Page 124 of Zeus' Spark
After breaking it, he says, “Playing the what-if game is dangerous, baby girl. Have faith in yourself and us, and we’ll be able to get this handled, okay?”
“Okay, I can have faith. Maybe. I just keep thinking of what will happen to everyone back at the academy and all the Hermes kids if we don’t get them out in time.” I bury my face in Jayden’s neck.
I’m not doing a great job of being a lookout, but I can’t help it.
His arm tightens around me, and he huffs out a breath. “This isn’t all on your shoulders, Beth. You are part of a team. It’s weighing on all of us, but from a logical standpoint, stopping and resting makes the most sense.”
“You should get some sleep. I’ll wake you up in a couple hours to stand watch.” I peek up at him, but he shakes his head.
“Four eyes are better than two. I told Raven we would wake them up later for their watch.” He kisses my temple.
“That was a terrible idea. If we were taking watch in pairs, shouldn’t me and Raven watch, then you and Greyson? Because we tend to get distracted.” I giggle as he growls playfully. “Logically, that would have been the best plan.”
“You’re asking for it, baby girl. Do you think there is any way we would be able to sleep with the two of you keeping watch on your own?” He taps his foot impatiently.
“I guess not. You know we can take care of ourselves, right? You were trapped in the cave when we took down the giant.” I raise a brow, looking up at his face, and his jaw clenches.
“You would have died if it weren’t for Skullrider,” he says.
“Maybe, maybe not. I have been thinking about it, and I think my sky powers would have helped if I hadn’t been panicking. I felt something in my magic, but I wasn’t really paying attention.” I shrug, but his grip on me tightens to almost bruising.
“Still.” His jaw ticks angrily.
I pull away from him, looking at him sharply. “What do you want from me, Jayden? Yes, thank you for sending your horse after me and saving my life, but I’m not some weak girl who needs your protection all the time. You and Greyson have not killed as many monsters as Raven and I have.”
“Because we aren’t reckless.” He throws his hands up before standing and pacing in front of me.
My jaw slackens at the words he just spit at me.
What the actual fuck?
“We arewhat?” I growl at him. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“Shit.” He reaches for me, but I storm away from him.
“Do not follow me,” I yell as I stomp into the forest.
“Beth, you shouldn’t wander in the forest alone,” he calls out to me.
“Don’t worry. I may be reckless, but I’m not stupid.” I don’t even look over my shoulder to acknowledge his presence.
Why did I think he changed?
He still thinks I’m weak and stupid. He thinks I need him. Well, you know what?
I don’t fucking need anyone.
A frustrated scream bubbles out of me as I fist my hair in my hands. I sit on a boulder in the forest watching for anything that could hurt my friends.
“Beth?” Raven calls.
How long have I been sitting here? I have no idea.
I have kind of become numb.
“We have been wondering where you went.”
“I’m reckless. I walk into forests by myself at night with no care about what happens,” I say, mocking Jayden’s words.
