Page 54 of Half Dead

“If Lucifer intended to kill Kane, he would’ve been here and gone already, but he’s hanging around town, making friends with the locals.” I shook my head. “He’s playing a game, and we don’t know the rules.”

“Yet,” Phaedra said darkly. “But I have no doubt we will soon enough.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I met him at Otto’s. He wasplaying piano and downing bottles of wine like the two of them were old friends.”

“Are they?”

“No. Otto didn’t realize who he was at first. He introduced himself as Luke.”

“How unassuming. I’ll let Ashley know to be careful.”

I glanced around the room. “Where is she?”

“I sent her to Greenwich Village with a delivery for a client.”

I had no doubt Ashley Pratt was thrilled to be sent to the city on an errand. She was very different from her grandmother in that respect. Nana Pratt was a homebody, in life and in death.

“Is she still showing signs of promise?” I asked. Ashley had been directionless until Phaedra agreed to take the young woman under her wing. At first I wasn’t sure how Ashley would feel about working for a Bridger witch at the house where she was nearly sacrificed, but it seemed to all work out in the end. Ashley had a natural talent, and Phaedra had the patience to hone it. Their relationship was similar to mine with Pops. He’d been my teacher and mentor, although he’d been one hundred percent human. Without Pops to look out for me in those early years, I couldn’t guess what might have become of me.

Nothing good, I was certain.

I wished the same for Ashley, that one person’s care and interest would help her reach her full potential.

“Ashley has exceeded my expectations,” Phaedra said with genuine enthusiasm. “Plus, she’s good company, which is a bonus. We spend a lot of time together, so having personalities that click makes a big difference.”

“Speaking of good company…” I cleared my throat. “I’d miss you, you know. If you decided to leave town.”

Phaedra gave my arm a playful swat. “Oh, please. Youknow I’m not really leaving. I tried it before, and it wasn’t for me. Cut my veins open and I’d bleed Bridger soil.”

“Let’s not test your theory.”

The crunch of stones under tires alerted us to a visitor. We both stiffened in response. Phaedra was first to relax. “It’s the chief and Leo.”

“Thank the gods for wards,” I said.

Phaedra winked as she rose to answer the door. “Thank the witch.”

Leo could scarcely contain his glee upon entrance. “Please tell me you have the potion.”

Phaedra held up the vial. “I have a sample. I’d like you both to test it under my supervision.”

Chief Garcia gnawed her lower lip. “Should we test at separate times? We can’t both be out of commission at the same time.”

“You won’t be. The worst that can happen is it doesn’t work and you see the world as you already do.”

Leo reached for the vial and the chief smacked his hand away. “Your enthusiasm is making me anxious,” she said. “You should be wary. This is life-changing stuff.”

“I know. I want my life to change. Why do you think I moved to a town where I don’t know anybody?”

Phaedra handed him the vial. “I’ll get yours, Chief.”

“At least wait for me,” the chief told him.

Leo downed the potion before Phaedra had a chance to return from the kitchen. His enthusiasm was infectious, however. Chief Garcia drank hers the moment the vial was pressed into her palm.

“How long?” the chief asked.

“Should be quick.”

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