Chapter 13 #2
Mimas bellows again and the ground cracks and widens beneath my feet but I keep running, gripping Kira’s arm. As the giant explodes into ash, the ground beneath my feet falls and I’m airborne for only a second before I’m falling with a scream.
“Draven,” Raven yells. “Do something. They’re going to be crushed beneath the rubble.”
Kira’s gaze meets mine and in that second, regret fills me because I greatly miscalculated the plan. Here and now, we’re both going to die. I blink back tears as I careen through nothingness, ready to meet my end. I open my link with Jayden for only a second.
I’m sorry. I failed. I love you always.
A roar of rage rattles in my brain before I cut off the link again. I can’t let him experience this. My death falling from the sky and being buried alive, that’s not something he needs while preparing for battle.
I glance down at the ground before squeezing my eyes shut to wait for the end. Kira’s hand squeezes mine, and I pull her closer, turning us so my body is beneath hers.
Maybe if I die, I can at least save Kira from the brunt of the impact. It’s the least I can do after getting her into that asinine plan. She can live even if I don’t.
“Get the hammer and stop the queen,” I whisper to her before I slam into something hard and cry out.
“I’ve got you,” Draven says. “No one is dying today.”
The descent slows as Draven lowers his hands and we float slowly to the ground.
“You were going to sacrifice yourself for me?” Kira slaps my shoulder. “That was so fucking dumb. We need you.”
“My plan was dumb, and I wasn’t going to let you die because I had a stupid plan.” The world spins as I try to stand but Greyson is there to catch me. “Thanks. I don’t think my body can take slamming into one more thing right now.”
“He’s been defeated. Try resting for a few minutes.” Greyson leads me to the SUV and opens the door.
The shell vibrates in my bag, flopping around like an angry fish out of water. “Fuck.”
“What?” Raven asks, digging the shell out of my bag.
“Don’t answer that. Jayden is going to be so mad,” I mumble around a yawn.
“Oh, fuck no. You aren’t sleeping and you also aren’t ducking Jayden. How does he know what’s going down?” Raven plants a hand on her hip.
“The mate bond. I may have said goodbye when I was sure I was going to die.” I glance away from my friends.
“Jayden is going to murder us all,” Greyson mumbles.
“No, he won’t, but he has other shit to focus on right now.” I wince.
“Yeah, which is why you shouldn’t have announced your departure from this world.” Raven rolls her eyes.
“I thought I was going to be buried under a fucking mountain, Raven. Of course I was a bit melodramatic. I don’t think I have ever been that close to death before.”
“You have to answer him. He will come here, damn the consequences, if you don’t.” Raven holds the shell out to me.
“Jayden, Halfling Academy.” I wince as the mist forms.
“What the fuck was that? Where’s…? Beth. You’re okay?” Jayden slumps in his chair in the war room.
“It was bad, but Draven managed to catch us and float us down to earth before we hit the ground.” I shrink away from his glare.
“What did you do? I told you to take care of yourself. Hades, Beth you took a century off my life with that fucking goodbye.” Jayden leans forward, elbows on his knees. “I can’t fucking lose you, love. I cleared the war room to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m sorry. My plan was stupid. If I had known the damn giant was the mountain, I would have recalculated.” I lean back against the seat, closing my eyes.
“Nope. Open your eyes.” My cheek stings as Raven’s slap rings through the SUV.
“Fuck, Raven. That hurt and I’m already seriously injured.”
“Seriously injured? How seriously injured?” Jayden snarls.
“I’m pretty sure I have a concussion, and I may have slammed my back into more than a few trees.” I grimace.
White spots swim in my vision as I blink away the tears. “Tell me I didn’t interrupt a battle or something. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. I shadow traveled away but our forces are holding their own.
Though I do need to get back. I need to let others know you’re okay.
I may have lost my mind a little when you mind-linked me.
” Jayden stands from his chair. “Be careful and stop being the hero at least for a little bit.”
“Yes, sir.” I salute him.
“Raven, make sure she rests on the way to wherever you’re headed next.” Jayden glares at me.
“She can’t sleep, Jayden. She was thrown around a lot and probably has a concussion.” Raven crosses her arms.
“I doubt her healing abilities will take long to surface,” he says. “Unless… Beth did you use too much magic?”
I glance away from his stormy blue eyes, not answering his question because yes, I did in fact use too much magic.
“Dammit, Beth. You’re going to be the death of me.”
“I had to end the stupid giant.” I lean back against the seat and squeeze my eyes shut.
“You’re not okay. Shit.” He glances behind him and then back at me. “I have to go back out there. Try not to scare the life out of me again.”
“Go. I’ll be fine once I have some food or something. I promise.” I rub my temples.
“I love you. Go get the hammer and come back to me.” Jayden grips his hair, turning away from the call.
“I love you too.” I wave a hand, dissipating the mist.
Greyson reaches in his bag and hands me several protein bars. The snack mom comes through again. I grin at him.
“Not a word. You scared the life out of all of us. Next time let’s make sure the giant isn’t the actual mountain before we climb the damn thing to kill him, yeah?” Greyson rubs the back of his neck.
“We defeated him, didn’t we?” I ask.
“Yeah and almost lost everything to do it. Why are you being so reckless all of a sudden?” Raven crosses her arms.
“I’m not being reckless. I did what needed to be done and Draven saved us in the end.” I wince when my head spins again.
This dizziness isn’t going away but with my friends all staring at me, I need to stay strong.
I slump into the seat and pull my seat belt on. We need to get moving or we’ll be too late. I almost ruined everything and died in the process. I can’t be the reason we lose. I can’t give Hera what she wants or the world will burn.