Raine answered Wreath's question before Skulduggery could. By posing another question, yes, but it was still something. He confirmed the answer he had for Raine's question before speaking, by reaching his magic - not his awareness, his magic - down into the groove. There was a rush of shadow, and then silence, and the shadows went far enough down that Skulduggery nodded. "All the way beneath the shell. Months, I'd guess. Ever since Mali - "

Force of habit made him stop. His mind caught up nearly three seconds later.

"Ever since he first took the Palace," Skulduggery amended, taking a single step back towards the stairs and away from the pit. He really shouldn't be here for any longer than was necessary. "There's a similar portal directly above us on the roof. I didn't get the chance to find out where it goes."