Page 28 of Artemis' Bow
“That’s actually really smart. We are having issues pinning down the temples of Artemis and where they might be located in relation to Ancient Greece.” I nod, tracing a finger along the route.
“Hey, B, look at this,” Raven calls from the stone table in the center of the cavernous space.
“What is it?” I ask.
“It’s like a plastic overlay of Ancient Greece over a solid map of the US.” Raven points to Sparta close to the top.
There is a red X over the city of Chicago where we defeated the army that used mind-control on our warrior students. We still can’t rule out Chicago in case the queen hid the bow there to trick us into going to the wrong temple.
“We don’t know that they won’t try the same place twice. But having the routes and the map in relation to the US is really helpful, Kira. This is amazing.”
“Look.” Raven points to Ephesus. “It looks like southeastern Texas and Louisiana are encompassed in Ephesus. That narrows it down a lot further than we had guessed.”
“Why Ephesus?” Kira asks.
“If our guess is correct and the queen hasn’t pulled a fast one on us, then Ephesus is where we will find the bow and the goddess herself,” I say.
And if we are wrong, may the fates help us all because the world will be stuck in a disaster of epic proportions. No one and nothing will survive.
8
“Idiots,” Raven bellows as we make our way through the courtyard.
She has one of her brothers by the collar in a second and shoves him so hard he flies back into the fountain, splashing water all around and soaking several people.
“Raven, what the fuck?” Jake rounds on her.
“You want another cracked rib, dumbass? Shut up. What you’re doing is stupid and mean. Grow the fuck up.” Raven squares her shoulders, ready to take him on again if needed.
“They started this,” Jake says.
“Really? That’s where you’re going with it? Now you sound like a toddler.” Raven shakes her head.
“Seriously?” I throw my hands up. “This is the army we have against half of the pantheon? We’re totally fucked.”
“What happened?” I ask Olly because he’s probably the most levelheaded of them all.
“Some of my siblings and the others are tired of being bullied so they retaliated.” He sighs, rolling his eyes.
I can’t help but agree with the sentiment. This is getting ridiculous.
“What did they do?” I ask.
“They played a prank on the Ares floor with the help of a couple of Hermes students who shall remain nameless.” Olly scrubs a hand down his face. “I tried to stop them, but they weren’t having it.”
“So, they played a prank on you and you’re throwing a tantrum. Knock it off, Jake. We’re on the same side,” I growl.
“Look at my sword,” Jake roars, pulling his sword which immediately goes limp like a wet noodle.
Laughter explodes from my throat as I bend at the waist, cackling at the connotations of having a limp sword. Jake’s anger spikes as Raven, Jayden, and Thad all crack up as well. Olly barely cracks a smile but the mirth in his eyes is obvious.
“Limp sword for a limp dick,” Raven sputters. “Oh my gods, that’s the funniest prank I’ve ever seen.”
We’re both wiping tears from our eyes as we take deep breaths, trying to calm down. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time.
Jake roars his anger again, but Jayden wraps his shadow chains around him just as he’s about to charge the Apollo students. “What are you going to do to them with that sword, Jake? Let it go. They got you back for being a massive dickhead. It’s over.”
“This is nowhere near over.” Jake struggles against the chains. “Let me go.”
