Skulduggery almost laughed. He probably would have, if he thought it might make the situation any better. Under the circumstances, he thought it was probably best to keep quiet.
Archangels learning free will. Skulduggery would read that story. And, he realised with a sudden jolt that finally solidified his thoughts in order, it probably was a story of some kind. He'd met the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, after all. When they had free time at some point - when Davina Marr was safely behind bars - Skulduggery would have to find out.
He'd also have to work on his mental defences, what with the two Archangels and Merlin holidaying in this dimension.
Nonexistent breath back under control, Skulduggery shook his head. "No need to apologise. You're right. I did need to understand. Thank you." He couldn't deny that another way might have been easier, but it wouldn't have had nearly the same effect if he'd been expecting it. Shock value was very good at forcing people into understanding things.
It was very good, however, that the others Teleported back into the room the very next instant. Skulduggery wasn't sure of where the conversation would have gone after that point, and Merlin was looking confused enough that the detective didn't really want to find out. Skulduggery's life had really taken a turn for the strange lately. So terrifyingly turned, in fact, that he hadn't even thought to use the waiting time to question Merlin. That was just unacceptable.
Visible face probably reflecting the trepidation he still felt, Skulduggery surveyed the group. No one apart from Solomon looked hurt, and most of why Solomon looked hurt was the Archangel cradling him in his arms. Solomon didn't even look quite as bad as Skulduggery had feared. He'd already gotten medical attention. Far from satiating Skulduggery's fears, though, the sight of the bandages prickled him even further. Tenebrae wanted to preserve Solomon. Why? What could he have possibly gained from that, other than further sadistic pleasure gained from torture?
"Oh!" Erskine exclaimed after he'd caught his balance. "Right! You mean the conversion thing. I remember asking about the conversion thing." He hesitated. "What, you mean you've actually converted? You decided that based on torture?"
Skulduggery ignored him. "How did it go?"
"It went perfectly according to plan, Skulduggery," Valkyrie answered. "We went in, we talked, we took him out without a fight. How come our cases never go perfectly according to plan?"
"I wish you'd seen it, actually." Erskine hefted a large covered jar under his arm. "Gabe here blackmailed the hell out of Tenebrae. It was fascinating to watch."
no subject
Archangels learning free will. Skulduggery would read that story. And, he realised with a sudden jolt that finally solidified his thoughts in order, it probably was a story of some kind. He'd met the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, after all. When they had free time at some point - when Davina Marr was safely behind bars - Skulduggery would have to find out.
He'd also have to work on his mental defences, what with the two Archangels and Merlin holidaying in this dimension.
Nonexistent breath back under control, Skulduggery shook his head. "No need to apologise. You're right. I did need to understand. Thank you." He couldn't deny that another way might have been easier, but it wouldn't have had nearly the same effect if he'd been expecting it. Shock value was very good at forcing people into understanding things.
It was very good, however, that the others Teleported back into the room the very next instant. Skulduggery wasn't sure of where the conversation would have gone after that point, and Merlin was looking confused enough that the detective didn't really want to find out. Skulduggery's life had really taken a turn for the strange lately. So terrifyingly turned, in fact, that he hadn't even thought to use the waiting time to question Merlin. That was just unacceptable.
Visible face probably reflecting the trepidation he still felt, Skulduggery surveyed the group. No one apart from Solomon looked hurt, and most of why Solomon looked hurt was the Archangel cradling him in his arms. Solomon didn't even look quite as bad as Skulduggery had feared. He'd already gotten medical attention. Far from satiating Skulduggery's fears, though, the sight of the bandages prickled him even further. Tenebrae wanted to preserve Solomon. Why? What could he have possibly gained from that, other than further sadistic pleasure gained from torture?
"Oh!" Erskine exclaimed after he'd caught his balance. "Right! You mean the conversion thing. I remember asking about the conversion thing." He hesitated. "What, you mean you've actually converted? You decided that based on torture?"
Skulduggery ignored him. "How did it go?"
"It went perfectly according to plan, Skulduggery," Valkyrie answered. "We went in, we talked, we took him out without a fight. How come our cases never go perfectly according to plan?"
"I wish you'd seen it, actually." Erskine hefted a large covered jar under his arm. "Gabe here blackmailed the hell out of Tenebrae. It was fascinating to watch."
Skulduggery blinked. "Gabe did what?"