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I brought out ers were tight onme on the now-cleared cart My heart skipped a beat as his lips trailed across , but at theseemed more important than this

We kissed like it was the last ti each other in My breath caught again Coldness seeped into me like a chilly, rainy day My insides nuht formed, I realized how true it was There was no promise of tomorrow or the next hour Ares could find a way in Seth could show up Aiden could--

"Hey, where’d you go?" Aiden asked softly, holding ers

When I didn’t answer, he brushed his lips overthem open with infinite patience He pulledin ently tilted my head back "Stay withfingers into the front of his shirt, groundingaway the invading nu the kiss and--

A shrill, eardru alar as a low hu Aiden and lanced up at the flashing red light above the doors I recognized the sound, knehat it meant My muscles tensed as my wide eyes met Aiden’s

There was a security breach, and just like at the Covenant in the Catskills, I knew this wasn’t a false alarm

We were under attack

CHAPTER 4

Aiden flipped frood in about two seconds flat while I just sort of stood there, rooted to the floor like one of the led in a pleasant sort of way, but the ball of ice was back inlike a winter stor me quickly "We’ll have to pick this back up later"

Then he started for the door

I forced myself to follow him out of the supply closet and down the empty hall Sirens continued to scream, and the whole tiet past whatever wards Apollo had thron It couldn’t be Seth, because I didn’t feel hi, purposeful strides He was ready to face whatever waited outside I wasn’t In ainst ain The rush of nervous energy e of the shattered aquariu on the floor filled h

I can’t do this again

Air punched fros in an unsteady rush as Aiden pushed open the heavy double doors I had to do this Battle hat I’d prepared for, and as a Sentinel, we could be walking into a fight at any given ers were attached to Aiden’s legs, hanging frohs, their weight so faotten them

A Sentinel never left hoers along their slender handles This is what I’d trained for Well, kind of I’d trained to face daimons, not a cray cray God of War

I have to do this

Outside, we headed toward the front of the campus Several Guards had taken up defensives stances outside the coliseu that held the common rooht now for the feast, but as we rounded the building, pure-blooded students were being ushered inside, their faces pale and fearful

I wondered if I had the sa to the on?" Aiden asked one of the Guards

The half-blood shook his head "Soet all the pures into one safe area"

"It can’t be what they said," another Guard said, eyes wide as he gripped the handle of his Glock, his attention being pulled toward a group of pures who appeared froet inside Now!"

"What did they say?" I asked, happy to hear my voice didn’t crack, but there was no answer The Guards were distracted with the lagging group of pures "Never mind, then," I h, Aiden turned tohis hands on my shoulders "You should stay back"

"Huh?" It was the only thing I could counray eyes "Alex, you’re not completely healed, and we have no idea what the hell is happening up there"

A big, really irresponsible part ofto join the frightened masses, but no matter how scared I was, I would not fall apart "I’s, Alex Strong Brave Beautiful Incredibly sexy," he said with a quick grin "But you are not fine You and I both know that"

Okay He had a point "You’re right, but you don’t understand I can’t hide If I do…" I took a deep breath and decided to be honest for once Go o out to that wall and face whatever’s there, I never will You get that? And I can’t let et over this"

And that was true Soon me I needed to face Seth and transfer the power of the God Killer fro to require a major thron between us Then I’d have to face Ares I couldn’t wiotI’d done it before

But this ti voice that sounded so nored the voice "I have to do this or…" Or I would hide again

Aiden looked away, drawing in a deep breath His shoulders tensed, and I kneas going to argue with total Aiden logic He let out the breath "Okay But stick close to ets out of hand, and if I think you can’t handle it, I’ you over my shoulder Do you understand?"

Color h-handed stateood place, and the sirens weren’t shutting up anytihed "Deal"

"Then let’s do this"