“Sending two hotheaded Ares guys to help Artemis isn’t going to be much of a difference.” I point at him.
“Think about it, Beth. They are both into Sara and she’s a daughter of Athena. She wants that glory just as much, I’m sure. She’ll go and rein in the idiots.” Raven sits forward. “I don’t think we’ll have any shortage of volunteers.”
I stand to make the announcement, hoping my friends aren’t wrong because Artemis definitely needs help hunting the damn Titan and the students I need to ask have some of the best archers in the academy and we will need them to hunt a hundred-headed Titan.
“Everyone, can I have your attention, please? We have news from Olympus.” I call out over the whispering crowd of students. “It seems we are needed once again to be the champions of the gods and assist in their civil war.”
“Who is needed?” an Aphrodite boy asks.
“The nine of us”—I wave a hand toward my friends—“are needed for a special task, but we need volunteers to help Artemis hunt down an underworld monster that’s wreaking havoc on Olympus.”
Whispers turn to murmured conversations and then grow louder as the students all take in this new development. “Look, I know most of you didn’t want to fight in the first place and that’s fine. You guys are welcome to stay behind. I would actually encourage it. The students I’m asking for specifically are the children of Ares, Athena, and Apollo.”
“We can hunt with the goddess of the hunt?” Brody asks, his smile wide. “Hell yeah, count me in.”
“You don’t even know what the underworld beast is,” I say, shaking my head.
“Does it matter? I want to prove myself after being mind-controlled. Twice,” Brody growls.
“It most definitely does matter because the beast isn’t just a beast… it’s a Titan.” I raise my brows. “We trapped Typhon in Tartarus months ago, but he has escaped and is terrorizing the Olympians.”
More whispers sound but Brody stands firm in his stance. “Even better reason to volunteer.”
“Same.” Jackson stands next to his brother. “I want to prove myself and save the gods.”
“I’m really trying here to deter anyone who might not be ready for something like this, and you two meatheads aren’t making it easy,” I growl at them.
“The Titans came before the gods, as you all know.” Apollo stands from his seat. “They are fierce and very strong. It took all of the big three brothers working together to defeat them before. This task will not be easy, but it is necessary. For the safety and well-being of our realm.”
“You’re not helping,” I grumble.
I can’t let everyone from the academy risk their lives again like this when helping the gods is my task alone and I can’t be there to protect them. How will we survive if we lose anyone else?
25
“What are they all doing?” I whisper under my breath.
“They are lining up to volunteer,” Jayden says, a grin on his face. “Every single Apollo, Ares, and Athena child is in on this? How is this possible?”
Dax claps Jayden on the shoulder. “I told you they would want to come. Especially my brothers. They have been pretty jealous of Raven’s heroic deeds.”
“You’re jealous too, idiot,” Raven says. “You just got to tag along on some missions now.”
“That was a low blow. I’ve helped.” Dax crosses his arms over his chest.
Adrian jogs up to us with several packs in his hands and passes them out. “Thought you guys might want these.”
“Of course, thanks, Adrian. You are coming with us this time, right?” I ask, taking my pack from him.
“I am. My father said all nine of us and I have an idea of what we’re doing there even if I can’t tell you yet.” Adrian shuffles his feet.
“Okay, that’s good news.” I glance around at everyone. “Are we ready to go?”
Apollo steps up next to me with a nod. “I’m impressed with the number of young demigods who have volunteered to help us. You have made quite the impression on them all.”
“I don’t think it has anything to do with me. They want to trap the beast or kill him, whichever can actually be accomplished.”
“Nonsense.” Apollo waves me off. “I doubt any of them would volunteer if they didn’t respect your leadership. It’s quite impressive.”
