“What’s the message?” Raven asks.
“Orpheus has news from the shifters. They want to set up a meeting,” Artemis says.
“Ugh, I have to go back to that awful place again?” I throw up my hands.
Greyson stands straighter. “Is everything okay? Grant wouldn’t set up an actual meeting with us if it wasn’t important.”
“Something about rogues? I’m not sure but there’s no immediate danger. Apollo made sure to tell me it’s escalating but not an imminent threat.”
“We should talk to Grant anyway,” I say with a sigh. “He’s our ally and this is happening. We already talked about gathering the shifter allies that we have.”
“I know how much you hate that place but it’s neutral territory, and if I’m around too many shifters, it could trigger something.” Greyson clenches his hands into fists.
“I know. I remember how quickly everything devolved last time and you didn’t even do anything. Shifters are volatile and don’t think before they speak.” I roll my shoulders back.
“Okay, so now we really have to go.” Raven tugs on my arm.
“Anything else, Artemis?” I ask.
“Just be careful and get your ass back here as soon as possible. Things are going to escalate quickly.” Artemis places her fist over her heart and bows her head.
I repeat the warriors’ show of respect and head for the SUV. I open the back passenger door and sit in the middle row behind the driver. Greyson volunteered to drive so I could keep my hands free to fight if needed. It’s only right for Raven to take the front passenger seat for this trip.
Everything is so different without Jayden. He’s the one who always drives, and Greyson navigates with the map. Now, Draven has the map, ready to navigate to Phoenix first and then Colorado on our way to Montana.
“All right, it’s time to go to the gates of Hell.”
“It’s not that bad when there aren’t any demons there snacking on humans.” Raven turns in her seat.
“It’s a supernatural strip club among other things.” I roll my eyes.
“Yes, but Orpheus has helped us by keeping lines of communication open with Grant and Greyson’s old pack.” Raven points a finger at me.
“I know. The place just gives me the creeps. Maybe it’s the gate being there in the middle of downtown LA. Like one wrong move and all kinds of evil bastards can just walk out and cause untold chaos.” I lean my forehead against the window.
“We have magic,” Draven speaks up. “We can take out a few demons if needed.”
“True, but you didn’t see what happened at the gate when we saved Hades’ item of power.” I shudder. “If they get out again the way they did before, it will be chaos.”
“It was that bad?” Draven asks.
“Yes, and I fear if it happens again, it will be far worse after who we left trapped there. Not even our supercharged magic will be enough to save us.”
7
The bright lights of the club are turned off when we pull into the parking lot. “Is he closed for the end of the world?”
“It looks that way, or is there something else happening?” Raven leans forward, peering out of the windshield.
“C’mon, let’s look for Orpheus. He has to be here somewhere. He can’t leave the gate unprotected.” I take off my seat belt and throw open the passenger door.
Magic tingles at my fingertips and I call the sword Claud made for me at the academy forge. Something here is wrong. Where is everyone? Orpheus should be here and if he’s not, that spells trouble for everyone.
I yank open the door to the strip club and make my way through the halls. It appears that people left in a hurry. Half-empty drinks sit on the side tables around the private rooms.
“Do you see any signs of a struggle?” I ask Raven.
“No, but looks like they cleared out quickly.” Raven picks up a glass and sniffs the contents.
