"Mn," she responds, because it sounds a miserable way to spend forever, or however much longer this whole system is sustainable. "Honestly I no longer support mutiny."

She smiles faintly, glad for the physical affection that had been so scarce after Skulduggery's Unpleasant update of memories from dealing with the faceless ones he so dreaded. "He has tried for some time without success," Ava points out. "But if... there's any way to help. You know I'm willing." There's that stabbing feeling of self doubt, that there's not really anything she can do. But she shoves it down.

"He's lucky to have you."