The Faceless Ones (Skulduggery Pleasant - Book 3) by Derek Landy

time is precious."
    "All time is precious, but you'll want to hear what I have to say nonetheless. Or maybe you would rather I go to Remus Crux with this? I hear he's running all over town, desperate for something with which to impress the Grand Mage." Wreath shook his head. "His actions are deplorable. As one detective to another, Crux is a man who values a progress report over actual progress."
    "If you're hoping we can bond because we share a distaste for the man, you will be disappointed."
    "That's not all we share, actually. We have a common enemy."
    "Is that so?"
    "Your investigation into the Teleporter murders, however unofficial it may be, coincides with an investigation I have been running for the past few years, into the Diablerie."
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    Skulduggery didn't say anything for a moment, then turned to Valkyrie. "The Diablerie was a group of the sickest fanatics Mevolent had at his disposal. A group that China founded and led."
    "China?" Valkyrie echoed.
    "She had a misspent youth." Wreath smiled.
    Skulduggery ignored him. "When China left and became, to use her own word, neutral, Baron Vengeous took over, but it's been a hundred and twenty years since they've been considered a real threat."
    "All that's about to change," Wreath said. "Jaron Gallow, Murder Rose, and Gruesome Krav reunited two years ago. I have found evidence that they have since hired Billy-Ray Sanguine, to add to their ranks. The Diablerie are back, Detective, and they are killing Teleporters."
    "And Batu? What do you know of him?"
    "I suspect Batu doesn't even exist," Wreath said. "It's a name taken to divert attention. The real leader is Jaron Gallow. He just pretends to answer to a mysterious master. He's been at it for years--it keeps everyone off balance."
    "That still doesn't make any sense," Valkyrie said. "Batu, or whoever was using that name, killed
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    Trope Kessel after he found out how to bring back the Faceless Ones. But since they need a Teleporter to open the gate, why kill them all? "
    'They need a Teleporter?" Wreath asked. "How many? "
    "Just one."
    "And how many Teleporters are left? "
    "Two," Skulduggery said. "Emmett Peregrine and one more. We're not going to be sharing either his name or location with you, so don't bother asking."
    Wreath frowned. "You obviously haven't heard. Peregrine is dead. He was murdered an hour ago."
    Valkyrie's mouth went dry. "What about Tanith?"
    "Who?"
    "The girl who was with him," Skulduggery said quickly.
    "Ah, the English girl. I don't know all the details, but from what I have heard, she was attacked by Krav and Murder Rose, and escaped with her life. Which is an admirable feat in itself."
    Valkyrie closed her eyes. Thank God.
    "Now," Wreath continued, "if there is only one Teleporter left, and since all the Teleporters I know
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    about are dead, then he must be new. Which makes sense."
    "How does it make sense?" Valkyrie asked.
    "None of the seasoned Teleporters would cooperate with the Diablerie," Skulduggery said. "They'd be too experienced, too powerful. The chances of escape would be much too high."
    "But why kill them?"
    "Because if the gate opens, they'd be able to close it. The Diablerie have taken out the biggest obstacles to their success before we even knew what was happening."
    "Those in the Necromancer temples have taken an oath not to involve ourselves in the trivialities of your affairs," Wreath said. "But there are those who share my view that the Diablerie's plans affect everyone, Necromancers included. You will have my help should you need it, Detective. Help from me and three others."
    "I don't trust you, Wreath."
    "Of course not, but like I said, we have a common enemy. I think we should put our differences aside, don't you? For old times' sake, if nothing else?"
    Skulduggery hit him so hard and so fast that
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    Valkyrie didn't even register the punch; she just saw Wreath slamming back against the wall.
    Wreath wiped the blood from his lip. "You certainly hit as hard as you