“This is what it’s all been about with you,” he said in an even tone. “All the fear, allthe running. The nightmares.” When she nodded, he said, “You called him the devil.””He is.” What are you thinking, Scot?”But you… married him?”MacRieve’s disgusted with me. “Basically? Yes.””Ceremony and everything?”She swallowed. “He tricked me into it. I-I was only sixteen.”A muscle ticked in his cheek and his irises grew pale. “Then know this…”She stopped breathing.”Lass, I’m about to make you a widow–”

“Stairs,” Valkyrie said, disappointed.”Not just ordinary stairs,” Skulduggery told her as he led the way down. “Magic stairs.””Really?””Oh, yes.”She followed him into the darkness. “How are they magic?””They just are.””In what way?””In a magicky way.”She glared at the back of his head. “They aren’t magic at all, are they?””Not really.”