Vile and Vengeous looked round. With that particular slow confidence that characterises the most powerful player on any field, Darquesse came walking.

Vile looked at Valkyrie, quickly deciding she was not the threat he thought she was. He rejoined Mevolent and Vengeous, and the siren cut off.

Darquesse gave them all a smile, and pointed at Ravel, who was doing his best to get to his feet. “I just want him,” she said loudly. “I learned how to shunt and came all this way simply to make sure he didn’t run off. Hand him over. You can do what you want with the others.”

Vile and Vengeous remained silent. Only Mevolent spoke. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Darquesse laughed. “I bet you’ve thought about nothing else. But I’m not here for a rematch. You don’t interest me. None of you do. Only him. Only Ravel.”

Mevolent turned to observe Ravel for a moment. “He doesn’t appear to be that special.”

“Oh, but he has sentimental value,” said Darquesse. “I won’t bore you with the details. I don’t have much sentiment left, to be honest. But he has earned a special place in my heart. Give him to me, and I’ll let you live.”

As if by a silent command, Redhoods melted from doorways and alleys, surrounding Darquesse. She shook her head as she rose into the air. “You do not want to test me, Mevolent. I have punishments to deliver.”

Valkyrie became aware of Skulduggery standing at her elbow. They watched as Alexander Remit teleported in, passed Mevolent a brown metal gun, and vanished again.

It was the size of a shotgun, but thicker, like a rocket launcher. Glowing sigils ran around its circumference. Mevolent’s right hand curled round the grip; the mouth of the barrel was open and jagged, like the thing had teeth.

Darquesse surrounded herself with a bubble of energy as she hovered there. “You’re not going to hurt me with toys,” she said.

A single beam of green light burst from the gun, sliced straight through the energy shield and hit Darquesse square in the chest.

The bubble vanished and Darquesse dropped. She landed on her feet, staggered a little, then straightened up and laughed. “That’s it? That barely tingled.”

Then a Cleaver hit her from behind and she went stumbling to the ground.

Valkyrie’s eyes widened.

A kick came in that snapped Darquesse’s head back. She sprawled, got up, the confusion vanishing from her face as anger swarmed in. She grabbed the nearest Redhood and tore him apart. A scythe came for her and she caught its blade in her hand and snapped it, then took out its wielder with an eye blast.

Mevolent fired again, the beam hitting Darquesse in the side just as she waved her hand.

A scythe flashed and took her fingers.