Page 33 of Ares' Shield
I move over to the Great Lakes area on the map. That’s where we decided ancient Athens would be in relation to the US.
“I don’t know. There were many warrior clans throughout ancient Greece. It could be anywhere.” Jayden scrubs a hand down his face and yawns.
“Adrian will probably be the best help with this,” I say with a sigh.
“He never gets a clear vision of the destination, though.”
“True. Is planning this a big fat waste of time, then?” I ask, glancing up at him.
“Probably,” he says with a groan. “I would rather be prepared than run around the US battling monsters if we don’t have to.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong. I would love to be prepared, but we have no idea what we are walking into this time.”
This mission is more terrifying than going to the underworld and fighting Typhon. The threat of someone taking over my mind is real.
What will happen to my friends if someone is able to control me? Will I kill them at the orders of whoever is doing this?
What if they control Jayden or Raven or Adrian? Will I be able to do what needs to be done if they try to kill me while under mind control?
7
“Good morning,” Jayden says with a sleepy grin.
His voice is rough with sleep and has a rasp that sends tingles down my spine.
“Good morning.” I turn and snuggle closer to him.
His arms wrap around me immediately and he rests his chin on the top of my head.
“We should probably get up and face the day,” Jayden says.
“Do we have to?” I groan into his chest, and he chuckles.
“We have a mission to prepare for and classes to attend.” Jayden moves to sit up, but I snuggle closer, not letting him.
“I know, but once we leave, things are going to be different and I don’t want to.”
I’m pouting and I know it, but when Jayden and I are alone, things are always easier. I don’t want Jayden to turn into the hard mask he shows everyone else.
“I’m going to do better.” He squeezes me to him.
I wish I could believe that, but what happens when he sees Dax or Draven? Will he close himself off from me again?
Jayden’s thumb traces over my brow and smooths the frown that’s formed.
“C’mon, I need to go to my room and get showered and dressed.” He hugs me to him, but it’s over too quickly for my liking. “I’ll meet you back up here when I’m done and we can walk down to breakfast together.”
“Fine,” I grumble and scoot out of the bed.
Jayden kisses my forehead before he leaves, and I trudge to my desk to grab the maps and return them to the closet.
I go through the motions of showering and getting dressed and when I get out of the bathroom, Jayden is sitting at my desk loading my schoolbooks into my bag for me.
“Thank you,” I say, making my way to him.
He grabs my hand and lifts my bag over his shoulder as we head out of my room. I close the door firmly behind me and we walk down the twelve flights of stairs together.
I must be running behind because the halls of the dorms are empty when we reach the most crowded floors.
