The Struggle(88)

“Uh-huh,” I murmured.

“Surprised you’re not demanding to go,” Seth said after a moment.

“Do you want me to?”

“No. I’m glad you’re not pushing it.”

I tilted my head to the side. “We made a deal, and I still have these bands on my wrists.” I paused, breathing through another sharp wave of nausea. “And I . . .”

“What?” His gaze sharpened, all playfulness gone.

“I’m good at the hand to hand stuff. I mean, you taught me. So did Luke and . . . and Solos.” My heart hurt thinking of the fallen half-blood. “But I’m tired—”

“How tired?”

“Not anything serious,” I rushed to assure him. I didn’t tell him that I felt sick because I knew, if I did, he wouldn’t leave. “I just know that I’m not up to a hundred percent, and even though I want to help and I hate staying back, I know . . . I know I need to stay. Going out there with these damn bands on my wrists and feeling like I do would be the stupidest decision ever.”

His eyes searched mine, and then he nodded. “Thank you.”

Before I had a chance to ask him what he was thanking me for, Aiden stepped out into the hallway. Based on the messy dark hair and the swollen appearance of his lips, I was guessing he and Alex had argued, and then made up.

“Ready when you are,” he called.

“And Alex?” Seth asked.

The tips of his cheeks flushed. “She’s agreed to stay behind.”

“Uh-huh.” Sliding his hand to the nape of my neck, Seth kissed the center of my forehead and then his lips found mine. The kiss was intense, flipping and twisting my insides into a pleasant, heady mess. My hands found their way to his chest and my fingers curled into his shirt. As he lifted his head, I wished we had enough time to go somewhere private and finish what we’d started in his bedroom.

“Be back soon,” he said, kissing the corner of my lips.

I nodded and nearly slumped against the wall as he let go of me. He swaggered down the hall to where Aiden waited. Goodness, that was a kiss. Snapping out of the daze, I stepped forward. “Seth?”

He looked over his shoulder.

“I love you.”

Seth’s response was immediate. The smile that raced across his face was wide and beautiful, and the look he sent me turned my insides to goo. He didn’t take his eyes off me as he placed his hand on Aiden’s shoulder.

A second later they were gone.

Grinning, Deacon strode forward, hands in his pockets. “Ready to meet our guest?”





Chapter 27


Seth

We made a pit stop in the weapons room before we went to Texas. Although I really didn’t need them, I grabbed two daggers and a belt mainly because the daggers were fun to use.

Aiden hooked on a set and also grabbed one of the Glocks that was loaded up with titanium-capped bullets. His demigod abilities, much like Josie’s, weren’t infinite. He’d eventually tire out.

I, on the other hand, pretty much just wanted to stab something.

“You ready?” I asked, amused by the fact that we were actually working together again. “I don’t want to be gone too long.”

“Understandable.” Aiden walked over to where I stood but stopped. His steady gaze met mine. “What’s the plan if we come face to face with a Titan?”

If only we’d get that lucky.

One side of my lips kicked up. “Kill them.”

Aiden crossed his arms as an eyebrow rose. “That’s not exactly a plan. The gods—”

“I really don’t care what the gods want.”

“Killing the Titans causes pretty catastrophic consequences,” Aiden reasoned just like the good saint that he was. “We might’ve gotten lucky with Perses, but we have to take that into consideration. Our actions impact the lives of innocent people, Seth.”

I wondered if saying I really didn’t care would make me sound like an ass.

His eyes narrowed. “I can tell what you’re thinking. You have to care about this.”

“See, that’s the thing, Aiden. I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. I’m not you,” I told him. “I’m not here to save the world. That’s not who I am. I will never be that.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Then what are you?”

“You know what I am.” I cocked my head to the side.

“A selfish, arrogant prick?” he replied blandly.

My smile spread. “There is only one person I truly care about. Only one person I would go to the ends of the earth to keep safe. You’re not that person. It would be wise to remember that.”

Aiden lifted his chin as his eyes flashed silver. “You need to remember that I would do anything to keep Alex safe, and if killing Titans put her in danger, then I will do whatever it takes to stop you.”