Valkyrie grinned. “Yeah. Totally.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Grand,” she said. “Fine. Shoulder’s healed. Not even a scar.”

“And your other injury?”

“Having some of my life force sucked out? I have no way to gauge my levels, but I feel fine.”

“Good,” Skulduggery said, and gestured to a small pot on the hall table. “Is that new?”

“I picked it up earlier today,” she said. “I was thinking about what you said, y’know, regarding the whole redecorating the house idea, putting my own stamp on the place. So I visited a few furniture stores.”

“You visited a few furniture stores, and all you bought was this pot?”

“Baby steps, Skulduggery.”

“Indeed.” He crouched beside Xena, scratched under her chin and then pointed up at Valkyrie. “Xena. Xena, fetch!”

Xena’s ears pricked up and she stood on all fours, and Valkyrie gasped at her, locking eyes for a moment before breaking into a run. She heard Xena sprinting up the stairs after her, and made it to the bedroom before falling to the floor and curling up, hands over her head.

Xena charged in and climbed all over her, jabbing her snout underneath Valkyrie’s arms, licking her face while Valkyrie laughed. Valkyrie wrapped her arms round the dog and dragged her to the floor, kissing and petting her, and Xena rolled on to her back, four paws in the air, waiting for her belly to be scratched.

Valkyrie dutifully scratched it as Skulduggery walked into the room.

“I’ve missed that sound,” he said.

“What sound?”

“You. Laughing. I haven’t heard you laugh in … a while.”

“Maybe you should try being funnier.”

“Oh, I sincerely doubt that it’s my fault.”

“Of course you do,” Valkyrie said, smiling, and got up. Xena stayed exactly where she was.

“Am I keeping you from anything?” Skulduggery asked. “I just thought I’d fill you in on the latest goings-on in Roarhaven, but if you’re busy …”

“You can fill me in while I get changed,” said Valkyrie, walking to her wardrobe. “Did you speak with Omen?”

Skulduggery nodded. “I know you’re not entirely convinced of the wisdom of his continued involvement, but I believe he’ll surprise you.”

“He’s already surprised me,” Valkyrie said, picking out her clothes and dropping them on to the bed. “As did Never. I don’t mind involving them – I just don’t think we should put them in any actual danger from here on out. Would you agree?”

“In theory.”

She sighed. “Skulduggery …”

“You saw the Darkly boys in your vision, which means Omen has some trouble in store over the next few years, with or without us. I think the least we can do is help him prepare. Denied the proper guidance, he’s not going to be ready. He needs us, Valkyrie.”