Page 84 of Dead Heat

“Why would Erika care how it’s accomplished if she gets what she wants?”

“Because she’s two bananas short of a bunch.”

“If she’s that nuts, maybe her boyfriend will want to stay dead.”

“She said he has terrible anxiety. Maybe someone like Erika makes him feel safe.”

“Not if she’s as unhinged as you think.” He hesitated. “We should have our date.”

“I’ll put it on the calendar for when I get back. It’ll give me something to look forward to.”

“Put our second date on the calendar. Let’s have our first one tonight.”

My heart seemed to gain five pounds. “But it’s such short notice and I need to plan for Helheim.”

“She gave you a three-day grace period to get your affairs in order. Let’s have one of those affairs tonight. I’ll see you here at seven thirty.” He hung up.

I gazed at my reflection in the kitchen window. I looked exactly the way I felt.

Terrified.

I tapped my phone and called my emotional support mage. “Are you busy?”

“I’m at Cam’s. What’s up?”

“A lot.” Too much, in fact. Every time I started to feel a sliver of sunny optimism, the darkness came rolling in.

“Come over,” Gun said. “No need to knock. We’ll be in the living room.”

I exited the house and spotted Max by the moat. I stopped on the bridge to check in with him.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Terrific. Couldn’t be better.” He paused. “Okay, that last part clearly isn’t true, but I’m fine. You have a lovely home. I’ve never seen so many crows.” He gestured to the sky.

“They like to keep tabs on the neighborhood. I’m heading out to see friends. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”

“Go on. Have fun. I’ll be here when you get back.” He sighed. “Because where else would I be?”

“You’re not a prisoner, Max. You’re free to leave whenever you like.”

He glanced beyond the gate. “I feel safer in here.”

“It’s an illusion. There’s no such thing as safe.”

“I know. That’s why I said safer.”

As much as I wanted to delve into Max’s need for sanctuary, I had my own problems to solve—and not much time to solve them.

“I’ll see you when I get back then.”

I must have changed the radio station ten times as I drove to Alcott Street. Every song seemed too angsty given my current mindset.

I parked the truck behind Gun’s sleek car and trudged up the walkway to the front door.

Camryn’s house was like the inside of an adolescent’s mouth—all metallic and white with the occasional glimpse of pale pink.

As promised, I found the mages sprawled on the sectional sofa in the living room. Cam turned off the television when I entered.

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