“You didn’t overcome Darquesse with the force of your will,” Stephanie said. “Your true and noble self didn’t triumph over her evil. If we hadn’t risked our lives to get you back, you’d still be a tiny, insignificant voice in the back of her mind.”

Valkyrie walked into the living room and Stephanie followed, right on her heels.

“You don’t deserve this new freedom. Do you understand that?”

Valkyrie whirled. They stood toe to toe.

“You think you and Skulduggery share a lot, don’t you?” said Stephanie, a sneer on her lips. “He became Lord Vile, you became Darquesse. You both did terrible things. But here’s the difference. Skulduggery reasserted himself. He was strong enough, he fought hard enough, to push Vile down, and re-emerge as the Skulduggery we all know and love. But you? You weren’t strong enough.”

“Shut up.”

“You didn’t fight at all,” said Stephanie. “You needed us to pull you out. You say that bed is yours? No. You gave up your claim to all of this when you let Darquesse take over, and you haven’t earned any of it back.”

Valkyrie jabbed a finger into Stephanie’s chest. “You are not taking my family.”

“They’re not your …” Stephanie faltered, and then frowned. “Did you leave the patio door open?”

Valkyrie turned, just as Tanith Low stepped into the room.

Stephanie lunged at her and Valkyrie grabbed the poker. Tanith kicked out, sending Stephanie hurtling over the couch. Her sword flashed and she spun, and Valkyrie blocked the blade with the poker, the impact jarring it from her hands. She grabbed Tanith, drove her back against the wall, got a knee in the belly for her trouble. The wind rushed out of her.

Her reinforced jacket was upstairs.

Tanith’s face was riddled with black veins, and her hand curled round Valkyrie’s throat. “Where is Darquesse?”

“Please,” Valkyrie gasped, “you don’t have to do this …”

Stephanie got back to her feet and Tanith’s eyes flickered, and Valkyrie saw her chance. She grabbed what she could of Tanith’s body, jammed her hip against Tanith’s and wrenched her body round, flipping Tanith into the armchair. The armchair fell and Tanith tumbled out of it, but came up immediately, still with the sword in her hand.

Valkyrie went left. Stephanie went right.

Tanith darted forward and Valkyrie stumbled, narrowly missing the sword. Stephanie went for the poker, but Tanith spun into her, sweeping her legs. Stephanie crashed to the ground and Tanith swung the sword and Valkyrie rammed into her from behind, wrapping her in the tightest bear hug she could manage and pulling her back over her outstretched leg. Tanith flung her sword away before she landed on it. She hit the ground and Valkyrie tried keeping her down there. But Tanith was a squirmy one, and she was stronger than Valkyrie even without the Remnant inside her.