Page 53 of When Monsters Rise
“It’slike riding a bike, right?”Hiswords were flippant, but his tone held nerves.
“That’swhat they say.”Isqueezed his shoulder.
Butthe muscles beneath my hand remained tense.Hewas afraid that he’d fail.Butthis wasBastian, and machines were his forte.
Ileaned in so that my lips brushed the shell of his ear. “Hey, you’ve got this.”
Tumielshoved open the garage doors, and light flooded into the vehicle.
“Heregoes everything.”Bastianturned the key, and the engine purred to life.
Peoplecheered, and my heart lifted, buoyed by the sound of hope.
Werolled onto the sunlit road, and a moment later soft thuds on the roof told me that several watchers had taken perch.Themuffled flap of wings followed, and whenIpeered out of the window,ShemandSarqwere visible, flying low and parallel to the bus.
Wewere on our way.
* * *
Weremainedon the main road for a few hours.Thisroad had once connected the major towns and cities of this world.Itwas cracked and dusty now, overgrown with weeds and tree roots so that we had to slow several times to navigate it.Butit was the quickest and safest route during the day, at least if we hoped to avoid the monsters.
Thecelestials were another issue.
Daytimewas when they’d be searching for us, but the watchers scouting the air would warn us if they spotted any incoming sentinels.
“Anhour and we should see the slip road we need to take,”Bastiansaid. “Canyou check the map and make sureIhave it right?”
Igrabbed the map off the dash and sat back to study it. “Yeah, there’ll be a signpost, or not.Weneed to keep an eye for the exit. “
“Gotit.”
Iglanced down the bus where most of the people were fast asleep.Thegentle rhythmic motion of the drive was soothing, andI’dhad to stifle more than a couple of yawns myself.
Butif we were tired, what did that say aboutBastian? “Areyou all right to keep driving?”
“Doesn’tmatter.I’mthe only one that can.”
Thatwasn’t strictly true. “BeeandIcan drive too.”
“Abus?”Hesounded impressed.
“Neverdriven a bus, but it can’t be that different to the rovers the settlement had dotted about for us to use.”
“Inthat case,Imight take you up on your offer if my concentration starts to flag.”
Athud on the roof was followed by the scrape of talons on metal as the watchers switched places from coasting on the roof to flying.
Amoment later,Shem’sface appeared at my window.Hegrinned at me, upside down.Iplaced my palm on his cheek through the glass and made a kissy face.
“Youtwo are adorable,”Beesaid from across the aisle.
Bastianchuckled. “Ihighly doubtShemwould appreciate being labeled adorable.”
“Agreed,”Beesaid. “Doesn’tchange the facts.”
Someonesnort-snored loudly behind us, andBeejumped.Ibit back my laugh.
“Lookslike everyone is relaxed,”Beesaid.
