Page 25 of Artemis' Bow
“Why are you even still here?” someone yells. “Are you spying on us for the enemy?”
“Crap, I thought we went over this shit.” I shake my head as Raven jogs over from the dorms.
“What in Hades are they doing? Ares may be the god of war but he’s not about bullying just for the sake of it.” Raven plants her hands on her hips.
“I’m not a spy. I am smarter than those who left. They were misguided or just plain cowards. It doesn’t take a genius to see that what Hera’s doing will be the end of us all,” the kid snaps.
He’s not wrong. I wish more of the other students were smart like that and figured this shit out before they left. How many times has the world been on the brink of ending already because of their stupid power trips?
“Bullshit. I think you’re spying for the enemy and that makes you not only a traitor but a coward as well.” Raven’s brother sneers.
The kid’s complexion turns an ugly shade of red as he pulls a bow from nowhere and nocks an arrow, pointing it at the idiot bully. “Apologize or I’ll give you another hole in your ugly face.”
“Okay,” I shout. “What in Hades is going on here?”
“We went over this, idiots,” Raven growls. “No fucking bullying, Jake. Chiron told you all zero tolerance.”
“How can you trust him?” Jake asks, rounding on us. “His father is the reason for this endless sun.”
“Exactly,” I say. “His father is responsible. Not him. You think that I would still be close friends with Adrian if they were all on Apollo’s side of this?”
“Adrian is different,” he says.
“How is Adrian different?” I cross my arms over my chest. “How many monsters did you dust during the battle at the academy?”
“More than I can count,” the kid mumbles.
“What about you, Jake? How many monsters did you dust?” I ask.
“I’m sure it was more than him,” Jake mumbles.
“Doubtful,” Raven scoffs.
“What’s the point?” Jake asks.
“We have all fought against the same enemy on at least one occasion but what really irritates me is that you were both targeted to be brainwashed when they stole Ares’ shield. Were you taken?” I turn to the Apollo kid who nods. “Were you, Jake?”
“Yes, so?” Jake crosses his arms over his chest.
“Did you both come out of that and fight off a common enemy?”
Both of them nod, confirming they did start fighting back against their captors, and I throw my hands up in the air. Jake obviously still doesn’t understand. We’re in this together and bullheaded Ares sons are playing right into the enemies’ hands by drawing lines in the sand, dividing us.
“You’re wasting your breath, Beth. He’s not going to listen,” the Apollo student says, shaking his head. “I literally fought back-to-back with you in that battle and it means nothing now because my father is the enemy. What are we even trying to save?”
“You’re a complete jackass,” Raven says.
“It was different then. He wasn’t the enemy,” Jake defends.
“He’s not the enemy now,” I roar.
Adrian jogs up next to me and glares at Jake. “Why are you picking on my brother? You want to fuck with people because our father is a dick on the wrong side? Then pick on me.”
“You’re different. You have helped save the world every time it’s been in danger.” Jake waves him off.
“So, this is all about power?” Adrian asks. “I’m more powerful and was chosen to help because of that, so I’m not an enemy or a spy. Your logic is completely skewed when he literally had your back.”
Whispers among the crowd of students are like white noise in my ears as Adrian squares off against Jake. I have never seen the seer so angry before. His whole body shakes with rage as he faces off against what’s basically an angry bull.
