Page 52 of Half Dead

Camryn inched closer to her cousin. “For once I’d rather not talk about me. Let’s focus on Lorelei’s bad plan.”

“Hey,” I objected. “Let’s not disparage it before it’s been fully formed.”

“What if Kane hears you’re at One Oak with his nemesis and shows up for a boss battle?” Cam asked.

“Madame Thea is friendly with Kane,” Gun reminded me. “It isn’t outside the realm of possibility.”

“Then I’ll need to remind her that it would endanger Kane’s life to do so.” If she cared anything for Kane, she’d keep quiet.

“Maybe you should let Josie know,” Cam proposed. “I know you aren’t besties, but she might…”

I cut her off. “She might kill me and blame Lucifer.”

“Josie doesn’t hate you.” Gun paused. “That much.”

To be fair, Josie’s feelings seemed to have thawed toward me. The vampire didn’t snarl nearly as much as she did when we first met. If nothing else, she seemed resigned to my presence in Kane’s life.

“Josie will go straight to Kane,” I said. “I can’t risk that. Ifeverything goes to plan, I’ll win the bet and Lucifer will disappear. Kane doesn’t need to know anything.”

Gun examined me closely. “Pray tell, Lorelei. How many times in your life has a plan gone exactly as it should?”

“Let’s not dwell on the negative,” I said.

Cam folded her arms. “I refuse to engage in toxic positivity. It’s unhealthy.”

“This isn’t toxic positivity. This is…” I groped for a better word. “Manifestation.”

“Manifestation requires more than a wing and a prayer,” Gun pointed out.

“Exactly, and like I said, I have a plan.”

Gunther grunted. “A flimsy one. I wouldn’t bet my worst enemy’s life on its success.”

Cam looked at him. “Who would you say is your worst enemy?”

“I don’t know, actually. I have rivals, but I wouldn’t say I have a Lucifer in my life.”

“Me neither,” Camryn said. “Although I really dislike the woman that works at that trendy boutique in Greenwich Village. She’s always acts like I can’t afford to shop there.”

“Maybe because you try things on, but you never actually buy anything.”

Cam splayed a hand against her chest. “Are you blaming the victim?”

“What about axe throwing?” I interrupted. My mind was still stuck on the best game to defeat Lucifer, as it should be.

“Too risky,” Gun said.

“For me or for Lucifer?”

“The demon tortures people in hell all day every day. I’d wager he’s skilled with an axe.”

Camryn picked at an imaginary piece of lint on her sleeve. “Not that you’re asking me, but if you did, I’d tell youthis seems more like a stall tactic than an actual plan, which is fine, but in that case, I would suggest using that time wisely.”

“How so, cousin?”

Camryn fixed her gaze on me. “Tell Kane you’ve bought him time to hit the road. Then go to One Oak and keep Lucifer occupied for as long as you can. Share your plan with Madame Thea. She’ll want to help Kane.”

I shook my head. “Kane wouldn’t run and hide, not in a million years.”

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