Page 135 of Ares' Shield
“I know that. You’re one of the most capable people I’ve ever met. You take care of everyone, though.” Jayden wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Someone should take care of you too.”
I didn’t think about it that way. We should take care of each other. Isn’t that how a relationship is supposed to work?
I wouldn’t actually know, not having a real relationship in my life because my mom moved us around so much.
A pang of guilt twinges in my chest at the thought of her. We left her in the underworld, but her life is over and there is no coming back from death no matter how many times Jayden says he’ll fight death for me.
“And you think that person should be you?” I ask with a smirk when the silence stretches out too long.
“I would like to be that person for you. If you want that.” He rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Maybe we should just take care of each other,” I whisper.
We all need to take care of each other, especially when we have no idea what’s to come.
26
“What is that?” I ask, peering out the windshield at the ranch where Artemis asked us to meet her.
The drive took all day and the closer we got to Omaha, the more boring the view was. Nothing but cornfields for miles.
Raven pokes her head between the seats and squints. “Is that the lion we freed in Oklahoma?”
“It can’t be, right?” I lean forward to get a better look.
It is that fucking lion. Artemis stands next to him, petting his head lovingly like he’s a damn house cat.
What. The. Fuck?
“Why is it always lions?” I ask no one in particular.
Jayden chuckles and squeezes my thigh. “At least that one is on our side.”
“So you say,” I huff.
Jayden parks the SUV and we all get out and walk up the dirt road to the front of the beautiful ranch-style home.
“You took you time,” Artemis says.
“We aren’t gods. We need sleep sometimes.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Yet. Have you noticed any changes since you were covered in ichor?” she asks.
“No, not really.”
Adrian steps forward. “I am finding it easier to heal people the last couple days. I don’t have to concentrate as hard.”
“I was able to put the bulls’ horns in the ether with my weapons.” Raven shrugs.
“You said they counted as weapons.” I glare at her.
“I lied. I didn’t know if it would work.”
“I would keep an eye on your strengths and what gets stronger. I have a feeling the fates are on your side.” Artemis pets the lion’s mane.
“That old lady really didn’t seem to like us much.” I tap my foot as I scan the field around us.
“You met one of the fates?” Artemis raises a brow at us.
