Page 123 of Dead Heat

I helped position Max’s bulky frame first, then slid on the creature’s back behind the cherufe. I held on for dear life as the eagle monster took to the skies. His wings spread so wide, they obscured most of the view below. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it anyway; I was far too concerned with keeping a white-knuckle grip on the creature’s scales.

We sailed over hills and valleys until landing in a barren field. I helped Max to the ground.

“I am not meant for flight,” the cherufe said, visibly shaken.

“Follow the music and you should find your friend,” Hraesvelgr said. “I’ll look for you when I return.”

“You’re leaving?” I tried to hide my relief.

“There’s another disturbance in the realm. I’m needed.” Wings stretching wide, he shot into the air.

“What will we do when he finds us trying to leave with a shade?” Max asked.

“Hide.” I strained to listen for music. “Do you hear anything?”

“No, but I feel the vibrations.” He pivoted toward a hill. “This way.”

As we crested the hill, the sound of lively music reached my ears. Small houses dotted the landscape, leaving a square open between them. Based on the crowd of souls gathered there, some kind of festival or celebration was in progress. A group of musicians played in the center of the square.

The aroma of grilled meat reached my nostrils as we continued down the slope. My stomach rumbled in response.

“I guess they want new arrivals to feel at home,” I said.

We merged with the crowd. Revelers had plates piled high with their favorite food.

Max observed the seemingly endless trays. “I don’t even eat food, and I want to live here. Sign me up.”

I agreed. Helheim seemed much happier than the underworld I’d visited. Of course, I’d only seen parts of my homeland. There could be sections like this that I’d forgotten.

Max handed me a beer stein.

“We should start asking about Oskar.”

“You can do that and still enjoy yourself.” He tapped the bottom of my stein. “I’ll live vicariously through you.”

I set down the glass. “No souvenirs. That includes anything in my digestive system.”

I mingled with the crowd of souls, stopping every few feet to inquire after Oskar. Spirits shook their head and moved away from me, as though sensing my otherness. Interestingly, no one seemed bothered by the presence of a magma monster. People never ceased to amaze me, even in death.

I tapped random men on the shoulder, inquiring their names.

“Oskar?”

A golden-haired beauty sized me up with a smirk. “If you like.”

“It’s not about what I like. Is your name Oskar?”

His smirk faded. “No, but his is.” He pointed to a man by the yew tree. I hadn’t even noticed him until this moment. Average height. Average appearance. If the word ‘average’ was accompanied by a photo, it would be Oskar’s face staring back at you.

I called to Max and gestured to the man by the yew tree.

Noticing our attention, Oskar smiled and abandoned his tree. “Good day to you both. You seem a bit lost. Are you new arrivals?”

“They’re looking for you,” the golden-haired snitch said.

Oskar’s nondescript eyebrows inched up. “For me? Why?”

Max nudged me. “Don’t forget the potion.”

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