Page 129 of Ares' Shield
“There are bad things happening. Are you going to stop them?”
Shit. This kid really does see too damn much.
“We’re trying our best, Annie. We don’t even know where we’re going right now. Artemis is supposed to meet us here and give us assistance for helping her shifters.” I run a hand down my face.
I can’t face the kid’s disappointment if we’re not able to find the shield and stop a new world war.
A TV hanging above the bar shows the president speaking to the press about developments in China and Russia, making it obvious from the captions that a war is very possible.
We’re running out of time.
“You’re going to Sparta, silly.” Annie giggles.
“Do you know how many places in this country are named Sparta?” I ask.
“No, but you’ll know when you get to the grove of Ares. There’s something special hidden there.”
She’s just as cryptic as Adrian. It must run in the family.
“Okay, little sister.” Adrian taps her hand. “You can’t say too much, remember?”
Annie nods and we’re all saved from the doom and gloom that’s spread over the table as the appetizers arrive.
We eat in near silence but I keep glancing at the muted TV, wondering what the hell we can do to get that shield before it’s too late.
I barely taste the food as I shovel it in my mouth. Worry eats at my insides. Glancing around the restaurant and hotel lobby, scanning the faces, searching for a crazy goddess, but she’s not here. What the hell could be keeping her? She said to meet her here.
Annie yawns and her mom smiles softly at her. “I think it’s time for us to leave.”
She digs in her purse, but I put a hand on hers. “It’s on us. We had a great time catching up with you and Annie.”
“You’ve already done so much for us. Let me pay.” She continues digging.
“Please, did you see how much we put away? There’s no way we’re letting you pay for all that.” I pull out the card and hand it to the waiter.
“Fine,” she huffs, eyeing the card. “But next time, you’re going to let me buy.”
“Deal.” I grin and pat her hand.
When the waiter brings back the card, we all stand. We say our goodbyes to Annie and her mom and search for Artemis.
“Where the hell is she?” I ask.
“She better not be at a zoo expecting us to come save her friends.” I scan the lobby again but it’s getting late and people are staring.
Jayden squeezes my hand. “Maybe we should rent a room and regroup after the fight and the drive.”
“We can also use a quiet place to use the shell to call her,” I say and march to the front desk.
“Sounds good. See if they have a suite like before. Splitting up is a supremely bad idea, I think.” Jayden loops his arm through mine.
We walk up to the pretty receptionist who only has eyes for Jayden. She twirls her hair as she speaks. “How can I help you?”
I cut in. “You can help me by giving us a three-bedroom suite, please.”
She wrinkles her nose as she turns to me, and I grip Jayden’s arm possessively.
“Those are expensive. Are you sure you can afford that, sweetie?” She shoots me a pitying smile.
