Page 97 of Ares' Shield
I draw my sword and glance around, but there aren’t a whole lot of places that will provide cover. Talos stomps his foot again, making the earth shake beneath our feet once more, but I widen my stance just in time so I don’t fall on my face.
“We should split up like we did with the golem and divide its focus.” Raven darts away.
“No,” Jayden says with a growl.
“C’mon, Jayden. It’s a good plan.” I move to my right, but Jayden keeps pace with me.
“You almost died when we did that.” Jayden pulls his own blade. “I’m sticking with you. His focus will still be divided.”
“Whatever, Jayden.”
The ground rumbles again. It gets worse the closer we get to Talos. The giant bends to pick something up and I can just make out another huge boulder in its hand.
“Where does it keep getting rocks?” I mumble to myself.
Talos spots Raven and throws the boulder at her.
“Raven,” I scream and magic crackles over my hands and into my sword.
Without thinking, I point the blade at the boulder and lightning arcs out of it, smashing into the huge rock. The rock blasts into jagged pieces that explode through the air. Raven drops to the ground before a particularly nasty shard of rock would have struck her in the chest.
“B, let’s not do that again. A thousand tiny knives will kill me as easily as a huge fucking rock,” Raven calls as she jumps back to her feet.
“I didn’t do it on purpose.” I stare down at the sword in my hand.
The automaton turns its huge bronze head and empty eyes stare at me.
Jayden steps in front of me. “Shit.”
The bronze on its body begins glowing red and I glance at Jayden. “What the fuck is it doing?”
“Why is it turning red? Is it going to explode?” Jayden backs up into me.
The automaton bends down toward us and reaches for us. The heat coming off its hand is oppressive. More so than the desert.
“He’s going to try to cook us to death.” I slash at Talos’ hand with my sword.
My sword looks like a damn toothpick compared to his hand. As my blade connects with its hand, a loud clang fills the air. Talos roars but doesn’t pull his hand back.
“What are we going to do?” I jump back away from him.
His hand swipes at me and I roll out of the way just in time. I jump to my feet as a boulder comes flying at me.
This fucker really wants me dead. I dodge the boulder, but he’s already hefting another one and sending it flying at me.
“Beth,” Jayden shouts.
Shadows wrap around me and the next second I’m in his arms. “Thanks for the save.”
I kiss Jayden on the cheek and then spin to face Talos. He bellows in anger and stomps both feet as he scans the desert. Shit. He’s still searching for me.
“Beth, use your gift.” Jayden points to the necklace.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” I shake my head and rub at the shadow charm.
Shadows burst to life, swirling and writhing on my arms. It tickles and makes me wonder how Jayden doesn’t giggle every time he uses them.
Using my own magic, I direct the shadows to form a wall in front of me and Jayden.
