CHAPTER 23
ZACH POV. I move toward the center at an angle, cutting across Satan’s path instead of meeting him head-on. He’s walking with that same deliberate, unhurried stride—like the outcome is already decided and he’s just showing up to collect. Good. Arrogance like that makes a man slow. Makes him more interested in looking bored than closing the distance in the first minute. I slide back as he gets close and start circling, keeping just outside his reach. He follows at the same measured pace. The first mocking shout comes from the crowd, then another, then a wave of them. Baiting both of us. His pace ticks up a fraction. I match it. More noise. I ignore it. Looking good isn’t the goal. Lasting is. “What’s up with that hideous mask?” he calls, voice carrying. I don’t answer. He throws the fi
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