Page 12 of Artemis’ Bow (Halfling Academy #5)

“ A re we ever going to figure this out?” I slam my hand down on the book that has been supremely unhelpful.

“We have been looking into each temple for hours and still, we’re no closer to figuring out which it could be,” Raven says with a groan.

“I still think it’s the main temple out of Ephesus but we can’t narrow down where it would be so we can end this before Apollo does any real damage to the world,” I say.

“I think we need Adrian to have a vision.” Jayden rubs my shoulders, releasing some of the tension there.

“We don’t have time to wait around for a vision that may not come.” I shake my head.

“I honestly don’t think the god of prophecy would be willing to give his son a vision that will stop him from rampaging through the sky with no one to check him each day,” Raven says.

“You’re probably not wrong, but what other choice do we have?” I grumble.

I lean back against the couch in my common room with a sigh as Jayden continues working the tension out of my shoulders.

“Where would you put Artemis’ temple in relation to Ephesus in Ancient Greece in the modern US if it were you?” Jayden asks.

“The area is too large. We can’t be sure which state it would even be in. It may not even have all the same attributes as the original place because the landmasses are different.”

“We narrowed it down to the gulf coast, we think,” Raven says. “But the gulf coast is huge, with lots of cities and towns that could very well be the correct location.”

“What if we’re wrong? We don’t have time to run off half-cocked and then change course after the long-ass journey there.” I lean my head back against Jayden’s knee.

“If it’s in the gulf. We’ll have to take a similar route as the last time,” Raven points out.

“Not the same route. I don’t want to go anywhere near Hesperides just in case. The queen knows we’re onto her. I don’t think we’ll survive it a second time.” I shudder.

“We can rule out Sparta, so that’s something, right?” Jayden sounds hopeful.

“Can we really rule it out completely? What if they are expecting us to come after Artemis and her bow and think that Sparta would be the last place we look because they hid the shield there?”

“That would be a smart strategy. You’re right. That’s something I would do for sure to throw my enemies off track,” Raven huffs.

“So, we’re back to square one with nothing narrowed down and no further leads.” I stand up with a sigh.

“We’ll figure something out in time. We always do and if not, then hopefully Adrian will get a vision soon.” Jayden grips my hips as he stands.

“Go back to your dad and leave us alone, traitor,” someone yells out in the courtyard.

What the hell is going on out there now? I race to the window, surprised I can hear them all the way on the twelfth floor. The scene is chaotic as several of Raven’s brothers face off with another boy I don’t recognize.

“What are those idiots doing?” Raven growls.

“I don’t know, but this bullshit needs to end. Meet us down there?” I ask and concentrate on the spot just behind the boy they are bullying.

My vision blurs and I spin out before landing in a heap in the courtyard. Scrambling to my feet, I dust myself off and focus on bringing Jayden to me. My brows pinch down in a scowl as the ass lands much more gracefully than I did.

“Right. Show-off,” I grumble.

“Sorry, baby. Next time I’ll fall on my ass just to make you happy.” Jayden chuckles.

“Shut up.”

“Why are you even still here?” someone yells. “Are you spying on us for the enemy?”

“Crap, I thought we went over this shit.” I shake my head as Raven jogs over from the dorms.

“What in Hades are they doing? Ares may be the god of war but he’s not about bullying just for the sake of it.” Raven plants her hands on her hips.

“I’m not a spy. I am smarter than those who left. They were misguided or just plain cowards. It doesn’t take a genius to see that what Hera’s doing will be the end of us all,” the kid snaps.

He’s not wrong. I wish more of the other students were smart like that and figured this shit out before they left. How many times has the world been on the brink of ending already because of their stupid power trips?

“Bullshit. I think you’re spying for the enemy and that makes you not only a traitor but a coward as well.” Raven’s brother sneers.

The kid’s complexion turns an ugly shade of red as he pulls a bow from nowhere and nocks an arrow, pointing it at the idiot bully. “Apologize or I’ll give you another hole in your ugly face.”

“Okay,” I shout. “What in Hades is going on here?”

“We went over this, idiots,” Raven growls. “No fucking bullying, Jake. Chiron told you all zero tolerance.”

“How can you trust him?” Jake asks, rounding on us. “His father is the reason for this endless sun.”

“Exactly,” I say. “His father is responsible. Not him. You think that I would still be close friends with Adrian if they were all on Apollo’s side of this?”

