Page 5 of Zeus' Spark
She doesn’t move from where she has her arms wrapped around Jayden.
Jayden is completely stiff, not touching her back, but he doesn’t push her away either. Not that he ever does.
“That bitch can’t take a hint,” Raven mutters next to me.
No, it’s Raven who can’t take a hint. I definitely can though.
Mia scoffs. “You’re both just jealous because everyone loves me, and they barely tolerate you.”
“Honey, no. Everyone loves your mother. You’re just a sad, desperate girl who tries too hard.” Raven’s tone is mocking.
I throw my hands up in the air, so over this conversation.
Turning on my heel, I storm back over to the weapons wall and place my sword where it belongs, completely done with practice for the day.
I might be sick. My stomach roils as I think about Jayden and Mia together.
I thought things would be different after what happened between us on the way to Halfling Academy, but when we got here and Mia wrapped herself around him much the same way she just did, I realized what a true slimeball Jayden is. I can’t believe I was so stupid.
“Beth,” Jayden yells.
“Let her go, Jayden. She’s obviously jealous of what we have,” Mia calls after him.
“You really are delusional, aren’t you?” Raven says.
Sheis the delusional one in this situation. Jayden has never once pushed the girl away in my presence. He made his choice, and I have come to terms with that. Raven hasn’t. She keeps pushing for us to get back together.
I’m halfway across the training yard when a hand grasps my arm and tingles race across my skin, making me shiver.
“Beth, please just listen to me.”
“No, I won’t just listen, Jayden. You had all the chances in the world to push that fucking harpy away, and you never did. So, no. I will not listen.” I jerk my arm out of his grasp and take another step forward when a commotion behind us catches my attention.
People are screaming, racing past us.
Jayden grabs the arm of one of the Aphrodite boys and halts him in his tracks. “What the hell is going on?”
The kid’s hazel eyes dart behind us, and he scans the trees before he gulps. “There’s a monster inside the wards.”
Jayden drops the kid’s arm like he’s just been burned, and before I even realize I’m doing it, my feet are moving. Students rush in my way as I run the direction they’re fleeing.
Why is everyone running away? We are at a school where they have magic and are being taught how to fight. Why aren’t they fighting?
Tree branches slap and tear at my skin, making it sting while I sprint through the dense forest.
At the tree line, I stop dead in my tracks and curse.
What the fuck is that?
It’s at least ten feet tall and should no longer exist. The damn Nemean Lion was killed by Heracles.
Its golden fur gleams in the sunlight like armor. A few students are pelting balls of red, green, and blue magic at it, but nothing’s happening. His claws are razor sharp, and they bat at the students brave enough to try to stop it.
Does Mr. Cross have something to do with this? I don’t believe in coincidences. Why is the Nemean Lion attacking us? And how the fuck did it get past the wards?
“Beth, wait,” Jayden screams before he catches up, breathing heavily.
He goes to hand me my sword, scanning the clearing, and when he sees what we’re up against, he starts cursing.
