“Understood.”
Finally, the giant walls appeared off to the side and soon after they approached a massive gate.
“There isn’t an intercom or anything,” Logan said.
“Oh, he knows we’re here,” Koios said. “Roll down the window a little and introduce us.”
Logan glanced at him in the mirror once again, then did as Koios asked. “We’re here to see Johnny Begood,” Logan said.
A robotic voice replied. “You’re trespassing.”
“I’m sorry. This is the address we were given. It’s very important that we speak to him. It’s a matter of life or death.”
There were several moments of silence before the voice returned. “Well in that case, come on in.”
16
BEN
Logan raised the window as the gate slowly opened. “Be on alert.”
“Oh, we’re on alert,” Ben said. “So very on alert.”
His heart pounded as the SUV pulled forward. Ben held onto Koios, his fingers stroking Koios’s feathers as if they could somehow rush this entire thing along.
Koios had gone still in his arms. Just like Logan and Gideon, Koios scanned the area, looking for any sign of danger. Ben wanted to help, but he honestly didn’t have a clue what to look for. A giant hell monster charging them? He was pretty sure Logan and Gideon would see it well before he ever would.
“Anything?” Logan asked.
“Someone’s watching us from the woods. They’re circling the SUV.”
“Koios, get down. Ben, cover him. Be ready to climb up here and get the hell out if I say the word, understood.”
“Got it.”
Koios didn’t argue. He slid down off the seat. Ben hovered over him as they waited.
“Gideon, get the drone closer. We might be able to see something,” Castor said. “I don’t like this, by the way. I really don’t.”
Gideon moved the controls on the drone. Ben couldn’t see it, but it had to be close. Then a gunshot sounded, and seconds later the smoking lump of metal that was formerly the drone landed on the ground in front of them.
A black-cloaked figure emerged from the trees to their left. Koios poked his head up and stared. Ben licked his lips and tried to stay calm. This could be it, though. The valravyn who had the answers they needed to help Koios.
Ben hadn’t realized how much hope he’d placed in the moment until it arrived. He didn’t let the what-ifs terrify him, though. He’d already promised to get Koios as healthy as he could make him, and Ben stood by that promise. He’d even made Koios do some stretches and a light workout before Logan picked them up. So really, even if this turned out to be a giant waste of time, at least they’d know.
As long as the valravyn didn’t shoot them first. Minor details and all that.
“Stay down, Koios,” Logan ordered.
Ben tried to cover more of Koios’s body with his own, but Koios didn’t seem inclined to listen to Logan’s command. He turned his attention to the person they’d come to see.
The valravyn wasn’t as big as Ben had thought. He’d created an imaginary giant hell-beast in his head, but this wasn’t a giant. Hell, Ben would stand a good foot above the valravyn, if not a little more.
Size didn’t mean much in their world, though. Brownies barely came to Ben’s knee and could kick his ass any day of the week. So no, he didn’t judge any creature by their size.
“What do we do?” Ben asked.
Logan glanced at Gideon, and they had a full conversation without saying a word. “We’re going to get out and explain why we’re here. Both of you stay in the car.”
