A textfrom Kade has sat in my messages, unread, for two days.
Artemis has been gone for so much longer than that. I keep expecting new arrivals at our borrowed safe haven to be her. Instead, we’ve been spending our time helping people get out of Sterling Falls.
They come to Jace’s home, and one of us drives the small group to the marina.
Bobby ferries them to the docks in Emerald Cove.
The first few days after Ouranos moved into Sterling Falls were utter chaos. People who tried to stand up to him were shot down. The mayor’s body was carted through North Falls and left spread-eagle, naked, in the middle of Main Street.
One of Tem’s old employees told us that, tears rolling down her cheeks, when she arrived to ask for help escaping. She was the first one we smuggled out, but certainly not the last.
Apollo, Jace, and Wolfe are effectively blocked from the city. Apollo tried to re-enter and was nearly shot. Having the conversation about Artemis and her addiction over the phone was not ideal.
He threatened to get her immediately, but Antonio made him see reason.
She’s there to get help.
However long that takes.
But with most of our forces removed, it leaves us with both hands tied behind our back. We don’t go out alone, and every run for supplies seems dangerous.
There are wanted posters around town with my face on them, along with others.
Malikai Barlow, for one. Half the Hell Hounds. Jace, Wolfe, and Apollo.
Not Artemis or Reese—although the latter says he doesn’t want to risk it.
I have to agree with that. Clearly, Kade worked out some deal to protect Reese and Artemis. And when he realizes Reesedidn’tleave town like he hoped? That might backfire.
Anyway. We’re not supposed to leave the property alone, and here I am, going solo. I’m on Jace’s bike. It feels a bit dangerous to be out riding, but we made sure there was no sign of ownership on it. We took off the plates and replaced them with fakes from Daniel, scanned it for any sign of trackers.
I sort of relished prying Jace’s anti-theft detection off it, if only to make sure it wasn’t traceable back to him.
The ride to Jace’s old boat house hideout is quick. I pull back the ivy-covered fence, roll the bike through, and close it behind me. Leaving the bike where it is, I stride down the sloped, curving road to the building.
It’s no better than a shack.
I slow when I catch movement through the window, but then the door opens.
Malik glares at me.
He still wears his cut, and I have no doubt he’s armed to the teeth. Currently, however, the only thing visible is the handle of a dagger at his hip.
“Hart,” he greets me.
I incline my chin.
He steps back, allowing me inside, and closes us in. “What’s the news?”
“We’ve been getting people out of the city,” I tell him. “And your Hell Hounds?”
He grimaces. “I don’t suppose you saw the smoke the other day?”
I nod slowly. We stood in the backyard and watched the brownish smoke climb into the clear sky. Vittoria was worried about Olympus, but Reese mumbled something about it being in the wrong direction.
Our only options were the Hell Hounds compound or something worth destroying in South Falls.
We didn’t venture out that day. All the vehicles are out of sight from the main road, and we make sure the house looks unimposing and empty if anyone were to check it out.
