“It will be okay, you made the right decision, but I knew you would. You’re too selfless for your own good.” She pats my shoulder.
“Yeah, and the fates capitalized on that for sure.” I scoff.
“The old hags aren’t so bad. They are at least making up for their mistakes.” Artemis shakes her head.
“And what about Nereus? Is he making up for anything?” I ask.
“Nereus? That old goat will go to oblivion believing everything he did was for the good of all. He was right aboutyou, though. You’re the one who can save all and you will step up because it’s not in you to back down.”
“It’s not. So what are you doing here?” I ask.
“We have come to help,” she says with a wicked grin.
“Why do I have a feeling that your help is going to cause chaos?”
Raven scoffs. “Her help always comes with a healthy dose of chaos.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong.” I nod.
A lion prowls forward and sits by Artemis’ side, staring at me with familiar eyes. Artemis absently scratches at the lion’s mane. He’s the beautiful beast that we freed from the zoo in Oklahoma City.
“Hey, buddy.” I pat the lion’s giant head.
“We are here to help fortify the academy. The battle lines have been drawn in Olympus and fighting will start soon. The weather around here is probably going to be chaotic for a bit until this all ends.” Artemis pats the lion.
“They’re starting the battle in Olympus already?” I ask. “What is that going to accomplish?”
“Not a damn thing. It never does when the gods fight among themselves.” Artemis grins.
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand this world fully.” I shake my head.
“The battle there is just a distraction. We’re giving you time to slip into the forge, but I’m warning you, time is of the essence. The gods won’t fight each other forever. You need to get that hammer and get back here.”
“No one wants that more than me, Artemis.” I glance over my shoulder at Jayden. “I’m leaving my heart behind.”
“I’ve got them here, baby sister. I’ll make sure they are safe until you get back. That’s what Orion and I are here for. At leastuntil Zeus calls us back to Olympus. That’s when the fun begins.” She grins.
“I appreciate you looking after them for me. Jayden is in charge of the academy and has people working on every line of defense. Hopefully, I can get the hammer without the queen noticing and everything goes to plan.”
“Nothing ever goes to plan.” Artemis chuckles. “Hunters to me.”
“What the fuck are they doing here?” I ask when ten impossibly beautiful warriors materialize around us.
“They’ve come to help as well. We’ll keep everyone safe.”
“Your hunters will keep them safe from afar, preferably from the perimeter.” I narrow my eyes at the one who was hitting on Jayden when we first met Artemis’ girls.
“I don’t think that’s the wisest idea, but they understand what the limits are here, Beth.” Artemis pats my shoulder.
“They better. For virginal hunters, they sure like flirting, and if I find out any of them came near Jayden, I will make it my mission to find a way to kill them.” I stare down the girl from before.
“Understood, daughter of Zeus.” The girl nods her head.
“Good.”
Arms wrap around me from behind and I sink into Jayden’s warmth.
“So bloodthirsty over me, my love,” Jayden whispers in my ear, making me shiver.
