Page 86 of Dead Heat

“Why are you whispering?” Gun mimicked her volume. “We’re the only ones here.”

My brain was still processing her statement. “Sweet Dandelion killed a dozen demons?”

“Let’s not forget sweet Dandelion is a great duke of hell,” Gun pointed out. “He didn’t ascend that high on the demonic pyramid by being nice.”

It was hard to imagine Dan as a killing machine. He was the demon that liked to drink cheap cold beer on the bench outside Monk’s. The demon that pledged his loyalty to Kane and rescued him from eternal damnation.

“If Dan killed all those demons, then how do you explain Canto?” I asked.

Camryn scrunched her nose. “Who’s Canto?”

“The demon that showed up at the Devil’s Playgroundand begged Kane to launch another revolution. Canto said he followed Dantalion.”

Gunther shrugged. “Guess he missed one.”

I tried to think back to that moment. Kane was surprised to see Canto, but that wasn’t necessarily because he knew all his companions had all been murdered. Kane was actively hiding from Lucifer; he would’ve been surprised to be discovered by anyone from their old stomping grounds.

“Speaking of sneaking into places,” I began. “I need to find a way into Helheim without being detected, like a back door that doesn’t involve Gnipahellir.”

The mages exchanged baffled looks. “Doesn’t involve what now?” Gun asked.

“Gnipahellir. The cave that serves as the entrance to Helheim. You haven’t heard of it?”

Gun rolled his eyes. “We didn’t all have grandfathers obsessed with our education.”

“Sure you did. It’s just that your education involved the mastery of tarot cards, and mine involved myths and legends.”

Gun sat up. “Back up your dilapidated pickup truck. Why do you need to sneak into a land of the dead?”

I told them about my deal with Erika.

Gun stared at me. “Why do you have a death wish?”

“I don’t. Why do you think I’m here? I need help with strategy. You two are assassins. You sneak in and out of places undetected for a living.”

“I’m more of a prancer,” Gun said.

“What about your boyfriend?” Cam asked. “He must’ve had a few ideas.”

“Demon candy,” Gun interrupted.

I frowned at him. “Excuse me?”

“Instead of boyfriend or lover. That can be your title for Kane.” His smile was all teeth. “Trust me, he’ll eat it up.”

“Demon candy makes it sound like I should be eating him.” I paused. “Let’s scratch that comment from the record. I am not referring to Kane Sullivan as demon candy.”

Gun snorted with laughter. “I’m telling you, it’s a missed opportunity.”

I lowered my gaze to the floor. “My demon candy is a tad unhappy with me at the moment.”

“Because you decided his bartender’s life was worth more than your own?” Gun asked.

“Is that so different from what you do?” I shot back. “Decide which lives are worth more than others and which aren’t?”

“She’s got you there,” Cam said.

Gun shrugged. “At least we get paid.”

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