"It doesn't really matter which," Skulduggery pointed out, far too casual for someone discussing the potential ramifications of mental brainwashing traps. "It might eventually, but either way, the gifts would backfire. And if they do, they're going to backfire soon. If they're anything like the poison I so brilliantly helped you to avoid being tainted with, they're going to turn against us each other."

Of course, as things stood now, the Foreigners didn't exactly need any help turning against each other. Suspicion and mistrust were rife, and apart from a few rumours of tentative plans Skulduggery had heard about through the few kedan contacts who bothered bringing him information anymore, no one seemed to have any idea how to fight back even if the Foreigners did present a united front.

"Eva must be pinning a lot of hope on you," Skulduggery murmured aloud. Then his skull straightened sharply. "Speaking of, Eva's missing. What happened when you arrived here? Did you see her?"