Page 21 of Artemis’ Bow (Halfling Academy #5)

“Yes, your parents are fine. There has been a small uprising in Tartarus but it’s nothing your dad can’t handle.” He waves away the concern.

“A small uprising?” I ask. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing for you all to worry about. Hades is handling it. You need to focus on Artemis. Too many are losing their lives before they were supposed to because of the disruption.”

“Disruption is a great way to describe Apollo becoming a royal douchecanoe,” Raven snorts.

“I would probably be very careful about disrespecting the sun god while out searching for Artemis. He’s a vengeful one,” Hermes says.

“Yeah, I read about what he did to Orion because he’s a typical man and guarding his sister’s virtue when it wasn’t his to guard,” I say.

“The gods have had many transgressions over the millennia,” Hermes says. “It’s not for mortals to judge them on that.”

“I beg to differ when most of the times those transgressions affect the mortals who you say shouldn’t judge them. Case in point.” I point at the bright never-ending sun.

“Can we talk about the uprising in Tartarus, please?” Jayden asks.

“I’m sure it’s Hecate throwing a fit because she can’t get to the human realm and help in this pointless war.” I shake my head.

Hermes points to his nose with a smirk. “You got it in one. Very smart.”

“That’s where we left the goddess. We should have done worse to her,” I grumble.

“She’s not getting out of there anytime soon. She’s just stirring the pot. None of our enemies except for Hecate have a great relationship with Hades, so she has no one to get her out.”

“Good. She needs to rot for the things she’s done.”

“So, if you didn’t come to tell us about the uprising, why did you come? There’s always a reason,” I say.

“There is. I am, in fact, the messenger god.” He grins. “So why else would I be here?”

“What message?” I ask.

“Hades sends his regards. He’s rooting for you to succeed because he’s being overrun with too many dead souls at once.” Hermes shrugs.

“He can handle it, right? He still has the helm?” I ask, chewing my lip.

There can’t be demons running rampant in LA again, can there? We don’t have time to deal with another demon infestation on the streets of LA. We barely made it out unscathed the last time.

“He has the helm and his wife helping him keep order. That’s not for you to worry about right now. You need to focus,” Hermes says gently.

“Right, I can’t be expected to save everything all the time… Wait, you all already expect that of me.” I glare at the messenger god.

“That’s valid. I had that one coming.” Hermes shakes his head. “The god of the underworld would like you to visit Orpheus in LA at the portal to the underworld.”

“You mean the deranged strip club that had a terrible demon infestation the last time we visited? That’ll be a fun time.” My shoulders slump.

I glance around at my friends and back to the smirking god. Sarcasm is obviously lost on that one. I never want to go back to that strip club for the rest of my life, but how often do I actually get what I want?

Very little where the gods are concerned. They have all these plans and schemes for me to save them all and don’t give me any choice in the matter.

I am not throwing a pity party for myself. That is not what I’m doing… probably.

“That would be the place.” Hermes’ smirk turns into a full grin.

How much trouble will I really get into if I smacked a god upside the head? He probably wouldn’t smite me since I’m the chosen one or whatever. Jayden must sense my mood because in the next moment, I’m yanked back into a strong chest and Jayden’s arm is wrapped securely around my middle.

“I wouldn’t have actually done it,” I growl.

“Done what?” Hermes asks, oblivious.

“I probably wouldn’t have smacked a god upside the back of his head,” I grumble.

Hermes barks out a laugh and bends at the waist as he cackles. “I keep forgetting how fearless you are. It’s absolutely refreshing.”

“Hermes, can you please tell us why we are detouring to LA so we can get on the road. We are on a bit of a time crunch here,” Jayden says through clenched teeth.

“Your father has a little surprise for you to help you along the way.”

“Why couldn’t he have just given it to you to give to us?” I ask with a whine.

“I’m not a delivery man; I’m the messenger god,” Hermes scoffs, pressing a hand to his chest as if I have offended him.

Raven steps forward. “Beth, dial it back before he does smite you.”

“He probably wouldn’t.” I shrug.

“What would be the fun in smiting you? You are entertaining. It’s refreshing that you’re not afraid of me.”

“Glad I amuse you.” I roll my eyes.

“You do, but in all seriousness. Hades couldn’t give me the item. Something about it is too big for me to carry,” he says with a wave of his hand.

“If it’s too big for you to carry, how are we going to? How useful can it be?” I ask.

“I don’t know. Hades doesn’t tell me all his secrets, just that it could only leave the underworld with his permission via the portal,” Hermes says.

“It’s up to you, Beth. We don’t have to go but what if we don’t and this could have helped us?” Jayden squeezes me tighter.

Adrian’s eyes widen and he nods to me frantically. “I think I know what it is, and we definitely need it.”

“What is it?” I ask.

“You know I can’t tell you everything. Just know that it will be helpful, and we’ll need to go see Orpheus,” Adrian says.

“Fine.” I sigh. “I guess we’re going to a demented strip club. Yay.”

“It won’t be that bad this time. There most likely won’t be demons on the loose in the streets.” Jayden pats my shoulder.

“Most likely,” I growl. “If we have to stop a demon invasion again, I’m kicking your ass, Jayden.”

He whispers close to my ear, “I’ll probably enjoy it.”

I shiver from the seduction in his words. Bastard knows exactly what he does to me at the most inopportune times. Maybe when my powers grow, I’ll be able to smite him. Probably not a good idea since he enjoys getting zapped by my magic.

I let a little of my power flow through me and Jayden growls, “You don’t play fair.”

“Like you were?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Any other messages for us, Hermes?” Raven cuts in over our whispers.

“Just good luck. I’m sure you don’t need it but we’re rooting for you.” He blinks away in an instant.

"I guess we venture out into the unknown… again. Gods help us if we fail and the world loses everything.”