Page 52 of Dead End

I’d take the help however I could get it. “Unas,” I said, and waited to gauge his reaction.

Apep didn’t flinch. “I see. You wish to use him against our common enemy.”

“Possibly.”

His reptilian head bobbed. “A worthwhile plan. I wish I had thought of it myself.”

Well, that explained the reason Unas hadn’t been a member of the invading army. “You know how to reach him?”

His forked tongue slipped in and out. “I believe I do.”

“Will you send him to this address?” I handed the god a piece of paper folded in a square.

Apep held up the note and bowed. “I give you my word, but I cannot promise what he will do in response to the request. Unas is under no god’s control but his own.”

“Understood and thank you.” I paused. “How is Anubis?”

The serpent-devil’s dark eyes turned to slits. “How do you mean?”

“I mean, how is he? He went through a traumatic experience and now he’s home again.”

Scoffing, Apep stuffed the paper in the pocket of his regal robe. “My presence is required in the Duat. There is still much work to be done to repair the damage done by The Corporation.” He turned away, quickly swallowed by a cloud of mist.

“Nice to see you again,” I called after him. Poor Anubis. I hoped he found a sympathetic ear at the very least. Regardless, my mission was also accomplished. Now I only hopedthat Unas would be either bored enough or curious enough to accept my invitation.

The night involved a lot of tossing and turning, and I awoke feeling on edge. Kane seemed to sense my unease because he offered to stay at the Castle instead of returning to the Devil’s Playground to pack a few more bags.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “I’m just having regrets about reaching out to Unas.” What if the godwasresponsible for devouring my parents? And even if he wasn’t, did I really want to stoop to The Corporation’s level?

“I understand why you would,” Kane said.

“I know, I know. It isn’t me. You said the same thing when I had Lucifer trapped in a nightmare.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I don’t deny that you’re in a difficult predicament. I promise not to judge you for your decision.”

“I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to put anybody else at risk.”

His kiss was gentle and reassuring. “I support you no matter what. I only encourage you to ask yourself if you can live with the consequences of your actions. My path isn’t one I would wish on anyone, especially you.”

“I love you.”

“And I love you, my inamorata.”

I stayed in my bedroom for another half an hour after his departure, trying to make what seemed like an impossible choice. I jumped to my feet when I received a text message from Gunther, asking me to open the front door. I hurried downstairs, grateful for the distraction.

I opened the door to admit him and immediately spotted the reason for the request. His arms were laden with books.

“Did you rob the library?”

He laughed. “Can you imagine Hailey’s reaction if that happened?”

“I don’t know. She might enjoy it.”

He carried the books through to the library. “I thought you could use a few classics to spruce up these empty shelves.”

I plucked the book off the top of the stack and eyed the spine. “Lady Chatterley’s Lover?”

“Like I said, a classic.”

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