“It’s fine. The faster we leave, the quicker we can return and get this all over with.” I step out of Jayden’s arms.
“Everyone is waiting for us in the parking lot.” Raven leads the way.
“I need my bag.” I turn to the dorms.
“Already got it. I went to the dorms while you guys were seeing the healer.” She waves for me to follow.
My shoulders slump with defeat. I don’t have any more excuses not to get on the road now. My feet are like lead as I follow Raven with Jayden at my side.
The others appear just as miserable as we make our way to the SUV that’s waiting for us. Dax is glaring at everyone, clearly still angry that he’s being left behind.
“You guys have everything worked out for the battle here?” I ask Thad and Adrian.
“Yeah, we are as prepared as we can be,” Thad says. “Everyone got to their zones pretty quickly. With minimal complaints.”
“We’re good here.” Adrian hugs me. “You focus on what you have to do. You gave us our best chance, Beth. We’ll be okay.”
A tear trails down my cheek. “Okay, I get it. This is important. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
“I still don’t see why Ben can’t go in your place,” Dax shouts.
Adrian glares over his shoulder at Dax. “We need Ben here. Kira needs to be the one to get the hammer. I can’t say anything else so don’t ask.”
“Then I should be with her,” Dax snarls.
“And do what, Dax? You know how the magic works. You’ve seen it.” I poke him in the chest. “You can’t go into the forge with her so what do you plan to do? You’re of more use here.”
“I can be there when she comes out,” he roars. “Protect her from what happened to Draven last time.”
Jayden, Thad, and Greyson all move in front of me, a wall of muscle between me and the son of Ares. I glance at Raven with an eye roll but honestly, I’m thankful they are protecting me from the idiot because I’m one wrong move away from losing it completely.
“Don’t you dare yell at her,” Jayden growls. “I’m not afraid of you, Dax. I don’t have to lift a finger to take you down if you so much as look at her wrong again.”
“You’re not the only one hurting here, idiot,” Raven says. “Why should you get to go when others stay behind? You have only been on two missions with us and one of them only halfway through. Drop it.”
“No. Not when Kira is in danger when she goes.” Dax steps forward, hands balled into fists at his sides.
“Take one more wrong step, Dax.” Thad shoves him in the chest.
“This isn’t on Beth,” Adrian says. “She has to leave someone behind too. What in Hades is wrong with you?”
“They were given a choice, and I wasn’t,” Dax screams.
“And look at that,” Thad says. “They chose the path that gives us the best shot at winning instead of acting like a spoiled child pissed off because they don’t get their way like some people.”
“Guys, I appreciate the backup, but this isn’t necessary. We don’t want to say something we’ll regret later.” I try to squeeze between Thad and Jayden, but they are immoveable.
“Spoiled child?” Dax scoffs, ignoring my request for them to all calm the fuck down. “My whole world is going on that mission, and I’m left here babysitting a bunch of demigods, half of whom can barely swing a sword and I’m being called a spoiled child.”
“Dax,” Kira shouts. “Stop this fucking shit right now. I love you, but they are right. You’re being a baby about this. I’ll see you when we get back.” Kira turns away and walks to the SUV.
“Damn idiot,” Draven says. “You just ruined any chance of a real goodbye with our girl. I hope you don’t live to regret that.”
“Let’s not put that into the universe.” I wave him away.
“You’re right.” Draven nods. “That wasn’t a great thing to say.”
“Fine,” Dax growls. “Safe travels and get back here as fast as possible.”
