Oh. Right. Teleportation ... didn't go well with Gabe right now. He paled a little, swayed, and then his knees buckled as he fell back into the sofa. The little ray of pride in Fletcher's soul told him the location had been deliberate, but it was an aside, something on which Gabriel couldn't quite focus yet.

"Thank you," he whispered as Fletcher laid Kenspeckle down, not breathless because no need to breathe, but trembling slightly with the professor's weight and the cresting wave of exhaustion he could feel rising over him.

He didn't dare shake his head. "You'd be surprised at how easy smiting can be," he said quietly, "which is why I don't do it. But I have things I need to tell Skulduggery, and as quickly as possible. Please, Fletcher. Take me back. I don't have to fight."

He held out his hand, looking into Fletcher's face in silent request. At the same time, if Fletcher refused ... Gabe wouldn't hold it against him.