“This guy called to let me know he was coming into my territory for the battle, and I couldn’t just send a group of enforcers like I was too good to get my hands dirty.” Grant nods toward Tristan.
“Sure, it had nothing to do with me telling you that Artemis was here.” Tristan shakes his head.
“Not at all.” Grant’s cheeks turn pink.
“Sure, buddy.” Greyson shoves his brother’s shoulder. “I honestly don’t understand the hype. That goddess has gotten us in so much trouble in the past.”
“She’s helped us a lot too, though.” I point a finger at him.
“Probably just to make up for the damn zoo incident,” Greyson grumbles.
“You went to the zoo?” Grant asks, horror stark in his features.
“You know that’s no place for a wolf shifter.” Tristan has a similar shocked expression.
“Yeah, especially when a crazy goddess tricks you into releasing all the animals,” Greyson grunts.
“You guys are okay, though? You didn’t lose anyone, right?” I ask, glancing between Grant and Tristan.
“Nah, all accounted for. Our moon goddess made sure of that with her blessing.” Tristan grins.
“My people and the few that Randall was able to send are all accounted for and in good spirits. Most of us have never seen a real battle so a lot of them are excited to survive their first battle.” Grant laughs.
“Battle isn’t fun,” I say. “People die in battle.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat. The rogue’s wide dead eyes flash in my mind. Now that the fighting and theurgency are over, the horror of what I did is popping up more and more.
“You look wiped out, Beth. Go rest. We’ve got this and will warn you guys if any monsters come back,” Grant says and pats my shoulder.
“Thanks. I just had to make the rounds to see for myself all is well.” I shrug.
“We’re good. Go rest. This war isn’t over, I’m sure of it.” Tristan dips his head in a nod to me.
“Thanks,” I say as the sky darkens and thunder rumbles overhead. “Shit, the gods war is spilling over into our weather.”
“We had a feeling something like this would happen. It’s been happening on and off for the last few days while you were gone.” Jayden wraps an arm around me.
“There are going to be storms. Are you guys sure you’ll be okay out here in tents?” I ask.
“We’re shifters. If anything, we’ll take fur and keep ourselves warm and dry that way. We’re good, Beth,” Tristan says.
“Okay.” I let Jayden turn me around to walk back to the academy.
“What happened?” Jayden asks.
“Not yet. Get to the dorms first. Raven and Kira will just tell me again how I had no choice, and I can’t handle that again.” I shrug.
“You didn’t have a choice, B. We don’t know what your blood would have done to him.” Raven jogs up to my side.
“Shit. I think I know what happened or at least an idea.” Jayden tightens his arm around me. “Logic isn’t helpful in this situation, Raven. I know you’re trying to help, but that’s not going to help right now.”
Jayden sweeps me up into his arms and his shadows wrap around us, spinning us through time and space.
“Tell me everything.” Jayden swipes the hair out of my eyes.
“It was just the whole mission, Jayden. I got speared by an automaton and dropped off a mountain that turned out to be a fucking giant. And I killed a rogue. Not out of fear for my life but out of fear of what he would become if I didn’t.” I bury my face in his chest.
“Did he attack you?” Jayden asks.
