Page 163 of Ares' Shield
I scan the clearing in the forest Ares dumped us in and sigh. We’re back and hopefully don’t have another quest for a while.
Draven whoops with excitement at being back and suddenly I’m yanked from Jayden’s arms and his lips are descending on mine.
I have had enough. I pull my fist back before he can kiss me and punch him with every bit of strength I have.
“Ow, fuck, Beth. Why’d you do that?” Draven yelps, holding his nose where it’s pouring blood.
“I have told you repeatedly, you don’t touch me. What about any interaction we’ve had this week would make you think I would want you to kiss me? I don’t know how many times and in how many different ways I need to tell you I don’t want you.”
“That was harsh.” Jayden grabs my now sore hand and kisses my knuckles.
“C’mon, let’s go tell Rebecca what’s happened and then sleep. Wait, where’s the traitor?”
Two Ares boys walk up with a guy between them wrapped in Jayden’s chains.
“We have him; he’s not going anywhere.”
“Good, we need all the information we can get out of him. War is coming and if we have to make an example of traitors, we will.” I turn and come face-to-face with Rebecca.
“That’s not your call to make, Beth. I thought I asked you not to chain any more students.” Rebecca plants her hands on her hips.
“This one betrayed us. He’s been working with Medea all along to mind-control our students. He’s not controlled. The asshole tried to control me in the admin building.”
“I won’t give you any information. Medea will come for me. She loves me,” the boy yells and thrashes.
“You do know the stories about that woman, right?” I ask with a laugh. “She killed or betrayed every man she married and there were several. You’re delusional.”
“That’s enough, Beth. Take him to the healer’s office to be healed and take Draven as well. They need to set your broken nose.” Rebecca waves the other students off so it’s just our group.
The centaur we sent here from the Midwest canters up to us and bows his head. “I’m glad you made it back from your quest, young warriors.”
“Thank you, um, I don’t think we ever got your name.” My cheeks heat with embarrassment and shame at the admission.
“My name is Chiron,” he says.
Raven gasps. “Like the Chiron, the trainer of Heracles Chiron?”
When he nods, she jumps up and down, squealing like a little girl.
“Raven, take a breath,” I say.
“But he trained Heracles. We met Heracles. How cool would it be to be trained by the same centaur who trained Heracles?”
“That will be part of my duties here at the academy,” Chiron says and winces when Raven screeches to a decibel only dogs can hear.
“You’re going to make yourself pass out, Raven,” I warn but she’s not listening to me. “Ignore her. I’m glad we ran into you and found a place for you.”
“I am as well. I would very much like to aid in your training, daughter of Zeus.” Chiron dips his head to me.
“My name is Beth.” I reach out a hand and this time I’m ready when he grips my elbow and pounds on his chest three times.
Another guy steps out from behind him with a grin that I don’t know if I like. His eyes are seafoam green with shaggy dirty-blond hair in a classic surfer style.
“Well, hello there. Who might you be?” He has a thick Australian accent that the other girls in this school will drool over, but not me.
“I’m Beth, daughter of Zeus, who are you?” I raise an eyebrow when he grasps my hand and starts to bring it to his lips.
I pull my hand from his, waiting for his answer, but he continues to stare for a minute. An arm wraps around me and I grin as Jayden stakes his claim in front of the new guy and everyone here.
