The men climbed up the sides of the truck to see why Abigail had called them. Ren and Sasha on the passenger side. Choo Co La Tah and Jess on hers.
Jess stood in the open door with one hand braced against the top, looking down at her. "What is it, babe?"
Stunned, all she could do was point at the herd of ... whatever it was, speeding toward them. The group was stirring up a huge cloud of dust in their wake. Not even the darkness could conceal their presence. Mostly because their number was just that impressive.
Some she knew to be tsi-nooks. Others were definitely coyotes and the last group she assumed were the bounty hunters they'd been talking about.
Ren's jaw went slack.
Jess's tensed.
Sasha outdid them all. He laughed. "Now there's something you don't see everyday. Gah, I hope there's no human roaming around with a video recorder or cell phone. Be a bitch to explain that. Easier just to kill them."
Ren ignored him. "Did they open the Gate already?"
That would explain it.
But Choo Co La Tah shook his head. "They're trying to scare us."
"Working. 'Cause the wolf here is definitely feeling an 'oh shit' moment." He glanced over to Abigail. "You wouldn't want to change my diaper, would you?"
Jess shook his head at the wolf. He started to take the wheel from Abigail, then paused. "You know this is one of those moments when you think about the fact that you didn't quite complete the plan."
She frowned. "How so?"
He glanced around their small group. "Anyone know how to drive a semi?"
Ugh! She could kick herself for not thinking of that. Since they'd trained her to go after Dark-Hunters, Jonah had taught her the skill of hot-wiring-just in case she needed a quick getaway. She even knew how to start electronic and digital ignitions.
Why hadn't she ever taken the time to learn a standard transmission?
Sasha and Ren exchanged a bemused stare. "I don't drive," they said simultaneously.
Her heart sank. Of course they didn't. Ren flew as a bird and Sasha did that flashing thing. When would they have ever needed a driver's license?
"Can't you flash us out?" she asked Sasha.
He let out a fake, hysterical laugh. "My powers were strangled by a bitch-goddess as punishment for my gross stupidity. I'm lucky I can still flash myself, never mind other people. All I have is raw power and sexy, fighting prowess. Well, okay, if I had to, I might teleport one, maybe two others. But I wouldn't bet my better body parts on it."
Ren frowned. "I didn't think you could lose psychic powers."
"You can't, Dark-Hunter boy. But mine weren't a gift. I was born with them. Total different standard. Lucky me."
Jess arched a brow at her. "Can you drive it?"
"No. I can't drive a stick at all. It's why I took Andy's car and not one of yours."
"Oh people, for goodness' sake ... Move over." Choo Co La Tah pushed past Jess to take the driver's seat.
Curious about that, she slid over to make room for the ancient.
Jess hesitated. "Do you know what you're doing?"
Choo Co La Tah gave him a withering glare. "Not at all. But I figured someone needed to learn and no one else was volunteering. Step in and get situated. Time is of the essence."
Abigail's heart pounded. "I hope he's joking about that." If not, it would be a very short trip.
Ren changed into his crow form before he took flight.
Jess and Sasha climbed in, then moved to the compartment behind the seat. A pall hung over all of them while Choo Co La Tah adjusted the seat and mirrors.
By all means, please take your time. Not like they were all about to die or anything ...
She couldn't speak as she watched their enemies rapidly closing the distance between them. This was by far the scariest thing she'd seen. Unlike the wasps and scorpions, this horde could think and adapt.
They even had opposable thumbs.
Whole different ball game.
Choo Co La Tah shifted into gear. Or at least he tried. The truck made a fierce grinding sound that caused Jess to screw his face up as it lurched violently and shook like a dog coming in from the rain.
"You sure you don't want me to try?" Jess offered.
Choo Co La Tah waved him away. "I'm a little rusty. Just give me a second to get used to it again."
Abigail swallowed hard. "How long has it been?"
Choo Co La Tah eased off the clutch and they shuddered forward at the most impressive speed of two whole miles an hour. About the same speed as a limping turtle. "Hmm, probably sometime around nineteen hundred and..."
They all waited with bated breath while he ground his way through more gears. With every shift, the engine audibly protested his skills.
Silently, so did she.
The truck was really moving along now. They reached a staggering fifteen miles an hour. At this rate, they might be able to overtake a loaded school bus ...
By tomorrow.
Or at the very least, the day after that.
