Page 117 of Dead Heat

I smiled up at him. “Because I’m an overachiever?”

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Because I can’t unmeet you. The damage has been done.”

“Damage?”

He gazed into my eyes with a burning intensity that made my knees quiver. “I’d rather subject myself to Lucifer’s wrath all over again than lose you, Lorelei. It won’t happen. Not on my watch.”

“And what will I get if I make it back alive?”

“What you already have. My heart.”

“Throw in a new air fryer and consider it done.” Despite my attempt at levity, a wave of emotion swept over me. I kissed him hard on the lips before he could see the tears in my eyes. “I’ll come back to you, Kane. I promise.”

We retreated inside the house so I could prep. I opened the trunk at the foot of my bed and selected as many weapons as I could comfortably carry, although I wasn’t convinced they’d be very useful in the land of the dead. Most creatures that dwelled in Helheim had no fear of a blade and their nightmares were likely worse than any I could inflict. Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me.

I tucked Erika’s vial of potion into the front pocket of my pants where it would be most secure. The only risk to it would be if I fell flat on my stomach or if an opponent’s weapon struck me in exactly that spot. The odds of either were unlikely.

A hearty breakfast awaited me downstairs. Nana Pratt had gone for the full English, minus the blood sausages because (a) I didn’t like them, and (b) they were hard to get in this neck of the woods. I slurped my coffee and attacked the plate with vigor.

“Game night must be hungry work,” Ray commented.

“It’s like she’s trying to store fat for the winter,” Nana Pratt agreed.

“I have no idea how long I’ll be there.”

“In that case, maybe you should consider another shower,” Nana Pratt replied, “and pack an extra stick of deodorant.”

I glanced up at the elderly ghost. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“I can’t smell, remember?”

“But you’re making it sound like I do.” I polished off thecoffee and scraped the plate clean. “Thank you for this. I feel human again.”

“Probably best if you felt godly,” Ray pointed out.

I carried my dish and mug to the sink and rinsed them.

Nana Pratt shooed me away. “Claude and I will take care of that. You focus on the important things, like not dying.”

Ray placed a ghostly hand on my shoulder. “I won’t wish you luck because you don’t need it. You can do this.”

“Thanks, Ray.”

I practically pushed Kane out of the house. “I can’t think straight with you next to me,” I said. “If you want me to survive this, the best gift you can give me right now is to leave.”

With one final kiss, he left.

I sheathed my weapons, tucked my phone in my pocket, and said goodbye to my roommates. Claude tried to cling to my shoulder, but I set him gently on the front porch.

“I’ll need you to look after the others,” I whispered, “and to find Matilda if things go south. She’d want to know.”

Max intercepted me at the bridge. “Let me come with you,” the cherufe insisted. “I’d like to make myself useful.”

“This is dangerous. You came to Fairhaven for sanctuary, remember? I have no interest in seeing you hurt.”

“It’s more dangerous for you than for me. Even if they catch me, they won’t know what to do with me.” He patted his rocky middle. “I’m fairly indestructible. If nothing else, I can distract them while you make the save.”

I had to admit, it wasn’t the worst plan in the world. Max wouldn’t go full hero like Kane would, which meant no risk of proxy rule violations. “Only if you promise to leave Oskar’s rescue to me. He’s my responsibility.”

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