“We will not attack you, demigods,” the first woman says in a robotic voice. “We wish to thank you.”
“Thank us? Are you who they were fighting before?” I ask.
“Yes, they have been losing their magic for weeks,” the woman says.
“What should we call you?” I release my whip back into my charm.
“We are known by the master and those in ancient times as the Kourai. Lord Hephaestus created us with sentience and designed us to be skilled in many things so that we may be his handmaidens,” the spokeswoman says.
“It’s nice to meet you all. Sorry if we were a bit on edge before,” I say. “I got stabbed with a spear, so we were expecting an attack.”
“Understandable.” The Kourai woman nods. “Would you like to come to our home and rest? We can help you to refuel for your journey.”
“Kira? How are you doing reprogramming those things?” I ask.
“Almost done.” She never glances up from the hunk of metal asshole who stabbed me.
“My friend here is Lord Hephaestus’ daughter. She’s sending the automatons to the academy to help with the final battle,” I tell the Kourai.
“A battle is coming and you’re out here?” she asks.
“Hephaestus is weakening from the loss of his hammer. We have to find it before the battle ends.” I run a hand down my face and grimace as blood sticks to my skin.
“If the master is weakening, then more of his inspired inventions will also deteriorate at a rapid pace. Many of the worlds innovations are around because of the fire god.” She glances pointedly at the SUV.
“Shit. We need to get to Montana before the damn SUV breaks down.”
The Kourai waves a hand and several of her sisters walk into the trees. I cock my head to the side, wondering where she sent them, just as Kira jumps to her feet.
“I did it. They are ready for my orders. Watch.” Kira claps her hands.
The automatons all stand at attention, waiting for orders from Kira. Not one moves to attack us.
“Can you give them orders that they can follow? How will they discriminate between our own people and the other side?” I ask.
“We’ll have to tell Jayden they are coming. I can transfer their loyalty to Jayden with just a few words, and then he will have to be specific in what he orders them to do.”
“So he’ll need to draw clear lines. They will be after the monsters only because anything else will muddy everything. They could mistake our own people for the enemy.” I nod.
“Exactly.” Kira grins. “With their ability to jump and throw fire, they could help with the aerial assault problem we just figured out too.”
“Okay, give the order. I’ll call Jayden.” I turn to the SUV and grab the shell. “Jayden, Halfling Academy.”
The mist solidifies in front of me and Jayden appears in my dorm room at the academy. “Beth, what in Hades happened?”
“What?” I ask, glancing around.
“You have blood all over you.”
“Oh, that. We had a bit of a situation, but it’s handled now.” I wave him off.
“What happened to your shoulder?” he growls.
“I was stabbed with a spear, but I got them.”
“I literally just spoke to you a couple hours ago and you already ended up stabbed in battle. I should have come with you.” He runs a hand through his hair.
“She also had a mild concussion and depleted herself,” Raven calls.
