"Hardly abandoning." He was still holding some sheets and a pillow he intended to deliver. But Anton regarded Skulduggery for a very long moment. The fact that Skulduggery didn't even try to avoid the issue in his bid to escape said how important the matter was. It needed to be discussed and Skulduggery clearly knew it; that alone said a great deal.

"Very well," he said, and intended to leave it at that for the moment when the great shape of a turtle appeared in the doorway behind Skulduggery. Anton added, "You may wish to allow my newest patron entry first, however."

The turtle peered around Skulduggery's thigh and chirruped. "It's you! Hello! Would you like to be my new parent?"