The reporter's voice was thick with concern, and it made her own throat tighten. "There's no explanation for this rash of insect uprisings or these unprecedented weather fronts that keep moving in. The authorities are advising everyone to stay calm and in their homes until the experts have figured out what's causing it. As of now, several roads and highways are being closed, and everyone is being told to watch out for flash flooding. They also want us to remind everyone that wasps can and do sting even after death, so please don't pick up any of their remains without gloves or some other form of protection. Officials are advising everyone to turn off any light that might attract more wasps. And if you have pets in your yard, please do not venture out to get them."
Flash flooding? The dark sky above them was completely clear.
She turned the radio off. That hadn't been very helpful. "Guess they can't report that it's the end of the world, huh?"
"It's not the end."
She stared at the wrecked cars and bodies they passed. The people who'd posted handmade signs in the windows of their homes asking for God's forgiveness and warning others to repent. "It sure looks like it from my seat."
"Ah, now," Jess said in that exaggerated drawl she was beginning to recognize as his way of keeping things either in perspective or light. "Buck up, little camper. It ain't over yet. We're far from out of this."
That was the problem. They had a long way to go, and she didn't see an escape for them.
Jess kept his attention on the road as he navigated hazards every inch of the way. He was trying to be positive for her, but inside, he was worried fierce. Why had Old Bear been holding the key to the West Gate? Why take the chance? It should have been cast out to sea or something.
For that matter, couldn't the First Guardian have locked up butterflies or something equally harmless in those jars?
No. People had to have their misery, and Old Bear would have to have the pimp daddy of plagues waiting for discovery.
Give me locusts and boils. Hell, he'd even prefer pimples on his private parts. Anything would be better than Coyote taking over the world.
At this point, they were mired so deep in the mud of Shit City, he might as well have his mail forwarded.
I swear, Coyote. If I live through this ...
You won't.
Jess let out a relieved breath as he pulled into his driveway while rain pelted the car so hard, it sounded like a sledgehammer pounding on metal and glass. Man, what a night. He was exhausted already, and it wasn't even late yet.
Of course, another round with Abigail and he'd definitely perk up.
Don't go there.
Please, go there....
'Cause honestly, he'd much rather think about her naked in his arms than think about doing what they were going to have to do and then walking away and never seeing her again.
I thought the good guy was supposed to get the girl. That was the theory, anyway. Too bad he had enough life experience to know that it definitely wasn't the case.
Nice guys got shot by their best friend.
He shook his head to clear it of that nightmare and turned his attention where it needed to go.
Their friendly neighborhood plague.
At least it was raining heavy enough to drive the wasps back into submission and disperse them. Especially since Talon had added a little god power to it to shock and numb them.
Things were almost back to normal.
Yeah, right. Things were about as normal as a Luddite working for Bill Gates. But then, wishful thinking was about all he had left right now. That and the fierce desire to find Coyote and beat the ever-loving shit out of him.
He parked in the garage and looked over at Abigail. Her features were pinched by dread and determination, and still she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. What he wouldn't give to be able to crawl into bed with her for a week and not come up for air until they both were near dead from lack of food.
Yeah, she'd be worth starvation.
And as he met her gaze, regret slammed hard into his gut. How he wished they'd had more time tonight. More time to explore and taste her.
More time to just ...