Searching For Each Other [Book 2] (A Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

A Tour of New Rome

'I uh ...' Octavian dropped his teddy bear. 'No, but-'

'She's just spouting words from some book,' Annabeth said, 'like Hazel suggested. Besides, we already have a real prophecy to worry about.'

Annabeth turned to the Cyclopes. 'Percy's right. Why don't you take Ella and Mrs. O'Leary and shadow-travel somewhere for a while. Is Ella okay with that?'

' "Large dogs are good," ' Ella said, 'Old Yeller, 1957, screenplay by Fred Gipson and William Tunberg.'

I don't think anybody was sure how to answer that but Percy was smiling like the problem was solved.

'Great!' Percy said, 'We'll Iris-message you guys when were done and catch up with you later.'

The Romans looked at Reyna for her ruling, I could see Annabeth holding her breath.

Reyna was pulling her signature poker face while she studied Ella.

'Fine,' She said at last. 'Go.'

'Yay!' the Cyclopes said.

he then went around the tables giving everyone a big hug - even Octavian who didn't look very happy.

He then climbed on Mrs. O'Leary's back with Ella, and the hellhound bounded out of the forum.

They dove straight into the wall of the senate house and disappeared, like I'd seen Nico do so many times before.

I glanced at the table and frowned.

'Well.' Reyna set something down on the table. 'Octavian is right about one thing. We must gain the senate's approval before we let any of our legionnaires go on a quest - especially one as dangerous as you're suggesting.'

'This whole thing smells of treachery,' Octavian grumbled. 'That trireme is not a ship of peace!'

'Come aboard, man,' Leo offered, i glanced up at this - did Leo know what he was going to have to deal with! 'I'll give you a tour. You can steer the boat, and if you're really good I'll give you a little paper capptian's hat to wear.'

I smiled at Leo, he's managed to piss off Octavian!

Octavian's nostrils flared. 'How dare you-'

'It's a good idea,' Reyna said, 'Octavian, go with him. See the ship. We'll convene a senate meeting in one hour.'

'But...' Octavian stopped. Apparently Reyna's expression scared him enough to stop any further arguing, it would probably be bad for his health. 'Fine.'

He got up and smiled at Annabeth, his smile wavered so slightly that it was only just noticable, and i could tell Annabeth had noticed it as well. For a split second something else had seemed to be standing in Leo's place, he had a cruel glint in his eyes. But a second later, he was back to wearing his usual impish grin.

'Back soon,' he promised. 'This is gunna be epic!'

I shivered slightly as Leo and Octavian headed for the rope ladder, Annabeth looked like she wanted to call them back and i wanted so badly to tell her that I'd seen it too - but it would be impossible to explain, and we'd probably seem crazy.

The venti began to clear up all the plates.

I had an idea, just to keep an eye on the ship and Leo...

'Uh, Reyna,' I said, 'if you don't mind, I'd like to show Piper around before the senate meeting. She's never seen New Rome.'

Her expression hardened, glaring slightly.

Annabeth glanced at me like a was crazy, i didn't mean to be so dense, but i wanted to keep an eye on Leo and i could tell Piper wanted to talk to me.