"Vengeous had a spy in the Sanctuary, Thurid, and we know it was you."

"This is how you're spending your retirement, is it? Making up fantastic stories to fill in the gaps of whatever you call your life? Tell me, Skulduggery-- since we're on a first-name basis--have you discovered what your purpose in life actually is? You've already killed the man who murdered your family, so it can't be revenge. You've done that one. So what is it, do you think? Redemption, for all the terrible things you've done? Maybe you're here to heal all those wounds you've inflicted, or bring back all those people you've killed. What is your purpose, Skulduggery? "

Before Skulduggery could respond, Guild gestured to Valkyrie.

"Is it to teach this girl? Is it to train her to be just like you? Is that what gets you up in the morning? But here's a question you maybe haven't asked yourself: Do you really want her to be like you? Do you want her to live like you--devoid of

18

warmth, and companionship, and love?

"If you suspect me of being this traitor, then you must think that I'm a monster, yes? A coldhearted monster. And yet I have a wife I adore, and children I worry about, and a responsibility in my work that weighs on my shoulders every moment of every day. So if a coldhearted monster like me could have all this, and you have none of it, then what does that make you?"

They left the Sanctuary, passed the wax figure of Phil Lynott in silence, and walked back to the car. Valkyrie didn't like it when Skulduggery went quiet. It usually meant bad things.

A man was standing by their car. He had tightly curled brown hair and a few days' worth of beard growth. Valkyrie frowned, trying to remember if he'd been there a second ago.

"Skulduggery," the man said. "I thought I'd find you here."

Skulduggery nodded to him. "Emmett Peregrine-- it's been a while. Allow me to introduce Valkyrie Cain. Valkyrie, Peregrine here is a Teleporter."

Peregrine was also a man who apparently didn't indulge in small talk. "Who's behind it?

19

Who's killing the Teleporters?"

"We don't know."

"Well, why don't you know?" he snapped. "You're supposed to be the big detective, aren't you? Isn't that what they say?"

"I don't work for the Sanctuary," Skulduggery replied. "I don't have official sanction."

"Then who does? Because I'm telling you right now, I am not going to that idiot Crux. I'm not putting my life in the hands of someone like that. Listen, we may not like each other, and I know we have never warmed to each other's company, but I need your help or I'm next."

Skulduggery motioned to the wall, and all three of them stepped over to it. From here they could talk without being seen.

"Do you have any idea who could be behind the murders?" he asked.