“That goes for you too. I will castrate you if I find out you were flirting with them. You are mine,” I growl.
Jayden spins me to face him. “There’s no one compared to you, love. I don’t even see other girls. They don’t exist because I’m the luckiest bastard in the world to be able to call you mine.”
“Damn straight,” I say, grinning at him.
“We should get on the road, B.” Raven steps forward. “We need to get to Phoenix and that’s not a short trip.”
“You’re right.” I sigh and lean into Jayden once more. “I have to go.”
“I know, love. I’ll see you soon.” Jayden plants his lips against mine with a bruising kiss.
“See you soon.” I turn to the others.
“You guys take care of each other. If any of you die, I’ll drag you back from the underworld Orpheus style.” I glare between Adrian and Thad.
“And Hades would probably let you,” Artemis says. “He is more than elated you and Jayden worked things out.”
“Oh, I know Hades would let me. We have a weird friendship based on the irony of dog names.” I grin.
“Don’t call him Spot.” Jayden chuckles.
“I told you already, that’s his name and your dad confirmed it.” I stick my tongue out at him.
“I still can’t believe the god of the underworld is like your best friend.” Artemis shakes her head.
“Nope, not her best friend. That’s me.” Raven loops her arm through mine and leads me over to Thad and Adrian.
I hug Adrian. “Don’t forget to call if you see something important and please stay safe.”
“I won’t forget, and you be safe too. This isn’t going to be easy. Just because her forces are elsewhere doesn’t mean there won’t be any danger.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m well aware this won’t be easy.” I turn to Thad.
Thad wraps me in a friendly hug. “You’ve got this. Kick some ass, get the hammer, and come back so we can end this shit.”
“That’s the idea, for sure. You stay safe and keep him safe for me?” I glance at Thad with watery eyes.
“You have my word, Beth. I won’t let anything happen to him.” Thad squeezes me one last time and steps back.
“Don’t do anything crazy. I wasn’t kidding about the underworld. I will hunt you down.” I glare at him.
“I know.” He smiles.
I turn away from my friends who have become more like family now and trudge to the SUV. If I look at them again, I may just say fuck this and tell Artemis to find somewhere for us all to ride out the end of days.
“Wait,” Artemis calls after me.
“What is it?” I ask, turning back to her.
“Hades had a message for me to deliver, even though I’m not sure when I became the messenger; that’s Hermes deal, not mine.” Artemis shakes her head.
“Hermes is preparing for war, Artie,” Orion says.
“Artie? That is too fucking cute. Can I call you Artie?” I grin at the goddess.
“Only if you want an arrow through the heart,” Artemis growls.
“Meh, might not kill me. Could totally be worth it.” I shrug.
