"No." Skulduggery gave Fletcher a nod of thanks as the Teleporter moved off towards Valkyrie. "I'm in love with an angel. There's a distinct difference. Hello, everyone. I'd like you to meet Dexter Vex, an old friend of mine who's been off traveling and unreachable for the last few decades. Dexter, you know Ghastly. This is Valkyrie Cain, my partner. Fletcher Renn. Tanith Low. Merlin. Raphael, and Gabriel."

He indicated each person as he mentioned their name, and each one had a vastly different reaction from the last. Ghastly, who'd likely been momentarily stunned for a few moments at the arrival of a friend he hadn't seen in years, gave Dexter a warm smile in greeting. Valkyrie looked vaguely shocked, and since she'd never met Dexter before, Skulduggery had no idea what that could be about. Tanith had gone red with what sounded suspiciously like barely concealed laughter, but nodded politely towards Dexter when she was introduced. Fletcher waved a little hesitantly, but otherwise seemed perfectly at home again.

Ghastly's smile faded at the introduction of the last three. "We've already told him everything?"

"Not exactly." Skulduggery took over his usual armchair, which had fortunately been left vacant - probably due to Valkyrie. "I was hoping you could help us with that. He's met God, but is otherwise blissfully ignorant."

Ghastly sighed. "Of course he is. Hello, Dex. How was your trip?"

Valkyrie looked like she was about to say something, and then thought better of it. But the look she gave Skulduggery was slightly worrying. It was the same one she'd worn for months when they first met - tense with confusion, a strong determination to understand the cause of that confusion, and eventually growing slack as she gave up.