Stephanie laughed. “And you can? We both saw a future where you killed our parents, where you killed our sister. I’ve evolved from a killer. You’ve been evolving into one. Tell me again which one of us can’t be trusted, and then tell me which one of us is trusted. It’s not you. I’ve been working very closely with Skulduggery these last few weeks. Seems like I can replace you in every aspect of your life. I’m a better daughter, a better partner, a better girlfriend …”

Valkyrie frowned. “What?”

“You shouldn’t have cheated on Fletcher. I’d never do that to him.”

“You’re … you’re with Fletcher? You can’t be. You’re a copy of me.”

“That’s what I used to think. Now I realise that I’m an improvement.”

Valkyrie stared at her. “Stephanie, this isn’t going to work out. I thought it could, but it can’t. You’re going to have to leave.”

“I’m sorry?”

“What are you, deaf?” asked Valkyrie. “Leave. Leave the country.”

“And where do you suggest I go?”

“Anywhere. I don’t care. Go to America, get a dog, find a life.”

Stephanie took a step towards her. “You think I’m the one who’s going to run away? Seriously? You’ve already run away once. You ran away and let Darquesse take over. We both know you’re the weaker one. So here’s my counter-proposal, Valkyrie. You take off. What use are you to anyone now? You don’t have any relevance. You’ve failed everyone. You don’t even have any magic any more, do you? Don’t look so surprised. I can see it in your eyes. At least I have this.”

She reached for the backpack, pulled out the Sceptre, and Valkyrie stepped back involuntarily.

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “Wow.”

Valkyrie felt the heat rise to her face. “I wasn’t—”

“Wow,” Stephanie said again. “You thought I was going to kill you, didn’t you? You actually thought I was going to do it.”

“In my defence—”

“In your defence what? I’ve already killed Carol – why not you, too? I’m not that person any more. I told you that. I told everyone that. They all know I’ve changed. Even Skulduggery knows. You’re the only one who’s still treating me like a thing.”

“Hey,” said Valkyrie, “if you want to have this conversation, let’s have this conversation. But let’s do it when you’re not holding the Sceptre, OK?”

Stephanie pointed it straight at her. “This? You’re scared of this? You’re scared of what I’ll do with this?”

“Don’t joke around,” Valkyrie said, her pulse thundering in her ears. “Your thoughts activate—”