Page 66 of Half Dead

“More like low places,” Cam corrected him. “And between Gun and I, we have enough tarot cards to make him wish he’d never set foot in Fairhaven.”

“Kane won’t like it,” I said. “You’re dancing dangerously close to the guild’s rules.”

“I don’t think His Highness will be aware of his own reflection right now, let alone what we’re up to. Not until you’re safe and sound.”

“He’ll be waiting a long time for that.” Safety was an illusion, an oasis in a desert of deadliness. Then again, I was the goddess of death. If anyone could withstand the trials, it would be me.

It had to be me.

CHAPTER NINE

I metKane at the Devil’s Playground at ten minutes to noon. Dantalion and Josie stood quietly by the door, their faces solemn. The vampire eyed me with a look that I dare say bordered on respect.

“I’d love to snap your photo right now,” I told her.

“Do that and die.”

“Then I won’t be able to complete the trials and save Kane.”

“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

“Your ice is thawing. I see that tiny bit of frost melting right there.” I pointed to her cheek. She grabbed my hand and shocked me by pulling me in for a hug. It was over in a flash.

“I imagined that, right?”

Josie allowed herself a tiny smile. “Imagined what?”

Dan shrugged. “I saw nothing.”

Kane slid his hand in mine as we walked through the woods to the crossroads. I listened to the birds tweeting and felt the hard pebbles resisting the soles of my boots.

“It’s a beautiful day,” I said.

Kane kept his gaze forward. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”

Lucifer was waiting for us by the two large oak trees that marked the entrance to the crossroads. He wore a green suit that reminded me of the Riddler from the old Batman television series that I used to watch with Pops. The only design detail missing was a smattering of black question marks.

“There you are,” the would-be Riddler said. “I was beginning to worry I was in the wrong place.”

I’d told West to keep the guards out of sight. There was no reason to give Lucifer more toys to play with while he waited for me to return from the trial.

“Hmm. I can see you’re not in the mood for chitchat. Very well then. In you get.” He motioned to the crossroads.

“How will I know where to go?” The number of realms that converged at this crossroads was seemingly infinite.

“It’s quite simple. Keep walking until you find the door with a symbol of a half sun and half moon. Then knock.”

I suppressed a hollow laugh. Nothing about Lucifer’s plan was simple.

“What do I need to do when I get there?”

“Think of it as a fairy tale. Slay the monster. Return home victorious to your charming prince.”

I felt the weight of the weapons I carried. I hoped a sword and two throwing knives would be enough.

“And the creature must die by your own hand,” Lucifer added. “There will be no Night Mallt there to do your dirty work for you.”

My body tensed at the mention of Matilda’s murder of Solomon on my behalf. “I won’t be summoning her,” I assured him. Matilda had rejoined the Wild Hunt as its leader. Even if I’d wanted her help, it would be difficult to get.

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