“And which one are you, I wonder?” Zafira said, looking from Darquesse to Stephanie and then back again. “Are you the reflection or the real thing? It’s all very confusing. I must admit, I’m stumped. Flummoxed, even. Detective Pleasant, please help me out.”

“That’s Stephanie,” said Skulduggery. He turned. “And that’s Valkyrie.”

Darquesse smiled to herself.

“The reports were right,” Zafira said. “It could almost pass for human, couldn’t it? If I hadn’t known that one of them was a fake, it might even have fooled me. Nevertheless, please remind the reflection of its manners. It is not polite to interrupt when real people are—”

“Stephanie is polite enough,” Skulduggery said. “She just has very little patience for the games people play.”

Zafira observed them without speaking for a few moments. “The sorcerers on your list did come here, seeking refuge,” she said. “They were in fear for their lives after Grand Mage Sorrows sent her death squads after them.”

Donegan put up his hand. “I am not a death squad.”

“And neither am I,” said Gracious.

“Those sorcerers are not refugees,” Skulduggery said. “Their powers are unstable. They need to be isolated and closely monitored until the effects of the Accelerator wear off.”

“So you claim you’ve not been sent here to kill them? How can I believe that you’re telling the truth?”

“I sincerely don’t care what you believe,” Skulduggery said. “If they’ve turned themselves in to you, if you’re taking responsibility for them, then our work here is done. Deal with them as you see fit.”

He turned to go, and Zafira sat forward. “I could turn them over to you.”

Skulduggery looked round. “Why would you do that?”

“I heard some of them killed sorcerers as well as Warlocks, when they were out of control. Maybe you have some criminal charges against them? If you can guarantee their safety, we will of course hand them over. Providing you reciprocate.”

“And what is it you want?”

“You have Erskine Ravel in a cell, do you not? Erskine and I have a … history. I would greatly appreciate it if he were transferred to one of our prisons here, where we can monitor his condition.”

“His condition?” said Vex. “His condition is twenty-three hours of untold agony a day, followed by one hour of respite, where he gets to eat, drink, and look forward to the next twenty-three hours.”

Zafira nodded. “And what have you done to alleviate his suffering?”

“Ravel’s pain is a result of a direct link to Darquesse,” said Rue. “It can’t be alleviated.”