"... must have been the summer of ... hmm ... let me think a moment. Fifty-three. Yes, that was it. 1953. The year they came out with color teles. It was a good year as I recall. Same year Bill Gates was born."
The look on Jess's and Sasha's faces would have made her laugh if she wasn't every bit as horrified. Oh my God, who put him behind the wheel?
Sasha visibly cringed as he saw how close their pursuers were to their bumper. "Should I get out and push?"
Jess cursed under his breath as he saw them, too. "I'd get out and run at this point. I think you'd go faster."
Choo Co La Tah took their comments in stride. "Now, now, gentlemen. All is well. See, I'm getting better." He finally made a gear without the truck spazzing or the gears grinding.
Abigail cringed as she saw the whites of the eyes of their pursuers. "They're almost at our tailgate."
"Excuse me, darling." Jess slid over her lap to roll down the window.
She started to ask him what he was doing, but before she could, he held his hand out toward Sasha.
"Gun."
Sasha handed it over like a surgical assistant.
Jess leaned against the door with one leg braced over her lap. He pressed his thigh lightly against her stomach as he started shooting at the ones chasing them. The rapid fire rang in her ears as she felt his muscles contracting with each movement. He leaned out further.
Choo Co La Tah snatched the wheel to avoid an abandoned car in the road.
The motion tipped Jess so fast that he lost his balance and fell forward, through the window. Terrified he was about to fall to the street, Abigail wrapped herself around him to hold him in place.
Jess couldn't breathe for a second. He'd bruised the shit out of his ribs when he'd slipped and slammed his side into the door. Not to mention, Abigail had him pinned in a bear hug so tight he was amazed he wasn't turning blue.
But he didn't mind the pain. She felt so good, he was willing to suffer.
Unfortunately, he couldn't shoot this way.
"Sweetie?"
She looked up at him.
"I need my arm back."
Her face turned bright red. "Sorry." She quickly released it, but she kept her arms around his waist, anchoring him to her.
His heart pounded at the sight she made holding on to him to keep him safe. He wanted to kiss her so badly, he could taste her lips.
First, he had to protect her. Returning to his post, he started picking off their pursuers while Choo Co La Tah floored it. They were finally going fast and putting some distance between the truck and their pursuers.
Jess kept firing as the wind rushed around him. A tsi-noo screamed in frustration. Yeah, that's right. Cry, baby, cry. Go home to your daddy and tell him you failed. Let him kick your ass.
"Jess?"
He felt Abigail tugging hard at his shirt. Ducking back into the cab, he arched a brow. "Yeah?"
Choo Co La Tah cleared his throat then asked in the calmest of tones. "You wouldn't happen to know how to stop one of these devices, would you?"
Oh please no ...
Surely he'd misheard that. "Come again?"
Choo Co La Tah pressed the brake pedal all the way to the floor. A loud sound echoed
Nothing happened. The truck didn't slow in the least. Jess's stomach sank to his feet.
His arms spread wide over the giant steering wheel, Choo Co La Tah held on with a grip so tight his knuckles blanched. "I'm sorry to say, there seems to be a little bit of a problem. As you can see, it doesn't respond when I apply the brake."
And they were approaching an almost ninety degree turn they'd have to make onto the Valley of Fire Highway.
Jess considered their options. "Keep going straight. Don't try to make the off ramp."
"And again I say we have a bit of a problem."
Jess dreaded the next word. "Yeah?"
Abigail swallowed hard before she pointed down the road. "There are two jack-knifed trucks blocking it."
Shit.
And they were going way too fast. He'd say to ram the trucks, but one was hauling gas. They'd go up like a Roman candle.
Why, Lord, why?
Sasha leaned forward. "Hit the brake again."
Choo Co La Tah complied. Air blew back on him as a loud sssshhhh sound filled the cab. "I fear they're in ill repair, my boy."
"Yeah, but I think I know what it is." Sasha dove at the floorboard and started pounding against it with his fist. "C'mon, you little bastard. Work." He hit the brake with his hand.
As before, nothing happened.
Sasha growled low in his throat. "Send the wolf to watch them," he mocked in a falsetto. His nostrils flared. "I swear Z, if I live, I'm going to rip that damned goatee off your face and stick your shaving cream in the fridge." He locked gazes with Jess. "I'll be right back."
Abigail bit her lip as fear darkened her eyes. "Where's he going?"
Jess shrugged. "No idea."
"Oh dear..."
