"No," says Skulduggery, standing still for the benefit of Pepper's examination. "You've seen what I really look like. This is what I used to look like, back before I was killed."

Splitting hairs, probably, but the distinction is an important one to Skulduggery. He's not that man. Not anymore. Being brought back to life, however temporary, doesn't change that fact. It doesn't change what he's done. It doesn't change what he's lost.

All it does is make it annoyingly difficult to stay focused.

He takes a long, unfortunately necessary breath. "I don't know," he admits. "I thought I'd find out when I talked to the man responsible. But he said the magic he used was supposed to kill me, and he doesn't understand why it didn't." Skulduggery spreads his hands. "I'm afraid I'm doomed to remain enigmatic forever."