Page 24 of Ares' Shield
“What? That’s not an option. Why would you even think about not going?”
He has to fucking go. We don’t have a choice in the matter. He can’t leave me with Draven.
“It isn’t an option?” Jayden scoffs. “You don’t need me there. I don’t have magic that can undo the mind control.”
“Yes, I fucking do need you there.”
“Why? I’m just the bastard son of Hades, the god most are convinced is behind this despite us helping him a few weeks ago.” He runs a hand through his hair.
“You care too much about what others think of you. It shouldn’t matter what they think.”
“They aren’t entirely wrong about Hades. He has tried in the past to overthrow the gods. He’s just not the one doing it this time.”
“Who cares?” I throw my hands up and stomp closer to him. “You aren’t Hades. Just because he’s your father doesn’t mean you’re like him.”
“Aren’t I though? They were all convinced only weeks ago that I was stealing their magic. That’s the shit and suspicion I’m always going to face.” He spins around and takes a step away.
I grasp his arm and turn him to face me. “Where are you going?”
“I need to get out of here. You don’t understand.” He wrenches his arm away from me.
My shoulders slump, and a long sigh escapes. He’s the one who doesn’t understand.
“I don’t understand? Then make me understand, Jayden. I don’t see a problem here.”
“If I have to be stuck in a car with him going gods know where, I’m going to fucking kill him,” Jayden roars.
“I may just beat you to it.” Static fills the space around me as I lose control of my magic.
My heart thumps erratically in my chest as I clench my fists at my sides.
Would zapping him knock some fucking sense into him?
“You wouldn’t kill him. You like Hermes too much.” Jayden shakes his head.
He’s not wrong. It’s the only reason I spared him. Hermes has helped us out a time or two and I don’t want to get on the trickster god’s bad side.
“I may not kill him, but Hermes gave me the go-ahead to zap him into next week.” I grin.
Jayden cracks the barest hint of a smile and huffs out a breath. “You won’t fry him either.”
“Who says I won’t?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m tired of his fucking games. I know what he said to Hermes is the reason you’ve been distant and I fucking hate it.”
“You think I don’t?”
“If you hated it, then why did you do it? Why close yourself off because of that idiot Draven?” I ask in a whisper.
Jayden rolls his shoulders back, his mask firmly in place now. This isn’t my Jayden. It’s like his armor. The determined set of his jaw tells me everything I need to know.
Sighing, I turn to leave. If he’s not going to care enough to explain himself, then there’s nothing I can do.
“It’s not just about Draven, Beth, and you know it,” he whispers to my back.
“Do I? It’s pretty hard to know something when you won’t tell me. We were supposed to stop hurting each other. Maybe I was right the first time.” I don’t turn as I say the words.
Tears prick at the back of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I’ve shed enough tears. I won’t be seen as weak. I’m the only living child of Zeus. I can’t be weak.
Jayden’s hand latches around my arm and he spins me to face him. “Don’t say that.”
