“How would that be team building, though?” I ask.
“The way they had chariot races in Ancient Greece, it was a battle almost to the death to get to the finish line first. There were three people to a chariot in which one drove and the other two defended the chariot. They have to work as a team or it could be fatal,” Sara explains.
“That’s brilliant,” Raven says, grinning.
“We’re not participating, bestie. We already know how to work together as a team. Plus, we’ve got shit to do.” I shake my head.
Raven deflates instantly. “You’re no fun.”
“You’ll have plenty of opportunities to wield your ax while we’re saving the world again.” I chuckle.
“Yeah, but that’s work. This just sounds like fun,” she pouts.
“It’s gonna take a while to build the chariots and get them into weapons training,” Sara says. “Maybe we won’t be ready until you guys are back.” Sara shrugs.
“I guess we’ll see what happens. Thank you guys for getting this all going for us while we’re gone. With you two working together, the others are less likely to slack off and go back to bullying each other.”
“You’re right about us needing to play on everyone’s strengths.” Jackson nods. “If we’re going to survive this, we need to work together and learn from each other.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll get my brothers in line and on the same page while you guys are gone. I assume Dax is going too?” Jackson asks.
“Yeah, Kira won’t let Draven go without her and Dax won’t stay behind if she’s gone. They’re absolutely adorable.” I grin.
“It would have been better to have him for backup but I get it.” Jackson glances down at Sara but quickly glances away before she can see him staring longingly at her.
There’s going to be another adorable couple around here before too long. I can almost guarantee Jackson is already wrapped around her little finger.
“We should probably get back to it,” Sara says. “I still gotta teach this guy about defense being his best weapon against someone small and agile.”
She pats his chest and Jackson swallows hard, his cheeks pinking in embarrassment. Yup, he’s absolutely smitten with her already. It’s so strange that all it takes to lure in an Ares man is to defeat him in battle.
“They are going to be fun to watch,” Raven whispers.
“She’s a powerhouse for someone so small. I’m not surprised Jackson is already crushing on her hard.”
“You did good, baby.” Jayden smiles. “Putting them against each other was a good plan and now we have drill sergeants to keep them in line while we’re going after the caduceus.”
We move between the two groups and I’m pleased to see people working together for a change. Ares, Athena, and Apollo students are practicing and sparring with each other and there are very few actual fights breaking out.
“Hey,” Sara yells. “Knock that shit off, Mason.”
I turn to them and find an Athena boy facing off with one of Raven’s brothers. The blond-haired boy, Mason, has a blade to the Ares’ kid’s throat. We race over to the ring and Jayden’s shadows wrap around both of them, encircling them in chains.
The shadows tug the two men in opposite directions and the blade clatters to the ground.
“What in Hades is going on here?” I yell. “I said no weapons.”
“He called me a brainchild freak.” Mason jerks against the shadow chains. “I’m tired of taking this crap from everyone. We did nothing wrong. It was my mother, whom I have never even met, who has been trying to kill us all this time.”
I plant my hands on my hips, staring down the Ares idiot.
“Why the fuck would I side with someone who is trying to kill me over the people who have saved us repeatedly? That’s not logical. I would know I’m a child of the goddess of wisdom for fuck’s sake.”
“Okay, but the knife was going too far. Kick his ass in the ring. Let’s not start slitting each other’s throats. We’re not likethem. We need to show that by example to the others. The warrior class is the leadership now. Show your damn wisdom,” I bark.
I spin around, pointing an accusing finger at the idiot Ares student. Jackson steps forward before I can even say a word and smacks the guy upside his head.
