Page 17 of Ares' Shield
“Shut up,” I say.
My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I hate blushing. It’s annoying.
“What is going on between you two? Did you work it out?” she asks.
“No, he wouldn’t tell me what’s wrong. He’s fucking bipolar.” I flop on the bed.
“Jayden is complicated, and I think he took the Draven bullshit a little too seriously.” Raven sits next to me.
“Draven was harassing me when Jayden found me after he stormed off. That might have had something to do with it. I don’t know.”
I huff an aggravated breath and throw my arm over my eyes.
“Dude needs to make up his mind and stop letting other people ruin your relationship.” She pats my knee.
“What relationship? Seriously, we have been at each other’s throats more often than not.”
“At least he’s been better about trusting you in battle.”
I peek out from under my arm. “Have you forgotten about the incident with the horse?”
“He was protecting you from death magic. That doesn’t count. It was just like in the wilds when you wouldn’t let us follow you into the cave.”
“Fine, okay, he has trusted me more,” I grumble.
She will just start listing off all the ways he trusted me in the underworld, and I don’t really want to hear it right now.
With a groan, I sit up on the bed and glance at my closet. What the hell am I supposed to wear to a bonfire? It’s probably going to be chilly out since we are in the California mountains.
Strolling to the closet, I flip through my school uniforms until I get to my actual clothes.
Is going to this bonfire really such a great idea? The lake is deep into the forest. What if whoever is controlling people is able to control a group? Are we just making it easier for them by congregating in one place away from the faculty?
“I don’t know about this, Raven. I have a feeling something very bad is about to happen.”
4
“Where did they get music?” I shout over the radio.
Raven glances around the space. The lake glitters under the silvery light of the full moon. The orange glow of the huge bonfire dances across the bodies dancing around it.
“The Apollo kids worked with the Hephaestus to come up with a radio that wouldn’t attract monsters.”
The Hephaestus kids are always tinkering with things. Though, I’m unsure why they would use so much energy on something nonessential.
The others already appear to be buzzed as they gyrate to the music. I take a seat on a log and watch the flames. The uneasy feeling still hasn’t gone away.
Anything can happen out here in the forest where everyone’s getting drunk. At least no one is fighting, and we are just having a good time.
Jayden steps in front of me and offers me a hand. I place my hand in his, and he pulls me up against his body.
“Dance with me?” he asks with a grin.
“I thought we were keeping our guard up.” I raise a brow at him.
His arm snakes out around my waist and he pulls me closer to his body.
“We didn’t get to dance at the Halloween party because you were still pissed at me. I want to dance with you.” He grips my hip a little tighter and leads me closer to the bonfire.
