Page 27 of A Leaner Meaner Midlife

“Do we have time to check it out, or do we need to meet up with Candy and Gabe at the entrance?” I asked.

Gideon pointed up the cobblestone path. The Keeper of Fate and the Archangel were headed our way. “No need. We will stay together as a group. It’s far too dangerous here.”

That was something I agreed with. While Gideon, Candy, Gabe and I could defend ourselves, the Nephilim would be toast against an evil Immortal. I hoped we hadn’t made a grave mistake by letting them come with us.

Gabe got right down to it. His question was to the Nephilim. “Do you feel Micky Muggles presence?”

They shook their heads.

The Archangel’s frustration was evident. I didn’t blame him, but it wasn’t going to help.

“He’s here somewhere,” I assured him. “He’s supposed to behead Anne Boleyn in an hour.”

“What the actual fuck?” Candy muttered. “She’s already dead.”

Jolly Sue raised her hand. I nodded to her.

“Is reincarnation possible?” she asked.

I didn’t have an answer for that one.

“I mean, is it possible that the pribbling, weedy hedge-pig is truly the reincarnation of King Henry the Eighth?”

“Nope,” Candy Vargo stated flatly. “That fucker, Micky Muggles, has been alive for too long.”

My mind raced with questions. “Is reincarnation possible?”

Gabe took the lead. “It has been heard of, but I have no proof. As the tale goes, if someone dies before their time or under suspect and illegal circumstances, they have a chance to come back.”

Gideon appeared doubtful. Candy Vargo just scratched her head with a toothpick. Gabe’s tale was more of a non-answer—more like folklore.

“If I had to call it,” Candy said. “My guess is that it’s all an act. Maybe, that brainless fuck cast Tory as Anne Boleyn.”

“No,” Gideon said quickly as Gabe looked on the verge of a blow up. “He needs her to get Immortality from Daisy. He’s stupid, but not that stupid. I’d say he’s going to behead a random woman.”

“Not on my watch,” I said and began marching up the hill in the direction that Gideon had pointed earlier.

My crew followed behind me. This was a puzzle that kept getting uglier.

Dirk’s advice danced in my mind. Use what you know. Aid always comes from unexpected places. I’d already heeded the tip. I wasn’t sure it would come to much, but reaching out to the dead might save the day.

Who knew? Stranger things had happened…

I was ready for my juicy justice boner. So far it had all been foreplay. It was time to get down to business.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Did you learn anything?” I asked Candy while we kept our heads down and made our way through the crowd over to the area where Anne Boleyn had been murdered by King Henry the Eighth. It had become evident that the Demons, Angels and Nephilim in attendance were the dregs of Immortal society. Most were armed to the teeth, and shady-looking was a polite way to describe them.

“Not much, jackass,” Candy Vargo replied. “How about you, freaks?”

I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Well, I dusted three Demons and Gideon offed another. The Immortals and Nephilim are here to see the Angel of Mercy grant Immortality to the Dragon King.”

“Fuck, I turned the wrong way when we arrived,” she muttered. “What else?”

I pulled her off the path to a secluded area. Our posse followed. “The dead here know of two new ghosts but don’t know where they are.”

“How are you having all the fun?” she demanded.

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