"It's still here," Ghastly replied as they walked, "because they're only a tiny group of worshipers who pose no threat, and Grand Mage Meritorious took pity on them."

Skulduggery glanced at him. The tailor's tone was impressively level for someone who had fought tooth and nail against the Sanctuary's decision back when it was made. Impressively level, but with the smallest hint of a detectable grudge. Skulduggery couldn't blame him - enough people had been furious about it that even Meritorious reconsidered - but Skulduggery had agreed with the Grand Mage in the end. It was easier to keep track of a following that was allowed to exist, rather than a secret group of devotees rebelling against a blanket ban of the religion.

But Skulduggery was fairly sure he hadn't told Gabe that China used to worship the Faceless Ones. Which implied that China had also been thinking about the church, that it would also be the first place she tried as she looked for Crux. It was a good thing they were getting there first.

"I didn't think there were any churches left in Ireland," said Tanith. "Wasn't this where most of the fighting happened? Wouldn't you want to wipe them out here, of all places?"

"Yes." Skulduggery was matching Gabe's pace at the back of the group, so the angel could continue to use him as a support, so Tanith turned around to walk backwards as he answered her question. "But it's also a Cradle of Magic, and therefore an example to the rest of the world. Meritorious wanted to be sure the war wouldn't start again. It worked, as you can see."

"I hate politics," Tanith grumbled.