They wouldn’t have even met,Jayden’s voice in my mind startles me.
Can you read my mind now?
I don’t need to. The guilt is written all over your face, my love. You’re questioning life choices, but you can’t go through life with no one to lean on. That’s no way to live.
The pain of possibly losing everyone I care about is unbearable, Jayden.
You will bear it. You know why?
Why?I ask.
“Because you doom us to feel that same pain if you sacrifice yourself for us,” he whispers.
“What the fuck was that?” Raven snarls. “No. You aren’t still thinking about this, right? Did you see what just happened? Do you have any idea how much worse it would be if you sacrifice yourself? Greyson is my mate but you’re my soul sister.”
“I’m not even mad because she’s right.” Greyson shrugs. “You’re the glue. We can’t survive without you, so deal with it.”
“That was rude,” Raven snaps at him.
“I’m not sacrificing myself,” I shout over everyone.
I grip my hair on each side of my head and lower my head between my knees as my chest heaves and I attempt to breathe normally. They all have things to say about the possibility of me sacrificing myself and giving the queen what she wants, but they shouldn’t be threatened because I exist. They shouldn’t have to go through any of this because of me.
“They are trials, my love. They are testing all of us and we are up for it. We want to prove we are worthy of the new world the fates are promising. You can’t take that from us because you think we deserve better and would have better if you didn’t exist. Don’t you realize that no one’s life would be better if you didn’t exist?”
I glance around the SUV at all the angry faces of my friends and remember a time when I didn’t have this many people who cared about me. I didn’t have anyone who would fight for me. Fuck, if they’re all willing to fight and possibly die at my side, then I can’t take that from them.
“I’m sorry. I won’t consider taking the choice out of your hands again,” I say.
“Good,” Adrian says. “Because this war isn’t the only one on the horizon and the realms need you to at least be present.”
“That was cryptic as shit.” Thad nudges Adrian with his shoulder.
“Cryptic has to be my middle name for so much. I blame the fates or my father.” Adrian shrugs.
“We’re here,” Jayden says with trepidation. “Wonder what new horrors Aggie has in store for us this time.”
“Dude,” Draven says. “Did you just invoke her? Fuck, I’m so screwed.”
“The last time we met, she went apeshit on me, telling me not to make Beth choose. I’m pretty sure I’m the bigger target.” Jayden unbuckles his seat belt. “Are you girls going to get snacks while we fend off the crazy old lady?”
“I probably wouldn’t call her that,” I say. “But yes, we’ll get snacks.”
My stomach rumbles and Raven’s joins the chorus. Everyone chuckles and I flip them the bird.
“We used a ton of magic. Don’t judge us.” I roll my eyes.
Jayden pulls open my door and helps me out of the vehicle. He kisses my forehead.
“I want comfort food,” Raven mumbles from behind me.
“Take your time. You used the most power between the two of you and you need to refuel. We’ll hold off Aggie.” Jayden frowns.
“We won’t be long, love.” I kiss him.
Kira stumbles from the SUV and glares into the back where Draven and Dax are sitting.
“I’m going inside. You can stay out here since you’re trying to control me when I’m with the two strongest demigods in our group.”
