Page 117 of Ares' Shield
“You’re cozy,” Raven whispers.
“Shut it.” I buckle my seat belt and wait for Jayden to get in and start the next leg of our journey.
It’s going to take all day for us to get to Colorado.
Just as we’re leaving Nevada and getting into Arizona, the radio cuts out mid-song to a special news report.
“Six college students are wanted for questioning about vandalizing the Bellagio fountain, authorities say.”
“There are several videos circulating of the young people who were in the Bellagio fountain this morning when the MGM lions went missing. A reward for information that leads to their whereabouts has been issued. We cannot allow people to come to our amazing city and destroy landmarks such as the fountain in question.”
I turn down the radio. “I guess it’s a good thing we left when we did.”
Raven peeks her head between me and Jayden from the back seat. “Yeah, but that fountain isn’t just about Vegas, B. That’s going to be national news.”
“Shit. I didn’t even think about that and they said they have video.” I turn the radio back up.
“We think the young people either used the disappearance of the lion as cover for what they were doing or they also stole the lions in a bid to undermine authorities and our city. A full manhunt is underway.”
“Does the ridiculousness of this have something to do with Ares weakening? A fountain to me isn’t worth an entire manhunt and the resources they would need to pull that off.” I slump in my seat.
“It has to be,” Jayden says. “They have insurance on places like that. This is being blown out of proportion on a major scale.”
I turn to Raven and she shrugs. “It’s possible. We were told humans would be more combative and dangerous because my dad is weakening. This could be part of it.”
We drive in near silence but as we get closer to the Colorado mountains, the radio buzzes with the news instead of the music I crave.
There is a perimeter around the town of Grand Junction and all residents have been evacuated due to the spreading wildfires. There is still no information on what started these fires as crews have not been able to get close enough to the inferno to assess the damage and determine the cause.
“No shit,” I whisper. “He uses lava for his damn creations. You really think they aren’t breathing fire as hot as lava?”
Jayden peers at me from the corner of his eye. “They don’t know that and can’t explain it.”
“I get that. It’s just frustrating sometimes.” I sigh.
“We don’t want them to see these things, though, baby.” He squeezes my thigh.
“I know because humans are panicky and stupid,” I grumble.
Raven leans forward, sticking her head between us. “The real problem is, how are we going to get into Grand Junction to meet the alpha?”
“We may have to wander around the mountains until we find a place to cross the police line.” I chew my lip.
What if someone sees us sneaking across an evacuation line? Are we going to be wanted in two states?
Draven calls from the back, “I think I can make them let us through.”
I turn sharply as Adrian’s eyes glaze over. He’s only in the vision for a few seconds before he shakes himself.
“Draven can do what he says. We can get through without wasting a ton of time searching for a way in the town, but it’s gonna be hot.” Adrian stares at Draven for a second.
What’s that look about? Did he see something more than Draven getting us through the barrier?
The old woman’s words stick in my mind as I glance in question between the two of them. Is Draven going to betray us? Why would he do that, though? We saved him and his siblings once before.
I glance at Jayden but his eyes are still on the road. He can’t see the look Adrian is shooting Draven. We will need to keep an eye on Draven. He could end up betraying us because I won’t date him. That would be stupid, but Draven is petty like that.
Raven turns to me with wide eyes and I raise my brows at her. What the hell is actually happening here?
