It wasn't technically true. Skulduggery had paid attention. Or at least, he'd quickly replayed the words in his head when he wasn't suddenly terrified about the wheel jerking itself out of his control. He'd paid enough attention to know the general gist of what Raphael was saying, even to realise that some of it was relieving and some of it he agreed with. But now that he had an actual skin, and could feel his heart rate spiraling along with the terror, it was incredibly difficult to focus on anything else.

But, in the end, he consciously decided to forgive Raphael. Both for the practical reasons of an uneven power balance, and because he had been looking for something to distract him only moments before. From an objective viewpoint, this was a perfect distraction.

"In the future," he said stiffly, "if you need my attention for anything, you only have to ask."

The Bentley didn't sound any different, now that Skulduggery was driving her again. She didn't look any different. There had barely been a roar of the engine throughout either transition, as sometimes accompanied changing gears. Bit by bit, Skulduggery managed to let himself relax.

It helped to try and imagine Gabe angry. There was simply... nothing to imagine. Gabriel hadn't even gotten angry at Landel, and that was after he knew the man wasn't under any influence but his own, much less Lucifer's. There was a certain righteous irritation when Gabe talked about Lucifer back in the Institute, but nothing more than that.

Raphael's last comment was what struck Skulduggery, though. Both in a good way, and in a very bad way.

"You'll have to wait to meet Finbar, I'm afraid. The Hibernian's taking precedence right now. Gabe's hoping to visit the carnival later; you might have some time then."