Page 102 of Ares' Shield
“Wait,” I say. “What about Greyson?”
He doesn’t have the blood of the gods in him. Will the ichor hurt him?
Raven spins so quickly to search him out and the gray wolf drenched in gold ichor bounds to Raven, jumping up to lick her face.
He’s like a huge cuddly puppy with her. It’s adorable.
“I hope he will be,” Raven says, threading her fingers in the fur at his neck.
“How can we know, though? Like what could god blood do to a shifter? I don’t think this has ever happened before.”
Jayden runs his palm down my spine. “We will have to cross that bridge when we come to it, baby, but he doesn’t look to be in any immediate danger.”
“Fine. We just need to keep an eye on him, then. I need to burn these clothes too. Yuck.” I shudder.
Jayden stands and grips my hands, pulling me to my feet, then he crashes his lips to mine in a bruising kiss.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he growls against my lips.
“No promises,” I singsong as I skip out of his hold and giggle.
“Beth, I mean it,” Jayden barks as he chases me to the SUV.
Draven leans against the vehicle with his arms crossed over his chest and glares at us.
“Are you all quite done fucking around? I thought we were supposed to be in a hurry.”
“You could have helped us take that thing out, you know.” I plant my hands on my hips.
“I don’t even understand why we needed to kill him. It was reckless. You nearly died.”
“And you didn’t give enough of a fuck to help us. Greyson risked Raven’s wrath to jump in and help us.” I shove my shoulder into his as I pass him.
Can I stab him with my sword? Just a little bit? I won’t kill him. Wait, I pat the scabbard on my hip. Empty.
Shit. Where’s my sword? I glance back to the automaton, ready to go in search of it, when Adrian rushes up to me with a grin.
“I saw where it landed before you fell in the hole and got it for you.” He holds my sword out to me.
I sigh with relief as I grip the hilt. Not for the first time, I wish I had Raven’s ability to send my weapons into the ether when I’m not using them.
“Thank you. I was just about to go hunt it down. Claud would be sad if I lost it.” I sheath my sword and wait for Greyson to change behind the SUV so we can get back on the road.
I lean up against the driver’s door as Jayden runs up and crowds me. His naked chest brushes against mine.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Kissing you. Is that okay?” He grins and dips his head to mine, taking my lips with his. “I thought I lost you.”
“I’m right here, Jayden. I’m not going anywhere.” I kiss him softly.
“You were at the bottom of that fissure and couldn’t move, and then there was that damn boulder over you. I fucking lost it, Beth. I didn’t know what would happen if I sent Adrian after you, but I did it anyway.” He presses his forehead to mine.
“Jayden.” I sigh. “I’m fine. I promise. Adrian was able to heal me.”
A scoff sounds beside me and I turn to glare at Draven. “You two are disgusting.”
“Go the fuck away,” I growl. “This is none of your business.”
