Page 99 of Half Dead

“Does this group seek the tablet?” Leigong asked with rising suspicion.

“No,” I said. An honest answer, although not a complete one. The god would be no happier to learn about Lucifer.

“Why do you wish to possess it?”

The moment of truth. “I’m trading it to save the life of someone I love.”

Leigong was quiet. Finally, he said, “I do not know the precise location of the tablet, except that it is buried in Feng-Tu, but I can direct you to someone else who can be of further assistance.”

“Feng-Tu?” Bruce echoed, sounding disheartened.

I loosed a breath. “I’ll take any scrap of information you’re willing to share.”

“I do this as a courtesy.”

“Because I’m a deity like you?”

He squawked with derision. “You are nothing like me.”

“Ouch,” Bruce said under his breath.

“Because you have shown yourself to be someonewho acts in the service of others without agenda.” The god inclined his head toward Bruce. “An honorable trait.”

“Thank you.”

“You must visit the god of mercy.”

Mercy sounded promising. Better than merciless. “How can I find him?”

“First you must cross the Bridge of Pain.”

The optimistic seeped from my pores. “That sounds delightful.”

“I know the way,” Bruce said, his voice flat.

“Very well then. I wish you a safe and fruitful journey.” Leigong’s wings began to beat, pulling him skyward.

Bruce motioned for me to follow him. We trudged up another hill.

“Would it be faster if I rode on your scales?” I asked.

He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m not shifting. I told you I would rather not draw attention to myself. It only creates more risk for you.”

I hurried forward to walk alongside him. “Tell me what to expect.” I knew a little about the Chinese underworld, but Pops had focused mainly on Western cultures.

“From K’u-ch’u K’iao?”

“Is that the Bridge of Pain?”

He nodded.

“Yes. I want to know everything. What happens on the bridge and afterward.”

“And before the bridge.”

I arched an eyebrow. “What’s before the bridge?”

“Lady Wang.” His voice took on an ominous quality.

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