Chapter Twenty
Raven clings to Greyson as they pick through the grove of peach trees. Luckily, no dryads come fuck with her or I might lose my shit right now.
“I don’t think we should stop and rest. We’re so close to Florida.” I lean back in my seat.
“You can barely hold your eyes open and I swear your stomach snarled at me a minute ago,” Jayden says.
“I used too much magic. I can sleep while we move.” I shrug.
“We’re all tired and hungry, baby. That giant wouldn’t go down easy, even for the nine of us. He was a beast.” Jayden reaches over, squeezing my thigh.
“I get it, but Hades did us a solid getting us this close and I hate slowing down when we’re this close.” My stomach chooses this moment to rumble, loud and angry.
Damn it. My own body is betraying me.
“Food first and then somewhere to rest. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Jayden growls.
“Are mom and dad arguing again?” Raven attempts to joke but it’s a broken whisper.
My heart aches that much more for my friend. “How are you, bestie?”
“I understand it now. The terror and why you suffered so much after the mission for the trident,” she croaks.
This is bullshit. I never wanted her to understand my terror and pain. Because I knew she would have to live through it to truly understand.
“I’m so sorry that you do.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes as I speak but I refuse to let them fall. “I didn’t want you to understand it.”
The SUV is silent as we stare at each other. Jayden pulls me into his lap across the center console and presses a kiss to my temple.
“Hey, guys? I’m here. You guys did what needed to be done to save me. We all watch each other’s backs. Always.” Greyson waves a hand at us.
“There for a bit she thought you were dead, man,” Dax says. “We all did. I beat that bastard’s skull to dust with a rock to avenge my sister.”
“You did that for me?” Raven sniffles. “I thought you did it because Beth asked you to.”
“That was part of it too, but I relished in it to avenge my little sister.” Dax grins.
“And you’re sitting next to me in dire need of a shower,” Kira says.
“So, no one is going to mention the black lightning?” Draven asks with a raised brow.
“I don’t know what that was. I was spent already and then that happened with Greyson and Raven had completely given up on everything and I just… I just fucking snapped, okay? I lost it and that was the result.” I shake my head.
“You fucking gave up?” Greyson growls. “After the sacrifice I made for you.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” I glare at Draven.
“All right, let’s all calm down and figure out where we are going to stay to rest and regroup.” Jayden lifts me from his lap back into my seat. “Is anyone else injured?”
“Just a few scratches,” Kira mumbles.
“What scratches?” Dax’s gaze snaps to Kira next to him and he grips her arms, checking her over.
“I said I’m fine,” she says.
“You shouldn’t have been scratched at all,” Draven snarls.
“It was battle and they are messy. Scratches happen. I’ll be fine.”
