“Exactly,” Pike mused as he leaned the maul against the shelf again. “Hammer of justice,” he repeated.

“There was a boulder spouting blue flame from its top when we arrived at the scene,” Shan recalled. “When the flames went out we discovered only water. It was taken as a miracle. I still don’t understand.”

Pike grinned. “Dirty hands. They must have someone who studied a little chemistry.”

“Dirty hands?” Shan asked.

“Hand sanitizer. It’s just water and ethanol. Light it on fire and it burns blue until all the ethanol is consumed. Nothing left but water. Buddhist chemists. Very clever.”

The air was strangely still as they emerged from the trees, and the American paused, though Shan was not sure if it was because he had seen the narrow, treacherous path that edged along the cliff face or if he had heard the faint echo of the mantras from the far side.

They followed the sound across the face of the mountain. Pike did not hesitate on the tiny goat track but slowed as they reached the cave. The mantras were much louder now. Wisps of juniper-scented smoke wafted from the opening.

“Taking me to some smoky shrine won’t change anything,” the American growled. “No wild-eyed deity is going to change my mind.”

“I honestly don’t know what to call what is inside.”

“I’m not going to fall on my knees and sob for repentance of my evil intentions,” the American said, glancing back and forth from the cave to Shan. “I don’t want to be saved, Shan. But I don’t want to be disrespectful to them.”

“Are you arguing with yourself?” Shan asked.

Pike grimaced. “I’m so far beyond saving I don’t even know what saving is.”

Pike stared in the direction of the chanted prayers. “You’re asking me to go inside her mountain,” he said, pressing his hand against his face for a moment. “Every night I have the same nightmare. I have buried her and later I come back to the grave with flowers and her hand is out of the ground, like she has been clawing back from death. I’m weary of burying her every night, Shan. But I know I will be doing so every night until those bastards are brought to justice. You have to let me make my justice, Shan,” Pike said, then turned as an old dropka woman with a heavily wrinkled face arrived, balancing a bundle of juniper boughs on her shoulder. She stared silently at them, then resolved Pike’s dilemma by thrusting the bundle into his arms and entering the cave. Without another word, the American followed her inside.