“Don’t we have to travel back through the maze?” I ask. “Ariadne said that was the only way to leave.”
“Without me, you would have to go back through the maze, but if you want to get home faster, then I can help.” Zeus holds a hand out to me.
“Thank you.” I put my hand in his and we all spin through space and time for long minutes before stopping in the academy courtyard.
Cheers rise around us as Sara and Jackson rush forward. “You did it.”
“The war is over,” I yell over the noise. “We don’t have to worry about the queen and her minions ever again.”
“Does that mean the monsters are all gone?” Sara asks. “Are we safe to leave the academy if we want?”
I turn to my father. “Do you know the answer to that?”
“There will always be monsters, but the ones you have slayed multiple ones are gone for good.” He nods. “I believe you will be as safe as you can be outside the academy wards.”
“I mean, you’re not without your own skills.” I grin at the news.
We’re free from Hera’s monsters, finally. We can actually go places that aren’t infested with monsters or have the ticking clock hanging over our heads.
“Did the mind-controlled students wake up?” I ask Sara. “Where are the shifters?”
“Yeah,” Jackson says. “A lot of them were disoriented and unsure how they got back to the academy.”
“The shifters are still camped outside of the wards, keeping watch,” Sara adds.
“Greyson, go round up the shifters. It’s time to celebrate,” I shout to the crowd. “We’re finally free.”
“Hell yeah.” Raven pumps her fist in the air. “It’s time to party.”
Father raises a hand and produces tables laden with food and drinks. A radio set up in the corner starts playing pop music. I turn to my father with a smile.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’ve all earned it.” He pats my shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it, but I would love if you visited Olympus soon.”
“I just might do that. Bye, Dad.”
“Bye, Beth.” He disappears.
Jayden’s arms wrap around me from behind and I press my back against his chest.
“I’m so glad it’s over.” Jayden tightens his grip on my waist.
“It still doesn’t feel real. Is it really over or is this another trick?” I lean my head back.
“It’s really over. We trapped her and watched as Zeus sentenced her. She can’t hurt us anymore.” Jayden kisses my cheek.
I melt into him. Can it really be all over with? It seems impossible that we can rest after fighting so long.
Dax steps forward with two plates in his hands. “You guys used a ton of magic today. I thought I would get you some fuel.”
“Thank you.” I take the plates from him and hand one to Jayden.
“Let’s all go grab a table. We don’t know when we’ll all be together again,” Jayden says.
“Raven and Greyson aren’t back with the wolves yet,” I say with a frown.
“The wolves might not come, love. They don’t like the feeling of the wards, remember?” Jayden says.
