Page 50 of Dead End

I trudged inside the house, not looking forward to another rehash of the Ziz incident.

Goran stood at the stove as we filed into the kitchen. “Oh, I didn’t know we were expecting company.”

The aroma of basil and oregano permeated the room. “What are you making?”

“Nana Pratt’s lasagna recipe. I should have enough for anyone who’s hungry.”

“No carbs for me, thanks,” Cam said quickly.

“Me neither. Nice apron, though,” Gun said. “Accurate too.”

My gaze dropped to the pinafore. ‘Handsome and Can Cook.’

“I found it in the local thrift store,” Goran said. “It’s amazing what you can get for a few dollars.”

Camryn scrunched her nose. “Is it, though?”

Kane set his gift basket on the counter. “I would be more than happy to taste test your lasagna.”

I sniffed the air again, enjoying the smells of Italian seasoning. “Same.” My grandmother’s lasagna had been a Sunday staple, accompanied by a side salad and garlic bread. Even now, the familiar smell sent me straight back to my grandparents’ cozy dining room. If there was ever an argument for time travel, it was through the power of scent.

“It’ll be another ten minutes,” Goran said. “Might as well have a seat.”

I joined the others at the table and updated them on Ziz, as well as the research on Unas.

“Do we actually know what state their headquarters is in?” Goran asked. “Maybe the invaders managed to do more damage than you think.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Gun plucked at a loose thread on the tablecloth. “What are the odds that one Egyptian god was able to make a dent in an entire company of them?”

Camryn gave his hand a light smack. “You’re making it worse.”

“What? These are crucial questions.”

“I’m talking about the tablecloth.” She pointed to the growing gap in the fabric.

Gun offered a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I was distracted by the dark cloud that seems to have settled over my soul.”

“You’re right to be concerned,” I said.

“Let’s stick to the bright side. You were able to escape.” Camryn flashed the high-beam smile of a cheerleader. “Go team.”

“Exactly,” Gun said. “She was able to escape, which means The Corporation will be back for her, and based on the big bird, they’re pissed as hell.” He shot a quick glance at Kane. “No offense.”

“If nothing else, Apep will have thrown them off their game,” Goran said, “which buys you time to shore up your defenses.”

“I think you meanourdefenses,” Kane said.

“I want to hear more about Unas,” Gun said. “He sounds promising.”

“I told you everything I know so far.”

“I’m confused,” Cam said. “I thought gods don’t die, not permanently. That even if we kill them, they’ll come back eventually.”

“And want hardcore revenge,” Gun added. “We might not live to see that day, but you and Kane would.”

“The realms would be free of The Corporation for centuries,” Kane said. “The present reward would far outweigh the future consequences.”

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