“That’s spooky. What are you supposed to do with it?”
“He wasn’t specific on that part, just that I should have it for now.”
“Why are you showing it to me?”
“If I should mysteriously snuff it, you need to get it before anybody else. I don’t even want Vehuel having it.”
She looks at me.
“Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Do you see this armor? I’m kind of a warrior now. I’ll kill them.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“But just in case.”
“I know. Get the knife. Got it. Now let’s change the subject.”
“Okay.”
“If you could go to Heaven, would you?”
“No.”
“Don’t be so glib.”
“I’m not. I’m not built for Heaven. I’m built for killing things and Hell is where killers go.”
She picks up a dry twig and waves it in the air like a conductor’s baton.
“You’re the one trying to open Heaven to all the souls in Hell, killers included.”
“Still.”
“Fine.”
“Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. I knew exactly what you were going to say and you didn’t disappoint.”
“I’m sorry.”
The Magistrate calls for us plow horses to get back to work.
Alice tosses the twig away.
“I think I’m going to go in the back and walk with Vehuel and the others for a while.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s what I want.”
“See you later.”