Page 30 of Zeus' Spark
“Get her out of here, Dax. We can’t hold this bitch forever.” Raven ducks a swiping paw and thrashes out with her sword, stabbing at it.
The damn sword looks like a toothpick compared to the giant paw.
The sphynx roars in rage and probably a bit of pain.
“I’m trying here, Raven.” Dax ducks out from the other side of the tree with an unconscious Mia slung over his shoulder and runs, dodging the tail and finally getting out of range.
As soon as they’re away from the monster, I breathe out a sigh and give all my attention to the sphynx.
“I think I’m going to enjoy killing you, daughter of Zeus.” The sphynx cackles like she’s already won.
“Others have tried, and I’m still standing.” Lightning zaps along my fingertips as I build up balls of electricity in both my palms.
Raven circles to the side of the beast, once again using me as bait. It is what it is. I’m used to it.
Jayden is standing next to me and slightly in front of me, as expected.
“Overprotective ass,” I mumble.
“Just stay behind me,” he growls.
“You know that’s not happening.” I widen my stance and throw lightning at the sphynx.
She dodges easier than I would have thought possible.
“I have an idea, but I need you to be safe,” he says without looking at me.
The sphynx roars and rushes for me.
When I grab my sword from its sheath, something strange happens that takes all my attention off the fight. Blue electricity crackles and pops along the blade, making it glow.
“That’s wicked,” I say, mesmerized.
“Beth, watch out,” Jayden screams and pushes me to the side. He releases his shadows. They explode out of him in a giant whoosh of chains and wrap around the sphynx as she thrashes and screams. “Now, Raven.”
With a battle cry, Raven races toward the sphynx. She flips around and lands on the sphynx’s back. The sphynx starts bucking, nearly unseating Raven.
I shout in warning, but she doesn’t need it.
Her thighs tighten around the lion’s back, and she grips her sword in both hands, stabbing down between the sphynx’s shoulder blades.
The sphynx screeches shrilly, making my ears ring before the beast crumbles to dust. Raven falls from the sky, her perch on the sphynx’s back now gone. Jayden’s shadows catch her, lowering her to her feet safely.
“Thanks.” Raven grins, brushing the dust off her body. “I need to stop riding lions while I kill them. It’s hell on my clothes, and I think I got a little dust in my mouth. Yuck.”
She sticks out her tongue, gagging a little.
I grin back at her. “Stop being the hero and using me as bait.”
“You’re not bait. Ever again.” Jayden grabs me and smashes his lips to mine.
My brain short-circuits. I fist my hands in his shirt, not pulling him to me or pushing him away when he attempts to deepen the kiss.
Raven coughs, bringing me back to my senses, and I break the kiss.
“What the fuck, Jayden?” I ask, glaring at him.
He frowns, and the hurt in his eyes flashes so quickly I almost miss it. Guilt eats at me, but I have to remind myself that this is Jayden.
