It was fortunate for them both that he did. Solomon honestly couldn't have said what might have happened if he'd had to endure the pressure of those souls for too long, so soon after prodding his own. As much as Solomon disliked to admit that Skulduggery was right, the skeleton wasn't wrong to say that had been unwise.

The only thing Solomon had to truly call his own was his sense of self. He refused to give that up--even to his own magic. He had to find another channelling item, and soon.

"It's fortunate that I never believed they were," he said, after a moment to compose himself. "However, I will have to decline to come any nearer. Your friends encompass the fountain and it would be unwise for me to put myself in their territory."

Belatedly he realised the shadows were clustered around his shoulders, but right now their whisper was more soothing than not, so he let them remain.