Tangled Legacies: A KOTLC and PJO Crossover Story

Hazel Wants Me To Sit And Stay. How About Run Away? Chapter 36: Leo's POV

Why couldn't I ever get a break from the dreams? They'd just gotten worse since I talked to the creepy windy god titan elf guy. He'd been nagging and nagging for me to come to him and I was like dude. Gimme a break. I still couldn't get my screwdriver out of Festus's body. I'd been wasting my time alternating between trying to figure out how to get to Nebraska and an epic parting prank for Percy. I was still leaking water out of my ears from when he dropped that creek on me!

Anyway, the dude popped into the middle of my dream and started ranting about his plan and how I needed to come out there ASAP if I wanted my mom back. I needed a plan, and fast.

"Leo!" A voice called. "Leo! I've called your name like forty times!"

"WORKING ON SOMETHING!" I bellowed. In truth, I was wiring an explosive. Not even a weapon. An explosive that shot popcorn and butter.

"Leo. If you want to have the faintest idea what's going on right now, you will come out here right now." It was Hazel. When had she gotten here?

"Just... One... Got it!" I shoved the popcorn bomb under my bed, hoping it wouldn't go off.

"Leo, if Percy refused to tell you and you can't figure it out, then I'm the only one willing to tell you. Since you haven't made me angry yet, I'll tell you! Also... I know you weren't at Bunker Nine. They told me what happened. And the freaky wind. I can explain that too."

I flung open the door. "Make it fast. I've got somewhere to be."

Hazel grabbed my arm. "Did he ask you the same thing he asked me? Because I don't know much about your past, and that thing... It knew about mine. It tried to bring me to its side." How did she know about that?

"Okay. Maaaaybe this windy goddy dude-"

"Goddy dude?"

"Never mind. The point is, maybe he might have kinda sorta possibly bribed me and I kinda sorta maybe possibly said yes. And maybe I'm plotting to run away to Nebraska. Why Nebraska? You know what? I don't want to know. Bye!" I tried to pull away but Hazel tightened her grip.

"Don't make me pelt you with diamonds," Hazel threatened.

"Don't make me set you on fire," I retorted.

"He won't bring your mom back. He'll use you and kill you. Leo, this has happened before. Don't fall for it. At least let me explain about the elves. You saw a little of it but... It's complicated. And this new 'goddy dude' is pure evil." Hazel pleaded.

"Explain. But I can't make any promises. I have at least a small chance of seeing my mom again, either dead or alive. I've already cheated death once."

Hazel meets my eyes. "Promise you won't join him. He wants to take over. Destroy humanity."

"The usual, then?" I joke. The look in Hazel's eyes says she really will pelt me with diamonds if I don't stop talking. "Shutting up." I muttered.

"Thank you. Now-"

"Let me guess. The Canadian gods are after us now?" I interrupt.

"Canadia- never mind. They're not gods. They're... Elves." Hazel blurts.

I bust out laughing. "Yeah. You can stop pranking me. You can tell Percy that he can-"

"Leo, listen to me. I'm serious. They're elves, and they're dangerous, but they have a prophecy. We need their help."

"What can they do, build toys? How can tiny midgets in tights-"

"Leo, they're not Santa's elves. They are near-immortal beings with really powerful abilities. You should have seen the one guy... He destroyed half of the wind... guy's minions with a flick of his hand. From what I hear, Sophie- one of the elves- found Nico's deepest secret."

"Hazel. They're demigods playing dress-up. I saw one of them. A normal human. Or half human." I try. But I know she's probably right.

"Would it help if I showed you?" Hazel persisted. That girl will just not let up!

"If I let you show me will you let me make my own decisions? I know what's best for me."

"Fine." Hazel sighs. "I'll take you there. Maybe... Um, put on some clothes?" Hazel asks. I look down. Sure enough, I'm wearing only underwear. My clothes must've burned off when we were arguing about those "elves".

I sigh. "I'll meet you tomorrow." But I have no intention of talking to Hazel or anyone tomorrow. I'm making my move tomorrow.

"I can see you plotting. It's in your eyes. Promise me you'll sleep in your cabin tonight. Don't do anything you'll regret." Hazel says.

"I'm sleeping in Bunker Nine. I need to work on Festus." That's actually true. "I swear on the River Styx that I will still be there when you wake up." That wasn't. I have no intention of keeping that oath.