“You almost died. I just had a few scratches.” She shrugs.
“That may be, so you have to be tired,” Kira says softly. “Food refuels your magic, but you need sleep to combat fatigue.”
“Et tu, Kira,” Raven says, as dramatic as ever.
“Don’t act like you’re all betrayed when you’re doing the same to me.” I pick up my burger and take a huge bite.
“Enough. It’s settled,” Jayden says. “You two will sit this one out while we take care of the threat. If there is a threat.”
“Fine,” I grumble.
We finish our food in silence after that, Raven and I both stewing over the others ganging up on us, but I can’t be too pissed about it because they’re not wrong. I’m exhausted from the arena. I’ll never let them know they’re right, though.
We pay the bill and walk back to the SUV in silence. Jayden opens my door for me and cages me against the seat when I get in.
“I know you’re mad,” he whispers against my lips. “But I can see the weight of exhaustion on your shoulders, baby.”
“Whatever,” I say. “You guys outvoted me, so what?”
“We’ve got this, I promise. You have to show the rest of them that you trust them to handle themselves and not just save everyone all the time. It’s the only way we all survive what’s to come.”
He kisses my forehead and then shadow walks into his seat of the car.
“Don’t waste energy like that before a battle,” I say.
What is wrong with him? If the bear men are who I think, then this isn’t a fight to be taken lightly.
“Sorry, it’s habit.” He shrugs.
“I think I know who you’re facing. I hope I’m wrong because I really don’t want to see a bunch of human bones or them taking a bite out of my friends.” I frown as bile rises in my throat.
“Okay, you can’t just say shit like that and not explain,” Greyson says.
“Agrios and Orios, twin brothers who are half giant and half bear. They used to host parties and then cannibalize their guests. As the god of hospitality, among other things, obviously this infuriated Hermes and with Zeus’ permission, he took them out. He turned them into birds.”
“Now they’re terrorizing this poor town so they can stop us from getting to Arcadia by eating us?” Raven asks, disgusted. “This is just fan-fucking-tastic and this is the one you want to bench your best warriors for.”
“Right?” I throw my hands up. “I vote we rethink the bench.”
“Not happening, baby. I already told you I will chain you to the seat. You too, Raven.” Jayden glares at her through the rearview mirror.
“I vote we chain them to the seats,” Dax says and ducks. “Did you just throw a dagger at me, Raven?”
“Too bad it was close range and you got away so easily. Next time I won’t miss, idiot.” Raven crosses her arms.
“You could have hit me or Kira,” Draven says.
“Nah, she has great aim. The only reason I ducked instead of smacking it away was to avoid hurting anyone else because my sister is throwing a tantrum.” Dax leans back in his seat.
“I have another dagger,” Raven sings and pulls a dagger from the ether. “Kira won’t mind if I maim you just a little.”
“Actually, let’s not,” Kira squeaks. “We need him in this fight.”
“Seriously, darling.” Draven chuckles. “That’s the only reason you don’t want her to maim him?”
“He can be pretty annoying. Sometimes I want to maim him myself,” she says, unapologetic.
“Hey, what is it with girls and saying mean things and threatening death?”
