She laughs weakly, hugging him back. “Ahren! You’re here, and look at you!”
“You’re safe. Fuck, you’re safe,” Ahren breathes, his voice hoarse as he looks behind her at the quints. “Thank you. I owe you all.”
They nod as one, his sincerity in his thanks – we all felt it.
“I’d say anytime but na, I’m kinda tired,” Theo remarks. “But I swear that god is a fickle fuck. He kissed Blondie.”
“I really don’t like him,” Ahren mutters, frowning as he places Sienna down and looks at me. “Are you alright?”
I nod as Allie turns to me.
“It was gross, but that’s an impressive present you got, though,” Allie says, looking at the Tongue of Dawn at my hip. “I think Helios has a thing for blondes. I mean, Royce and nowyou?”
“I’m blond, where’s my gift?” Theo jokes.
“I don’t even know how Hades chose you, let alone anyone else,” Allie snorts.
“It’ll come in good use against the Indomitable,” Renji adds. “It’s great. We can do with anything we can get.”
“Care to share how you got it, though or from whom?” Ares asks me, cocking a brow as he gestures to the Tongue of Dawn?
Let’s get out of here first, then I promise I’ll share everything,I write.
“Yes, and how you lost your voice,” Sienna says softly.
Ahren looks at me, and I toss my hair.
Sure, but can we go? I need a nice hot chocolate,I state.
Ahren looks at me with concern when Jayce steps forward. “She has a good head on her shoulders. I agree with Helios on that. You’re powerful.” He then walks past me and down the steps, leaving me surprised at the compliment.
Allie and Sienna nod in agreement, and Ahren relaxes a little.
“You’re still my little sister, and I don’t want to lose any of you.” He steps forward, his arm still around Sienna, before he pulls Allie and me into his arms, giving us both a light kiss on theforehead.
“I’ll forgive you this once for hugging me,” Allie declares, making us all burst out laughing, albeit mine is silent.
The happiness I feel, the elated joy that we’ve done it, makes me want to cry in relief. I didn’t even realise I was holding so much pressure inside of me until this moment. Ahren lets go of us, smiling.
“Are you smiling?” he asks Allie.
She snorts. “No, I am happy we have Si back, but no, not smiling,” she glowers, but we can all see it.
Ahren chuckles and looks over at Renji, Carter and Theo, who are still here. Ares has already headed after Jayce. “Thank you,” he says again.
Renji smiles, and Carter nods.
Yes, thank you,I write, but I’ll thank them properly when we are home.
“Come on, let’s go home. I miss my mumsy,” Theo says, making Renji laugh and Ahren smirk in amusement. “And my bed,” Theo adds.
“I’m sure Aunty Raven enjoyed the peace,” Ahren remarks as we all make our way down the steps slowly. Exhausted yet relieved, I look behind at the glowing gates of Helios’ abode.
I kneel on one knee, touching the ground.
May the gods continue to give us strength for the battle tocome, because I foresee great darkness.
For a moment, I feel consumed by the darkness that is to come, and I blink when a single tear trickles down my cheek. I discreetly wipe it away.
