We’re five miles down the road before I let myself relax.
“Human cops,” I groan. “At least they’ll forget about us soon.”
“The thin one won’t,” Riven mutters. “He’s a shifter.”
I whip my head around so fast my neck cracks. “What? How could you tell?”
He taps his nose. “Hard to be sure, but something canine.”
“Do you think he clocked us?”
Riven cocks his head. “I’m not sure. He was suspicious of me, but he’s probably never smelled a veydra before. He’ll be trying to figure it out.”
I wince. Mysterious is the last thing we need to be. “Lose the Ciprian face,” I say. “It’s freaking me out.”
Riven returns his amber mask, and I shove the map into his lap. “Try to find somewhere to stop and switch cars. In case he decides to follow us.”
After studying the map for five minutes, Riven clears his throat. “There’s nothing nearby.”
My heart flips as he confirms my suspicions. I memorized the map before we left, but I hoped I missed something. We’re driving through a string of mountain towns, each one farther away than the one before it. Ten hours of driving will get us to the rumored portal location, but even with Riven’s refill, our gas won’t last that long.
“I think . . .” Riven trails off.
“What?”
“I think we can make it here, though.”
I glance at the spot he’s pointing at. It’s not far, but it is out of the way. “Not a tourist trap?”
He shakes his head. “Doubtful, it’s too far from the main highway.”
I nod. I’d rather be sure, but we don’t have a better option. Rolling my window down, I let the cool air slap me in the face to distract from the itch between my shoulder blades.
Maybe if I think positively, things will look up.
That works for about ninety minutes before the car starts smoking like a chimney.
I should have known better. Luck’s never been on my side.
FOURTEEN
Enclave Edict #19:
Report unusual happenings to enclave personnel.
CIPRIAN
“You aren’t surprised . . .”
“Are you?”
“No, but I am pissed.”
“Can you use the bond to locate her?”
“I don’t think so.”
I snap my fingers at Luca and Alistair to get them to focus. “That’s a waste of time, anyway. We already know where she is, or at least where she’s going.”