Chapter Twelve

“Theres a button,” Thor said.

We had gone quiet after Hades left, just standing there, looking at the shag carpet. Well, Thor must have been looking at the gravestone because seconds after he said that, a click came. By the time I focused on him, he had the back of the stone open, revealing a hidden compartment.

“Is that a treasure map?” Morpheus asked.

“In a way.” Thor frowned down at it, then handed it to his father. “Do you recognize any of these markings?”

Odin narrowed his peacock-colored eyes as we gathered around him. “Mountains. But I dont know what this rhombus shape means.”

“Thats not a rhombus!” Azrael exclaimed.

“Yes, it is,” Odin said.

“Yes, its a rhombus,” Az said in irritation. “But thats not what it stands for.”

“Its a diamond!” I said.

Azrael grinned at me.

“Care to share with the class?” Blue drawled.

“The Diamond Path is in the mountains of Zebul,” Azrael said.

“Whats the Diamond Path?” Torrent asked. “I cant find anything about it online.”

“You wouldnt,” I said. “Its not in the myths.”

“The Diamond Path is one of my fathers ways into Heaven,” Az said. “It leads . . .” His face went slack as he stared at me.

“It leads to Hell,” I finished, a chill going down my spine. “And its not far from Lukes house.”

Azrael ran from the room.

“Az, wait!” I ran after him and grabbed his arm.

“My father, Carus! Theyre after my father!”

“Text him!”

Phone calls didnt work well in the God Realm, but texts did all right. They went through the Internet, and Heaven now had Internet.

Az came to an abrupt stop and yanked his cellphone out of his jacket. His fingers sped over the buttons, then we all waited anxiously, huddled around him, for a response. It took a few seconds, but it came.

Azraels shoulders sagged in relief. “Hes all right.”

“Tell him to send some soldiers to guard the path,” Odin said.

“Already done.” Az was typing again. “Im also telling him to search his territory for anyone and anything that doesnt belong there.”

“And let him know were on our way,” Thor added, waving at the gravestone Odin still held. “We have a map.”

“Yup, this is a game,” Jesus said. “A really trippy, mindfuck of a game.”