Page 118 of Dead End

“What’s torturous about mini golf?” I asked.

“Those tiny pencils for starters,” Feng Po said.

Mars expanded his chest. “I challenge you to a game.”

Fuchi eyed me with suspicion. “Why are you letting us enjoy ourselves? Is this a trick?”

“No trick. Maybe after a century or two, you’ll learn to channel your need for power into something more deserving of your energy.”

Dis looked at me. “And if we don’t?”

“Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Will it be a Bridge of Pain?” Feng Po asked.

I sighed. It was going to be a long couple of centuries.

But Fairhaven was safe. The realms were safe. Nabu would be free to return to Dilmun and rebuild it as the sanctuary it once was.

I hugged Libitina goodbye. “I leave them in your capable hands, queen of the underworld.”

“At long last, a realm of my very own. I promise not to let you down.”

Cerberus dropped one of his heads on the top of mine.Drool dripped down strands of my hair. “I’ll miss you, too, buddy.”

Libby scratched the hellhound behind an ear. “I’ll take excellent care of this one. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted a dog.”

I took one last look at the underworld, my former home. “If you need help…”

She broke into a broad smile. “I know, I know. Call Hestia.”

The Erinyes had promised to lend their support, as well as the newly installed judges of the dead. Libby wouldn’t be alone.

And now, neither would I.

I was barely able to stand by the time I returned to the Castle. Every muscle in my body seemed to cry out for rest.

Goran sat in the chair on the front porch, sipping a tall glass of iced tea. “I would get up and hug you, but your body doesn’t look capable of handling it.”

I dragged myself onto the porch. He offered me the remaining iced tea in his glass. “I’ll get my own, thanks. Where is everybody?”

“They left as soon as Chief Garcia told them it was safe to go home.”

I grimaced. “How messy is the house?”

“Everyone was respectful. They seemed excited to see the inside. There is a stack of business cards on the kitchen counter. People seemed to have a lot of ideas about what the house needed next.”

I snorted. “I’m glad you’re all safe. I was worried The Corporation would send a retinue to attack.”

“Oh, they did,” Goran said in a casual tone. “That’s whythere are so many holes in the ground. That magic arsenal you buried… Well, it isn’t there anymore.”

I hadn’t noticed the gaping holes until now. “Was anyone hurt?”

“Not on this side of the fence. Everything worked exactly as intended. I don’t know who to thank or else I’d send them a gift basket.”

“I can give you their names.” I released a weary sigh. “But not right now. I need a shower and then a long sleep.”

“I bet. What will happen to the rest of The Corporation?”

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