Page 23 of Ares' Shield
“Yet.”
I wave off her comment because we definitely have some things to work out before I ever even think about that. I don’t like labels, especially that one.
I won’t be labeling anything. The connection that Jayden and I have when we aren’t at each other’s throats is stronger than any label.
I trudge across the courtyard. I need to talk to Jayden before he does something stupid like go after the one person who can get the students back where they belong.
5
“Jayden,” I call as I knock on his door.
He doesn’t answer so I pound harder. Why is he being like this?
I grip the doorknob and twist. It turns easily and the door creaks open.
The doors magically lock when we aren’t in our rooms. So he is here. Good to know.
I take a tentative step inside. The door clicks shut behind me, creeping me out just a bit more. The hall is black and the skulls that decorate the room watch me through invisible eyes.
The sconces on the walls even have skulls for decoration and the flames cast the holes in the eye sockets in an eerie glow.
Shadows dance along the wall and the black marble floor. The halls look nothing like the boy who lives here even if he wears black all the time.
That’s not entirely his choice. Uniforms are picked based on the colors of our godly parents and Hades’ color is black.
My heart beats out of my chest as a creak sounds behind me. I fucking hate this floor.
“Jayden?” I call as I make my way to his bedroom as quickly as possible.
A shiver races down my spine as I lift my hand to knock on his bedroom door.
The skull next to his door has an eerie smile and I shiver as hollow eyes stare at me.
“What do you want, Beth?” he asks.
I jump and my heart beats hard in my chest as I glance up at him with a frown.
“You scared me.” I take a step closer to him.
“Sorry,” he says, but he doesn’t sound sorry.
His teeth are clenched as he runs a hand through his hair.
“Are you okay?”
I hate that he’s feeling this way. Draven is an ass, and I don’t want him on this mission either, but if he’s the only one who can figure out how to stop the mind control, we need him.
It fucking sucks.
“Am I okay with traveling with the guy who thinks I’m scum and wants to take you from me?” he asks, shaking his head.
“Why do you care what he thinks, Jayden?” I reach for him, but he steps back.
“I don’t want him on this or any other fucking mission,” Jayden yells.
“Are you willing to put everything at risk just because you don’t want him there?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go then.”
