“Aw, that’s a shame. Hey, d’you think, y’know, maybe some day when you’re not busy—”

“I’m busy a lot.”

“Right, yeah, OK, gotcha. You probably have to go off now, yeah? Could you do me one favour? Just one, I swear, and then I’ll go away!”

“What kind of favour?”

Ivy dug around in her pocket, pulled out a thick black marker. “Could I have your autograph?”

“Uh … sure.”

“Oh, you are the best!” said Ivy. “And could you sign my face? Just across it. From one side to the other. Thank you so much!”

Darquesse hesitated. “Sure,” she said. Ivy did her best to stay still, and Darquesse wrote Valkyrie Cain from the left cheek to the right. Navigating over the nose was tricky, but she managed it, and handed the marker back.

“Oh my God, that is so cool,” Ivy breathed, crossing her eyes in an attempt to look down at her own face.

Stephanie appeared at the corner. “Hey,” she said, “we’re waiting for you.”

Ivy’s eyes almost bugged out. “Two of you? There are two of you?”

“It’s a long story,” Stephanie said.

“We could be triplets! Oh my God, this is the coolest thing ever!”

Darquesse nodded. “We need to go away now.”

“Thanks, Valkyrie!” Ivy squealed. “Thanks, Other Valkyrie! Love you both!”

“Sure,” Darquesse said, and joined Stephanie as she walked quickly away.

They continued in silence, and caught up to the others as they were entering the Hall of the Elders. Adrasdos glared at them, but Stephanie ignored her and Darquesse didn’t take it personally. Adrasdos was glaring at practically all of them, apart from Vex.

Grand Mage Zafira Kerias sat alone in the middle of the three chairs, the light illuminating her from above. It was all very impressive.

“This is a rare honour indeed,” Zafira said, smiling benevolently. “It’s enough to make one wonder what I could have done to deserve such esteemed attention. Surely it can’t be for a mere invitation to a party, as Adrasdos tells me you’ve claimed?”

“I’m afraid we misled her to gain an audience with you,” said Skulduggery.

“Such chicanery, Detective Pleasant.”

“Indeed. And of course we apologise. Our real reason for being here is these renegade sorcerers we’ve been looking for. Six of them. You’ve been sent the list of their names, I trust?”

Zafira nodded. “I received the list, yes. I can’t remember who was on it, but I’m sure I’d have—”

“We know they’re here,” Stephanie said, and Zafira’s eyes narrowed at the interruption. “We know you’ve been hiding them. Just tell us the truth and we can go.”