“I know. It sucks but we’ve come this far and we can last a little longer. The visions won’t be as important once we win this war. And we will win because unlike the enemy, if we lose, we lose everything. There’s nothing worse than an opponent who has nothing left to lose and everything to gain.” I tug open the door to the academic building.
“That’s true.” Kira nods, falling in step beside me.
We make our way through the building to the hidden door for the basement and Dax cocks his head to the side. “I thought we were going to the healer?”
“Thad and Draven are securing an asshole.” I yank the door open and yelling fills the quiet space.
“What in Hades, Draven?” someone shouts. “You’re taking their side over mine? We’re brothers.”
I rush down the stairs before another fight can break out but there’s no contest here because the guy is already in the cell, screaming about family loyalty.
“What’s going on? Why are you still down here listening to this shit?” I ask.
“He had some interesting things to say about us and I was deciding whether I should kill him or not,” Draven says casually, but his hands are balled into fists at his sides and his whole body is trembling with rage.
“Who gives a shit what he says, Draven.” Dax shakes his head. “He’s an asshole with an overinflated ego.”
“You don’t know what he said.” Draven leans back against the stone wall.
I glance at Kira, realizing what this is about. He said something horrible about her. My gaze snaps to Raven and she nods understanding without words what’s happening here.
“And you’re not going to tell him,” I say, stepping forward.
“Why in Hades not?” Dax asks.
“We have bigger shit to worry about right now than some asshole’s comments about things he knows nothing about. Right, Kira?” I widen my eyes at her.
Kira cocks her head to the side before her jaw drops open and she spins on Dax. “She’s right. I don’t care what he said and neither should you guys. It’s not important.”
“What am I missing?” Dax asks.
Jayden wraps an arm around his shoulders and tugs him back up the stairs. “Nothing, buddy. They are protecting people like they always do. You can beat him bloody after the war.”
“Or maybe before,” Adrian mumbles and I shoot him a glare.
“You need to shut it and get to the healer.” I poke him in the chest. “C’mon, guys, Adrian has news.”
Draven deflates as Thad leads him forward. He takes one last glance over his shoulder at the guy before trudging up the stairs past me.
“Not a word, Draven. You know Dax. He will lose his whole temper,” I whisper.
“I know. I didn’t think before I spoke.” He shakes his head.
We’re all quiet as we make our way to the healers’ office. Adrian takes a seat on an exam cot with a sigh.
“What is it, Adrian? What did Apollo tell that you can share with us?” I ask.
“The battle is coming to the academy. There is no stopping that outcome.” Adrian glances to the side.
Jayden raises a brow. “We kind of already figured that out from your last vision. The academy burning was a clue, ya know. What aren’t you telling us?”
“The time frames don’t line up.” Adrian scrubs a hand down his face. “If you all go to find the hammer, we will lose everything.”
“What?” I ask. “We won’t be here for the final battle?”
“Not the start of it. There’s a chance you get there, but we won’t have much of an academy left if you all go on the mission.” Adrian’s shoulders slump.
“Who?” Raven asks, practically vibrating. “Who has to stay behind?”
