The voice of reason? Granted, the last time Gabe and Guild had been in the same room, Skulduggery and the Archangel were staging a daring rescue and couldn't be in the same place for longer than a few seconds. But if Gabriel had been trying to reason with Guild, it had backfired. Horribly. Guild tended to take an instant dislike to anyone who so much as associated with Skulduggery, so this... this should prove to be interesting. Guild was nothing if not practical. Bringing Gabriel along would definitely test just how practical - not to mention be useful if it turned out to be a trap. Which it most likely was.

"Don't you dare be a stranger now," Des added to his wife's farewell as he shook Gabe's hand in turn. "Any of you. I grant you all permanent ambassador status to the Edgley family."

Gordon, Skulduggery knew, would be rolling in his grave. The image amused him as he and Fletcher bid their own farewells to Valkyrie's parents, while Valkyrie herself glared at Gabe. "Don't you dare call my new little sister a pet anymore."

Ah. Good to see the Archangel hadn't dampened her usual tact.

Valkyrie tugged Skulduggery aside quickly while Des and Melissa were distracted. "Are you sure you don't need me to come along?"

Skulduggery gave her a gentle smile, partly to reassure her and partly because he could. "Don't you worry about us. You've been doing that for almost a year. Take some time off. Pick up a hobby. Possibly knitting."

Valkyrie bit her lip. "But if a crisis comes up - "

"You'll be the first to know. Hopefully the second, but with your penchant for trouble..."

She grinned. "I learned from the best. And if you guys go to a theme park?"

Skulduggery placed his hat back on his head, only pausing momentarily as the sensation of hair brushed against his hand. "I'll be sure to take pictures."