How long had it been since Gabe was attacked by the hair monster? Skulduggery's hallucinations were over within twenty-four hours of his own attack, but it sounded like they'd lasted longer for the Archangel.
The Archangel. Skulduggery felt another decidedly unpleasant chill travel down his spine. Those chills, he decided, were the worst part of coming back to proper life. What was the point of them?
The cafeteria was just as still as the Sun Room. Unlike in the Sun Room, though, it gave Skulduggery pause. Because Gabe was right; the kitchens were the area most likely to be guarded. And with his magic as diminished as it was, Skulduggery couldn't be sure there wasn't anything lurking behind the long counter at the opposite end of the room.
It could have been easy, of course. He could have lengthened the shadows behind the counter, known immediately, and dealt with the threat instantly. But since just having the thought was almost enough to convince Skulduggery it was a good idea, he knew it wasn't. It may not have been Necromancy directly, and it may not have drained him nearly as much as his Elemental powers were doing, but that sort of self-justification was a slippery slope.
Besides, Skulduggery reminded himself for the umpteenth time, there was an Archangel behind him.
That was why, a few cautious minutes later, Skulduggery rounded the corner of the counter fast with his hands held up. The element of surprise wasn't only available to whatever was lying in wait, Skulduggery had found. In this case, it was unnecessary. Nothing jumped out at them. Nothing was there.
The door into the kitchens, however, was locked.
Skulduggery knelt down to inspect the lock. It was a simple one. He could pick it, theoretically, if he still had his tools, and he could always blast the door down. But that would make air unavailable to him the rest of the night, and if there was any other way...
Skulduggery turned to Gabe. "Can you change into anything other than a lion?"
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The Archangel. Skulduggery felt another decidedly unpleasant chill travel down his spine. Those chills, he decided, were the worst part of coming back to proper life. What was the point of them?
The cafeteria was just as still as the Sun Room. Unlike in the Sun Room, though, it gave Skulduggery pause. Because Gabe was right; the kitchens were the area most likely to be guarded. And with his magic as diminished as it was, Skulduggery couldn't be sure there wasn't anything lurking behind the long counter at the opposite end of the room.
It could have been easy, of course. He could have lengthened the shadows behind the counter, known immediately, and dealt with the threat instantly. But since just having the thought was almost enough to convince Skulduggery it was a good idea, he knew it wasn't. It may not have been Necromancy directly, and it may not have drained him nearly as much as his Elemental powers were doing, but that sort of self-justification was a slippery slope.
Besides, Skulduggery reminded himself for the umpteenth time, there was an Archangel behind him.
That was why, a few cautious minutes later, Skulduggery rounded the corner of the counter fast with his hands held up. The element of surprise wasn't only available to whatever was lying in wait, Skulduggery had found. In this case, it was unnecessary. Nothing jumped out at them. Nothing was there.
The door into the kitchens, however, was locked.
Skulduggery knelt down to inspect the lock. It was a simple one. He could pick it, theoretically, if he still had his tools, and he could always blast the door down. But that would make air unavailable to him the rest of the night, and if there was any other way...
Skulduggery turned to Gabe. "Can you change into anything other than a lion?"