The massive kitchen took up half of one wing and was empty of cooks. Meat pies cooled on stone shelves while various kinds of pastries and dried fruit tarts rested on a long counter.
Jared scowled, his nose wrinkling. "You prefer this to blood?"
"Absolutely!" Past-Death hurried forward. Not caring what the demon thought, she stuffed a meat pie in her mouth and several more in her pockets before scooping up as many pastries and tarts as she could carry. The flaky, buttery crust of the pie hid tender meat and flavorful gravy, and she scarfed three of the palm-sized portions before letting out a deep sigh.
Her headache and anger receded, and she felt more solidly a part of the world, less like she was going to pass out.
"This is the best part of being human," she said with a groan, taking a second bite of a fruit tart.
"Is our tunnel still there?" Jared asked impatiently.
A glance at the wall confirmed it was. With some regret, Past-Death dropped more food into a small sack and closed it, her stomach straining but her hunger still present.
"Okay. To the armory," she said, striding forward. "Come on, demon." Taking his arm again, she led him into the dark tunnel.
"Can you lift a sword?" he asked.
"No."
"Ever used a dagger or knife?"
"No."
"Axe?"
"I don't know anything about weapons," she snapped.
"How about a shield? Can you not get killed on your own, or do I need to stand in front of you?"
Past-Death ignored him and walked through the darkness, feeling more confident than she had in a long time, despite not knowing how to fight. The underworld had always been her home, and the fact it was helping her navigate the palace made her think things weren't quite as bad as she thought.
"They're much worse," she muttered under her breath.
The outline of another door appeared, and they stopped before it once again.
"I'll go first." Jared shoved his food supply and torch at her.
She accepted both and stood back obediently.
He whipped the door open, and she trailed. The sounds of movement and talking in the armory ceased.
Past-Death peered around the corner and took in the fifty death dealers lined up to check out weapons. They were staring at Jared and her in surprise.
Jared, too, was frozen, staring back at them. Past-Death glanced from him to the dealers and back, waiting for the demon to do something.
"Go on, demon. Eat them," she said, nudging Jared forward.
"I have a new plan, cupcake," he whispered, taking a step back.