¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

XVIII.

ｔｈｅ　ｔｉｔａｎｓ　ｃｕｒｓｅ

BEFORE THEY LEFT OLYMPUS, Percy decided to make a few calls. He also decided that he wanted Lucia to be there when he made them.

After stealing her away from her dance with a minor god they found a quiet fountain in a corner garden. Lucia watched in silence as Percy began to send an Iris message to his brother, Tyson,

"Tyson! Hey man! this is Lucia." Percy introduced

"Brother! New Friend!" Tyson cheered, his single eye gleaming innocently "Hi!

Lucia grinned and waved toward him "Hi Tyson"

They told him about their adventures, and Bessie—he wanted to hear every detail about the cute baby cow serpent—along with every detail about Lucia. Percy also assured him that Annabeth was safe. Then finally, Percy finished by explaining how the shield he'd made him last summer had been damaged in the manticore attack.

"Yay!" Tyson said. "That means it was good! It saved your life!"

"It sure did, big guy," Percy said. "But now it's ruined."

"Not ruined!" Tyson promised. "I will visit and fix it next summer. With new friend in it!"

The idea picked Lucia up instantly. She couldn't wait to meet him, the thought of being a part of something special like that made her feel like maybe she was special too.

"Seriously?" Percy asked, Lucia, saw the small glint of excitement in his eyes. "They'll let you take time off?"

"Yes! I have made two thousand seven hundred and forty-one magic swords," Tyson said proudly, showing me the newest blade. "The boss says 'good work'! He will let me take the whole summer off. I will visit camp!"

Lucia watched as they talked for a while about war preparations and their dad's fight with the old sea gods, and all the cool things they all could do together next summer, but then Tyson's boss started yelling at him and he had to get back to work.

Percy dug out his last golden drachma and made one more Iris message.

"Sally Jackson," Percy said. "Upper East Side, Manhattan."

Lucia's face brightened and before she could stop herself she leaned forward bumping into Percy and almost diving into the water "Sally!"

The mist shimmered, and there was Percy's mom at an unfamiliar kitchen table, laughing and holding hands with someone.

Lucia gasped and before she could call out for her a hand fell on her mouth. Percy whispered in her ear "He doesn't know, we'll call later"

Before he could cut the connection Sally saw them, her eyes got wide. She let go of the man's hand real quick. "Oh, Paul! You know what? I left my writing journal in the living room. Would you mind getting it for me?"

"Sure, Sally. No problem."

He left the room, and instantly Percy's mom leaned toward the Iris message. "Is that who I think it is! Lucia? You-You're alive? "

Lucia was basically jumping, she licked Percy's hand to make him let her go

"Luz!" Percy complained, "wait- You thought she was dead?!"

"Hi, Sally!" Lucia started to ramble "I am! I'm alive! Long story really but Percy found me in Maine and now I have two dads and I can scream like supersonic loud! oh and then there's the whole light thing! did I mention my other dad was Apollo? Also, you need to tell me how you met Poseidon--because wow. Oh, my gods! I missed you so much. How is everything? Where are you living now? Could I come over? Do you still work at the candy shop! Who's Paul!"