Page 115 of Ares' Shield
“Fuck,” I gasp around the shards of glass in my throat.
Jayden holds out a hand to me and I take it gingerly, letting him pull me to a sitting position. My body aches but it doesn’t feel like I was crushed under a golden statue anymore. I shoot Jayden a questioning look.
“Adrian darted over and healed you as much as he could before Raven and Draven got in trouble.” Jayden grabs the bag off his shoulder and rummages through it before pulling out the bottle with the red liquid in it.
“Jayden, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say in a hoarse whisper.
“You need to be at your best, Beth. You’re taking it.” Jayden glares at me.
He puts the dropper to my lips and I reluctantly open my mouth. He squeezes three red drops on my tongue and tingles erupt over my entire body and my throat burns as it heals. I wince.
“It hurts,” I say, but it’s already easing.
I sigh with relief as the pain in my ribs dissipates.
“I know, baby, but it’s necessary. You need to heal so we can help them.”
I turn my head at the bellow of rage that fills the space and Raven swings her ax into the leg of the lion, but it bounces off, throwing her off-balance and on her ass in the water.
“Shit.” I jump to my feet too fast and slightly stumble into Jayden.
“Easy. You’re gonna hurt yourself worse.” Jayden steadies me with an arm around my waist.
“I have to help them.” I take a step forward and even though the elixir is healing me, it’s not going fast enough for my liking.
My knee buckles. Jayden is the only reason I don’t fall face-first into the fountain.
“I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and take you back to the SUV if you don’t wait a minute for the medicine to work.” He grips me tighter.
“They need our help, Jayden. I’m already feeling stronger.” The medicine has finally done its job and the last of the pain leaks out of me in a rush of relief.
Raven shouts and dives into the water as a paw swipes at her. Draven shoots green magic at the smaller one, but nothing happens.
“He’s never going to figure this out,” Jayden grumbles.
“He has to. We don’t have another option.” I blow a piece of hair out of my eyes.
“I know, but I’m not entirely sure we can end this with him as our only hope.” Jayden steps forward and I follow behind him, still trying to get my bearings before we step into the fight.
“I’m not either, but I don’t want to think about what will happen if he fails.” I rub a hand over the back of my neck with a frown.
The lion’s shoulders bunch around its ears and it sniffs the air before spinning on its heel and facing Jayden and me.
“Fuck,” Jayden growls.
He steps in front of me and draws his sword.
When did Raven give that back to him and where is my sword?
The statue roars and races for Jayden. I scream and reach for my necklace. The shadow charm burns against my skin.
The lion opens its jaws and lunges for Jayden. Sharp gold teeth like razors are visible just before a roar from behind him sounds and the lion freezes.
“What the hell just happened?” I ask, holding a hand over my chest.
Draven whoops and races around the beast. “I did it.”
He flicks his wrist and the lion sits back on its haunches. He’s fucking controlling it.
