JAWBREAKER

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤

Warren didn't know what kind of monster Dr. Thorn was, but he was fast. As they walked she tried to size him up.

If she was quick enough, maybe she could catch Thorn off guard and rush him, but that would leave the di Angelo's unprotected. Unless Percy could get to his shield. But the boy had his eyes closed and was concentrating hard on something. Warren guessed he was trying to contact Grover through their empathy link, and she didn't want to distract him.

"What are you doing, Jackson?" hissed Dr. Thorn when Percy started to fall behind. "Keep moving!"

He opened his eyes and shuffled forward. "It's my shoulder," he lied. "It burns."

"Bah! My poison causes pain. It will not kill you. Walk!"

Thorn herded them outside and Warren's eyes darted around, trying to scout for escape routes instead. Maybe Percy could take the kids and she could hold off the monster while they ran, but it was no good. He was leading them through the woods, and the snow covered path was straight and narrow. It was lit by old-fashioned lamplights that gave them no place to hide.

Everything was dark and freezing as they made their way through the snow. The clouds had blotted out the moon and the wind blew fiercely. Warren glanced at Percy's ripped clothes and worried he'd turn into a Percysicle if he was outside for too long. She tried to stand close to him, hoping her heat would radiate out.

"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said. "We will summon your ride."

"What ride?" Bianca demanded. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence, you insufferable girl!"

"Don't talk to my sister that way," Nico said. His voice quivered, but Warren was impressed that he had the guts to say anything at all. She was curious to know who their godly parent was. Perhaps they were Ares kids like her.

Dr. Thorn made a growling sound that definitely wasn't human. It raised the hairs on the back of Warren's neck, but she forced herself to keep walking and pretend she was being a well mannered captive.

"Halt," Thorn ordered.

The woods had opened up and exposed a cliff that overlooked the sea. At least, Warren assumed the sea was down there, hundreds of feet below. She could hear the waves churning and could smell the cold salty froth. But all she could see was mist and darkness. Dr. Thorn pushed them roughly toward the edge.

Percy stumbled, but Bianca caught him. Warren wrapped a protective arm around Nico's shoulders.

"What is he?" Bianca whispered. "How do we fight him?"

"I'm working on it," Warren said.

"I'm scared," Nico mumbled, shrinking further against her side. He was fiddling with something— a little metal toy soldier.

"It'll be fine," Warren tried to reassure him.

"Stop talking!" Dr. Thorn said. "Face me!"

They turned.