Since his back was to the windshield, Jess really didn't want to look at what had alarmed the ancient spirit. He'd much rather stare at Abigail.
But the compulsion was too great.
He turned, then wished he'd listened to himself. Ay carumba! They were way too close to the wrecked trucks. One lay on its side like it'd fainted while the other was sideways on the highway. No way to avoid them.
We're going to burn ...
Suddenly, something was slamming hard at the floorboard underneath Choo Co La Tah's feet.
"Hit the brakes!" Sasha's muffled shout was barely audible even with Jess's super hearing.
Choo Co La Tah stomped the brakes and everyone held their collective breath and prayed.
Nothing happened. Jess felt his heart stop as he realized they were going to crash. He wasn't worried about himself. He would survive.
Abigail might not.
"Again!" Sasha shouted.
Choo Co La Tah obeyed. Jess tensed in expectation of their oncoming crash.
Then, to his utmost shock, the truck finally began to slow. He couldn't believe it. Sasha flashed back into the cab with a proud grin on his face.
Abigail leaned her head back on the seat and returned his smile. She high-fived Sasha.
Until Choo Co La Tah cursed-something he never did. "Hold on everyone."
Jess was tossed forward as they left the interstate and flew down the exit ramp at a speed that would have probably gotten them arrested had a cop seen it. Luckily there were no concrete barriers or anything significant around. Only small road markers that warned of the drop off the shoulder that they plowed over.
Please don't tip, please don't tip.
And don't plow into the Casino Smoke Shop Truck Stop. The owner definitely wouldn't appreciate it. That had now become his biggest concern. Killing someone other than them.
The truck shimmied and shook as if it wanted to flip. But through some miracle, it didn't and in a few seconds, they were slowed to a safe speed while Choo Co La Tah headed toward the Valley.
Sasha fell back and laughed. "All right, everyone. Fess up. Who just shat in their pants? C'mon. Admit it." He raised his hand. "I know I did and I'm wolf enough to own it."
Jess ignored him. "Are you all right?" he asked Abigail. She was still a little too pale for his tastes.
"I think I'm going to own Sasha's question. Definitely put me on your list."
Jess laughed, then looked over at Sasha. "So Wolf, what did you do?"
"You mean before or after I soiled my jeans? Which, by the way, I want kudos for coming back in the cab when I could have gone home." Sasha sobered. "The foot valve was stuck. It doesn't happen often. But it can happen as you just saw. If you're lucky you can pop it back out from the cab. Obviously, given the horrors of this night, I wasn't lucky so I had to crawl under the damn thing at ninety miles an hour and pound it out from underneath. I don't ever want to hang like that under a speeding vehicle again. I swear I lost eight of my nine lives."
"What is it with you and the cat analogies?"
"Long, really not boring story. Anyway, I'm just glad I knew what it was."
Impressive, but ...
"How did you know?"
"Video games," Sasha said proudly. "Never let it be said they're a waste of time. But for them, we'd be toasting some better parts or flipped and bleeding. And speaking of, we probably want to leave a note for whoever owns this thing so they can get it fixed. We don't want a human getting hurt over bad maintenance."
Choo Co La Tah checked the side view mirror. "I hate to be the one to cut in on the reverie and congratulatory sentiments, but we still have our friends following behind us."
Jess let out a long breath at their persistence. "What I wouldn't give for a case of C-4." And then the worst thing happened.
The pain from conjuring his gun hit.
Abigail gasped as Jess pressed his hand to his forehead and doubled over in the seat. "Jess?"
"It's okay," he said between clenched teeth. "I'll be all right."
In spite of those words, fear gripped her. "You don't look all right."
His nose started pouring blood.
She widened her eyes. "Honey?"
Sasha manifested a small hand towel and threw it over him.
Jess held it to his nose and tilted his head back. Terrified, Abigail ran her hand through his hair. "Is there anything I can do?"
He shook his head.
"All right, my boy. Now that we're on the back road..." Choo Co La Tah begin chanting something under his breath. Light in tone at first and then in crescendo. Louder and louder it went like a frenetic dance. Acapulco and harmonious, she couldn't understand a word of it. Only the beauty of the sound.
And as he spoke, the dirt outside began to swirl and spin, rising higher like small tornados.
Abigail was floored by what she saw. In a matter of seconds, they had a dust cloud surrounding them. The only problem was, their sight was limited by it.
