"Ditto over here." Saracen's hand made a hazardous journey up into the air, then flopped back down onto the floor. He still hadn't so much as opened his eyes yet.

Michael lingered for an extra moment over near Gabe, letting one finger get hooked by the younger Archangel's playful claws while the others continued to scratch between his ears. Then, with a touch of reluctance, Michael turned away and tapped everyone else's foreheads in turn, starting with Larrikin's.

Erskine, now properly awake very much against his will, knelt down and rested his chin in his hands on the arm of Skulduggery's chair. "Do I remember something about one of you licking the other one's ear last night?"

"Ask Descry," Skulduggery replied frustratingly evenly. "He's the mind-reader."

"Is my memory accurate?"

This time, Skulduggery shrugged. "If it is, Gabe was a cat, and you're constantly explaining to me how a man can't be held accountable for his actions while under the influence."

"True," agreed Erskine. "But this time is different."

"Oh?"

"This time, it's you."

With a sigh, Skulduggery turned to watch Michael stepping behind the couch so he could heal Ghastly and Tanith while they were still asleep. "I'd argue with you, but it is a very compelling argument."