Page 49 of Ares' Shield
“We can’t let him go. Students are being turned into puppets for some crazy person and we can’t let Dax be next.” I throw up my hands.
Don’t tell me we can’t keep him here for his own good. We can’t be worried about Dax when we are searching for Ares’ shield and the rest of the students.
“I don’t know that I’m comfortable keeping him here against his will.”
“It’s not his will,” I explode. “He is not in charge right now.”
“There is no evidence of that. I can’t feel any magic in his mind.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“Please? Can we just keep him here until we can figure something out?” I beg. “He’s not himself.”
The healer glances at me doubtfully but finally sighs. “We will run some magical tests to see if there’s anything we can find in his mind.”
“Thank you.” I slump my shoulders in relief.
The healer just bought us some time to find a solution. Dax can’t leave. I don’t know what this psycho’s endgame is, but I know it can’t be good and I don’t want Dax caught in the middle of it all.
Adrian pats my shoulder. “I saw him being controlled. I understand.”
“Your visions aren’t acting up just a bit?” I narrow my eyes. “Draven is important to the mission, but he can’t even save Dax.”
“Nope, my visions are perfectly clear, Beth. Don’t lash out at me because you’re scared.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“Sorry, I just can’t stand to think about Dax like this. He’s my friend.”
Jayden’s arm wraps around my shoulders and he pulls me into his side. “We’re gonna need a more long-term solution for keeping Dax here if we can’t figure this out.”
“Do you think the Hephaestus kids could craft something to keep him here?” I ask hopefully.
Jayden squeezes me closer to him. “Hopefully they can because I’m scared of the alternative.”
Jayden is worried about what may happen to Dax? Things are more dire than even I thought.
10
Dax’s body bows off the bed and a bellow of rage fills the quiet space.
“Let me go,” he roars and it almost sounds like the real Dax.
No. It’s not Dax. This is whoever’s controlling him.
The healer moves toward him, but I shake my head. “You can’t let him go. That’s not Dax talking.”
“I don’t like this, Bethany,” he grumbles.
“Look, just keep him here until we can figure this out, please? I’m going to go talk to the Hephaestus kids about something more long term to hold him here.”
“Fine.” He rubs a hand over his eyes.
I hold back a triumphant grin and turn to Raven. “You want to go see Claud?”
Jayden turns to leave with us, but I stop him with a hand on his arm.
“Can you leave him with the chains?” I ask.
Jayden turns his head to glance at Dax and deflates. “I don’t know.”
“I don’t want to risk it.” I bite my lip.
