Chapter 20 #2
Jayden pulls open my door and helps me out of the vehicle. He kisses my forehead.
“I want comfort food,” Raven mumbles from behind me.
“Take your time. You used the most power between the two of you and you need to refuel. We’ll hold off Aggie.” Jayden frowns.
“We won’t be long, love.” I kiss him.
Kira stumbles from the SUV and glares into the back where Draven and Dax are sitting.
“I’m going inside. You can stay out here since you’re trying to control me when I’m with the two strongest demigods in our group.”
“Hey,” Jayden says, offended.
“You’re strong too but they’re being cavemen.” Kira waves him off.
“Why are all you girls emasculating right now?” Jayden asks but turns away with a small smile. “I’m kidding. I know women should rule the world and these two definitely rule the academy and will be our weapons in this war against the queen.”
“Good boy.” I kiss him on the cheek.
I thread my arms through Kira’s and Raven’s arms as we head into the empty gas station. My stomach makes a noise that could only be described as torture in Tartarus and I groan.
“Why me?” I ask as the guy behind the counter jumps back at the rabid sound.
“Do you really care what Tiny Tim thinks of you, B?” Raven raises a brow at me.
“Nope, but I would like it if my stomach didn’t terrify small children, making them think they were getting eaten by a monster.” I roll my eyes.
“That’s fair,” Kira says with a nod.
“Thanks, I think,” I say.
“Your stomach does sound terrifying, but I get it.” Kira steers me to the cold sandwiches in the case. “I think you all need several. At least until we find real food.”
“I wouldn’t turn down a sandwich or two.” I shrug.
As we’re looking at the sandwiches in the cold case, a weathered voice crackles with energy behind me. “You can’t do it.”
“I’m not going to.” I turn to Aggie. “The queen can’t have me. She will pay for the harm she’s caused.”
“Keep that conviction because she will test it,” Aggie says and disappears.
“That never stops getting weird,” I say. “Let’s go watch her reaction to the others.”
I wave Raven and Kira over to the window as the old woman in the dark sunglasses with a walking stick clutched in her hand creeps up on our friends.
“Should we warn them?” Kira asks.
“Nope. A lot of the times when Aggie goes after them, they’ve deserved it and then some.” I peer through the glass.
Jayden scans the parking lot, always vigilant, especially when it comes to Aggie, but for some reason he doesn’t see her until she strikes and smacks him on the back of the head. I wince as he ducks down but giggle all the same.
“At least she isn’t trying to destroy him this time,” I say.
“That cane looks like marble,” Kira mumbles.
“Last time she literally flew at him and tried to take him out. This is progress.” I nod.
“Beth isn’t wrong. Last time was extreme and this is mild. Let’s see what happens when she recognizes Draven.” Raven crosses her arms.
“I think maybe Draven is finally on the correct path. I just wish I knew what Apollo has done with Olly. He’s mine just like Dax and Draven. He should be with us, but Apollo took him away.” Kira turns away.
Aggie smacks Draven and Dax both and says something but they both stare with confusion.
“Is she telling them to go after Olly?” Kira whispers.
“Olly isn’t a part of this war according to Apollo so maybe she gave them a hint for when it’s over?
” I shrug. “He has his own task in this whole new world order. We’ll be there to help no matter what his task is.
It has something to do with little Annie and we love that little girl, so we need to make sure she’s safe. ”
“Absolutely,” Raven says. “She is amazing.”
“It will be okay, I promise.” I squeeze Kira’s hand. “We will help however we can.”
“She’s pretty tame today.” Raven loads her basket up with sandwiches.
“Yes, she may be understanding now,” I say as I watch the guys hold up their hands in surrender.
She spits something at them but turns and wanders away.
“I wonder what they will have to say about poor Aggie now,” I say.
“Poor Aggie?” Raven chuckles. “That woman is formidable and scares the shit out of our alpha men. I don’t think there’s anything poor about her.”
“Of course not,” a rough voice says behind us.
I turn to find Aggie standing there leaning on her cane. I nod my head to the fate but frown. Usually once she beats up on the boys, she leaves without a word. Her gaze is fixed on Kira, though, so I step back.
“Do not worry so much,” Aggie tells Kira. “Your time will come but will you be ready to heed the call?”
“Do you know where he is?” Kira asks and I nearly roll my eyes.
“Yes, child, but that is not for you to know yet. Your place is here, for now.” Aggie waves her cane in a vaguely threatening gesture.
“Can you at least give me a hint? He’s mine.” Kira growls.
“Whether he is yours is yet to be seen, child. Survive what’s to come on the right side of fate and we will know who they belong to.” Aggie wanders off.
“What in Hades was that supposed to mean?” Kira whispers.
“Remember what Hermes said about mates being gifted to those who survive the war on the right side? I think that’s what Aggie is talking about,” I say as we walk back to the register.
“There’s no possibility where I come out on the wrong side of fate,” Kira says. “So, there’s a possibility I don’t survive?”
“To be honest, Kira, there’s a possibility that none of us survive the coming war.”