Chapter 20

“I didn’t tell you to shut up,” said Archer, his tone closer to how it was when giving orders.

“I said I like you,” said Kev.

“Meaning?”

“Look, we’re here.”

Kev stopped at the bottom before a couple of dinged metal doors, underwhelming after all the stairs. He took out Ira’s keycard and ran it, half expecting it not to take, but the light flashed red, and the door clicked open when he tried the handle. When they entered, black lights flickered on, illuminating a desk with chair, computer terminal, and sign-in sheet. Beyond that, rows and rows of shelves stretched, the vials glowing eerily, their contents dark as individual black holes.

To Kev’s surprise, Archer snorted. When Kev looked over, he noticed the winged cheeses glowing on Archer’s boxers. He hadn’t thought it was possible for the pants to be more obnoxious.

“The First Bank of Hell is literally a blood bank,” said Archer.

“Well, they’re souls.”