Page 22 of Artemis’ Bow (Halfling Academy #5)

“ S hit,” Greyson yells as we pull out of the parking lot.

“What’s wrong?” I ask over my shoulder.

“I meant to ask you about this yesterday but then you were dead on your feet. Now with us traveling through LA, I need to warn the California alpha that I’m passing through so there isn’t any trouble with my old pack.”

In a place where phones could lead to our discovery by the monsters who hunt us, I’m the only one with a viable communication device.

We banned Iris messages from the academy as soon as we realized who the true enemy is.

Iris is Hera’s personal messenger goddess and no lines through her would be safe.

I never cared for using the messenger goddess’ messages either because I was lying low from the queen since she wants me dead. The psycho has tortured all of Zeus’ illegitimate children over the millennia.

“I’m not even sure if it will work for a shifter,” I say.

“Besides, why would we have trouble from your old pack?” Adrian asks. “Weren’t they your family?”

“Shifters are territorial. When I gave up my place as alpha and within the pack, because I’m not exactly just a shifter anymore, I became a lone wolf. They will see me coming in without warning as an act of aggression and they will meet it with their own.”

“That makes sense. Tristan wasn’t exactly friendly when he caught us in his territory in Arizona the first time.” I nod.

“He was a little overly friendly, if you ask me,” Jayden grumbles.

“He was perving on me, and I wasn’t interested.” I glance at the others, explaining to Thad and Adrian who weren’t with us then.

Jayden glares out the windshield, refusing to look in my direction.

He probably doesn’t want to go into Tristan’s territory as badly as I don’t want to go see Orpheus.

Too bad we rarely get what we want. Maybe once the war is over, we can just be us and away from all the crazy. It’s doubtful but it’s a nice dream.

“So, can we try the shell so we’re not ambushed?” Greyson asks.

“I’m all for anything that makes this easier so less people come after us.” I grab my bag from the floor in front of me and hand the shell to Greyson.

“How do I do this?” Greyson asks, confused. “I’ve seen you do this a hundred times but now I’m drawing a blank.”

“Hold it up and clearly state who you are trying to contact,” I say.

“Grant, alpha of the California pack,” he says to the shell.

“Your little brother’s name is Grant?” Raven asks. “That is just too cute. Greyson and Grant. Your parents must be adorable.”

“He’s not going to appreciate that,” Greyson grumbles. “It’s not adorable. We are big scary alpha wolves.”

“Who are you lying to that you’re a scary alpha?” a voice says through the mist. “And how the hell is this happening right now?”

“My mate said we’re adorable with matching names,” Greyson says, grinning when Grant growls.

“We’re not adorable.”

“That’s what I said,” Greyson says.

Raven and I both giggle because the way they are protesting and practically finishing each other’s sentences is, in fact, adorable.

“They’re laughing at us now,” Greyson says, narrowing his eyes at us. “I think we just proved their point in their eyes, damn it.”

“How am I talking to you? I thought I was losing my mind when mist just popped up in front of my face,” Grant says.

“It’s a demigod communication device we picked up on our first trip. They can’t have phones or electronics, so this makes it easier to communicate.” Greyson shrugs.

“Cool, so why have you been a stranger if you can communicate this way?” Grant asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It’s not mine and we weren’t even sure if it would work for a shifter. I was trying to give you time to acclimate to running the pack also.”

“Are you even a shifter anymore?” he asks.

“I can still turn furry, you little asshole,” Greyson grumbles.

“Okay, fine. What’s going on?” Grant asks, lifting his hands up in surrender.

“We’re headed to the city. The same place we went months ago when the demons were attacking. There’s another issue we have to handle.” Greyson rubs his eyes with his free hand.

“An issue is putting it mildly, bro,” Grant scoffs.

“Well, is there any way you can put out the word that we’re coming into your territory and not to engage?”

“Yeah, I’ll make sure everyone knows to back off. I’ll meet you there. I need to tell you something.” Grant glances away with a grimace, almost like he’s in pain.

“I have another call to make. I don’t even know if that’s what it is, but I have to contact Tristan so he leaves us the fuck alone this time when we drive through Arizona.” Greyson shakes his head.

“I don’t envy you on that, bro. Tristan’s been a pain in the ass since he met and received help from a hot demigoddess.” Grant sighs.

Jayden growls and I snap my gaze to his. It sounds like he’s the wolf rather than the two brothers communicating through the shell.

“Whoa, I don’t want your girl,” Grant says. “No offense, but I was repeating Tristan’s bullshit.”

