Underworld is Ah Puch. Nice guy. A bit bloodthirsty.”
Joe’s lips thinned and his breathing grew deeper,
faster. Anger. He didn’t like being corrected.
And Dagan was tired of the game. He had whatever answers he was going to get, which amounted to
pretty much a heap of nothing. Sutekh would do
better. Souls invariably opened up to him. One way
or another.
“We’re done,” he said, and stepped forward to reach
past the weapon, so quick his movements were little
more than a blur. Not quick enough.
A shot rang out. Dagan moved to avoid the bullet
but at the same time braced to take a hit.
Alastor was already in motion, coming at Joe from
the opposite side. He leaped, twisted in midair, making
his chest a broad target for the shot meant for Dagan.
His body jerked as the bullet tore through flesh and
96
SINS OF THE HEART
bone, then he came down hard, his shoulder taking the
brunt of the fall.
“What the fuck?” Dagan snarled, spinning to kick
the Glock out of Joe’s hand. It went flying across the
room and slammed against the wall, then skittered
across the floor, finally coming to stop beside the fridge.
Dagan positioned himself between Joe and the gun. He
could feel his features twist in an expression of feral
rage.
Joe backed up a step, his hands coming up as though
they could ward off the coming assault.
Pressing the side of his fist against his bleeding
