"Sorry," Gabe said, genuinely regretful. He should probably look into getting himself a phone, although finding that much spare change would probably take a little while. He still needed to find a good opportunity to give Skulduggery his wig. In fact, this was probably a perfect time, given his little blunder and the images Gabe had seen.

Kelly looked up and put down the little charm-bracelet she'd been weaving. "Sure," she said, brushing off her clothes. Gabe smiled at her and she smiled back automatically. "We're kind of full around here nowadays, so there's plenty to do."

"Well, at least boredom isn't something with which we'll be afflicted," Gabe teased, but Janet's question made him sober. He looked at her in the eyes and remembered how it felt during Joby's struggle to stand aside and know he could do nothing. He let that feeling show in his eyes. "Because," he said quietly, "I don't like feeling helpless."