Page 72 of Zeus' Spark
The tail swipes out next to me. Seeing no other alternative, I jump on the tail. It thrashes even more.
The head turns in my direction, hissing at me as its long, forked tongue sticks out, tasting the air.
Its red eyes are locked on me, completely ignoring Jayden and Raven now. So I guess I am bait again.
It strikes out at me. I dodge, jumping from the tail, and slash at it. Electricity sizzles over the wound which gushes black blood.
Gross. It hits my face as I roll away gagging.
“That’s so gross. It’s getting too close,” I mutter.
The rhyme spills from me without my permission.
The snake lunges for me again, its long tongue trying to wrap around me, but I cut it off with my glowing blade. The smell of burning flesh hits my nose.
Disgusting.
It roars and lunges for me at the same time Raven jumps on its neck. I slash up with my sword, taking its head clean off. The snake turns to dust, coating both me and Raven in it.
“You all right? It’s been a long night.” Jayden reaches out a hand to help me up, and I take it gratefully.
I nod at his question.
I want as few rhymes to pass through my mouth as possible. Especially since I have to call Adrian to fix this.
Dusting myself off, I get my first real look at the evil fucking fountain. I want to kick it, but it’s solid marble, and I’ll probably hurt myself.
Stupid fountain.
It’s about ten feet in diameter with a lyre engraved on it, along with ancient Greek symbols that I can’t decipher. A bronze statue of a beautiful nymph stands in the center, water trickling from her palm.
After grabbing my bag off my shoulder, I pull out the shell.
“Adrian, Halfling Academy. This stupid fountain is blasphemy.” I grimace.
“What was that?” Adrian chuckles as he shimmers into existence in front of me. He runs a hand through his dark hair.
“Stupid Python came back. We had to attack. We got too close to the fountain at the base of the mountain.”
Adrian cracks up laughing. “Oh gods, please stop talking. I’ll help you. Just don’t talk. Show me the fountain.”
I scowl at him.
Like I want to be cursed by the stupid fountain.
I turn to where Adrian can see it, and he grins. “It’s easier than I thought it would be from the vision I received.”
Jayden scowls at Adrian through the mist. “Your dad is an asshole. I hope he falls in a sinkhole.”
“Oh gods, it got all of you, didn’t it?” He shakes his head, chuckling.
Raven throws her hands up in the air. “It’s not funny. When we get back, I’m gonna cover you in honey. Ugh! That is not the insult I intended. This is the stupidest fountain ever invented.”
Adrian is completely losing his shit, laughing so hard that I’m a little worried he’s going to pass out, and we’ll be stuck like this.
I mime zipping their lips so Adrian can catch his breath.
Greyson shifted back and is walking toward us, but I hold my hand up to stop him. The less rhyming, the better.
