“Ran off,” said Korb, looking round. “There was a bit of a scramble but he hightailed it when he saw us closing in.”

“No,” Valkyrie breathed. “Alice.”

Her mum stood, and turned, tears in her eyes and Alice in her arms. “Still asleep,” she said, laughing. “Can you believe that? Still asleep after all that? What an amazing sister you have.”

“What an amazing mum,” Valkyrie said, running forward and hugging them both.

Wiping the healing mud from her hand, Valkyrie entered the Room of Prisms by Skulduggery’s side. Synecdoche had patched her up, eased her bruises and mended her broken fingers, and now she felt great. She felt refreshed, strong, and she had a cool new array of magic powers she hadn’t even explored yet.

China was resplendent in red. She sat atop her throne like an ice queen, gazing down at her loyal subjects – the Monster Hunters, Saracen, Fletcher, Wreath and Tanith. Standing within arm’s reach of the throne was the Black Cleaver.

“Thank you for joining us,” China said, in a tone that made it impossible to gauge whether or not she was being sarcastic. “Has everyone been briefed on the latest developments? We all know what’s been going on? Valkyrie, where are your parents?”

“In the Dining Hall,” she said. “The chef’s making them something special and Alice is bringing the roof down with her crying.”

“So I’ve heard,” said China. “Have you told them that it’s not safe for them to leave the Sanctuary?”

“I told them. They don’t know the truth about Alice and the Sceptre, but I doubt they’re planning on going for a walk anyway. They already asked a Cleaver to go out and bring back baby food and nappies. It had never occurred to me that you could buy nappies in Roarhaven.”

“It truly is a wonderful place,” China said. “To business, then, and before we begin, I’d like to introduce you to a new guest. Though, of course, I use the word ‘like’ in its loosest possible sense.”

The door opened, and Tanith muttered something as Billy-Ray Sanguine walked in. He flashed a smile of perfect white teeth, a smile that faltered slightly when his eyeless gaze fell upon Tanith.

“Folks,” he said in greeting. “Once more we appear to be on the same side. This is getting to be a habit.”

“Mr Sanguine,” China said, “please tell the room what you told Mr Tipstaff.”

“Darquesse is preparing,” he said. “She’s had to take some time for her power to soak through her new body. She also said something about needing to absorb Valkyrie’s essence in order to be whole.”

“Gross,” said Valkyrie.

Skulduggery tilted his head. “Darquesse is not at full power?”

“That’s what it sounds like. But she will be soon. I’m talking a day or two – tops.”

“We need to draw her in now,” said Saracen. “Before she’s ready to face us.”