Page 47 of When Monsters Rise
I’dcall that a win.
* * *
Evencoffee couldn’t chase awaythe stiffness in my limbs.
“Youchanneled too much,”Shemsaid. “Youneed to rest and heal.You’llstay here withJilyanawhile we go and get the bikes.”Itwas an order, andIdidn’t argue.
I’dbe a liability out there today. “I’llhelpMirarustle up a meal with the rations everyone has.”
Hestroked my cheek with his fingertips. “Thenrest.Promiseme.”
Ileaned into his touch. “Ipromise.”
Bastian,Bee,Shem, and his troop left a few minutes later.Thestore was two blocks away, so it wouldn’t take them long to get there and back, butIcouldn’t help the sense of unease that crawled over my skin.
Thecelestials would be looking for us.IfMichaelhad gotten away, he wouldn’t let up until he found us.
Thewatchers had chosen the city as a hideout because it was crawling with monsters, which kept the celestials at bay, but they’d come yesterday because they’d known our location for certain.They’dcome again when their troops failed to return.
They’dcome forShem.
Andhe was out there right now, in plain sight.
Iclenched my fists and forced myself to take a breath.Thesooner we got out of the city, the better.
Chapter21
SHEM
We’realmost at the bicycle store whenIsense a presence of celestials.Luckily, we’re undercover of an awning.
“Wehave aerial surveillance,”Tumielsays.
Weall step deeper into the shadows and wait.Zaqis up ahead somewhere, andIcan only hope he’s hidden.
Longminutes pass, and the tingle across my scalp doesn’t let up.
“Theywon’t land unless they see a reason to,”Sarqsays softly, as if to reassure himself.
Wewait in silence for several more minutes before the tension in the air ebbs and the sound of beating wings grows distant.
“They’llcircle back.They’llkeep looking,”Tumielsays. “Weneed to move fast and stay in the shadows or between the buildings.
“Wewon’t be able to hide on the way back,”Bastianpoints out. “We’llhave bikes with us.”
Fuck, he’s right. “Let’sget there and see what they have.Allwe need to do is confirm there are bikes that we can use.Weneed maybe two to take back with us so that those who can’t ride can learn.Thecelestials will sweep the city today, and if they find nothing, then hopefully they’ll move on.”
“Michaelknows that we’re alive,”Sarqpoints out. “Ifhe made it out, he won’t give up.”
“Hehas no idea whereJilyanatransported us.He’llwiden the net.”We’regoing to be in danger up until the moment we get to the church, there’s no way around that.Allwe can do is be vigilant.
Wemake it to the store a few minutes later.Zaqis crouched outside the building.Thehuge windows on the store are smashed, and glass litters the pavement, but there are machines visible inside, rows and rows of gleaming bikes.
“Yes!”Beesays.
Wecross the road quickly and duck inside, careful of any shards still clinging to the frames.
Bastianbegins examining the bikes. “It’sbeen a long time,” he mutters.
