Page 154 of Ares' Shield
“Where is he going?” I ask with a frown.
Greyson chuckles. “My guess is he’s going to the bathroom to do his shadow transport thingy.”
I burst into laughter. “He’ll punch you for calling it a thingy.”
“Don’t be a snitch.” Greyson pats my shoulder.
“Okay, Raven, let’s go see if we can get out the back entrance.” I loop my arm through hers and we stroll up to the counter.
“Time to act,” Raven whispers so only I can hear.
I flip my hair over my shoulder and chew my lip as I lean in to whisper to the guy behind the counter. He’s an older man with graying hair and a black polo shirt on with the restaurant logo on the chest.
“Excuse me. Do you see that creepy guy staring in the window? He’s been following my friends and I since we left Chicago and we really need to ditch him. Do you have a back entrance we can sneak out?” I bat my lashes at him and my most worried expression.
“He’s following you?” the man asks.
“Yes, and we don’t know why or how to get rid of him,” I pout.
Another guy comes up to the counter from the back and his eyes widen comically. “I know why. You’re the ones who vandalized the fountain at the Bellagio. There’s a huge reward for your capture.”
“Shit. Time to go.” I yank on Raven’s arm and wave for the guys. “Change of plans. Run.”
“Hey, stop. I’m placing you under citizen’s arrest,” the guy calls as he rounds the counter.
“No, thanks. We have somewhere to be.” I wave at him as I burst through the door.
The door nearly smacks the window in my haste but luckily nothing breaks as we race around the building to the black SUV Jayden is waiting for us in.
When I reach the door, I try the handle but it’s locked. I smack my hand against the window and peer over my shoulder just as the guy rounds the corner.
“Unlock the door, Jayden,” I scream.
“What’s going on? I thought you were coming out the back?” Jayden asks.
I jump in the car, slamming the door behind me as everyone else jumps in the car as well.
“Drive! The humans recognized us. They have some crazy reward for our capture,” I pant out.
Jayden doesn’t need to be told twice and slams his foot on the gas, peeling out of the parking lot. The guy stares at the SUV as we race away.
Raven pokes her head between the seats. “That was too close, but now people will know we’re in Michigan because it will be all over the news.”
“I know but there’s nothing to be done about it now. Hopefully, Ares will just send us back to the academy the way Zeus and Hades did.” I lean my head back and close my eyes.
“I doubt there will be humans where we’re going.” Jayden squeezes my hand.
Raven taps me. “Do you think that guy got our license plate?”
Greyson bursts out laughing. “No, love. That’s a fake plate. Because of how long shifters live we have to change identities every so often and with that comes fake identification and license plates.”
“Why don’t we have fake plates?” Raven asks.
“Your parents bought you that car and don’t know what you are, remember?” I turn and raise a brow at her.
“Fair point,” she grumbles.
Greyson’s eyes are troubled. “You also don’t know what your lifespan is like compared to humans. Especially now with the ichor crap in your blood.”
