Arms of ice reach for her as she lobs a ball of fire at the snowman. It bats the fire away. The contact melts its fingers off, but they quickly reform and reach out for her again.
I flick my whip at the snowman and the electricity crackles along the edges but hardens the snow instead of melting it or electrocuting anything.
“I’m no use here and I don’t think we can take Frosty here down until we stop her magic.” I point at the nymph.
“I’m on it.” Jayden steps toward the nymph, his shadows balled in his hands. “Last chance to give up before we take you down. Since you attacked us, we’re taking you to Zeus either way, but you can stop this and his daughter will ask him to be lenient.”
“The king of the gods doesn’t do leniency. He’s scorched earth and you know it,” the nymph screams.
“For the sole person to save his reign? I’m pretty sure he would grant her request even if she wasn’t his daughter.” Jayden lifts his hands higher.
Shadows pulse in his hands as he waits for her answer. She glances around, unsure but her gaze hardens as it lands on me.
“You shouldn’t exist. You can offer me nothing but punishment when the queen will reward me for bringing her your head.” She gestures with her hand and Frosty grows even taller before us.
“Seriously? Do you all have the same handbook? Does one have to be delusional to work with the queen?” I ask Raven.
“It sounds like it. Who was the last one to give you that speech?” She adjusts her grip on her swords.
“Aphrodite, just the other day. A literal goddess couldn’t beat me only days ago. Like some nymph with a snowman can now.”
“That’s right, the Titan was months ago before you were supercharged.” Raven nods.
“You don’t have a chance. Stand down.” I take a step forward.
“Your magic doesn’t affect my monster.” She grins. “I can take you out with it.”
“Wrong answer. My magic may not affect the snowman, but it will damage you.” I crack my whip, and my magic sizzles along the edges.
The nymph yelps as the whip circles her arm and electricity cracks against her skin. I yank her arm, dragging her closer, and Jayden releases his chains. The snow monster collapses in a pile of slush as she’s wrapped up in the chains.
“It doesn’t matter what happens to me. You can’t beat the queen. She knows you’re here and what you’re after.” She struggles against the chains. “She will never use that throne again. You will lose everything, and I’ll laugh as this world ends so it can be remade.”
As the snow melts, the ice cracks, making the ground unstable. I stumble to the side as the ground breaks open into a chasm.
“Jump,” I shout.
I take a running leap and roll to the other side of the five-foot chasm. Raven rolls on my side while the chasm continues to grow. The others move too slowly. Jayden waits until everyone is across before jumping for it himself.
“Jayden, watch out,” I scream.
The nymph sticks her foot out at the last second, tripping him up and he stumbles. He falls just short of the side of the cliff. His hand grips the side, but his fingers slip enough that I can’t reach him.
“He’s going to fall.” I lean over the side of the ledge and reach for him.
“I can’t hold on, baby,” Jayden grits out.
27
Ireach lower and strain to reach his hand. “Use your shadows and get yourself out of this.”
“I can’t. She’ll get away if I use them to save myself. I can’t hold them both.” Jayden shakes his head. “She will tell the queen our position and any surprise we might have had will be gone.”
“I don’t fucking care, Jayden. Use them. We’ll find a way.”
“Jayden,” Raven growls. “Don’t be stupid. If you die, she’ll get away anyway.”
“I have an idea.” I pull my whip out and flick it around Jayden’s waist.
