Page 128 of Ares' Shield
We are all starving and I would love to catch up with her and her mom about what they’ve been going through since we last saw them in Oklahoma City.
We walk up to the host stand and put our name down on the waiting list for a table. Raven subtly or not so subtly flashes the host a look at our black card.
Within minutes there’s a table for nine set up in a quiet back corner for us and we’re being seated.
“That was real smooth, Raven.” I move to pull out my chair, but Jayden is already there.
Adrian pulls out a chair on Jayden’s other side for Annie and she grins at him.
“Hey, it got us a table faster, didn’t it? I’m starving.” Raven sits in the seat next to me.
“You’re always starving.”
“You have been lately too.” She pokes me in the ribs.
I turn my attention to Annie’s mother. “How are things since we saw you in Oklahoma?”
“I did what you said.” She nods to Jayden. “I spoke with Rebecca and she gave me the address of a safe house here in Denver that was empty.”
“Good.” I pick up the menu but everything on it is bougie and I have no idea what any of it is.
“It’s warded and safe. I’ve been able to homeschool Annie and started an online business working from home.”
“I’m so glad things are better for you until Annie is old enough to go to the academy.” I flip the page on the menu.
“It’s all because of you,” she whispers as tears glisten in her eyes.
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand gently. “We take care of our own.”
Adrian clears his throat and stares down at Annie. “Hey, Annie. My name is Adrian and I can see the future too.”
“I know. Your dad is Apollo too. Does that make you my brother?” she asks and glances between Adrian and her mom.
Adrian grins but glances at Annie’s mom to make sure it’s okay to talk. She nods.
“We have the same dad, yes so that makes me your half brother.”
“I don’t like the word half brother. You’re just my brother.” She folds her little arms over her chest.
“Fair enough, little seer.” Adrian pats her shoulder.
“You’re the one who told Jayden and Beth to go to the zoo, right?” Annie asks.
“I am.”
“Did you see me there?” Annie sits up straighter in her chair.
“I did, but I couldn’t tell them that because things may have turned out differently if I told them.” Adrian bumps his shoulder into hers. “I know Beth would never purposely knock out all the power in the zoo and free those animals.”
“Hell no, I wouldn’t. That shit was whack and they caught us on camera.” I flinch when Annie tilts her head at me. “Crap, sorry. Not used to little ears.”
“It’s fine.” Her mother waves a hand in dismissal.
Watch your language in front of the impressionable child, stupid.
I turn back to my menu as the waiter comes back with our drink order and we all order several things off the menu that I have no idea what they are except that they have meat in them. Yup. This is going to be interesting.
When the waiter leaves, I turn to Annie. “Why was it so important to see us, little seer?”
