Thanks for setting this up again, knnn!  As the bearer of the top spot in the Cold Days Predict-A-Thon (the badge for which I proudly display as my avatar), I'm here to defend my title.  So here we go: 

1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?

According to Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was commissioned by King Minos of Crete and built by Daedalus, to imprison the Minotaur.  The fact that it is Hades that holds the Labyrinth and its contents throws a twist into the original myth.  I'd say, Nicodemus is after

A)  The Minotaur or an artifact of power that represents the Minotaur (e.g. a horned, bull-shaped helmet) that has a lot of destructive potential. 

or

B)  The Greek goddess Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades in the original myths.  Because Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds of the underworld, she must remain in the underworld for an appointed time.  Since, Persephone is a goddess of vegetation and growth, having her out of the underworld in violation of her appointed time might wreak havoc on the finely balanced power of the Summer and Winter Fae Courts.  So, Mab has a vested interest in Nicodemus' not being successful in freeing Persephone from her prison. 

2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team.  Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request?  Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?


Nicodemus wants Harry involved.  There is one thing that Harry has that makes him really, really unique (for a non-angel) -- Soulfire.  No angel is going to help Nicodemus, but he can get Soulfire at his disposal by calling in his marker with Mab.  Jim once described Soulfire and Hellfire being akin to matter and antimatter.  I think Nicodemus is going to use the Hellfire that his crew has, and combine it to Harry's Soulfire to create a metaphysical stick of dynamite to "blow the doors off the vault".  After all, Harry was able to use Soulfire to break free from Mother Winter's chains in Cold Days.  Anduriel/Nicodemus probably know better than Harry what "the fires of creation" are capable of and so Harry is absolutely key (pun intended) to the heist. 

3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven".  Who else did Nicodemus recruit?  How will they interact with Harry? 


A)  Dierdre will be Nicodemus' right hand.
B)  Nagloshii has already been mentioned by Jim as being a part of the crew. 
C)  They will need a guide to navigate through the Labyrinth.  Ariadne was the the one in the myths who guided Theseus with regard to the Labyrinth, so I would say Ariadne or her ghost or somebody related to Ariadne or Theseus.  Either that or Icarus, Daedalus' son (or his ghost). 
D)  If it is to be a ghost guide, then they'll need a necromancer of some sort. 
E)  They'll need somebody/something who can help to make a getaway…Pegasus or a Centaur?
F)  Assorted muscle

4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help.  In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew.  Who will it be?  Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?

Without a doubt, Kincaid will be his +1.  This isn't Harry doing something altruistic, it's him helping a hateful enemy do something equally unpleasant.  Whenever the Denarians are involved, people die or are horribly injured/traumatized.  He won't want to bring his friends or family into this.  He'll want to bring somebody who

A) keeps their word and can be trusted 
B) with whom he doesn't have a personal relationship
C) will be motivated to help him, if for no other reason than to get back at Nicodemus -- so he'll bring Kincaid.

Also, Bob will be consulted on at the very least to provide knowledge and guidance. 

5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present.  In fact, there have been various hints...  Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?

We also already know that Michael is coming off the bench, so he'll "interfere" and Sanya will most likely be involved because the Knights of the Cross are in place to counter the Denarians.  Murphy will not be involved because she is not a Knight of the Cross.  She is just in possession of the Swords, which is an important distinction.   

6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist.  In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve.  What are Mab's reasons in this book?  Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?

See point 1B.  If it is Persephone in the Vault and she is the goddess of vegetation and growth, then having her out of the prison/vault against her appointed time will wreak havoc on the balance between the Summer and Winter Courts.  So, Mab has a vested interest in ensuring that Nicodemus is not successful. 

7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay.  The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book.  Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?

The parasite is causing the headaches.  The parasite is an entity that can be reasoned with (since Mab and Demonreach worked with it to keep Harry alive in Ghost Story) and has control over parts of Harry's body.  So, it's almost a given that the parasite is related to the Lash entity or some derivative thereof.  Since Mab is a creature of her word and she said that if Harry fulfilled his mission that she would take care of the parasite for him, I'd say Mab will deal with the parasite as promised.     

8.  One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal.  Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross.  What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?

Harry won't have the juice to take out Nicodemus directly, but if their target is Hades, I'd say that Harry will bring Hades into the mix and do everything he can to get Hades into position to take back what was stolen. 

9.  (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others.  Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.

A)  Mordred is the man with the British accent that is imprisoned in the Crystal Caverns on Demonreach.  Merlin imprisoned him there as fitting and long-lasting punishment for betraying Arthur.
B)  If it is NOT the Minotaur or a Minotaur-related artifact of power that is in the Vault, then it will be the Minotaur that will be helping to guard the Vault/Labyrinth.
C)  At least one of the Swords will find a new owner in Skin Game (this could include Sanya's sword)

10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book.  Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven?  The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want.  Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.

It's been two books (and some short stories) since Harry's death at the end of Changes and we haven't heard a single mention of Eb.  Eb will make an appearance or mention in Skin Game, possibly as the cavalry that Harry will undoubtedly need with the den of vipers that he's found himself surrounded with.