Tanith was uncomfortable enough in China's library, and in China's presence. She could understand when Gabriel first asked her to stop - a little surprised, but completely sympathetic. Maybe sort of silently hoping that karma would eventually come back to bite China, and definitely glad that they weren't telling her about who Gabriel really was. It gave Tanith a kind of petty satisfaction.
Gabriel's next words, however, made her jump backward in fright, hand instantly on the hilt of her sword, consciously forcing herself not to draw it. Fletcher, who'd been quiet enough whenever they talked about Gabriel being an Archangel that Tanith was starting to wonder if he even realized what that meant, gripped Valkyrie's hand - getting ready to teleport, perhaps, just in case. Even Ghastly, who was still supporting Gabriel, had tensed up.
That was exactly what they needed, Tanith thought. An angry Archangel. An Archangel angry at Skulduggery, in particular. This was the first time he'd used the detective's full name, and the first time he'd so much as raised his voice.
If only China knew exactly who she'd just made angry. Tanith wouldn't have felt bad about the manipulative librarian getting punished. But if Skulduggery was in trouble because of China...
Skulduggery, for his part, just looked at Gabriel silently for a minute. When he spoke, his voice was perfectly calm. "The effect lessens each time, especially when you know what to expect. Some people lose money in the process, true, but look at it this way - she's giving people the practice to be able to choose for themselves, no matter how strong someone else's will is."
"If I didn't know any better," said China, "I'd think you were defending me."
"Oh, believe me," Skulduggery replied without looking away from Gabriel. "That's the last thing on my mind."
It was the only indication Skulduggery gave that he had been thinking along the same lines as anyone else in the library. He just knew Gabriel better than any of them, and for the first time, Tanith was grateful for that. She didn't think Gabriel would try to smite anything, but she also hadn't thought angels existed. This was turning out to be a very strange day.
no subject
Gabriel's next words, however, made her jump backward in fright, hand instantly on the hilt of her sword, consciously forcing herself not to draw it. Fletcher, who'd been quiet enough whenever they talked about Gabriel being an Archangel that Tanith was starting to wonder if he even realized what that meant, gripped Valkyrie's hand - getting ready to teleport, perhaps, just in case. Even Ghastly, who was still supporting Gabriel, had tensed up.
That was exactly what they needed, Tanith thought. An angry Archangel. An Archangel angry at Skulduggery, in particular. This was the first time he'd used the detective's full name, and the first time he'd so much as raised his voice.
If only China knew exactly who she'd just made angry. Tanith wouldn't have felt bad about the manipulative librarian getting punished. But if Skulduggery was in trouble because of China...
Skulduggery, for his part, just looked at Gabriel silently for a minute. When he spoke, his voice was perfectly calm. "The effect lessens each time, especially when you know what to expect. Some people lose money in the process, true, but look at it this way - she's giving people the practice to be able to choose for themselves, no matter how strong someone else's will is."
"If I didn't know any better," said China, "I'd think you were defending me."
"Oh, believe me," Skulduggery replied without looking away from Gabriel. "That's the last thing on my mind."
It was the only indication Skulduggery gave that he had been thinking along the same lines as anyone else in the library. He just knew Gabriel better than any of them, and for the first time, Tanith was grateful for that. She didn't think Gabriel would try to smite anything, but she also hadn't thought angels existed. This was turning out to be a very strange day.