Where Bakura was concerned, Skulduggery might have been willing to discuss alternatives. Despite the amazingly popular opinion, he didn't believe his own beliefs were the end-all be-all, nor did he believe that he was infallible. He might even have been willing to discuss what came next, were it not Wreath who was the one saying it.

It made him angry, as he expected. Being angry was a matter of course these days. It had nothing to do with the accusations themselves - they were all valid, if based on faulty assumptions, and Skulduggery had promised himself long ago that he would never begrudge anyone else their opinions. So yes, he was angry, but not by what Wreath had said; rather, that Wreath had said anything at all. Drunk or sober, attacks fuelled by new revelations or ancient animosity, there were very few people who had the right to pass judgement on anything Skulduggery had done since the end of the war. Wreath was not one of them.

"Don't assume," he said coldly, "that a little background context means you know me." He stood up, and very calmly replaced his hat. "A pleasure talking to you, Wreath, as always. Good evening."

And he left without the intention of stopping.