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“It could’ve been someone else who left it there,” Dominic pointed out.

Malakai snorted. “Yeah, like the old fucker. Leaving clues everywhere like we’re in a goddamn egg hunt.”

Sabrine shrugged. “If it was him, then at least he’s not being totally useless.”

“What do we do now?” Lace wondered. “Try talking to Tamika?”

Max faced Travis. Travis had seen that look before—whatever Reacher was about to say, it would set this path into motion. “I want you to find Tamika,” Max said. “Ask her why she signed this book out—find out if it was her who put it in the wrong spot. And I want you with Lacey—I’m not okay with leaving Hell’s Gate with only one of us in town.”

Travis’s brow creased. “Where are you going?”

“Foxhill Rentals.” Right—Maya. “I’m following that lead the Butcher gave me, but I could use some company.” His eyes flicked about the group.

“I’ll go,” Dom offered.

Blue grabbed his hand. “Wherever he goes, I go.” Her accent was thick, but she was getting really good at speaking their language. Dom sometimes spoke hers too, the Angel deeming it only fair that he learn her language if she learned his.

Max dipped his chin. “Perfect. I was hoping you might be willing.” It was with visible reluctance that Max turned to the leader of the Reapers. “Malakai?” His voice was tight.

Malakai’s retort came without delay. “No.”

“Yes!” Jewels cut in, her sharp tone echoing against the shining walls. “You’re going.”

“And leaving you here?” Malakai growled through clenched teeth. “With Devlin?”

Travis’s hands curled into fists. Fuck him.

“Yes.” Jewels spoke firmly. Gods, Travis loved it when Jewels gave him a run for his money.

Malakai looked like he wanted to throw some punches—but so did Travis. The wounds in his knuckles were still healing, but his palms tingled with the desire to hit. And this fucker’s face would be his target again.

The Reaper cursed under his breath.

“Come on, Malakai,” Max said. “Darien left you in charge, which means you’re not allowed to be useless and sit around on your ass.”

He literally growled like a dog. “Fine, but I’m taking my bike.” He looked at his sister again, his jaw shifting as he ground his teeth. “You’ll be okay while I’m gone?”

Jewels rolled her eyes. “I think I can manage.”

“I’ll look after her,” Travis said, his words more for Jewels than they were her idiot brother.

“If she winds up with so much as a scratch on her,” Malakai warned, “you can say goodbye to your precious dick.”

“Malakai!” Jewels fumed. “Enough with the attitude!”

Max looked at Dallas. The witch was already watching him, the rings around her pupils glinting in the glow of the flashlight.

“You didn’t really think I’d forget about you, did you?” he asked her.

Dallas answered him with a grin.

“Pack your things, Red. We’re going for a drive.”

29

Elsewhere

In the heart of the universe, over two thousand years in the past, the girl and her dog watched as the Phoenix Head Society began to take form. And as she watched, she began to understand what the great serpent had meant when it warned them that each life they gave would yield different results.