“Cherry. There are no bullets in that gun.”
Her hands start to shake like the Python suddenly gained fifty pounds.
She says, “I’m doomed, you know. They’re going to kill me. What am I supposed to do?”
“First off, when you’re bluffing somebody with an empty gun, don’t use a revolver. As for the other stuff, good luck and fuck off.”
I leave her there and go back to the others.
“What was that about?” says Traven.
“Nothing. Just saying good-bye to an old acquaintance.”
Alice is holding Vehuel up.
“How is she?” I ask.
“Bad. She wants to talk to you.”
Normally, an angel should already be healing by now. The fact Vehuel isn’t is a bad sign. I kneel down beside her.
“Shouldn’t you be getting up? Mr. Muninn is probably holding dinner for you.”
S
he smiles a little. Shakes her head.
“Alice will make my apologies for me.”
Alice’s hands and armor are stained with Vehuel’s blood.
“What can I do to help you?”
“Since when does Sandman Slim help angels?” Vehuel says.
“I’m not helping an angel. I’m helping Alice’s friend, so shut up with the halo stuff.”
Alice says, “Listen to her, Jim.”
“I am.”
“No. The ‘shut up and listen’ kind of listening.”
“Right.”
“I was here to test you, too,” says Vehuel.
“Yeah? How’d I do?”
“Even with all your anger, you didn’t want the Lux Occisor for yourself.”
“I didn’t need it. The na’at is a sword.”
“Hush,” says Alice.
“Right.”
“But your na’at is gone,” says Vehuel. “And you didn’t sacrifice Death’s blade even for someone you loved.”