Page 132 of Lost

“Just like you won’t make the mistake of falling for her?” I said, only semi-teasing.

“Too late for that.”

“Yeah, I figured as much. Just watch your heart, Kev. Darius is her Warrior. They fit together. You’ve seen them, so you know it’s true. When he shows up in this world, you will probably lose her, and I don’t mean to hurt your feelings or make it seem like you don’t matter. I just mean to remind you of the truth.”

“I know,” he said, staring out at the night. “But I can’t help it. I love her, Zo.”

I was afraid of that, so his announcement didn’t shock me. “I get it. Just be prepared. Kev, does she know about Darius?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. She hasn’t mentioned him and I don’t know any Darius in this world.” Kevin sighed. “Warriors are scattered all over the Midwest holding the states Neferet controls. He could be anywhere. Or he could’ve died in battle.”

“And you haven’t told her about her Warrior in my world?”

“No, Zo, because she’s not in your world!” he snapped. Then he sighed again and ran his hand through is thick, dark hair. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like an ass. I’m just trying to do my best. A lot’s happened in a really short time.”

“I get it. Just be careful of your heart, ’kay?”

“’Kay. So, we have a few hours until sunset and I thought I’d see if you wanted me to take you home.”

I blinked at him. “Home?”

“Yeah. Home. Um, our old home. 1405 East Fargo in Broken Arrow. Do you want to see Mom?”

I felt like he’d knocked the air out of me. “Mom?”

“We can take Tina’s truck. I’ll bet G-ma would go with us too. You know—as a buffer.”

“Mom’s still married to the step-loser here?”

“Yep.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek. “How was she at my funeral?”

“Hysterical. That stupid pastor talked shit about what a shame it is that you chose a pagan demon over Jesus Christ or some other such nonsense, and she lost it.”

“Wait, at my funeral the pastor said I went to hell?”

“Yep. You know how those People of Faith are. If you don’t believe exactly as they do, you’re doomed to hell or worse. Zo, that idiot pastor actually said that if you’re not a believer and you don’t follow the Bible—and of course, by the Bible he means his interpretation of it—that you have no… um… wait, how did he put it? Oh, I remember! He said if you don’t follow the Bible you havenomoral boundariesand no way of knowing that being a pedophile or rapist is wrong.”

“You have got to be kidding.”

“Nope. It sucked. Big time.”

“Wow. That’s one of the stupidest, most narrow-minded things I’ve ever heard. Kev, was that my eulogy?”

“Yep. And that was the nice, least judgmental part.”

“Gross.”

“Yep again.”

“No one else said anything?” I asked, not sure why I felt so upset. I mean,Iwasn’t dead, and the dead Zoey was hanging out with Nyx in her Goddess Grove in perfect peace. But still. It pissed me off.

“Are you kidding? The People of Faith don’t even let anyone take communion who hasn’t taken all their classes and kissed the rings of the male leaders of their church enough. Oh, and byringsI meanasses.”

“Right, I got that.”

“So, no. They didn’t let anyone else speak.”