𝕱𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖑𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖊 - a Leo Valdez slowburn

Chapter fourteen

Chapter fourteen.

[we're crossing over]

"I've realized that 

saying no is harder than

people make it seem. 

Why can't I just say no?"

Ismeju had landed in a garden, as said before; it looked like it was a palace garden, judging by the palace in the center of the gardens; Leah was sure they'd get caught immediately by security. She was right, sadly. 

Guards in black uniforms came shouting in a language Leah didn't understand - but Lin spouted something back snappily and they only got more panicked. 

"What did you tell them?" Aiden asked, their eyes wide. "What language was that?"

"Arabic," Lin muttered disdainfully. "Boy, was that language a pain to write. I'm a little rusty because I haven't practiced, but I can get my way around." "So where are we?" Leah questioned them. "I don't know," Lin responded. "Why don't you ask them?" 

"Because I don't know the language, stupid! Why don't you ask them?" "Find!" Lin shouted. "I will! Keep Ismeju under control, you two." They strode off to talk to the guards, who kept casting frightened glances towards the dragon. Leah couldn't imagine what they would see through the mist - maybe a huge tank? A war plane? 

"So we're somewhere in Africa, I expect," Aiden mused. "You think?" Leah asked, eyes narrowed at Lin and the guards. This time she was careful not to let the vines loosen - Hades knows what would happen. She cut Aiden's explanation off once she noticed someone in the distance. 

"Who is that?" "Huh?" Aiden stopped. "What is it, flower girl?" "I think someone's casting a spell on the guards there," Leah said stupidly. "What?" 

But it was true: someone behind the guards was intricately drawing figures in the air, their finger tips leaving lines visible to the naked eye. The guards one by one fell asleep, dropping to the ground. Aiden now too saw it. "Oh what the fuck," he commented, confused. 

Lin ran back to the duo, but the wizards were on their heels and quickly summoned a lasso with which they caught Lin with. "Oh no you don't," Leah growled, narrowing her eyes and growing the grass beneath the wizards' feet to entangle between their arms and legs. Aiden also sent sound waves their way, making them hold their hands up to their ears and deserting Lin. 

They quickly sprinted back to Leah and Aiden, bringing out their weapons from their bag and holding them in an appropriate stance. 

"Stop!" one of the wizards shouted. "Oh shut up, Carter," another replied back with a British accent. 

"Since when do they speak English in Egypt?" Aiden whispered to Lin. They shrugged, fascinated by the wizards. "Leah, bring them closer."

She did just so, dragging them on the grass until she could clearly see their faces. They didn't look older than Leah - younger, even. 

"Hey Lin can you take Ismeju for a minute?" Leah asked off-handedly. Lin nodded and walked towards the dragon as Aiden and Leah both turned towards the wizards on the ground. 

"Are you Egyptian?" Aiden questioned them, sitting down on the grass so they were at eye level. The one who had told the other to shut up rolled their eyes, scoffing. "Well of course we are, are you stupid?" 

She had blonde hair with bright streaks in it, and bright blue eyes like Aiden's. She could easily pass as his sibling, Leah thought to herself. She sat down next to Aiden, taking his hand casually.