"Akito's quite a bit younger," said Skulduggery. In more ways than one. "How long ago did you see the turtles?"

The Erol'a girl shrugged. "A while ago."

"Can you be more specific?"

"A long while ago."

Skulduggery shook his head. "That's the problem with a society run by children," he said to Ravel. "Nobody knows how to be helpful. It's infuriating. Why did Quintus ask you to find us?"

The girl brightened. "He said to tell you that he's really excited to see you both again, and to meet all your new friends, but that he can't yet because there's something he and the others have to take care of first."

"Which is...?"

A shrug. "I dunno. He didn't say. None of them would. But Quintus wanted me to tell you that he expects you and Akito to be best friends by the time he gets back."

Skulduggery sighed. "Of course he does. He might just have to deal with being disappointed on that one."