“Like Skulduggery.”
“Mr Wreath …”
He smiled. “There is a part of Skulduggery still here, in this reality. In this country in fact. And you know what it is.”
“I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re—”
“Skulduggery Pleasant’s head, Miss Cain.”
Something fluttered in her belly. “He lost that. He told me. He won the head he’s wearing now in a poker game.”
“All true. But if you were to retrieve this missing head and give it to Mr Renn, he would find that the link between the skeleton and his real skull is keeping the gateway from closing over.”
“And … and he could open it? Fletcher could open the gateway?”
“And save Skulduggery, yes.”
“Where is it? Where’s his head?”
“I’m afraid I have no idea. That part is up to you.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“You don’t think I’m doing it because I’m a nice person?”
“You have something to gain.”
“You are an astute young lady. I am hoping to gain something as a matter of fact.”
“What?”
“You. In order to conduct this search, in order to do the things you will need to do, you’re going to need more power than you currently wield. I’m hoping you choose Necromancy.”
He stepped back and tapped his cane on the ground. The shadows moved in, curled around him, and she saw him smile before his face darkened.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said and the shadows scattered and he was gone.
This book is dedicated to Laura.
I’m not going to make any jokes here, because apparently you are the one person on Earth who does not find me even remotely funny.
I am HILARIOUS. Ask anyone. Ask your sister. She thinks I’m HYSTERICAL (you do, don’t you Katie …?)
And yet, even though you refuse to recognise my comedy genius, and you refuse to publicly admit how impressed you are by everything I do, you’re still getting a book dedicated to you – because without you, Skulduggery wouldn’t have his Valkyrie.
You’re my best friend and my muse, and I owe you a lot.
(A “lot” being, of course, entirely figurative, and in no way implies that you’re getting a share of the royalties.)
Contents
Chapter 3: The Plan, Such as It Is
Chapter 4: Bring Me the Head of Skulduggery Pleasant
Chapter 5: The Revengers’ Club
Chapter 14: The Fact of the Matter
Chapter 15: Back on Cemetery Road
Chapter 22: The Man Who Killed Esryn Vanguard
Chapter 24: The Plot Thickens …
Chapter 25: Last Vampire Standing
Chapter 27: When Kenspeckle Met Scarab
Chapter 28: The Midnight Hotel