“Please call her Valkyrie. I’ll never hear the end of it if you keep calling her … the other thing. And you’re absolutely right – by not helping us, you’ll be able to see with your own eyes the frustration that results. But we haven’t hurt you, have we? We may offend your delicate sensibilities, but we have never, and I can say this with absolute certainty, we have never acted against you. But Mevolent? Those Children of the Spider? They are directly responsible for your imprisonment. They are directly responsible for the death of Madame Mist. And this is your chance, finally and at long last, to strike back, in whatever small and meagre fashion it may be. You can’t tell me that wouldn’t be far more satisfying than causing us this trifling little moment of annoyance.”

“You talk a lot.”

Skulduggery nodded. “That has been said.”

The Torment settled back. Just when Valkyrie thought he wasn’t going to utter another word, he spoke. “He was here, your friend. He saw me caged, talked to me like he knew me. Before he said too much, he was taken away. The Terror likes to make regular offerings to his lord and master Mevolent – I expect your friend will be one such offering before long.”

“So he hasn’t been handed over yet?”

“As far as I am aware, he is still being held in the Confessional, in the uppermost tower. If you are considering a rescue attempt, I wholeheartedly endorse such an idea, as it will surely get you both killed.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

“No, and nor do I feel the need to supply one. Time, however, is not on your side. The hour is almost upon us when Baron Vengeous pays the temple a visit.”

Valkyrie frowned. “Vengeous is dead. The last time I was here, I saw Anton Shudder kill him.”

The Torment curled his lip behind his beard. “Death means little to Mevolent’s generals, though I admit Vengeous is not the man he once was. That pool of Mevolent’s, the one he bathes in daily, has properties as strange as they are unnatural. Baron Vengeous is a man transformed, and when he arrives, your friend will undoubtedly be passed into his custody.”

“Well then,” Skulduggery said, “we’ll have to endeavour not to be here when he shows up. Top of the stairs, you say?”

Skulduggery didn’t wait around for an answer. Valkyrie shot another glare at the Torment, then followed Skulduggery through the archway. They passed three Children of the Spider. Valkyrie tensed, ready to fight, but Skulduggery just walked by, acting like he owned the place. It was one of his favourite tricks, and it usually worked. Nobody likes to bother someone who looks busy. Not even a walking skeleton.