Page 152 of Ares' Shield
“Daughter of Ares,” Hephaestus spits the words out like a curse.
“My name is Raven but yes, my father is Ares.” She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring right back.
Jayden wraps an arm around me, pulling me back a little, probably worried Hephaestus is going to smite her just for being born of his least favorite brother. Draven and the others all stand from their hiding places and Hephaestus blinks out of their staring contest.
“No matter, I have gifts for you.” He claps his hands and the table next to me clears. “I wondered what I could give you other than what I did for you before and have been watching from my forges. You lot get hurt far too often for my liking.”
“Gifts?” I ask.
“Of course. To help you in what lies ahead.” He pulls out a glimmering chainmail shirt from thin air.
I blink at it. “It’s beautiful. May I ask what it’s for?”
“It’s armor. I made these special for all of you.” He turns to Greyson. “Yours will shift with you much like the brass knuckles I gifted you.”
Greyson’s mouth is hanging open and Raven reaches over and snaps it shut for him. “Thank the god of blacksmiths, babe.”
Greyson blinks and bows his head. “Thank you, Hephaestus.”
“Won’t it be bulky?” I ask.
Jayden squeezes my hip in warning, but Hephaestus simply laughs it off.
“You wear it beneath your clothes like a second skin. It will not make you as indestructible as Achilles was, but it will protect your vital organs from anything but a gods power,” he warns.
“That is still amazingly helpful. Thank you.” I bow my head to him.
“You are all doing a great service to the gods and we should reward you for that.” Hephaestus hands me the armor.
“This is surprisingly light.” I hold it out to Jayden.
“It is. Wow, this is an amazing gift.” Jayden weighs the armor in his hands.
Everyone else’s armor appears on the table for them and I hand one to each of them.
“Can I ask you something?” I turn to Hephaestus.
“Yes.”
“Why does it appear that you’ve been preparing for war for years when we have only been dealing with this a few months?”
“I’m always preparing for war, Beth. Living with the Olympians, there are always fights and squabbles that could lead to war.” Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, shrugs.
Did that really just happen? I shake my head to clear it. “You will always be prepared in case a war breaks out between your family. Got it.”
“Yes, or outside forces that wish to take our place.” He balls his hand into a fist. “You must go. As much as I hate my brother, you need to find his shield or a different kind of war that no one will survive will take place.”
“You’re right. We need to get to Michigan.”
“Good luck, young heroes. Wear the armor well.” Hephaestus waves his hand.
I blink and we’re standing by the SUV again. God travel is so weird but I’m finally getting used to it.
“Thank fates we didn’t have to go back the way we came.” Jayden opens the door for me.
“At least we know why there’s a maze in there. Who would be stupid enough to try to steal from the gods?” I jump into my seat.
“Many heroes throughout Greek history have tried.” Jayden chuckles and kisses me softly.
