Kill City Blues (Sandman Slim 5)

“How would you go about that?”

“Ever heard of the Room of Thirteen Doors?”

“A child’s tale.”

“I have the key. We step into a shadow and I can take you anywhere you want. Where are you from?”

“Cambria.”

“Okay. I might have to look that one up on a map.”

His eyes narrow.

“If you truly have the key to the Room, why are you wandering down here?”

“I have to have some idea where I’m going before I know which door to open,” I say, and nod toward Delon. “And I don’t want that one to know that I can do it.”

Arawn turns and looks at Delon, who’s coming back inside. With luck, he’s been scouting for ways to the baths.

“There is something not right about him.”

“He’s not a man. A Tick-Tock Man made him. He’s something like a familiar, only mostly machine.”

Arawn looks at me.

“And you let such a thing lead you?”

“I don’t have a choice. He knows the way and we don’t.”

He picks up his knife.

“With a blade in your hand there’s always a choice.”

“What do you say? Do you want to go home?”

He shakes his head slowly.

“No. We won’t return as paupers and fools. We came here as magicians and warriors, and that’s how we’ll return.”

“I don’t know what else I can give you.”

He looks over his shoulder.

“The lass, the one with the short hair in the hide jacket who stays so close to you . . .”

“What about her?”

“Before she turned into a beast—and an impressive one she was—she used an equally impressive knife. Black and sharp as a crow’s gaze. She said you had one just like it.”

I take the black blade from my coat. The weight in my hand feels so natural and perfect. Like it’s an extension of my arm. I’ve had it since the arena. It’s one of my favorite weapons and the key to every car and bike in L.A.

“You sure you want this old thing? I bet Paul has a lot of other toys in his bag.”

“If that’s what I asked for, that’s what I want. Or can’t you honor that request either?”

I hand Arawn the knife.

“It’s yours. It’ll cut through anything made in this world.”