Free Pegasus and the New Olympians by Kate O'Hearn

flight. We need somewhere private for them to rest their wings.’
    Emily hated to admit it, but Agent T was right. She could see Pegasus was tired. His wings were drooping a bit and his head was down.
    She looked at the others. ‘He’s right. You need your rest.’
    Agent T stepped up to Earl. ‘Come with me – it’s the usual cover story. We’re two brothers who’ve driven all night. Our car broke down and it’s in the garage. We’ll get a double room at the very back and say we need to sleep all day and don’t want to be disturbed.’
    Earl nodded and looked to the others. ‘Y’all stay here. We’ve done this before. As soon as we get the room, we’ll come for you.’
    Emily stood beside Pegasus as they waited for Earl and Agent T to return. Joel and Paelen came up to her.
    ‘Do you think we should trust Agent T?’ Joel asked. ‘He was with the CRU. What if he turns us in to get his job back?’
    Alexis was lounging on the ground. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying the fragrance of the predawn air. ‘He would not do that,’ she answered softly. Rising, the Sphinx padded closer to the group. ‘He may not like you,’ she said truthfully. ‘But he will not betray you. There is too much at stake.’
    ‘How can you be so certain?’ Emily asked.
    Alexis cocked her head to the side and narrowed her green eyes. Emily was certain if she could, the Sphinx would have put her hands on her hips. ‘Are you suggesting I do not know my job? That after all this time, I can not read a human’s intentions?’
    Emily sighed. She shook her head tiredly. ‘I’m sorry, Alexis, I didn’t mean to insult you. But you don’t understand what the CRU did to us.’
    ‘Especially Agent T,’ Paelen added.
    The Sphinx calmed and sat down. ‘No, I was not there and do not know what he did,’ she admitted. ‘But I do know the man who has been riding on my back all night. He is changed. Whether it was Cupid’s charm or the realization of what the CRU have done, I do not know. But he is on our side. Tom will be a great ally.’
    Emily looked at Joel and raised an eyebrow. ‘Tom?’
    Paelen caught Emily’s arm. He shook his head. ‘Do not say more. She is tired and worried like the rest of us.’
    The arrival of Agent T cut off further conversation. ‘All right – we’ve got a double room on the ground floor, just in from the end.’ He concentrated on Alexis. ‘We’ll use Pluto’s helmet to get you into the room one at a time. People are starting to move around and check out. No one but Earl and I must been seen.’
    One by one, the helmet was used to sneak the Olympians into the cramped motel room. Once again, Pegasus had difficulty squeezing through the narrow doorway. But with help, the invisible stallion was finally shoved through.
    The ‘do not disturb’ sign was hung on the door and the two mattresses were pulled off the beds and put on the floor to give more comfortable sleeping space for everyone. Before long, they had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep.

    When Emily awoke, there was still light coming from behind the curtains. She looked over and saw Pegasus was also awake. ‘You OK, Pegs?’ she whispered softly.
    The stallion pressed his muzzle to her hand. His eyes were still bright and alert. There was no mistaking it. Pegasus was scared. Despite what Joel had said before, Pegasus didn’t believe it either. Deep inside, the stallion knew that somehow, Tornado Warning was part of him.
    Emily rose to use the bathroom. In the tight, crowded room, she had to climb over Pegasus. Then she stepped over Joel on the other mattress. But as she put her foot down, she trod on Chrysaor. The winged boar squealed and complained loudly.
    ‘Sorry! Go back to sleep …’ Emily hushed, as she gave him a light pat. She looked around to see if his squeals had awoken the others. Satisfied that they remained asleep, Emily continued her obstacle course to the bathroom. But as she entered, she found Alexis