Page 99 of Artemis' Bow
I appointed him leader of his group so his meathead ass has some explaining to do.
“Where’d they all go? I wanted to kick more demon ass,” Dax whines.
There he is. That’s the Dax I know and tolerate.
“I don’t know but you will probably have your chance to find out on your way back to the academy.”
“We’re not going back to the academy yet,” Dax says, crossing his arms.
“I don’t have the energy for a tantrum. We need to go to the temple of Artemis. Why aren’t you on your way to Chicago?” I ask.
“Yeah, Beth’s orders were pretty clear, Dax,” Raven says.
“It’s not his fault,” Kira says.
“It’s a long-ass story. Can we go somewhere and at least get cleaned up before we get into all of this?” Draven asks, stepping up next to Kira.
“That’s a fantastic idea,” Jayden says. “I’m disgusting, exhausted, and starving.”
Jayden lifts me up into his arms and I glare at him but don’t protest. If he wants to waste his energy carrying me when I can barely move, then why not let him?
“You’re not even gonna argue?” Jayden chuckles against my temple.
“What’s the point? You’re just going to keep doing it anyway. Why waste my breath?” I shrug.
“So, you’re saying all I have to do to get my way is be persistent? Good to know.” He grins as I elbow him lightly in the gut.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I’m exhausted and I can’t think clearly after how close that was.” I lay my head on his chest.
“I know. I thought we were done for. It was close, Beth. I saw your movements slowing and it terrified me.” Jayden squeezes me closer to him.
“I was scared out of my mind, thinking I failed you guys and the world dragging you all into this. If I got you all killed, it would stain my soul, even in the underworld.”
“Let’s just be thankful they showed up when they did,” Jayden says.
“You want to give Dax and Draven the benefit of the doubt?” I ask, raising a brow.
“They helped us. I’m just saying there is most likely a good reason for them being here, and if that battle was any indication of what’s to come, we may need them in the battle in New Orleans,” Jayden says.
“Follow us into Houston and we can book a hotel for the night. I’ll have one of the guys order food and we can debrief,” I tell Dax.
“Thank fuck. Choking out a massive indestructible lion and fighting off lizard people is exhausting.” Dax’s shoulders slump.
Somehow, the SUV is untouched from the battle. I thank the gods for small mercies as Jayden sets me in the passenger seat. My stomach grumbles. Jayden chuckles as he closes the door and jogs around the SUV to the driver’s seat.
“You okay, B?” Raven asks. “That bitch shredded your back.”
“The elixir fixed it all up. I’m all good. Just exhausted and starving. Once we get to the hotel, I want tacos. I don’t carewhere you get them. I just want tacos and maybe a burrito or nachos. Ohh, nachos sound amazing.”
“You really are starving.” Raven giggles.
“Magic literally exploded out of me. I need to refuel before I do anything else like that again.” I cross my arms.
She’s over there judging, but I used a lot of energy today and need food. It doesn’t have to be tacos but come on, we’re talking about tacos here. They are life.
The drive into Houston is quick and we find a hotel that appears normal. Still, I glance over at Draven as we get out of the vehicle. “Do you feel any strange magic or anything here?” I ask.
“No, why?” he asks, brows furrowed.
