Page 50 of Hades' Shadow
“I’m fine. I have had worse, remember?” I turn back to Jayden, but his eyes are unwavering.
His shadow chains are in his hands as he spins on Dax. I catch a hint of black in his eyes as he throws his chains out and they wrap around Dax.
“You made her bleed,” he roars in a guttural rasp.
Fucking shit. This is not good.
“Jayden, stop. I’m fine.” I try to get his attention but his gaze is firmly on Dax.
Raven wrings her hands together. “He’s going to kill him unless you do something.”
“What do you have in mind?” I shake my head.
I can’t even get him to focus on me.
“You could do what you did in the cafeteria this morning.” I’m shaking my head before she even finishes her sentence.
“I can’t. We had a talk earlier and I just can’t.”
Dax gasps and claws at the shadows around his neck. Fuck it. I have to stop Jayden before he does too much damage.
I put my hand on Jayden’s back, rubbing in soothing circles. “Jayden, it’s okay. Let him go. I’m fine.”
His shadows swirl up my arm and over my chest, caressing me softly, and I shiver.
“Jayden, let him down. It’s okay,” I whisper again. “Look at me.”
He turns solid black eyes on me, and I do my best not to flinch at the madness in them. “He hurt you.”
“I’m not hurt. I’m okay. I’m right here.” I move my hand from his back and trail it over his arm, making my way to his chest over his heart.
Jayden blows out a harsh breath and squeezes his eyes shut. “I can’t do this.”
Jayden takes a step away from me. My hand falls to my side as he turns and stalks off. Thankfully, though, his eyes are back to the crystal blue they usually are.
Adrian shoots me a sad smile before chasing after him. Raven turns on her brother with a glare.
“You are such a spoiled brat. What the fuck, Dax?” She throws her hands up in the air.
“He called me fucking weak.” He coughs.
“So what? There are worse things than not being the strongest demigod. Like getting your head smashed into the wall,” Raven shrieks back at him.
“Beth, I’m sorry.” He reaches out to me, but I back up with my hands in the air.
“Don’t, Dax.” I shake my head.
I hope he realizes now that there will never be anything between us. He needs to let it go.
“C’mon, Beth. I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting anyone to jump in the middle. It threw me off and I reacted. I’m sorry.” He takes another step forward, but Raven steps in front of me, blocking him.
“You shouldn’t have tackled Jayden and punched him in the face in the first place,” she growls.
“I can make up for it on the mission. I will,” Dax babbles.
I have had about enough of this. My head is spinning, and I think they may have been right about going to see the healer.
“You and Jayden can’t even be in the same room together for five minutes. I am not sitting in a car with you two, and we need Jayden. He’s the only one who has been where we are going. Sorry, Dax, but no.”
