Page 131 of Dead Heat

“Women being displeased with me.”

I looked at him. “We’re not dating, Alessandro. I’m trying to save your life without dying in the process.”

“Sex and death are fused together in my mind.”

“You and Freud would have a lot to talk about.”

“Do you think Oskar is on the other side of this bridge?”

Right. Time for the bad news. “Oskar isn’t coming.”

Alessandro balked. “You couldn’t find him?”

“No, we found him. Turns out he and Erika aren’t soulmates. Oskar is hiding here—from her. She killed him.”

Alessandro’s face grew ashen. “We’ll both die.”

“Not on my watch.”

“Are you truly confident or is this bravado?”

I shot him a quick look. “Does it matter?”

“I suppose not.”

A newly fortified Max strolled toward the bridge. Modgud stood rooted at the foot of the bridge, swinging her sword in a casual manner.

“She looks confident,” I said.

“Confidence in a woman is very sexy.”

I elbowed him in the ribs. “Remember which team you’re rooting for.”

Max stomped on the bridge with a heavy foot. The rickety structure rippled, but Modgud managed to remain upright. Max dodged her flurry of blows. I was impressed by the ease with which he moved given his size and build.

“He’s a good fighter,” Alessandro observed. “I wish there were more of him.”

“He left his volcano precisely to avoid that scenario.”

Alessandro cupped his hands around his mouth. “Cherufe, cherufe, cherufe is on fire,” he sang. “We don’t need no water…”

I silenced him with a look.

“What? I’m offering moral support.”

“Offer it quietly. I’m trying to think.”

Despite Modgud’s skilled cuts and thrusts, her blade was no match for the cherufe’s natural armor. Her rising frustration was evident with each rebuff.

“You’re unlike any creature I’ve fought before,” Modgud said, breathing heavily.

Max put her out of her misery. A giant molten fist struck the blade. A resoundingcrackfollowed. Modgud watched in disbelief as the blade broke in half. She lifted her gaze to Max.

“Well fought, creature. You shall pass.” Hanging her head in shame, she stepped aside and let Max through.

Alessandro and I hurried to the bridge. The incubus paused beside her. “You’re magnificent. I could watch you all day.”

Modgud allowed herself a tiny smile.

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