The Rogue Emperor (A Riordanverse Story)

Chapter 13: Frank Plays with Knives

The gate opening confirmed that Tiberius was still alive despite never being formally declared a god and that he had been watching them as they approached.

Augustus' demands had gotten them to through the gate, but now standing at the front door, Frank was starting to get queasy. Nothing about this situation could be good. He knew Nico and Reyna had his back, but the imperial couple would still be up for debate. The two of them had become marginally more helpful since arriving on Catalina and most of their odd actions could be explained, but it felt like they were somehow on a side quest of shopping and eating. On top of that, they only really wanted to listen to Nico as it was his quest. Their rash behavior hadn't gotten them in any trouble yet, so Frank was crossing his fingers that everything would go smoothly with the rogue emperor.

Frank grabs the doorknob, a part of him expecting it to shock him or turn his hand to stone. It was unlocked, Tiberius just inviting them in. They weren't his guests, there were probably traps or monsters lying just behind the door, and they were going to stroll in like a bunch of idiots. He knew they needed to save Hazel, Leila, Pranjal, and the Hunters; he was hoping Nico was right that they were still alive, though the emperor's comments worried him.

Reyna gives him a nod to open the door and so he does, gingerly and slowly swinging it open. The entry way of the house was large, with elaborate columns, but was also completely empty of any furniture. The whole house looked empty from what he could see. It was a good sign he didn't see his friends immediately tied up in chains as a small sliver of him had anticipated.

He breathes a sigh of relief.

The three of them follow Livia and Augustus as they advance through the house. The imperial couple didn't have the same sense of caution. Frank remembered how Apollo had been when he was stuck on Earth as Lester, so carefree about the possibilities of dying, but slowly realizing he could if he wasn't careful. The emperor and empress knew they didn't need to worry about such things as mortality though they could easily accidentally get any of the rest of them or the captives killed with their lack of awareness.

Frank notices a faint glow coming out from under a door up ahead.

The imperial couple let them take the lead heading up the back so they could admire the murals that adorned the walls of the hall without slowing the team. When Frank reaches the door, he glances back at his friends, waiting for any hesitation from them that he shouldn't open it. Nico shrugs, not offering any suggestion, and Reyna nods in agreement.

When he opens the door, they find a wall of at least a hundred monitors and a figure with his back to them watching the screens silently in the dark; it was an eerie sight to say the least. Frank squints to try to distinguish if what's watching the monitors was a monster. Slowly, the figure turns in its swivel chair, which would have been a very dramatic reveal, if Augustus hadn't flipped on all the lights.

They all retract, allowing their pupils to adjust. Frank blinks a few times to allow his vision to focus. Sitting in front of them was a man in his late forties with a touch of grey in his mousy brown hair. While he looked frail, eyes a bit sunken, though Frank was sure the man could easily take him in a fight with his pseudo-god strength. He wore plain linen pants and a golfing polo that didn't really match, but Frank didn't take it this man cared about such things.

A thin smile graces his face. "Mother. Stepfather."

With each word, he produced a knife and threw it at them. The first flew straight at Livia landing in her stomach, a blow that would have done damage if she were mortal. The second flew so close to Reyna, it cut her ear, but it wasn't meant for her. Frank glanced over at the emperor, who was admiring the delicately carved handle of the knife sticking out of his shoulder.