Darquesse held Vex’s hand and Donegan’s, and she had time to blink once before they were in New York.

Sorcerers jumped back in surprise and two Cleavers started forward. Skulduggery turned his head to them and they stopped, and resumed their positions by the door.

“What the hell do you want?”

They turned to the young woman with the scowl on her face.

“Adrasdos,” Vex said. “It’s been a while.”

Adrasdos. A Necromancer. Darquesse looked her up and down. There was a sword hilt in a sheath on her hip, and to Darquesse it pulsed with cold power. That was her object, clearly, the same way that Valkyrie’s had been a ring, and Solomon Wreath’s was a cane. That little hilt contained all her power. Delightful.

Adrasdos was looking at Vex with a confusing mix of emotions on her face. Anger at their presence, but a secret delight at seeing him in particular, it seemed. Did they once have a thing? They probably once had a thing.

“Dexter,” Adrasdos said. “It’s … good to see you. It’s nice. But you can’t just teleport into the lobby like this.”

“We were going to call ahead,” Skulduggery said, “but we thought Grand Mage Kerias would appreciate a surprise visit. Is she in? We need to speak with her. I’m here to extend an invitation to a celebration.”

“I’ll make sure she gets it.”

“Apologies,” Skulduggery said. “Grand Mage Sorrows insisted we deliver it in person.”

Adrasdos chewed this over. “Sure,” she said. “Follow me.”

They went deeper into the building. Darquesse brought up the rear, taking her time. She smiled at everyone she passed. She didn’t care about appearing friendly, she just needed to practise smiling without menace.

“Valkyrie!”

She turned. A dark-haired girl ran up, excitement bouncing in her eyes. Darquesse had only seen her once before, when Valkyrie had gone up against her in London.

“Hello, Ivy,” she said.

Ivy’s eyes widened. “You know my name? Seriously?”

“Of course,” said Darquesse. “It’s not every day someone beats me in a fair fight.”

Ivy giggled. “Aw, I didn’t beat you! You’re the one who knocked me out, remember?”

“Only because you talked too much.”

Ivy giggled again. “That sounds like me, all right! Hey, heard you were Darquesse all along. What was that like? I bet it was amazing. Like, scary and deeply, y’know, unsettling, obviously, but I bet it was just … wow. Was it wow?”

“It was wow.”

“I knew it! I knew it! But I was delighted you came back. I mean, I heard that last night and I was, like, oh, cool! I know I’ve said this before, but, literally, I am your biggest fan! So what’re you doing here? You here for long? Can I introduce you to some of my friends?”

“Flying visit,” said Darquesse, resisting the urge to punch her neck.