Page 136 of Ares' Shield
“Yeah.” Draven rubs his forehead.
I burst into laughter, wishing not for the first time that I had been there to see her smack him with her cane.
“We have met her a couple times. Always in Barstow,” I say when my laughter dies.
“Interesting.” Artemis turns as several girls in ancient Greek armor jog up to us.
“They have boys with them,” one of the girls says, disgust dripping from her tone.
“They are here to help,” Artemis says. “We treat them with respect even if they are boys.”
“Thanks,” Jayden says, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
I take a step closer to him as one of the girls eyes him. She’s pretty and petite with blond hair and bright-green eyes. The look she’s giving him definitely isn’t one of disgust like the others.
Jayden grabs my hand and squeezes it. I want to smack the grin he shoots my way off his stupidly hot face.
So what if I’m a bit possessive. He has hurt me in the past letting other girls get between us and I refuse to let that happen again. He’s mine. Artemis’ hunters can back off.
“You’re cute when you’re possessive,” Jayden whispers in my ear.
“I’m not possessive. I just don’t like the way she’s looking at you,” I growl and try to let go of his hand but he’s not having it.
“That’s possessive, baby. Just like at the hotel.” Jayden chuckles.
“The hotel. Shit. Jayden, is the need for war bleeding into us as well? Not just the humans?” My eyes widen.
“What?” Artemis asks. “What are you talking about?”
“Aside from Draven picking fights every five minutes or just being Draven. I have been in an altercation with a human trying to flirt with Jayden and wanted to rip your hunter’s throat out and electrocute her ass for eyeing Jayden like he’s a steak. Ares weakening is starting to affect us too.”
“I would never look at a boy as you describe.” The pretty blonde scoffs but continues staring at Jayden.
Raven steps up to my other side. “Like you’re looking at him right now, you mean? Nope. Never.”
“Enough. We’re on the same side,” Artemis barks. “Isa, go back to the base and wait for me.”
Isa glares at me and tosses her hair over her shoulder as she saunters away.
“Bitch,” Raven mumbles. “Artemis’ hunters are supposed to be virgins. What’s her deal?”
“I don’t know. I think Ares weakening is starting to affect us too.” I run a hand down my face in frustration.
Jayden squeezes my hand and turns to Artemis. “What monsters are we dealing with here?”
“The man-eating horse variety,” Artemis says.
“The mares of Diomedes?” I scan the fields again.
Those things are vicious bloodthirsty beasts.
“Shit,” Jayden says.
“Yeah.” Artemis sighs. “They are cranky assholes who eat human flesh. One of my hunters nearly lost an arm to one of them.”
“That is terrifying.” Raven shudders.
“I would like to keep my arms, thank you.” I wrap my arms around my waist.
