It's a testament to how much she's found herself valuing his opinion that for just a moment, she wonders if he's right, if the attempt was actually worth something, if maybe trying to get through to the Captain would work. If the Captain could use their relationships against each other, maybe they could do the same in reverse? Work out how to get the Captain to care about them, and then use themselves as knives in his back?

Then the doors open and Skulduggery reveals that he was fucking with her, and he earns a flick on the cheekbone for his efforts.

"You're also an asshole."