Separating emotions from logic was easier this time, fortunately. If it hadn't been, China might have been rendered speechless for a lot longer than was strictly professional.

Not a mind-reader, then, but there was definitely something. Solomon caught her thought, didn't quite understand what it was, answered her in the meantime, and then realised it a second after he finished speaking. Not a mind-reader. Not a mind-reader, but something. A form of magic China had to admit she'd never seen before.

She didn't answer that last question - at least, not obviously. "It won't work. Go and ask Skulduggery about the great number of times he's tried. I have to say, Solomon, it sounds an awful lot like that's exactly what you're doing. Or should I address you properly? Elder Wreath? Are you going to order me to help? I'm afraid that won't work either."

Solomon's words struck her deep. She was speaking to cover that up. Pointless, really. China wasn't quite sure how she knew it was pointless; she just did. Solomon caught a thought. Something told her it wasn't going to be difficult for him to catch that, either.