!” said Cadaverous. “We had a deal!”

“I really don’t care,” Lethe admitted.

Cadaverous seethed, and glared upwards. “I’ll kill you.”

Skulduggery made an amused sound and came level with Valkyrie’s eyes.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hello,” she said back.

“Your face is very red.”

“I feel like I’m about to pass out – which would be a blessing, by the looks of things.”

“Kill her,” Lethe commanded.

Skulduggery ignored him. “I have hugely enjoyed our time together, Valkyrie. You are one of only two people I have ever known capable of surprising me on a nearly daily basis. You are extravagant and wonderful.”

“You’re not so bad yourself. Sorry I said what I said at Melior’s place, by the way.”

His head tilted. “What did you say?”

“When we were talking about resurrecting people. I said—”

“Ah,” he said, “you asked how many people that I’ve lost would I love to see again. As I recall, you apologised at the time.”

“Yeah, well, I’m apologising again, because I still feel bad about it.”

“You’re forgiven.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“And I apologise for calling your brain ‘semi-remarkable’.”

“That did hurt, but you’re forgiven, too.”

“That’s very gracious of you. You don’t seem daunted by the prospect of dying.”