"I wouldn't do this unless I knew I could," Gabe said, looking right into Skul's eye sockets, his face serious. "Not this. Not with what you're trusting me." Then he smiled. "I'm sure I could find somewhere else much better." Heaven sprang to mind.
The Archangel lifted his hand and touched Skulduggery on the chest. It wasn't the same way he touched people he was meant to guide. It wasn't exactly the same way, at least. But it was similar. It wasn't touching flesh, or in this case bone; it was a touch to the soul.
Usually it was just a brief touch, to release the person from their physical limitations. This time Gabe held it, felt the fluttering resonance of Skul's soul beneath his fingers, and let it pass by. It was somewhat like taking a walk on a path, viewing the things around him without actively interacting. He could see things, like this, but chose not to; he was aware of all that Skul was, and let the details stay Skul's own. There was just one thing the Archangel looked for, and he'd be able to find it whether he was active or not.
The tunnel shook. Pebbles fell from the ceiling. An echoing groan swept through the mountain, and though Gabriel was aware of it, he didn't react. This was more important. Like Skul, like an angel in deep and patient focus, he was utterly still, cognizant of the passing time and heedless of it at once.
His fingertips tingled. A vibration swept under them. He didn't react to it, did nothing to draw attention to it, but he knew what it was. That was the tune of Skul's true name.
"I have it," he said, and that was when the tunnel pitched abruptly to the side.
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The Archangel lifted his hand and touched Skulduggery on the chest. It wasn't the same way he touched people he was meant to guide. It wasn't exactly the same way, at least. But it was similar. It wasn't touching flesh, or in this case bone; it was a touch to the soul.
Usually it was just a brief touch, to release the person from their physical limitations. This time Gabe held it, felt the fluttering resonance of Skul's soul beneath his fingers, and let it pass by. It was somewhat like taking a walk on a path, viewing the things around him without actively interacting. He could see things, like this, but chose not to; he was aware of all that Skul was, and let the details stay Skul's own. There was just one thing the Archangel looked for, and he'd be able to find it whether he was active or not.
The tunnel shook. Pebbles fell from the ceiling. An echoing groan swept through the mountain, and though Gabriel was aware of it, he didn't react. This was more important. Like Skul, like an angel in deep and patient focus, he was utterly still, cognizant of the passing time and heedless of it at once.
His fingertips tingled. A vibration swept under them. He didn't react to it, did nothing to draw attention to it, but he knew what it was. That was the tune of Skul's true name.
"I have it," he said, and that was when the tunnel pitched abruptly to the side.