Page 98 of Ares' Shield
“I wonder if I can split them and give Adrian some cover so he can end this?” I grip the lightning bolt and my whip unfurls in my right hand.
I always feel better fighting with multiple weapons. My whip has become a part of me. Lightning crackles along both weapons and I peek from behind the wall of shadow to flick my whip out at Talos. It wraps around his leg and sparks fly against its heated leg.
A bellow fills the air as Talos backs away from us.
“My electricity works; maybe your hellfire will as well,” I call to Jayden.
He has his sword held high and as he concentrates, his flames cover the blade.
“Where’s Raven?” I ask.
I scan the desert for her but don’t see her. Where the hell could she have gone?
“Look.” Jayden points behind the automaton and Raven stands with her ax in hand, guarding Adrian.
“We need to keep him still to give Adrian the best possible shot at killing him,” I say and glance at Jayden.
“Are you suggesting I chain him?” Jayden asks, raising a brow at me.
“Do you think you can?” I taunt him, flicking my whip out at Talos again, and the giant jumps back.
As it lands, the ground quakes and a crack opens up in it between me and Jayden. Shit.
“Raven and Adrian, any day now before the highway and everything gets destroyed,” I scream.
“He’s moving around too much,” Adrian says.
“Jayden, I think we do need the chains.” I turn to him with a smile. “Can you do it?”
“I chained the damn boar, didn’t I?” He smirks and sheaths his sword.
His shadow chains fly out at Talos, wrapping around its calves and holding the automaton in place.
“Now, Adrian,” I scream.
I race around the huge automaton to get a better look, but as Adrian’s about to fire, I notice something sticking out of Talos’ ankle.
“Wait. I don’t think that’s going to work,” I say too late.
The arrow flies true just like every arrow Adrian has ever fired, but it bounces off the bronze man uselessly and disappears back into Adrian’s quiver more than likely.
“Shit,” Adrian curses. “I was sure that would work.”
“There’s something sticking out of its ankle. I think that might stop it. How are you holding up, Jayden?”
“I’ve got it, but I don’t think going within stomping distance of that thing is a good idea,” Jayden shouts.
“I really think it’s the only way. Adrian’s special arrows are even bouncing off.” I sprint closer to the giant, but the damn thing is watching me and a huge hand swats at me.
My gut drops to my toes as I’m propelled through the air. Voices whoosh around me as I fall into the gaping crack in the ground.
“Beth,” Jayden shouts.
I scramble for purchase, finding nothing but sand between my fingers as I try and fail to grab on to anything solid.
All the air rushes out of me as I hit the ground on my back and pain like fire shoots down my spine, immobilizing me.
I blink up at the blue sky above the twenty-foot drop into the hole created by Talos’ stomping feet.
