Hell Breaks Loose by Derek Landy

Author:Derek Landy [Landy, Derek]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2023-03-09T17:00:00+00:00

Drestan Bizarre was a man most unsuited to being a member of the Council of Elders, and this reason alone meant he would probably have been Ghastly’s favourite anyway, even without the history they shared. As an active member of the magical community, Ghastly shared histories with many people, but few could claim to be quite so formative. It had been Drestan whom Ghastly had followed into battle as a young man. It had been Drestan who had introduced both Ghastly and Skulduggery to the more esoteric side of magic. It had been Drestan who had taught them the value of disobeying orders.

It was, indeed, fair to say that, without Drestan Bizarre, Ghastly Bespoke and Skulduggery Pleasant would not be the people they were today.

Ghastly found the most unlikely of Elders in the most unlikely of places: sitting behind his desk in his own office chamber.

“I don’t think I have ever seen you in here,” Ghastly said, stepping through the doorway as hot flame flickered over cold stone walls.

Too handsome, too pale, too tired, Drestan closed the book he’d been frowning at and sat back in his chair, smiling at his protégé. “I try not to make a habit of visiting this place – I might get too comfortable and lose my taste for wandering.”

“Comfortable,” Ghastly echoed, looking around. “Didn’t there used to be cushions in here?”

“Others need cushions more than I.” Drestan’s face turned serious. “I have been told that Skulduggery is in the vicinity of a certain arch-enemy, and that he has managed not to kill him yet. Has he finally discovered how to control his temper?”

“I would not presume to go quite so far as that,” Ghastly responded, “but he has shown definite improvements. In truth, it is a struggle for the rest of us not to tear Serpine limb from limb ourselves.”

“I would imagine being across the table from him would be a battle against one’s own instincts.”

“And we were across the table from not just Serpine, but Mevolent himself,” said Ghastly. “I’m surprised you were not part of our delegation.”

Drestan looked annoyed. “The Grand Mage decided that having all three Irish Elders sitting directly opposite the most powerful sorcerer alive would not be the best of ideas. Which is why I am here, safe within the Sanctuary, while my fellows are preparing to spar and joust – if only with words – with the enemy. Sometimes I think it was a mistake to accept this post. Other times I know it was.” He shifted in his seat. “But enough about my woes, my friend. You come here seeking advice.”

Ghastly blinked. “I do?”

“Of course. You always come seeking advice, as does Skulduggery. The difference between you is that you actually take my advice when I give it, something Skulduggery has never quite managed. This, by the way, endears me to you immensely, and means you are by far my favourite.”

Ghastly laughed. “Thank you. I am honoured.”

“As you should be. So what troubles you?”

“One of the Masked Sisters – Sister Rapture – has been of great use to us so far in this endeavour.

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