“You might have to,” said China.

All Valkyrie’s old objections reared up, but one by one the arguments against them knocked them down before she had a chance to utter a word. Not wearing the gauntlet, not having the sigil … there was no guarantee that would be enough to save her family. In fact, without them, her family could even die that bit sooner.

“It doesn’t even matter,” Valkyrie said. “It’s activated by someone who’s mastered death, right? Well, that’s not me.”

“No,” said Wreath, “but there’s no rule that says the person who wears the sigil has to activate it. You can, for instance, send someone else to activate it. And if anyone here can be said to have mastered death, it’s Detective Pleasant.”

Skulduggery tilted his head. “What is involved in this activation?”

“I don’t actually know,” said Wreath. “There are three tests you’ll have to pass. I’m sure they’ll be no problem for you.”

“Where do I take these tests?”

“Meryyn ta Uul. Also known as the Necropolis, the City of the Dead, the City Beneath … I can take you there, if you’d like. Valkyrie stays where it’s safe, you pass the tests, activate the sigil, and suddenly she’s invulnerable.”

“For how long?” Valkyrie asked.

Wreath shrugged. “Long enough, I should think. If you truly intend to go up against Darquesse, though, you’ll need every advantage you can get.”

“Skulduggery,” China said, “if you’re OK undertaking the three tests in the Necropolis, I’ll get the specifications for the sigil and apply it to Valkyrie personally.”

Skulduggery nodded, looked to Wreath. “How long will you need?”

“A few hours,” Wreath answered. “I’ve never been to the Necropolis myself, so I’ll have to make enquiries. We may require advanced transport, though.”

“Fletcher will accompany you,” said China. “Valkyrie, I’ll be ready in thirty minutes. Please come to my chambers. Everyone else, get back to work.”

The group dispersed, and Skulduggery put his fingertips on the small of Valkyrie’s back, and guided her out of the room.

“I’m not happy,” she said.

“No? I thought you’d always wanted a tattoo.”

“Not. Happy.”

“Yes, well, I don’t blame you. But seeing as how you’re about to do everything possible to prepare yourself for the upcoming confronation, it is only good manners that I do likewise.”

She frowned. “Where are we …? Oh.”

They passed into the Old Sanctuary and walked in silence until they got to the Accelerator Room.

“Hello, Valkyrie,” the Engineer said. “Hello, Detective Pleasant. Are you here to deactivate the Accelerator?”

“Not yet,” said Skulduggery.