“Adrian is different,” he says.

“How is Adrian different?” I cross my arms over my chest. “How many monsters did you dust during the battle at the academy?”

“More than I can count,” the kid mumbles.

“What about you, Jake? How many monsters did you dust?” I ask.

“I’m sure it was more than him,” Jake mumbles.

“Doubtful,” Raven scoffs.

“What’s the point?” Jake asks.

“We have all fought against the same enemy on at least one occasion but what really irritates me is that you were both targeted to be brainwashed when they stole Ares’ shield. Were you taken?” I turn to the Apollo kid who nods. “Were you, Jake?”

“Yes, so?” Jake crosses his arms over his chest.

“Did you both come out of that and fight off a common enemy?”

Both of them nod, confirming they did start fighting back against their captors, and I throw my hands up in the air. Jake obviously still doesn’t understand. We’re in this together and bullheaded Ares sons are playing right into the enemies’ hands by drawing lines in the sand, dividing us.

“You’re wasting your breath, Beth. He’s not going to listen,” the Apollo student says, shaking his head. “I literally fought back-to-back with you in that battle and it means nothing now because my father is the enemy. What are we even trying to save?”

“You’re a complete jackass,” Raven says.

“It was different then. He wasn’t the enemy,” Jake defends.

“He’s not the enemy now,” I roar.

Adrian jogs up next to me and glares at Jake. “Why are you picking on my brother? You want to fuck with people because our father is a dick on the wrong side? Then pick on me.”

“You’re different. You have helped save the world every time it’s been in danger.” Jake waves him off.

“So, this is all about power?” Adrian asks. “I’m more powerful and was chosen to help because of that, so I’m not an enemy or a spy. Your logic is completely skewed when he literally had your back.”

Whispers among the crowd of students are like white noise in my ears as Adrian squares off against Jake. I have never seen the seer so angry before. His whole body shakes with rage as he faces off against what’s basically an angry bull.

“It’s all right, Adrian. I’ve got this.” Raven shoulders her way into the crowd.

She closes her eyes and a second later that same red gauntlet appears in her hand. Before Jake can react, she slams her fist into his gut harder than she’d hit Dax before. Jake crumples to the ground, wheezing and coughing.

“Shit, Raven, how the fuck did you do that?” Jake cries.

“My friends taught me how to use my magic, but we don’t teach new tricks to bullies with tiny dicks. So good luck learning to do it yourself.” Raven flips her ebony hair over her shoulder as she turns her back on him.

“All right, everyone, back to what you were doing, but if I hear anyone else bullying others, what Raven just did to Jake will be child’s play.” I wave them all away.

“Why did you stand up for me?” the guy asks. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I hate bullies.” I shrug. “Plus, we are all in this together and have different strengths and weaknesses. We lost too many because of their parents. We can’t afford to lose good people who understand what’s actually at stake.”

Adrian claps him on the shoulder. “Olly, they don’t judge people for the mistakes of their parents.”

“How can I do that when my dad is probably one of the worst offenders?” I giggle.

“Mine too,” Jayden says in time with Thad.

“That would be completely hypocritical and wrong. You’re here.

If you want to help save the world once it’s time, then you need to train with the others.

Maybe talk some of the others into focusing more on training so we actually stand a chance, because no matter what anyone thinks, there will be war. ”

“Well, thanks for standing up against the bullies. Me and the rest of Apollo who stayed are in this with you.” He places his fist over his heart and bows his head before turning to leave.

“My brothers all have rocks for brains,” Raven grumbles. “I doubt that will be the end of it.”

“I’m sure you’re right but we have more important things to deal with like the never-ending sunlight.”

Jayden wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me against his side. “Want to go hang out with Claud and Kira and play with pointy objects for a while?”

I can’t contain the laugh that bubbles up when Raven bounces on her toes in excitement. Jayden knows exactly the way to boost our spirits. Some girls like fancy dinners and flowers but Raven and I like weapons and battle training. It’s another reason we’re such good friends.

I never even held a weapon before I came to Halfling Academy, but since the battles I have faced and the monsters I’ve killed, they are an extension of me, and I wouldn’t be caught dead without one.

We move through the forest path to the forge and new armory at a more sedate pace than before, but the trees still reach out for Raven. Her sword is drawn as she threatens the Dryads we know are there from the phantom giggles ringing out behind the trees.