Jess stood in the open door with one hand braced against the top, looking down at her. "What is it, babe?"
Stunned, all she could do was point at the herd of ... whatever it was, speeding toward them. The group was stirring up a huge cloud of dust in their wake. Not even the darkness could conceal their presence. Mostly because their number was just that impressive.
Some she knew to be tsi-nooks. Others were definitely coyotes and the last group she assumed were the bounty hunters they'd been talking about.
Ren's jaw went slack.
Jess's tensed.
Sasha outdid them all. He laughed. "Now there's something you don't see everyday. Gah, I hope there's no human roaming around with a video recorder or cell phone. Be a bitch to explain that. Easier just to kill them."
Ren ignored him. "Did they open the Gate already?"
That would explain it.
But Choo Co La Tah shook his head. "They're trying to scare us."
"Working. 'Cause the wolf here is definitely feeling an 'oh shit' moment." He glanced over to Abigail. "You wouldn't want to change my diaper, would you?"
Jess shook his head at the wolf. He started to take the wheel from Abigail, then paused. "You know this is one of those moments when you think about the fact that you didn't quite complete the plan."
She frowned. "How so?"
He glanced around their small group. "Anyone know how to drive a semi?"
Ugh! She could kick herself for not thinking of that. Since they'd trained her to go after Dark-Hunters, Jonah had taught her the skill of hot-wiring-just in case she needed a quick getaway. She even knew how to start electronic and digital ignitions.
Why hadn't she ever taken the time to learn a standard transmission?
Sasha and Ren exchanged a bemused stare. "I don't drive," they said simultaneously.
Her heart sank. Of course they didn't. Ren flew as a bird and Sasha did that flashing thing. When would they have ever needed a driver's license?
"Can't you flash us out?" she asked Sasha.
He let out a fake, hysterical laugh. "My powers were strangled by a bitch-goddess as punishment for my gross stupidity. I'm lucky I can still flash myself, never mind other people. All I have is raw power and sexy, fighting prowess. Well, okay, if I had to, I might teleport one, maybe two others. But I wouldn't bet my better body parts on it."
Ren frowned. "I didn't think you could lose psychic powers."
"You can't, Dark-Hunter boy. But mine weren't a gift. I was born with them. Total different standard. Lucky me."
Jess arched a brow at her. "Can you drive it?"
"No. I can't drive a stick at all. It's why I took Andy's car and not one of yours."
"Oh people, for goodness' sake ... Move over." Choo Co La Tah pushed past Jess to take the driver's seat.
Curious about that, she slid over to make room for the ancient.
Jess hesitated. "Do you know what you're doing?"
Choo Co La Tah gave him a withering glare. "Not at all. But I figured someone needed to learn and no one else was volunteering. Step in and get situated. Time is of the essence."
Abigail's heart pounded. "I hope he's joking about that." If not, it would be a very short trip.
Ren changed into his crow form before he took flight.
Jess and Sasha climbed in, then moved to the compartment behind the seat. A pall hung over all of them while Choo Co La Tah adjusted the seat and mirrors.