The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

thirteen

STEALING A KIDS PASS

A millisecond's scan of the room showed Ariana ten enemies in various states of readiness. In the far corner, four Germani were scrunched together on a broken-down sofa, eating Chinese food from takeaway boxes.

Three technicians sat in swivel chairs, manning control consoles. They were human security, each with a sidearm, but they were too focused on their work to be an immediate threat.

A mortal guard stood right next to them, looking surprised that Ariana had just pushed through the door he was monitoring.

Oh, hello!

A second guard stood across the room, blocking the other exit. That left just the Germanus leader, who was now rising from his chair, drawing his sword.

So many questions flashed through her mind.
What did the mortal technicians see through the Mist? How would they get out of here alive?
How did Leader Guy sit comfortably in that swivel chair while wearing a sword? Was that lemon chicken she smelled, and was there enough for her?

Ariana was tempted to say, Wrong room, close the door and beat it down the hall. But since the technicians had just been ordered to burn down the city, that wasn't an option.

"STOP!" Apollo sang out of instinct. "IN THE NAME OF LOVE!"

Everyone froze - maybe because his voice had magic powers, or maybe because he was horribly off-key.

Apollo bow-punched the guy next to him in the face. If you have never been punched by a fist holding a bow, Ariana does not recommend it.

Door Guy #1 went down. Across the room, Door Guy #2 raised his gun and fired.

The bullet sparked off the door next to Ariana's head.

Fun fact from a lover of a former god who knows acoustics: if you fire a gun in an enclosed space, you have just deafened everyone in that room.

The technicians flinched and covered their ears. The Germani's Chinese-takeaway boxes went flying. Even Leader Guy stumbled half out of his chair.

Ariana's ears ringing, she held onto her necklace, now holding a trident and threw her - the first knocking the gun out of Door Guy #2's hand,

Apollo shot an arrow, pinning his sleeve to the wall. Yes, this ex-archery god still had some moves!

The technicians returned their attention to their controls. The Chinese-food contingent tried to extract themselves from their sofa.

Leader Guy charged Ariana, his sword in both hands, pointed directly at her underbelly.

Ariana fell flat on her back and Leader Guy tripped over her, barrelling headfirst into the wall.

Apollo did get off one shot - an arrow that skimmed across the nearest technician's control panel and knocked him out of his chair in surprise.

Ariana rolled aside as Leader Guy turned and hacked at her. She summoned her sword and jabbed it into his shin.

Leader Guy howled.

Ariana scrambled to her feet and jumped onto the bank of control consoles.

"Back off!" Apollo yelled at the technicians, doing his best to aim one arrow at all three of them.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Food Four were fumbling with their swords. Door Guy #2 had tugged his sleeve free of the wall and was hunting around for his pistol.