Page 104 of Ares' Shield
We stroll around the building to the front doors so we can walk through the lobby. Adrian is in the lead, obviously knowing where we need to go.
I shudder as we pass the huge lion statue and walk as far away from it as possible. My neck prickles with unease as I stare at the golden statue.
“This is not fucking cool,” I mumble.
Jayden squeezes my hand as we walk through the lobby, passing another smaller lion statue. Just why? Why couldn’t Adrian have seen us going somewhere like the Bellagio or Caesar’s Palace?
As we near the lion enclosure, a familiar jolt of power rings through the air, and I take a step back, shaking my head adamantly.
“No, not again.”
Jayden tugs on my hand, a frown pinching his features. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not doing this again.”
Jayden’s eyes widen as he scans the area and his gaze lands on a small mischievous woman. “Shit. Adrian.”
Artemis grins and takes a step toward us with her hands raised in surrender.
“I’m not here for them.” She glances over her shoulder at the group of lions attempting to get closer to her.
“I don’t believe you. That stunt in Oklahoma was crazy. We were seen. On camera,” I hiss.
“It was rather entertaining, but that’s not why I’m here. These babies are well taken care of for now.” Artemis shrugs.
“Then why are you here?” Jayden asks.
“My brother’s obnoxious automatons have been popping up everywhere.” She rolls her eyes like it’s a mild inconvenience.
“We know. Talos tried to kill us on the way here.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Talos? Oh, he wasn’t made. He’s from the bronze age. He was thought to be the last of his kind when he guarded Crete, and that nasty Medea killed him. How is he back?” She taps a finger on her chin in thought.
“We don’t know, but we had to defeat him to even get this far.” I glance down at the gold ichor that still stains my clothes and skin.
I need a shower, like yesterday.
Artemis’ eyes widen as she steps closer to me. Worry pinches her features. “What is that all over you?”
She glances between all of us. The only one who doesn’t have it on him is Draven. Figures.
“Ichor. We had to pull the nail from Talos’ ankle to stop him and it sprayed everyone close to him.” I grimace.
“That’s not good,” she says and waves a hand.
Cool magic washes over me and I shiver as she cleans our skin and clothes with her magic.
“Is it going to hurt us?” I ask.
Fuck. Are we going to die because we got sprayed with that stuff? Is that Talos’ final fuck you to us for killing him?
My heart beats faster and my hands shake at my sides as I glance between all my friends. We can’t die. We have to save the world from absolute chaos.
“It won’t kill you, but you may end up living much longer lives than any hero should.” She chews her lip nervously.
“Wait, what? That stuff didn’t just make us immortal, did it?”
“I’m not sure. But being in contact with the life-blood of the gods can do strange things to half mortals.”
