Page 128 of Dead Heat

“Lorelei!”

I spun around at the unexpected sound of my name. A familiar figure in a brunette topper rushed to join us.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded in a hushed tone. “You were supposed to wait.”

Alessandro blinked, seemingly affronted by my reaction. “I worried you might be in trouble.”

“We might be, but you could only confirm that by being here, exactly where you’re not supposed to be.”

He appeared genuinely perplexed. “Should I leave?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You’re very confusing.”

“That’s a deity for you. Sending mixed signals since time immemorial.”

“We’re about to cross this bridge,” Max said, “but there’s an obstacle.”

Alessandro’s gaze landed on the guardian. “Wow. That’s one blockade I’d like to ram. I don’t think I’ve ever been more turned on.”

On the one hand, I was glad for him. His hollow cheeks suggested he was in desperate need of the energy.

On the other hand, ew.

“Her name is Modgud,” I told him. “She serves under Hel.”

“She’s hot.”

“I’m hot,” Max said. “She’s merely attractive.”

The incubus closed his eyes in reverence. “It feels very good to be in her presence.”

“Then get closer because you’re up.” I nudged him forward.

The incubus resisted. “Have you forgotten how I look?” He gesticulated wildly at himself. “I’m hideous.”

“You’re not hideous, and this is your big chance to prove you’ve still got sex appeal.”

“What do I do? Seduce her as a distraction?”

“Tell her your name and reason for being here. She should let you cross.”

“If it’s that easy, then why not all approach her together?”

“Because having a good-looking guy approach her on his own is far less threatening than all three of us.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I can be a little intimidating,” Max added.

“And she might sense my inner goddess. If we’re lucky, the only thing she’ll sense about you is that you’re someone she’d like to know better.”

Max plucked an iron helmet from his body. “Here. I was going to melt this down and add it to my body, but you need it more.”

I gaped at the helmet. “Where did you get that?”

“At the festival.”

“After I told you no souvenirs?”

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