Page 36 of Ares' Shield
“What?” he asks as he tries to set his tray down again.
“You are not part of the team, Draven,” Raven says, spearing a sausage with her fork.
“Why not?”
Is he really this dense? He spouted all kinds of bullshit only minutes ago about being the most important and he thinks he’s part of the team?
“You don’t even know how to be a part of a team.” I shake my head and scoop more fluffy scrambled eggs onto my fork.
I chew silently and change tactics. Ignore the idiot. It’s the best way to go in this situation.
“I know how to be on a team. If you don’t want me on this mission, then maybe I should just stay behind.” Draven storms away.
“You don’t think he’ll really stay behind, do you?” I ask, a little too hopeful.
Jayden turns his gaze on me and raises an eyebrow. “There isn’t a chance in Hades that he will stay behind.”
“Wishful thinking.” I stab my sausage with my fork.
The flavor bursts across my tongue as I take a huge bite and I nearly groan. My stomach rumbles in response.
Apparently, I’m not eating fast enough to curb my damn appetite. I used too much magic when I parted the clouds. It still wears on me even if I’m getting better at it.
“Jayden has a theory,” I say around another bite.
“What theory?” Raven asks, glancing at Jayden.
“We’re going to be asked to help another god find their item of power,” Jayden says before taking a drink of orange juice.
The academy doesn’t allow coffee because it affects us differently than humans. Raven and I found that out the hard way in Hesperia.
“That’s probably true but I wonder who?” Raven asks.
“I have a few ideas. I think it’s either Ares, Apollo, or Poseidon.”
“Why Poseidon?” Raven frowns.
“Have you noticed all the rain and the storms lately? It’s not normal.” I shovel more eggs into my mouth.
“God of storms. Got it. Plus, there were those problems with Cross and his saltwater pond before we left for the underworld.” Raven nods.
“How’s that going?” a deep voice asks.
My heart races in my chest and I jump slightly. I place a hand over my heart.
I turn sharply to find Hermes standing next to Raven. God travel is wicked. He just appeared out of nowhere.
“You scared the hell out of me. You should wear a bell or something.”
“Nah, I like sneaking up on unsuspecting demigods. It gives me purpose in life.” Hermes grins. “How is old Cross?”
“The pond is fine as far as we know, but we are forbidden to enter that part of the academy so we can’t know for sure.”
“I’ll have a chat with him once we’re done here, but if I haven’t been contacted, I’m sure it’s fine.” He takes a seat next to Raven and leans back in it casually.
Raven and Jayden stare at the messenger of the gods. I just hope Raven doesn’t say anything about Draven being a total douche.
“I need to thank you, Beth.” Hermes leans forward. “It seems you’ve saved my son from death a second time.”