“I told you he was overly nice to you,” Jayden says, not taking his glare from the road in front of us.

“Fido can say whatever he wants; it’s not going to change anything.” I reach over and squeeze his hand.

Grant bursts out laughing. “Please, please call him that to his face.”

“Only if he’s a dick. He’s a useful ally to have, and we are going to need all the allies we can get.”

“That’s fair. Things have been crazy, but for sure you guys know my pack will help however we can,” Grant says. “Call Tristan and I’ll see you in a while.”

The mist clears away, and Greyson slumps his shoulders. “Now for the bullshit posturing.”

“He’s a lot, but he’s not that bad,” Raven says.

Greyson growls at her. “Of course not to you. You’re a beautiful woman. He was charming to you and Beth.”

“He really wasn’t.” I shake my head. “More like an unwanted annoyance who thought too highly of himself.”

“So, yay for having to go to Arizona.” Raven’s tone is sarcastic.

“Let’s just get the shit show conversation over with,” Jayden says.

“Tristan, alpha of the Arizona pack,” Greyson says.

“What the fuck is this?” a familiar voice yells.

His hand goes through the mist as he attempts to clear it. I can’t help the giggle that escapes as he struggles with the mist.

“Who just fucking giggled at me?” he roars.

“Maybe look at the mist instead of freaking out, jackass,” Raven says.

All of Tristan’s struggles stop when Raven speaks.

“This is a demigod thing.” He sighs, instantly deflating. “You freaked me the hell out with this shit. It hasn’t been good here. I’m on edge.”

“You’ve watched me use the shell before,” I say.

“Aww, the beautiful Beth. Why don’t you talk to me so I don’t have to look at Greyson’s ugly mug.” Tristan winks.

“This is serious, Tristan,” Jayden says. “Leave my girl alone.”

“Oh, you’re his girl now, beautiful? That’s surprising and disappointing.”

“Tristan, focus,” Greyson growls. “We need safe passage through Arizona.”

“You’re on another secret mission, then. Does it have anything to do with the fact that the moon is gone and the world is going crazy… again?” Tristan asks.

“Pretty much, Artemis needs help. Until then, the moon won’t rise and Apollo is taking advantage. We need to pass through Arizona,” I say.

“I’ll let my people know, but I need you to stop in Phoenix. You need to see what’s happening. It’s bad.” Tristan runs a hand down his face.

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“You won’t believe it unless you see it for yourself,” Tristan says.

“We don’t exactly have time to stop since we’re, you know, saving the world,” I say, deadpan.

“Come to the Hilton near the Phoenix airport and we will have rooms available for you to rest since it’s about an eight-hour drive from Los Angeles. You’ll be exhausted and need sleep,” Tristan says.

“That’s appreciated. I think we’ll take you up on that,” I say, thankful for the assistance.

“You guys helped my pack not that long ago. I won’t forget that.” Tristan shrugs.

“We’ll see you later,” Greyson says as we pull off the freeway.

Greyson waves away the mist and sighs. “You know he wants our help with something, right?”

“I’m sure of it but sometimes when things align like this, we were meant to be in a certain place that will help us in the end,” I say.

“That’s true.” Raven nods. “And helping people gives us allies we wouldn’t normally have.”

“Almost there,” Jayden says, and I stiffen.

“That’s not comforting,” I grumble.

“It will be okay. We just need to stop and pick something up. No problem.” Jayden squeezes my hand.

I nod and stare blankly out the window. It’s quieter than the last time we were here. It’s almost eerie in its silence. No people mill about the streets, raising my hackles. This is LA, people should be around. The streets shouldn’t be deserted.

“I wonder if people are avoiding the heat,” I mumble to myself.

“It’s possible. I know we have all been annoyed with the sun lately and the god associated with it,” Jayden says.

“It doesn’t feel right. It feels like there’s a predator in the area and the humans are instinctively steering clear,” I say.

“You can feel that?” Greyson sits forward in his seat.

“Do you feel it too?” I ask.

Greyson nods. “It’s a part of my animal instincts. I can smell the fear even if I can’t see the humans or even know what they’re afraid of.”

“I don’t think I smell anything. I just feel this tension and underlying terror in the air.”

“Does that mean you’re going to have an animal you shift into?” Raven bounces in her seat. “That would be wicked.”

“I don’t think I would want to turn into an animal,” I say.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Your senses are probably becoming sharper, but not necessarily animal. That would be my guess anyway.” Greyson glances out the windshield. “And the humans are correct to sense a group of predators.”