not on any of our maps. I can find that dirty lake out there, but there’s not supposed to be any freaky little town beside it.”
“If you didn’t know there was anything here,” the shopkeeper said, “then how did you find us?”
“We’re sightseeing.”
“Sightseeing,” the shopkeeper said, “or spying?”
“Spying? On you? Why the hell would we spy on you? You’re a lunatic with a crummy little store who seems to have a pathological need to not sell anything to his customers.”
“I’m sorry,” said the shopkeeper, “I can’t understand your ridiculous accent.”
“My accent?”
“It is quite silly.”
“So you can’t understand me?”
“Not a word.”
“Then how did you understand that?”
“I didn’t.”
“You didn’t understand what I just said?”
“That’s right.”
“You understood that, though.”
“Not at all.”
The American glowered. “I swear to God, I will reach across this counter and I will punch you right in the mouth.”
“Uh,” Valkyrie said, “I think we should all calm down a little. Sir, as you may have guessed, this isn’t the friendliest town in the world. You go to any other town in the area, I can guarantee that you will be greeted with the biggest smiles you’ve ever seen. But they do things differently here.”
“We just stopped off for some soda for my kids. And I’m not leaving until this guy takes my money and gives me my change.”
“Please,” Valkyrie said to the shopkeeper, “take his money.”
The shopkeeper lowered his eyes to the money on the counter. His lip curling distastefully, he placed a finger on the note and dragged it to the till.
“You’re a piece of work, you know that?” the American asked.
The shopkeeper ignored him, and spilled a few coins on to the counter. With a sigh, he looked up. “Happy?”
The American stuffed the change in his pocket then picked up the drinks. “I heard the Irish were especially friendly.”
“That was before anyone ever came here,” the shopkeeper told him. “Now we’re exactly as friendly as everyone else.”
The American narrowed his eyes, but managed to restrain himself from slipping further into the argument. “I’m going to walk out of here. Someone as rude as you, you’re not worth my time.”
The shopkeeper didn’t respond. He had gone back to looking up at the ceiling.
Valkyrie escorted the American to his car. “I’m really sorry about that,” she said. “I’ve been visiting this town for almost a year now, and they still don’t like talking to me, either.”
Skulduggery walked over, a bright smile on his fake face. “Hello there!” he cried. “Everything OK?”
The American frowned suspiciously, but Valkyrie nodded to him. “Just the shopkeeper being rude again, that’s all.”
“Ah,” Skulduggery said, “yes. Very rude man, that shopkeeper. All’s well, though? No harm done? Excellent.” He crouched at the car window and looked in. “What a lovely family you have. What a charming family. They’re all lovely. Except for that one.” His finger jabbed the glass. “That one’s a bit ugly.”
The American stepped towards him. “What? What did you say?”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure his personality makes up for his face.”
Valkyrie jumped between them, keeping the American back. “He didn’t mean it,” she said quickly. “My friend is not right in the head. He just says things. Bad things. I’m really very sorry. You should probably go.”
“Not before this creep gives my kid an apology.”
“Oh, God,” Valkyrie muttered.
“Have I offended you?” Skulduggery asked. “Oh, dear. I really am sorry.”
“Don’t apologise to me,” the American snarled. “Apologise to my son.”
“Which one? The ugly one?”
“Whichever one you were talking about.”
“It was the ugly one,” Skulduggery confirmed.
“Stop calling my kid ugly!”
Valkyrie elbowed Skulduggery in the ribs. “Apologise this instant,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Of course,” Skulduggery said, and leaned down to the window. “I’m very sorry!” he said loudly so they could hear. “Sometimes I say things and I’m not aware that I’m saying them until it’s too late. It’s entirely my fault. My sincerest apologies for any offence caused.” He straightened up.
The American finally dragged his eyes off Skulduggery. “This,” he said, “is the nastiest town I’ve ever been to.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Valkyrie said.
He glared at Skulduggery one final time, then got into the rental car and drove off.
“What,” Valkyrie said, “was that?”
Skulduggery tilted his head. “What was what?”
“You called his kid ugly!”
“Did I?”
“It just happened twenty seconds ago!”
“Oh. I didn’t notice, to be honest. My mind was elsewhere. I’m sure I was joking, though. And I’m sure he knew I was joking. It’s all fine. It was an ugly kid, though. Did you see it? It’s like it had two half-finished faces pushed together. Still, all that’s in the past. I do hope they come back. They seemed nice. Come along.”
He walked towards the Sanctuary. Valkyrie hurried to catch up.
“Are you feeling OK?” she asked.
“Me?”
“You.”
“I suppose I’m feeling a little discombobulated. A little out of sorts. But I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Why are we here?”
She frowned. “We’re meeting with the Elders about Melancholia.”
He snapped his fingers. “Yes! Excellent. Good. So we are. Marvellous.”
The Bentley was parked outside an ugly building of concrete and granite. The Sanctuary was round and flat and low, and squatted beside the stagnant lake like someone had dropped it from a great height. It had one main entrance and three hidden exits. No windows. No paint. No frills. Inside it was just as frugal, stone walls and curving corridors flowing in a concentric pattern to the middle. Cleavers stood guard and sorcerers and officials went about their business. No matter the weather outside, it was always cold in the Sanctuary.
The Administrator met them when they entered. “Detectives Pleasant and Cain, the Council is waiting for you.”
Skulduggery nodded. “Lead the way, Tipstaff.”
Tipstaff nodded politely. They followed him on a bisecting route through the ever-decreasing circles of corridors, straight to the Round Room at the building’s core.
Pictures of dead Elders lined the walls, salvaged from the gloom by small spotlights. Three large chairs, like thrones, were placed in the middle of the room, and on those thrones