Page 37 of Ares' Shield
Hermes glances over his shoulder at Draven with narrowed eyes.
“He was going to get expelled, not die.” I take a small sip of my juice.
“He attacked you with a spell that was meant to kill. He should have been expelled. You have more compassion for others than any other demigod I have seen.”
My cheeks heat at the praise. I didn’t do it for that. I just don’t want anyone left alone in the world to fight them on their own. I’m fine. Jayden got me to the healer in time.
“He wasn’t trying to hit me.” I shrug. “It was meant for Jayden.”
“Still.” Hermes sighs. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” I take a bite of bacon and chew slowly.
Jayden sits forward and steeples his fingers in front of his chin. “I know you’re not here for a simple thank you. Who needs our help?”
“Are you a seer now, kid?” Hermes chuckles.
“No, but someone is using some kind of mind control on the students here and I have a feeling a god needs help finding an item of power,” Jayden says with a raised brow.
“Very good,” Hermes says and eyes Raven. “I have a message for you.”
“Dad?” Draven calls from the Hermes table. “What are you doing over there?”
“I’m on the clock, son.” Hermes sighs. “Delivering a message.”
“But you shouldn’t be sitting with them. They won’t let anyone sit with them.” Draven pouts.
I hold back a groan at the petulant child. I can’t believe I thought he was anything but a dick at one time. I was terribly wrong.
“I told you, I have business with Raven. I’m a god. Zeus won’t strike me down for sitting at his table.”
With a huff, Draven turns back around in his chair.
Spoiled brat and we have to sit in a car with him for gods only know how long.
Raven straightens in her seat and turns to Hermes. “You have a message for me?” she asks, chewing her lip.
“Well, I suppose it’s for all three of you but since Ares is your father, I figured I’d tell you.” Hermes drums his fingers on the table.
“Ares needs our help,” I say slowly.
Hermes touches his index finger to his nose. “Right on the nose, Beth.”
Raven gasps. “He wasn’t able to find his shield?”
“You kids are two for two. He went in search of it after leaving you all in Memphis, but the shield was gone from his hiding spot.” Hermes shifts in his seat uncomfortably.
“And he came to me instead of one of my brothers?” Raven asks.
“You have seen those morons, right?” Hermes hooks a thumb over his shoulder to the Ares table where the Ares kids are gathered around Dax and one of Raven’s other brother’s arm wrestling match.
“Point taken.” Raven grimaces.
“You all have already done so much and we hate having to ask our children to help us survive whatever is coming, but we need you to do this.” Hermes squeezes the back of his neck.
“What aren’t you telling us?” I ask.
Jayden places his hand on my thigh and pats it reassuringly.
