Page 4 of Half Dead

Bert and Paulie exchanged uneasy glances. I recognized the look; they didn’t want to be responsible for holding back a demon prince of hell.

“One more for the road.” Kane slid his arms around my waist and tugged me closer. He slanted his lips over mine, and I savored the taste of him.

Josie made a gagging noise. “I just lost my appetite.”

“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Kane murmured against my ear. “It isn’t too late for me to change into a blackbird and join you.”

“I appreciate the offer, but if I expect them to humor me, then I need to humor them by following their rules.” I kissed him one last time for luck before I entered the crossroads.

The only information I’d been given by Posy, the psychotic siren who texted me the details, was to knock three times on a golden door that featured the corporate logo. I had no idea how far I’d have to walk before I…

And there it was.

CHAPTER TWO

I knockedthrice on the golden door, as instructed, and immediately felt smarter for thinking of the word ‘thrice.’ I was still feeling like a passable adult when the door opened. I fully expected to see a team of minotaurs or some other bulky group who excelled in the art of intimidation. Instead, a lone dwarf stood in the doorway. The badge affixed crookedly to his security uniform readSkidder.

“Big day, huh?” Skidder said, nodding in camaraderie.

“I guess.”

“You’re the main topic of conversation everywhere I eavesdrop. I haven’t seen corporate this excited since the new full-body massage chairs were delivered.” The dwarf looked me up and down until his gaze landed on the spot where I’d concealed my weapons. “I’m afraid you’ll have to leave those with the attendant.” He angled his head toward a nearby counter that resembled a coat check.

I pressed a protective hand against the throwing knife. “But these are my emotional support blades.”

“We’ll be happy to hold them here safe and sound and return them to you when you leave.”

If I leave, I wanted to add, but I bit my tongue. No negative thoughts allowed.

My whole body tensed as I handed over my weapons. I inhaled deeply in an effort to calm my nervous system. I knew this would happen, yet my internal alarm bells were clanging like they’d been sucked into a whirling vortex.

“This way, Miss Clay, or would you prefer to be called Melinoe?”

“Lorelei is fine.”

Skidder opened another door behind him, and blinding sunlight flooded the room. The intensity was unexpected. By the time my eyes adjusted to the drastic change, Posy Martell was standing in front of me. Unsurprisingly, the siren was decked out in her signature color of pink.

“At long last,” Posy crooned. “Welcome to The Corporation’s headquarters. We call it Paradise.”

I was almost at a loss for words as I crossed the threshold and digested the area around us. Instead of high-rise buildings, palm trees swayed in a gentle breeze. The sound of lapping water was soothing enough to relax the remainder of my nervous system.

“I can see why. It’s a resort.”

“Oh, it’s far more than that.”

My breathing hitched. “Is that a lazy river?”

She smirked. “And here you thought your moat was something special.”

An unmanned golf cart pulled alongside the curb and came to a stop. “After you, Lorelei.” She motioned for me to sit.

There was no steering wheel, so I sat in what would’ve been the driver’s seat. Posy rounded the cart and settled beside me. The cart advanced without any effort by us.

I glanced at the ground ahead of us. “It isn’t on a track.”

“No. Sit back and enjoy the ride. You’ll get an excellent view of the facilities from this vantage point.”

“I’m here for the donut,” I said.

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