Loki would be better equipped for this, but there was no sign of him. He was probably running damage control. Everyone was running damage control.

I saw a pair of angels, rather more out in the open than normal, chasing down something I suspected had escaped from Hell. Patrolling for trouble was the only thing I could think of to do, the only possible way to keep myself busy while I found a solution.

If Anansi had had the artifact with him, then it hadn’t been visible. Or it was one of those things that could take whatever form the person holding it had wanted.

Freya wanted it destroyed. Loki wanted it destroyed.

I wanted to use it, but I suspected I was wrong. As long as it existed…

I rounded a corner and almost walked into Zaid. Maybe he’d have some idea. “Zaid.”

“Any…”

“I talked to him. He tried to bribe me.”

Zaid shrugged. “Of course he did. But he plans…”

“He wants to make everyone immortal. He doesn’t seem willing to acknowledge that might remotely be a bad idea.”

“It’s a terrible idea.”

“He called me a child when I pointed it out.” I studied Zaid. “Your crowd have any bright ideas?”

“My boss asked me to help keep the peace.”

I moved to walk further and Zaid naturally fell in next to me.

“Which means he doesn’t have a brilliant idea either, doesn’t it.”

“No. Anubis might, though.”

Anubis might well. “I think we have to…” A pause. “I’m going about this wrong. I was thinking of stealing the artifact from Anansi, but it might be better to first look and see where he’s stashed Brother Death.”

“Hrm.”

“When Tyz’vel was using it he had Loki prisoner. I think you have to have some level of control over whoever you’re siphoning it from.”

Zaid made the same sound again.

“So…rescuing Brother Death…”

“…would only leave him with the artifact ready to grab him again or somebody else.”

I nodded. “It would, but…hrm. I’m not…”

“You can do it,” Zaid noted. “But he suspects you.”

“Then I’ll have to be somebody else.”