She grimaced at his display and drew the axe. With a head the size of her palm and delicate designs carved into the staff, it appeared more like a decorative piece than anything else. It was as light as a stick, and she swung it around in front of her face. The blade appeared to be sharpened to the point of becoming translucent.
"You sure this is meant to be used in battle?" she asked.
"Positive. Test it. Hack off that one's foot."
Her attention went to the dealer nearest her. She bent over, raised the axe, and drove it downward. Expecting to feel resistance, she braced her body and almost fell over when it sliced through the ankle with no effort.
"Wow." Past-Death regained her balance and straightened, hope blossoming. "You're right. I can defeat an army with this. We may not die here after all."
Jared snorted. "If they were already dead, maybe. But you have to not get killed first in order to take out one of your trained killers."
"There's no Elisian armor?"
"None. Toss me that foot and we're even."
With a grimace, she picked it up by the big toe and threw it to him.
"How 'bout its head? I'll keep it for later."
"Chop off your own head," she snapped. "I'm not supporting your filthy demon habit."
"You who shoves a whole animal into an oven find my habit filthy?"
Past-Death replaced the axe at her waist and drew the sword, intent on trying out all her new toys.
"Someone is coming."
Her gaze flew up.
Jared had gone rigid, clenching the ear between his teeth as he reached for a dagger.
"Back to the closet," she said and hurried out of the bathing chamber.
Whatever Jared sensed, she did not, but demons had the instincts of animals, not humans.
Jared was quick to follow, and she opened the door to the secret room, leading them in.
Only when it was closed did she relax. "Did the death dealers find us?"
"Maybe. I'd rather meet them on neutral territory than risk fighting in that mess."
Past-Death returned to the caldron, wishing she knew what was supposed to happen in the sacred place. "I guess we wait them out this time."