Page 110 of Poseidon's Trident
“You didn’t even remember me part of the time, Jayden.” I sigh. “I don’t have time for this. We have to go.”
“What?” Jayden asks.
“Are you coming with us or not?” My heart aches that I actually have to ask that question.
Jayden has been there from the beginning. Even when I hated him, he still lurked in the shadows of my presence like an annoying bug. I turn away to glance at the others with a nod and take a step away. We have to get out of here. I’m not sure how much time we’ve wasted but the academy and the world are in danger.
Thad wraps an arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “He’ll come around, Beth. He’s so fucking in love with you, there’s no other option.”
“Why are you trying to help? When you got to the academy, you acted like you wanted to be with me,” I say.
“I did at first, but seeing you and Jayden together made me realize that was never gonna happen. You two are meant for each other. He just needs to get out of his own way.”
“I don’t think you’re right about that.” I glance over my shoulder at Jayden.
He’s standing in the spot where I left him, glancing between us and the bonfire he left behind in confusion. My heart drops to my toes that he’s even questioning where he wants to be. He doesn’t love me. If he did, there would be no hesitation. He would come with us immediately.
“What are you doing?” Ty steps in front of us.
“We’re leaving,” I say.
“You can’t. No one ever leaves this island.”
“You see, Hecate told us something similar at her hotel months ago and here we are in the same fucking situation. Save your bullshit ‘Hotel California’nonsense and let us be on our way.” I growl.
“What are you talking about?” Ty frowns.
“B, he’s been living on this island for eternity. He doesn’t know the Eagles.” Raven chuckles.
“Is that the Eagles? Why do we keep coming across the Eagles?” I ask. “First Winslow, Arizona, and now this?”
“It’s a pretty funny coincidence,” Raven agrees.
A crowd forms around us as we banter about the classic rock band. Glazed eyes stare at me with anger. They don’t like that we’re disrupting their day. Oh well. They can go back to their damn party and bury their heads in the sand once we’re gone.
“You can’t leave. The magic won’t allow it,” Ty says.
“The magic can kiss my ass.” I cross my arms.
“B, we’re surrounded,” Raven grunts.
I glance over my shoulder, but Jayden is still in the same place. He’s made his choice, then. Can I ever forgive him for this? For leaving me alone in this war?
“Your magic doesn’t mean shit to me,” I yell at Ty. “I’m gods touched and obviously Hecate has been here and left so get the fuck out of my way.”
“It doesn’t have to be like this, Beth. Your love has made his choice. Why don’t you choose to stay with him here and live an eternity together?”
“Yes, he made his choice and it wasn’t me so why would I ever choose him? He can have whatever he wants here, except for me. I have work to do and it doesn’t involve being stuck on this island for eternity. The world needs someone to save it and the fates chose me.” I glare at Ty.
My chest aches with the words. I’m not enough. I’ll never be enough for Jayden. Why did I ever think I would?
26
“Beth,” someone screams but it sounds far away as sand explodes around me in a swirling vortex.
The gritty sand gets in my mouth and sticks to my skin as it swirls around me. I’m weightless when my stomach drops with the force of the movement.
What the hell is happening to me? Am I doing this or is it Ty? Is he trying to imprison me somewhere? What the fuck? I suck in a sharp breath as pain ricochets through my bones. I fall to my knees as the swirling sand disappears. I spit out the sand coating my mouth and tongue. Fucking disgusting.
