Jewels and Feathers (Race Games 3)

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

“Who sits in front?” Brin asked later that night, staring at the glittering silver car. Muni watched his amazement as he studied the McLaren, both unsure and excited to work with it. She realized with a start that he had been right. They needed to practice, not because they were trying to win, but because they needed to survive.

“Weapons will need to be in the front passenger seat,” Eirik answered him, his tablet in his hands. He was doing well, learning everything there was about the car. Her modern Viking had a penchant for technology more than he’d let on apparently, quickly growing proficient with the technology in the car. She’d often caught him sitting in the McLaren learning all the buttons and modifications, so he’d be a well of information in the races. She’d been wise to follow her instinct and bring him from Valhalla when he’d appeared in front of her. “You and I will be in the backseat with the tablets.”

“Ah, yes. The magic paintings,” Brin murmured while taking the tablet from Eirik’s hand. “I can’t say I’m all that skilled with magic—I’m not a wizard—but Munin showed me the maps. I should be perfectly fine once I study it more.”

Eirik pulled another tablet from a waist bag and tapped on it. “Let’s give it a go once and see where we are.”

And it was with that comment that all four of them piled into the car. Because it had been extended and heavily modified, the McLaren felt strange to drive at first. It was longer than normal, and though Muni had driven her fair share of vehicles, it took a few minutes to get the hang of the steering. Despite the extended length, the car still had great turning radius, as if Danica had compensated for that. Muni would have to make sure to thank her next time she saw her, likely at the Opening Ceremony. Since the human held a seat on the council now, she was the optimal person to befriend.

Eirik sat behind Muni, his tablet in his lap. “You showed me some examples of how the Games will be, but unfortunately, this track doesn’t have traps set up. The best we can do is learn each other and the car so well that we’re able to survive anything thrown at us.”

A robotic voice came from Brin’s tablet, making the large Viking jump and throw the tablet.

“Turn left now.”

“The magic painting has a woman trapped inside!” Brin exclaimed. When the navigation said, “In five hundred feet, turn left,” he screeched.

“Calm down,” Eirik said, trying his hardest not to laugh. Still, Muni could see his shoulders shaking in the rearview mirror as he failed. “It’s only Google Maps.”

“Turn left.”

“It’s a wee witch! My magic painting has been possessed!”

Eirik sighed and met Muni’s eyes in the mirror. “Perhaps, we’re going to need more practice than I thought.”

Muni smiled. “We have a few weeks to get things figured out, Eirik. Don’t fret.”

“Maybe you should try some of the weapons,” Eirik told Vidar where he sat in the passenger seat. His arms were crossed over his chest again, his face pinched in a perpetual pout. He clearly didn’t want to be there, and Muni wasn’t surprised with his answer.

“Go to Hel,” Vidar growled, his eyes steady through the front windshield. Despite them sliding around the track at high speeds, he hadn’t even reacted. He was permanently unimpressed.

“If we all die, then this is pointless, Vid,” Eirik growled from the backseat, setting his tablet to the side.

“Make a U-turn,” Google spoke again, and Brin made a noise of distress under his breath.

“I’ve already died once,” Vidar answered Eirik. “I don’t care if I die again.”

Muni slowed the car and popped it in neutral, sensing the tension rising in the interior of the car. Vidar’s anger snapped out, the feeling of it moving along her skin almost biting.

“But you don’t get to make that decision for us!” Eirik spit, unfastening his seatbelt. Though he was trapped in the backseat, Muni sensed his readiness to leap upon Vidar in the enclosed space. This wasn’t the place for such antics, but the best she could do was unfasten her own seatbelt harness and prepare for the worst.

“I didn’t get to make that decision for myself!” Vidar snarled back, twisting in his seat. “She stole that decision from me. I was perfectly fine in Valhalla!”

“You’d rather be dead than alive?” Eirik’s voice was more savage than Muni had ever heard it and suddenly, he was less modern and more Viking of old. She could suddenly see him with paint smeared across his face and an axe in his hands.

“I’d rather be with her!” Vidar’s answer echoed around them, and they all fell into silence.

Brin frowned. “Who?” he asked.

But Vidar didn’t have an answer he cared to give. He shoved open the passenger door and climbed out. “I don’t care about your stupid race. Find someone else to press buttons.” The car door slammed shut and Muni watched him stomp away, his shoulders tense with rage.

Brin and Eirik sat in silence, staring after Vidar the same as Muni was.

“You have reached your destination. . .”

Brin screeched again and threw the tablet away from him. “Be gone with you, tiny demon!”

This time, Muni couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out despite the situation. If they didn’t all get on the same page soon, they were doomed. Without weapons, the Race Games would claim them.

And Muni couldn’t have that.