Larrikin would have appreciated the spinning kick, too. Skulduggery chose not to mention that part. Instead, he chuckled. "Most employees give their employers gifts to impress them, or to earn their favour. Is there something else Larrikin would have appreciated, Anton?"

It shouldn't have been as surprising as it was that Skulduggery hadn't already known about the gift. It was, after all, a gift, and even a gift that could be used as a weapon wasn't necessarily something Skulduggery would have had any reason to know about. It still felt like something of a failure on his part, however, and he wasn't entirely sure why. Jealousy? Doubtful; Skulduggery had never developed an urge to wear pink and purple armour, nor was he about to start. Perhaps he was still feeling the blow to his pride he suffered when he was manipulated so easily only minutes before.