Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton

Author:Courtney Allison Moulton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 9780062203014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

PART TWO

Requiem for a War

17

“I REALLY HOPE THIS RELIC IS SOMEWHERE THAT’S air-conditioned,” I mumbled as I threw my duffle into the backseat of the pickup truck we’d rented.

Will rolled his eyes, smiling. “We’ll stop at a gas station on the way and get you a battery-powered fan.”

I made a pleased little noise of approval and hopped into the passenger seat. “You have to drive, though. I’m not taking on the responsibility of dodging armadillos on the highway.”

He rounded the front of the truck and got into the driver’s side. “I’m pretty certain there aren’t any armadillos in Arizona.”

“Why would you know that?” I asked him, looking at him like he had a third eye. “Armadillos should be in Arizona. And Michigan. They’re so cute.”

“You are so weird.”

“Just drive. No complaints.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We headed east from the airport on the 202 loop and took the exit toward Apache Junction. We drove around downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods to try picking up any trace of the relic’s or its guardian’s energy. The town seemed entirely normal and we could sense no reapers, angelic or demonic, and certainly no relics. By the time the sun began to set, I’d already lost my patience.

“How certain was Ava that there was a relic here?” I asked Will, looking over at him.

“She might have only marked the largest nearby town.”

I groaned. “This is like looking for a needle in a haystack. or rather, a needle in a desert. Let’s head to the more rural areas.”

He glanced at the GPS on the dashboard. “How about we take 88 out of town and go north through the mountains toward Tortilla Flat?”

“Why not?” I rolled down my window and let in the fresh air. “The heat’s not too bad at night and the stars are incredible. It’s nice out here, huh?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “Lots of sun during the day. Good place to hide a powerful relic. The sunlight makes this place more unpleasant for the demonic.”

I sighed. “Always the practical one. Do you ever enjoy something just to enjoy it? Besides root beer floats and playing music, I mean.”

“Not really.”

“If there is one thing I’ll teach you, it’s to enjoy the little things.”

He flashed me a beautiful smile. “We’ve still got a ways to go. Teach me now.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll take that challenge. Roll down your window.”

He eyed me suspiciously, but lowered the window anyway. “And?”

“Stick your elbow out. Like this.” I propped my elbow on the door and hung my head out my open window. “Feel the warm wind in your hair? The dusty smell of the desert? There’s some good tunes on the radio. There’s no traffic or anything way out here. It’s a nice night, you know?”

He took a deep breath and let the wind catch his dark hair. He gazed up at the stars for a few moments and then he looked back at me. “Yeah,” he said. “It’s a nice night.”

I smiled and closed my eyes, soaking in everything my senses could hold—and that was when my senses picked up something I didn’t expect.

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