Page 67 of Poseidon's Trident
“Let’s get on the giant sea serpent and head to the mainland and I’ll tell you.” Jayden grins.
“That’s reassuring for sure.” I shake my head.
Jayden grips my ass and pulls me up into his arms careful not to touch my back but my shoulder screams in pain even as I leave my arm limply at my side. The waves crash around Jayden’s legs as he wades into them with me in his arms.
The sea serpent is close enough to shore that my legs aren’t touching the icy Pacific Ocean as Jayden makes it to Cetus. This creature terrorized the Argonauts at Poseidon’s order in ancient history. Again, it makes me wonder if Professor Cross knew we were meant to go on this mission soon.
Thad wades into the water and pats the serpent’s head like a lovable pet. “It’s okay. I promise he’s friendly as long as my father doesn’t order him to destroy cities. He’s more of a protector anyway.”
“That’s good to know.” I try to smile but my back and shoulder are still throbbing in agony.
Thad climbs up on the serpent’s back and holds his hands out for Jayden to hand me up to him, but Jayden’s grip on my ass tightens. I gasp as he stretches my wounds uncomfortably and the serpent’s head whips in our direction, its snakelike tongue tasting the air and eyes narrowing to slits on Jayden’s hands.
“Jayden, I would be careful about hurting her. The hippocampi talk to Cetus too and have apparently told Cetus of the caring female who they now adore and I think he’s protective of her.” Thad shakes his head.
Greyson swims over and hops onto the back of Cetus with Thad’s help. “Hand her to me, Jayden. We need to go.”
“Fine,” Jayden says and his grip on me loosens.
“You know I don’t need to be manhandled,” I yell.
Cetus flicks his tongue out again, glaring between Jayden and Greyson as Raven comes forward in the water with Adrian at her back. “Just let them do what they’re gonna do, B. You know they’re going to do it anyway.”
“Not if I zap them,” I grumble.
“If you zap me, you’re gonna end up soaking wet and freezing in the Pacific Ocean, baby. Let Greyson help you on Cetus’ back. Please?” Jayden whispers in my ear.
“Fine, but only because you said please.” I reach up with my good arm for Greyson, still a little irritated that Jayden would treat me like a rag doll.
Greyson grabs my arm and pain shoots through my back as he and Jayden lift me onto Cetus’ back. Even moving my good arm sends knives through my flesh and I can’t help but wonder why Jayden’s wounds healed so much faster than mine. Is it really because they were just scratches and mine are much deeper?
We were both affected by whatever that stardust crap was when I killed the crab.
“Wait. Shit. Stardust and the constellation cancer on the thing’s belly. You don’t think that big bad was the actual constellation cancer, do you? What was the story again? I feel like I know it.”
“Oh, shit, B. The evil stepmonster,” Raven groans.
“What?” I ask in a panic and scan the island for an unwanted visitor.
“Not here.” Raven rolls her eyes.
“What are you talking about, Raven?” Jayden snaps. “We need to hurry up and go.”
Greyson settles me on the back of Cetus behind him and Raven climbs up in front of him, leaving Thad in front of her and Jayden behind me. Jayden holds out a hand, pulling Adrian up to sit behind him.
“Okay, now tell me.” I glance around Greyson to stare at Raven’s wide eyes.
“You remember the labors of Heracles? The hydra?” she asks.
“Of course. I defeated the hydra to get to the spark.” I flinch when Cetus moves and my back slams into Jayden’s chest.
“I know we didn’t just defeat the hydra but when evil stepmonster saw Heracles had figured out how to defeat the hydra, she sent the creature help in the form of a giant crab. I don’t know how we hadn’t figured this out before.” She throws her hands in the air.
“Fuck, you’re right. Heracles killed the crab but Hera made it a constellation in the sky to thank it for its service to her. So, now we’re not only fighting whoever is trying to take down the gods but also the evil stepmonster? Just fucking perfect.”
“We’re fighting two battles now?” Jayden groans against my neck.
“It looks that way,” I say with a sigh. “She can’t be behind this. She swore an oath to never move against him again. How could she get around that?”
