“I don’t even know how to unpack that.” Randall shakes his head. “I guess the distinction matters because they were already dead before. Taking a life is hard and I don’t think anyone ever gets over it, but I believe you when you said it was necessary.”
“No one can ever know about that, Randall. It could be very dangerous for me and my friends.”
“I don’t even have the full picture of what happened out there, so you don’t have to worry about me.” Randall glances at me in the rearview mirror.
“Thank you. This can’t get out in the open or we’ll be hunted and worse.”
“Understood. You have nothing to fear from me, young one.”
My head slams into the window as the entire SUV shakes. I ricochet off the window and slam into Raven.
“What in Hades is happening?” I shout.
“That’s not seismic activity,” Raven grunts.
“Sorry.” I pull my elbows into my sides so I don’t hit her in the gut again. “No. That is definitely a giant.”
“We don’t know if it’s friend or foe?” Greyson asks.
“Most likely a foe if he’s stomping around like this.” I grab the oh shit bar to stop from banging against anything else.
“We need to get out of the car,” Raven says. “We are safer on solid ground.”
“Agreed,” Draven groans, holding his crotch.
“Oops, sorry, babe.” Kira scrambles away from him.
Randall stops the SUV, and we pile out. The ground shakes again and I stumble but keep my footing.
“How do you plan to stop this giant if you can’t even stand?” Randall asks.
“Kira, do you know which giant this could be?” I ask, planting my feet.
“I don’t know, maybe Mimas? If that’s the case, we might be in trouble.” She wrings her hands together.
“Why? How did Hephaestus defeat him?” I ask, not liking the sound of this at all.
“Molten iron. That’s not the problem. He was said to have been trapped in a mountain, but his legs became serpents that keep away travelers with their own poisonous lava.”
“What were the Greeks’ obsession with all things scaley?” Raven shudders.
“I don’t know, but at least we know how Hephaestus killed him the first time.” I pitch to the side and grab a tree for balance.
“I don’t know if I have that kind of fire power.” Kira chews her lip.
“My lightning can burn just as hot. It’s crazy white-hot.” I pat her shoulder. “We can do this together and defeat him so the volcano doesn’t blow.”
“Just the two of you?” Draven steps in front of Kira. “That’s too dangerous. What will we be doing?”
“Me and Kira are the only ones who can defeat the giant, but you guys can act as a distraction. Just don’t get too close to the fire-breathing snakes he has for feet.”
“Not helping, B.” Raven shivers.
“You’re good with a bow, right?” I ask.
“I’m passable but it’s not my favorite weapon,” Raven says. “That’s more Adrian’s wheelhouse.”
“I know and I’m missing the others more than ever right now. Jayden’s hellfire would be extremely useful right now.” I call my whip and sword to me.
