“Exactly, but I don’t think archers will be enough unless there’s a kind of metal you can put on the arrowhead that will pierce the metal on the bastards’ bodies or something with fire or electricity.”
“We’ll get it worked out. I think Ben has been crafting special arrows for us out of a new kind of metal he created,” Adrian says. “I could be wrong, though. He’s not exactly forthcoming.”
“He’s a dick, but he’s a talented dick so we don’t call him on it.” I shrug.
“I have to go. I need to talk to him so we can figure some logistics out for the airborne monsters. Be safe and hurry.” Adrian jogs away.
“Not so much that you’re not sleeping, baby. Promise me you’ll rest when you get to the pack in Grand Junction.” Jayden glares at me.
“I promise. Love you.” I blow him a kiss.
“Love you too. Talk soon.” He waves the mist away.
My shoulders slump as his image fades away. I hate this so much, but it shouldn’t take long to get the hammer and get back to him. It can’t. Our friends are all counting on us. I glance out the windshield and spot the mountain up close and personal. Something glints at the base of the mountain.
“Watch out,” I yell, ducking behind the seat.
“What is it?” Raven turns to me with a frown.
My brows furrow and I scan the mountain again but there’s nothing. “I saw a glint of metal and thought we spoke the demon pigeons into existence.”
“I saw the flash of metal too,” Greyson says. “Look, there it is again.”
Greyson pulls the vehicle over and puts it in park as we all stare at the base of the mountain. Something flashes through the trees a golden color.
“What is that?” I ask. “Is that a golden arm?”
I push the door open and hop out of the SUV. My whip materializes in my hand as I touch the charm to release it.
“Beth, what are you doing going off on your own?” Raven calls after me.
“Shh, I’m investigating what the hell is on this volcano,” I hiss at her.
“Jayden is going to have my ass if something happens to you because you ran off half-cocked.” Greyson grumbles.
“I’m not going off half-cocked. I think some of Hephaestus’ automatons are running around the volcano.” I shake my head.
The crash of metal on metal reverberates through the air. I spin in a circle, searching for the threat. A golden spear hits the trunk of the tree next to my head.
“They know we’re here now.” My grip on the whip tightens.
“They have to be my dad’s automatons.” Kira points to the golden spear. “Those are the marks of Hephaestus.”
“How do we defeat them?” I ask.
“I don’t think we can defeat them. Maybe we don’t have to.” Kira wrings her hands together.
“I kinda think the spear in the tree says otherwise.” Raven glares at the offending weapon.
The clanking of weapons and metal on metal grows louder but the automatons are still hidden by the trees surrounding us.
“Greyson, can you scent or hear how many of them there are?” I ask as I move so my back is to Raven’s.
“They don’t really have a scent or the trees are muffling it, but from the sound, I would say probably twenty.” He grimaces.
“Circle up. No one’s back should be exposed. Try less than lethal. Kira, can you use your magic to control them since they are your dad’s?” I ask.
“I can try but they’re out of control and I’ll have to get really close.” Kira shrugs.
