We don’t.
Before we can even move, three blacked-out vans pull U-turns and head in our direction.
I yank everyone into another shadow.
We come out on Venice Beach. More vans pull into the parking lot behind us.
This time I take us out to LAX. We’re there about thirty seconds before airport security heads our way. A few seconds after that, more vans pull up.
“How are they doing this?” yells Kasabian.
“Is it a locator spell?” says Candy.
I drag us into another shadow.
“I don’t think so. I think it’s something simpler.”
This time we don’t come out anywhere. We stop in the Room.
I pull everything out of my coat and pockets and drop it on the floor.
“What are you doing?” says Carlos.
“Looking for something.”
“A tracker?” says Candy.
“Exactly. They had my gear for a while. It has to be there.”
She gets down on the floor with me and starts checking my weapons.
“What will it look like?” she says.
“I don’t know. It’s Golden Vigil equipment. It could be anything.”
“Are we safe here?” says Alessa.
“Completely. Even God can’t get in here.”
“Then why don’t we just stay here?” says Howard.
“Because Stark might die,” says Allegra.
I check the Colt. Look down the barrel. Examine the cylinder.
“She’s right. There are things I have to do. If I left you here and died, you’d never get out. If I stay here and die, you’ll still be trapped.”
“What’s this?” says Candy. “I don’t have one of these on my knife.”
She hands me the black blade and points to the pommel.
She’s right. There’s a small bump in the center. It’s absolutely smooth. Nothing you’d ever find if you weren’t looking for it.
“Do you think that’s it?” says Carlos.
I flip over the blade and smash the pommel into the floor of the Room. When I check the knife again, whatever was on it is gone.
I show Candy.