Saracen saw them coming. His usual smile was absent. “China told us,” he said. “Just when we think we’re in the lead …”

“How is the search for the Remnants going?” Skulduggery asked.

“Badly,” said Gracious. “Dexter and Dai know our strategies. We still have a few tricks up our sleeves – you don’t get to be Monster Hunters without being incredibly sneaky – but they’ve vanished into the woodwork again.”

“And we’re not as mobile as we’d like,” Saracen added. “Any sign of Fletcher?”

Valkyrie shook her head. “We don’t know where he is. He’s not answering.”

“We messed up.” Saracen rubbed a knuckle against his forehead like he was fighting off a headache. “We went in unprepared and we paid for it. We went looking for the usual signs of violence and unrest. We expected the Remnants to have taken hosts. But they haven’t. There have only been a few. A handful. I’ve never seen them exhibit this kind of behaviour before.”

Donegan nodded. “It’s almost … disciplined.”

“Darquesse may have something special in mind for them,” Skulduggery said. “But as for right now, if they’re not causing havoc, let’s take the opportunity to regroup and restrategise. We have other things that need our attention.”

Valkyrie watched Saracen. His jaw was tight.

“Has Ravel gone?” he asked.

Skulduggery looked at him. “Yes. If we’re right about that psychic link, Darquesse should be aware that he’s fallen off the grid. She’ll come looking for him, but not yet. She has to build up her strength first. Our task is to build up our strength faster. We need the city’s shield ready to activate. We need the fortifications secure. We need people in place. Once that’s done, we’ll bring Ravel back. Darquesse should sense him again, and hopefully she’ll be compelled to re-establish that pain link. But she’ll have to do that in person.”

“You’re expecting her to just walk into Roarhaven before she’s at full strength?” said Saracen.

“Yes.”

“You expect her to do this because of her hatred for Ravel.”

“Among other things, yes.”

“OK then. But can you do me a favour? Can we spring the trap after she re-establishes that pain link?”

“We’ll take what we can get,” Skulduggery said, his voice grim.

Saracen nodded, walked away.

Valkyrie looked at Gracious and Donegan. “We saw a dragon,” she said excitedly.

They took a moment to stare at her.

“What?” said Donegan.

“A dragon,” she said. “A real one. It lives in the caves. We saw it, didn’t we, Skulduggery?”

“We saw it,” Skulduggery said, almost reluctantly.

Gracious’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Seriously? You seriously saw a dragon? A proper dragon?”

“It was huge,” Valkyrie said, grinning. “Bigger than anything. It had wings, and I think it breathed fire.”