all our broken skies, a kotlc + pjo/hoo fanfic

chapter ten

The room they walked into was already occupied by three people. One was a man in a wheelchair, the other two being a brunette who was being loosely held back by a blond guy. The girl was shouting something in another language—French, maybe? Whatever it was, Sophie could tell it wasn't anything nice.

Everything went quiet, though, as the other trio swung around to face them. Same as earlier, their gazes skipped over Sophie and Rachel, locking onto Percy.

The blond guy was the first to react. He stepped forward, punching Percy in the shoulder. Sophie could've sworn she saw sparks crackle around his knuckles. There wasn't much strength in it, but there was enough to knock Percy back a step.

"That's for running off without telling anyone," he snapped. His gaze softened. "Thanks for coming back."

Percy rolled his eyes, shifting from foot to foot. "I'm not staying long, so don't get your hopes up." His eyes flicked to the brunette. "What, no hello?"

She scoffed, turning sharply on her heel and walking out of the room.

Well, that was odd. What's up with her? Sophie glanced at the blond. Honestly, what's up with all of them?

"Sophie, this is Jason and Chiron," Percy explained. "That delightful girl who just left is Piper."

"Sorry about her," the blond, Jason, said quickly. "We just... There was a disagreement."

Percy shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Well, don't get me involved. I'm just here to drop Sophie off."

Jason nodded, extending a hand to Sophie. He smiled. "Nice to meet you."

She awkwardly accepted his handshake. "Yeah, uh, you too."

"So you're a daughter of—"

"We haven't explained that yet," Rachel cut in.

Sophie frowned. "Explained what?"

"Your mom is a god," the redhead stated.

...So they've officially lost their minds.

"I'd assume one of the Greek gods, but as far as we know, there's also Roman and Norse," Rachel continued. "Oh, and Egyptian, but we don't know much about them." She shrugged.

Sophie laughed. "I...I think you might've recruited the wrong person for your cult."

The man in the wheelchair—Chiron, as Percy had called him—finally moved. As in, standing, a feat that should've been impossible for him. And it wasn't quite standing, per se. Sophie gaped.

"You're a horse," she blurted.

Percy snorted.

"Centaur, actually," Chiron corrected her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He glanced at Percy and Rachel. "If you would, I'd like to speak to Sophie alone."

Percy frowned, clearly dissatisfied, but was cut off by Jason linking an arm through his and dragging him out of the room. Rachel gave Sophie a reassuring nod before heading after them.

Chiron didn't waste any time beating around the bush. "It's been quite some time since I've met an elf."

"Um. What?"