“Hey,” Jayden says, offended.
“You’re strong too but they’re being cavemen.” Kira waves him off.
“Why are all you girls emasculating right now?” Jayden asks but turns away with a small smile. “I’m kidding. I know womenshould rule the world and these two definitely rule the academy and will be our weapons in this war against the queen.”
“Good boy.” I kiss him on the cheek.
I thread my arms through Kira’s and Raven’s arms as we head into the empty gas station. My stomach makes a noise that could only be described as torture in Tartarus and I groan.
“Why me?” I ask as the guy behind the counter jumps back at the rabid sound.
“Do you really care what Tiny Tim thinks of you, B?” Raven raises a brow at me.
“Nope, but I would like it if my stomach didn’t terrify small children, making them think they were getting eaten by a monster.” I roll my eyes.
“That’s fair,” Kira says with a nod.
“Thanks, I think,” I say.
“Your stomach does sound terrifying, but I get it.” Kira steers me to the cold sandwiches in the case. “I think you all need several. At least until we find real food.”
“I wouldn’t turn down a sandwich or two.” I shrug.
As we’re looking at the sandwiches in the cold case, a weathered voice crackles with energy behind me. “You can’t do it.”
“I’m not going to.” I turn to Aggie. “The queen can’t have me. She will pay for the harm she’s caused.”
“Keep that conviction because she will test it,” Aggie says and disappears.
“That never stops getting weird,” I say. “Let’s go watch her reaction to the others.”
I wave Raven and Kira over to the window as the old woman in the dark sunglasses with a walking stick clutched in her hand creeps up on our friends.
“Should we warn them?” Kira asks.
“Nope. A lot of the times when Aggie goes after them, they’ve deserved it and then some.” I peer through the glass.
Jayden scans the parking lot, always vigilant, especially when it comes to Aggie, but for some reason he doesn’t see her until she strikes and smacks him on the back of the head. I wince as he ducks down but giggle all the same.
“At least she isn’t trying to destroy him this time,” I say.
“That cane looks like marble,” Kira mumbles.
“Last time she literally flew at him and tried to take him out. This is progress.” I nod.
“Beth isn’t wrong. Last time was extreme and this is mild. Let’s see what happens when she recognizes Draven.” Raven crosses her arms.
“I think maybe Draven is finally on the correct path. I just wish I knew what Apollo has done with Olly. He’s mine just like Dax and Draven. He should be with us, but Apollo took him away.” Kira turns away.
Aggie smacks Draven and Dax both and says something but they both stare with confusion.
“Is she telling them to go after Olly?” Kira whispers.
“Olly isn’t a part of this war according to Apollo so maybe she gave them a hint for when it’s over?” I shrug. “He has his own task in this whole new world order. We’ll be there to help no matter what his task is. It has something to do with little Annie and we love that little girl, so we need to make sure she’s safe.”
“Absolutely,” Raven says. “She is amazing.”
“It will be okay, I promise.” I squeeze Kira’s hand. “We will help however we can.”
