"Pick it out," Skulduggery says, "but not read it. There are certain skills you pick up after the first century, but being able to translate languages isn't one of them. Your secrets are safe with you."

Unless, of course, one's Adept discipline was translating languages, as in the case of Ms. Nuncio. Fortunately for Gene, Skulduggery chose to employ his considerable talents elsewhere.

"If you don't mind my prying," he asks, "where did you learn it?"