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head off and she reattached it, yes? She managed to use her last few seconds of thought to heal herself. With the Deathtouch Gauntlet, there are no last thoughts. Physical death and brain death are instantaneous, so, provided Darquesse doesn’t know what’s coming, she won’t even have the
chance
to survive.”
    Stephanie looked at Skulduggery. “If I don’t wear it, will the future we’ve seen be averted?”
    “Not wearing the gauntlet will more than likely have no impact whatsoever on the vision coming true,” Skulduggery said. “We’ve seen details of the vision change, but the result is always the same.”
    “Well, I’m not wearing it,” said Stephanie. “There. I’ve decided. Can we go see Cassandra? Check if the vision still ends the same way?”
    Skulduggery nodded, his voice suddenly brighter. “I’ll tell Cassandra to expect us. Doctor, thank you for your efforts, but it appears we won’t be taking the gauntlet.”
    “OK,” said Synecdoche. “But I’ll put it aside for you, Stephanie, just in case.”
    “Don’t bother,” Stephanie said, already moving away. “I’ll never wear it.”

4
FRIENDS AND FOE
    hina Sorrows was waiting for them when they entered the Room of Prisms. Thin pillars of angled glass stretched from floor to ceiling, and in the centre of the room sat the Grand Mage herself, elegant in a flowing powder-blue dress, a brooch on her breast signifying her elevated status. Stephanie had heard people say she’d chosen this room to receive visitors because it had more angles with which to reflect her unnatural beauty – her raven hair, her eyes like ice, her perfect features – but Stephanie knew better. China had chosen this room so that she could see anyone trying to sneak up behind her. China was a cut-throat, and only cut-throats know how cut-throats work.
    Behind China’s throne – for that’s what it was – the Black Cleaver stood with silent menace.
    “Here they come,” China said, smiling. “The only two people who ever bring me any good news. Do you know how depressing that can be? If I were delicate, I’d surely faint with the pressure.”
    “You wanted the job,” said Skulduggery.
    “I wanted the title, the power, and all those lovely books. The stress I could do without. I think I’m close to getting a worry line on my forehead.”
    “How dreadful,” said Skulduggery.
    “See? You understand. And so here you are, with good news. Congratulations, by the way, on taking down Ferrente Rhadaman without alerting one single member of the public. Scrutinous and Random have been working overtime to cover up some very sloppy displays. I’m amazed we’re not splashed all over the news. Did Rhadaman have any information on the remaining renegade sorcerers?”
    “He didn’t have specifics, but he did say they’re grouping together.”
    “Because there is safety in numbers?”
    Skulduggery shook his head. “He said someone has been in contact with them. Sounds like a refuge is being offered.”
    “I don’t like the sound of that. Do you mean another Sanctuary?”
    “I have no more information.”
    China sat back, and said nothing for a few moments. “If it’s another Sanctuary offering them asylum, we have to find out which one it is. Since the War of the Sanctuaries, international relations are … precarious. The last thing we need is one of them going rogue and upsetting everyone else.”
    The door opened, and Tipstaff walked in. He whispered in China’s ear, and she nodded. When he left, she glanced at Skulduggery and Stephanie.
    “Bear with me one minute,” she said.
    A man walked in. Tall and lean, unshaven, with dark hair that needed a cut and faded jeans that needed a wash. He exuded an air of menace that was as natural to him as breathing.
    “Mr Foe,” said China. “I was beginning to wonder if you would ever get here.”
    Vincent Foe looked at them all warily. “Apologies, Grand Mage. I was working on my bike.”
    “Well,” said China,