"Why didn't you do this before?" Sasha asked. "When it could have really helped us?"
Jess shifted the towel that was fast becoming drenched in blood. "He needed to be close to the Valley to draw the sand."
And it wasn't just any sand. It rose up into the shape of an angry fist and rushed back toward their enemies like a landlocked tsunami. She could hear their screams as the sand blasted and pelted them.
Yeah, that had to sting.
In a matter of minutes, the swirling sands had settled and there was no one on the road but them.
Abigail took that moment to relax, hoping that this time it would last a little bit longer than a few ragged heartbeats. She needed a small break. They all did. This had been an incredible nonstop journey.
Jess watched the relief play across Abigail's delicate features as she lay back with her eyes half closed. The light of the cab cast shadows over her face. Her soft hands stroked his hair while he tried to breathe through the pain pounding in his skull. He had no idea why this power took its toll on him. For that he'd like to beat Artemis.
But if it meant being held so tenderly by Abigail, he was willing to suffer.
No one spoke as they traveled down the lonely desert road. They were all too relieved to be alive and not have to fight for it. The silence seduced them with her well needed tranquility. Only the sound of the engine and the tires rolling on asphalt reached them.
But all too soon they reached the Valley-something he'd been dreading for hours. Choo Co La Tah slowed down even more so that he could scan the surrounding landscape.
"What are you looking for?" Jess asked.
"The mound that marks our trail."
Abigail looked around at the dips and crevices of land and rock that now lined both sides of the highway. She'd never been to the Valley before. It was spooky at night. Skeletal bushes and shrubs rose out of the ground to tower like evil spirits. A part of her even felt like they were watching her.
"Do you feel it?"
She glanced over at Choo Co La Tah. "Feel what?"
"The manitou? The energy of the earth that flows through everyone and everything. It's a living creature that can feel our pain and our joy. Everything we are, feeds into it and it leaves a lasting impression on the earth after we're gone."
Sasha sat up. "So it's like a ghost?"
Smiling, he shook his head. "It's hard to explain. You must feel it."
Abigail tried, but the only thing she felt was the weight of Jess's head in her lap and the heaviness of her conscience that still flogged her over all of this.
Choo Co La Tah's words didn't help her any, either. If anything, they made her feel worse. Her lasting impression was four plagues and untold horrors played out on innocent people.
Part of her wished she was twisted enough to not care. But sadly, she did.
Choo Co La Tah pulled over to the side of the road and parked the truck.
Jess sat up slowly.
"Are you any better?"
He pulled the towel down and she cringed. He was still bleeding pretty badly. "Sasha? I need some tissue to pack my nose with."
The wolf gave him a suspicious stare. "Is that hygienically sound?"
"Sasha..."
"Fine, but if you get toxic shock up your nose, buddy, remember I warned you." He held his hand palm up and a box of Kleenex appeared.
Jess pulled a couple out and wedged them into his nostrils. He gave Abigail a sheepish smile. "Sexy, right?"
"Oh yeah, baby. You're so hot right now, if I was chicken I'd lay hard-boiled eggs."
Sasha fell back laughing.
Jess chucked the box of tissues at him. "At least I don't lick my own crotch."
"Hey!" Sasha snapped. "That's just rude. And for the record, I don't. We do have full cognitive functioning in our animal forms and that's all I'm going to say on the matter. I refute your mean lies." He sat up again and laughed at Jess. "By the way, you really need to check yourself out in the mirror."
"I'm really not going to." There were some things a man didn't need to know about himself. How much a goober he appeared to a woman he had the hots for was one of them. His imagination was bad enough. God forbid the reality be worse than the image he had in his head.
He wouldn't be able to recover from that blow.
Sasha flashed out of the cab while the rest of them climbed down.
Jess made sure to take his gun.
They met up at the back of the trailer while Ren swooped down from the sky and returned to his human form.
Abigail was impressed at how he did that. One second he was a bird and then after a small flash of light that could be easily missed if you weren't paying attention, he was human again.
Ren shook his head at Choo Co La Tah. "Nice driving. I honestly thought you guys were dead, especially when you hit that off-ramp at warp speed."
Sasha snorted. "So did we. Be glad you weren't there for the screaming."
Abigail rubbed her hands down her arms, trying to banish a sudden chill. "So what do we do now?"
Choo Co La Tah pinned her with sinister stare. "We find the sacred rock and you make your sacrifice."