Page 120 of Devils and Details

“You are not what I would have chosen.” The comment was sonorous and creepy.

“Okay.” Ryder looked to me. I shrugged.

“Chosen for what?” I asked.

Than folded his hands in front of his bright pink coat. The logo on the coat probably should have said HAPPYKITES, but because of a poor choice of fonts, it seemed to say HAPPYKILLS.

“You will bring the powers back to us, Delaney?” It wasn’t the answer I wanted.

“That’s the plan.”

“Plans change,” Death said.

“Sure.”

“So do people.”

“Right.”

“But some can not change. They simply become what they are meant to be.”

“Spooky,” I said. “And really obscure.”

His eyes flicked over to Ryder again. “Oh, I think I was very specific.”

“Should I understand any of this?” Ryder asked.

“Probably not. I certainly don’t. Nice jacket,” I said to Than.

“Ah.” Than brightened. “Thank you. I will be selling them at my shop.”

“Happy Kills?” Ryder asked.

“Happy Kites,” Death corrected.

“Right,” Ryder lied. “I see that now. Happy Kites. The A-frame kite shop off the highway that looks like a haunted shack, named Happy Kites.”

“It is authentic. Rustic. A place to bring children. Perhaps I will hire a clown to stand out front.”

“No!” I cut in. Because, seriously, clowns? Could anything be creepier? “Maybe just put a sign on it so people know it’s a kite shop.”

“Oh, I’m having it installed today. Pink, with the name of the shop.”

“Just like your jacket?” I asked.

“Just so.”

Oh dear gods. We were going to be the only beach town with a haunted house kite shop with a bloodthirsty pink sign.

“Great,” I said, not wanting to stay and argue with Death over his graphic design choices. “Well, Ryder and I have a date.”

Ryder choked on something.

My face flushed. “I mean a thing. An appointment to get to. So we can do that thing together. For. You know. Justice.”

“Justice,” Death repeated. “Is that what that thing is called now?”

“Yes. Justice.”