“Both. I found L.A. Ghost L.A. From there, I can navigate us into Hell and away from these lunatics.”
“That’s . . . astonishing.”
“From Pandemonium, we can go anywhere or just stay in the city until we come up with a plan. The point is, we’ll be free.”
He rubs his chin.
“I wish it were that simple.”
“What do you mean?”
I look around and spot two meat mountains, a bandaged soul, and a Hellion in a Legionnaire military coat full of bullet holes. They’re both carrying rifles.
I turn back to Traven.
“I never pictured you as the entourage type.”
“It wasn’t my idea. The Magistrate arranged it. Now that we’re this close to the crusade’s first goal, me, Mimir, even the head mechanics . . . we all have bodyguards.”
“Or surveillance.”
“No. I believe the Magistrate is sincere in wanting to protect us, but I’m afraid that for now protection and surveillance amount to the same thing. I can’t go anywhere without an armed escort.”
“Fuck.”
He looks me over.
“That’s a nice coat.”
“You like it? I lost my other one. Also my cigarettes. Do you have any?”
He stops and takes out a couple of Maledictions. Lights mine.
“I’m sorry things have become complicated,” he says. “But think of it this way: in the mess and confusion here, there’s no better time for you to go. I might even be able to help. Create a diversion of some kind.”
I shake my head, blowing smoke in the direction of his goon squad.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not going without you.”
“I appreciate that, but you might not get another chance.”
“I won’t. We won’t.”
I uncork the Aqua Regia and take a nice pull. Turning, I hold it up in the direction of the meat mountains. They both shake their heads.
“That means that wherever the Magistrate’s rolling this shit show, we’re going to ride it through to the end.”
“I’m afraid you’re right.”
I look down at myself.
“You really like the coat? I don’t look like a kid thinking about shooting up his high school?”
“You always look like that.”
I have to laugh. I can’t help it, we are so truly fucked.
Me and Traven sit by the fire. I drink and smoke his cigarettes. I don’t rush the bottle, but eventually it’s gone. I toss it into the flames.