“I saw packs back there but thought it was just more supplies. Good to know we’re prepared for anything.” I nod.
The SUV creeps down the mountain road. The lights grow brighter the closer we get to the border, and I flinch. Humans are everywhere. They have men in white coats with machinery checking the ground and a line of state troopers watching the road. Huge cinder block walls line the border, keeping everyone out.
“That’s too many humans,” I whisper.
Raven turns in her seat. “I know that’s a lot of people, Draven, but Aggie said you need to be stronger. I watched you catch them from a hundred feet away with your magic and lower them gently to the ground. You’ll never know if you can persuade this many humans unless you try. That could be something you need when the shifter war comes.”
Draven’s eyes widen. “You’re right. It could be the difference between the humans finding out about us or not.”
“So you’ll try? It’s not like they will know what’s happening if it doesn’t work.” I shift forward in my seat.
“When fate warns you to be stronger, you listen.” Draven shrugs.
“Okay, try it. Kira is there any way you can mess with the scientists’ equipment?”
“Maybe,” she says. “What are you thinking?”
“It may help Draven convince the others if the scientists pack up because of equipment malfunction.” I run a hand down my face.
“Yeah, I’m going to try it because I have never affected machinery from a distance before and that could be useful as well.” Kira nods.
I switch spots with them, sitting in the very back to watch what they’re doing. There are no outward signs that anything is happening until one of the scientists curses.
“Is the generator out of gas?” he growls and stomps to another piece of equipment.
“I just filled it up, sir,” another man says, frowning.
“It’s working, Kira, you’re doing it,” I whisper so I don’t distract her.
“All the equipment just shorted out at the same time,” another scientist with horn-rimmed glasses says.
“We need to get the equipment back to the lab. This could be more of the mysterious failing of technology happening all over.” The first man grabs a device and starts typing on it.
“Um, guys,” Raven says, wringing her hands together. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all. They have cell phones.”
“Shhh, let them work. I think all the monsters are either at Etna right now or the academy. They aren’t roaming around here to sense us.”
“Okay, if you say so.” Raven frowns.
“We need to go,” horn-rimmed glasses guy says. “Pack up the equipment quickly and let’s get it back to the lab. I think we have enough data stored there anyway.”
Several of the state troopers glance around and shuffle their feet. Firemen scramble like they are going to leave but one large state trooper shakes his head.
“Hold the line. No one but the scientists leave.”
“Shit.” Draven squeezes his eyes shut and lifts his hands higher. “He’s not taking the suggestion of fear. The guy in charge won’t let any of the ones I have convinced leave.”
“Some minds must be stronger than others or he’s not motivated by fear only honor and duty. It’s not your fault. I noticed just about every single other person getting nervous andready to leave. You did good.” I clap him on the shoulder. “Both of you did.”
“Looks like we’re finding another way around this?” Greyson locks gazes with me in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, we don’t have a choice in the matter. Let’s go.”
Greyson turns the vehicle around and barrels down the bumpy mountain road until we come to a turn and head back north, but the scene is much the same as before except there are no scientists taking what probably amounts to volcanic activity readings.
“Odds are they only have the roads blocked off. They won’t expect people to hike to get to an area that they have been warned is dangerous.” Raven taps her fingers against her lips. “I say we cut our losses and hike from here. If the map is accurate, this is the closest place other than the road we were on before.”
“I don’t like it, but you’re probably right. We will just waste more time driving up and down the border, only to realize that we should have gotten out and hiked much sooner.” I unclip my seat belt and move to the middle seat.
