"No," Solomon said, very definitely. "They are able to be interacted with in this particular part of the cosmos, but there are too many similarities between universes for them to be confined to just this part of it. I have been doing things with my time other than plotting the downfall of the planet, you know."

The last came out sarcastic, so at least he wasn't quite so far gone as to be amused by the thought. But he still laughed at Skulduggery's question. "No," he said, "but no. I'm perfectly--" He smiled wryly. "--impotent. I can use the death-aura without going insane, but the payoff isn't nearly worth it. The human mind wasn't meant to see that sort of thing on a long-term basis without the benefit of insanity, and I'd rather not have to face Ma--" He stopped. "I'm drunk," he said matter-of-factly, "and I'm blaming you. I'd rather not have to face Mevolent's older brother on his own ground again, thank you."