Lust: 3rd Draft Edition (Favor of Athena, Book 1)

Chapter 1.3

Chapter 1.3

"The funeral going on over there is for Hina Jarvis. A student at Village Boarding School in Camden. They found her body along with her boyfriend, Ahmad Billings. The autopsy reported her had suffered blunt force trauma from repeated strikes. Ahmad's toxicologist reported that he had arsenic, huge amounts ingested."

Ares paused, uncharacteristically of him, and seemed to be telling Athen every detail, again not characteristic of the god of war and bloodshed. He almost seemed concerned, even though his back was turned to her. Athena felt that Ares must have matured during her 20 year exile. She didn't think it would be possible. His body didn't move, outside of taking another drag. He could have been a statue.

"They are the fourth couple to be murdered from the boarding school."

Athena's analytical mind raced with questions she needed answers too. The boarding school she knew of, she taught there for a few years during her exile. The boarding school took over some area from the east side of the college campus of Rutgers Camden and the Promise Charter School. A dormitory for students that was gated off. The boarding school didn't only house students in a protected environment, but it served to give students a vocational education while preparing them for college as well. She grew to like the school, she spent most of her life in European cities, and didn't often visit black communities, and she loved Camden. Even the dangerous spots, which for her was no problem. She left the school about five years ago to get back to training.

Her heart aches at the thought of 8 young couples losing their lives. The murderer didn't care about their futures, what could they have done to incur the prep's wrath? She thought, without knowing. She placed her hand on Ares' shoulder. He didn't budge, yell, or react. Athena didn't know why, but the sadness of those kids being murdered hurt her, she needed to feel comfort and this small embrace of touch, helped her a little. She spent her whole existence as a mentor and teacher or coach, especially to youths, and educational institutions, as the goddess of wisdom, were sacred to her. She supposed that's why it hurt her.