The Rogue Emperor (A Riordanverse Story)

Chapter 11: Reyna Becomes a Tourist

The group found Livia and Augustus sitting under an umbrella by the pool. The two of them were watching a pair of ducks bobbing around on the surface, fluffing their feathers. Reyna was beginning to think they were purposefully being useless and just checking the mark of coming along for the ride on the quest. So far, other than Livia dragging Nico to go get her son and daughter-in-law from the land of the dead, the couples only suggestion was that Tiberius was on Capri. Even after telling them that Hazel's quest nor the group of Hunters would venture over to Europe, the two of them stood firm of his location.

"We're going to Long Beach, we have a lead," says Reyna ever so flatly.

"Not really the best time of year to have a beach day," says Augustus, lowering his sunglasses to look at them.

Nico frowns. "It's not for fun, both groups were spotted at the pier."

"It won't be fun with that attitude," responds the emperor. "Cheer up, your sister's not dead according to dear daddy. You ever think that you all being in a rush is what's causing you to miss clues?"

"You've been nothing but unhelpful this whole time!" yells Will. "You sit around, disappear, offer suggestions that aren't feasible, and then tell us we're in too much of a rush."

Livia crosses her arms defensively. "We made the Celtic woman a very nice salve for her phantom pains. I'm sure she would not call us unhelpful."

 Will scowls, fuming. "We're going to Long Beach so get in the car."

"My car?" asks Augustus, jingling his keys at Will. "Perhaps you can walk."

Will scowls at them, but doesn't dare to talk back.

Livia smiles. "I'll offer a suggestion that will most certainly be helpful to the quest. William, you won't be coming with us to Long Beach."

His face turns red in anger. "What?!"

"Your little prophecy says that at some point, one person has to stay behind with friends while the others continue on. I think this would be the perfect place to drop someone off and we volunteer William. I think these children will be most enthralled by your ability to be a human glow stick."

"Wait a minute! We decide when and who stays behind," says Will looking at the group for back up.

Reyna bites her lip nervously. "They are right, this would probably be the best and safest place to leave someone, you know with friends."

"It's my quest, I shouldn't be the one to stay behind," says Nico, nervously looking at the imperial couple and Augustus winks at him almost like it was for encouragement.

"Frank, you should go too. This started in New Rome, I think the praetor needs to see things through. I'll stay with Meg and the others so Will can go with you; his healing powers could be useful."

Will smiles. "Great! We should get going."

"Perhaps the way I phrased it made it seem like you had an option, William," says Livia, looking like she'd about to strangle Will with just her gaze. "I cannot in good faith let you go; if Tiberius is going to kill anyone, it will be you."

"You can't tell me what-"

"Enough." Livia snaps her fingers and Will collapses into Nico's arms. "Bring him inside; we'll meet you at our car."

A sense of fear washes over Reyna as she fears that the empress just killed Will. Nico stumbles under the weight of his boyfriend, so she rushes over to help shoulder the burden. Once she's close, she hears Will purring an adorable snore. Frank grabs his feet, and they awkwardly shuffle him into the air-conditioning.