Page 55 of Zeus' Spark
Raven grimaces. “Agreed. We have already lost too much time with the Hesperides. We can get through all this and worry about the damage later since I’m pretty sure that’s not going to be the last of it.”
I glance at the blue sky. “You know, that probably isn’t the last we have seen of those damn birds. One got my blood. We’re going to have to keep an eye out for them.”
“There’s nowhere to go but forward and deal with what comes our way when it happens,” Greyson says, but his eyes are scanning the skies as well.
This mission is not easy, but I never thought it would be.
All we can do is be ready for the next attack.
12
Jayden pulls up to a gas pump in a small convenience store outside of Barstow. “Raven, don’t let Beth electrocute herself.”
“Fuck off, Jayden,” I say as I hop out of the car and loop my arm through Raven’s. “We’re going inside for snacks and supplies.”
We stride into the air-conditioned convenience store, still arm and arm, until we get to the snack aisle.
We scan the selection as a steady tap-tap fills the space. An old woman rounds the aisle, walking with a cane, but there’s something extremely off about her.
“Raven, um, I think we need to go,” I whisper as I step away from the old woman.
She keeps advancing on me. Her milky-white eyes unnerve me.
“Do you feel that?” Raven whispers.
She frowns at the old woman.
Sheer power pours off her, but how is someone so old so powerful? She feels even more powerful than the Hesperides.
A crack fills the air, and pain shoots up my ankle. “What the hell?”
“It’s not nice to stare,” the old woman grumbles.
“I’m sorry. We’re just wary when strangers feel like they can destroy us with a single look,” I say and rub at my ankle.
Raven crosses her arms over her chest. “You obviously sought us out for a reason. We are kind of in a hurry.”
“Always in a hurry,” the old lady mutters. “You have good reason, and you are on the right path, but your journey is treacherous and is only just beginning. I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
She turns away and hobbles down the aisle.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Raven asks warily as she stares at the old lady’s retreating back.
I shiver and turn back to the snacks. “I have no idea. Let’s get our shit and get out of here.”
What the hell is she? And why does she think that we’ll be seeing her again?
We hurry to grab everything we need and rush back out to the car just as Jayden finishes pumping gas.
“Let’s go. Raven can bandage my hand in the car,” I say uneasily.
“What happened? Why are you scanning the parking lot like that?” Jayden asks, raising a brow.
“Nothing. Just some creepy old lady.” Raven shakes her head and opens the door to get in.
Luckily, Raven and I have excellent taste in music, and right outside Mohave Valley, Raven and I both squeal as “Bad Blood”by Taylor Swift comes on. I turn the music up.
I don’t miss Jayden and Greyson’s collective groans as we belt out the lyrics.
