DIVINE! | percy jackson

chapter eleven - confederates, scylla, charybdis, oh my!

CHAPTER ELEVEN
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         DEAD CONFEDERATES SURROUNDED Estella, and she couldn't help but feel her skin crawl. They all gave disgusted glances her way, and one even went as far to spit at her feet. It took everything from her to stop Percy from ripping their ghostly arms off.

The ghosts approved of Annabeth, though, because she was white and from Virginia. Percy almost had approval, but him being from New York and defending Estella ruined it. Clarisse fit right in with them. Her brooding personality and craving for war allowed her to bond with the dead soldiers more than anyone else.

"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said.

She led them to the dining room where peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Dr. Pepper waited to be eaten. Estella was hesitant to eat, given that any of the ghosts could've poisoned the food.

"Tantalus expelled you for eternity. Mr. D said if any of you show your face at came again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV."

"Did they give you this ship?" Percy asked.

"Of course not. My father did."

"Ares?"

"You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? The spirits on the losing side of every ear owe a tribute to Ares. That's their curse for being defeated. I prayed to my father for a naval transport and here it is. These guys will do anything I tell them. Won't you, Captain?"

The captain behind her was stiff and angry-looking. "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace, at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone."

Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that."

"Clarisse, Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters—"

"Good! I'll blow him out of the water."

Estella sat silently, wondering if all of Ares! children were this obnoxious. If it happened to be a trend, then she was not ready to meet the God himself.

"You don't understand. We have to combine forces. Let us help you—"

"No!" Clarisse punched the table. "This is my quest, smart girl! Finally, I get to be the hero, and you two will not steal my chance. Especially if there's a new girl with you."

Clarisse gave the daughter of Hecate a wild stare before turning back to Annabeth.

"Where are your cabin mates?" Percy asked. "You were allowed to take two friends with you, weren't you?"

"They didn't... I let them stay behind. To protect the camp."

"You mean even the people in your own cabin wouldn't help you?"

"Shut up, Prissy! I don't need them! Or you!"

"Clarisse, " Percy said, "Tantalus is using you. He doesn't care about the camp. He'd love to see it destroyed. He's setting you up to fail."

"No! I don't care what the Oracle—" She stopped herself.

"What? What did the Oracle tell you?" Percy said.

"Nothing. All you need to know is that I'm finishing this quest and you're not helping. On the other hand, I can't let you go..."

"So we're prisoners?" Estella asked.

Clarisse smirked. "Guests. For now. Captain, take them below. Assign them hammocks on this berth deck. If they don't mind their manners, show them how we deal with enemy spies."