¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

XXVII.

ｔｈｅ ｂａｔｔｌｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｌａｂｙｒｉｎｔｈ

WHEN THEY GOT TO THE LARGE HOUSE. The deck was set up for a party. Streamers and balloons decorated the railing. Geryon led them up the steps. The two-headed dog followed behind them closely, making it clear they'd be his new chew toy if they tried anything.

Their supplies were taken away, along with their weapons. Luckily for Lucia, they didn't question the Charm on her wrist—but really what could she do with just her bow?

"Eurytion, tie them up" He ordered "And gag Ms sunshine first. She can get a little too loud."

"How—"

"Word gets around sunshine." He grinned before grabbing an apron and wrapping it around him, the apron covered each chest, with one word on each, so together they spelled out: KISS—THE—CHEF.

Lucia felt herself become sick as Eurytion approached her. The thought of being tied up by him caused bile to rise in her throat. She was about to back up when she heard a growl come from behind her— really closely behind her.

"It would be a shame for Percy Jackson to come back and find one less friend," Geryon said. He turned to Eurytion "You think he'd notice— what's one less." Eurytion stayed quiet "No? oh fine."

Lucia groaned as she was gagged, her arms pulled behind her as she got tied up like a rodeo animal. Her friends behaved in fear of her safety before getting tied up and gagged themselves.

They were all thrown in a corner, forced to watch Geryon as he turned on the grill and began barbecuing hamburger patties. Lucia felt herself wanting to cry at the thought of what cows the patties might have come from.

Eurytion sat at the picnic table, unbothered. Lucia hoped Percy was doing better than they were. She prayed to all the gods above that the horses wouldn't get to him. She had a feeling their day wouldn't end well without him holding up his end of the bargain

☼

"LET THEM GO!" Percy yelled, still out of breath from running up the steps. "I cleaned the stables!"

Geryon turned."Did you, now? How'd you manage it?"

He was pretty impatient, but he told him. His gaze kept falling on his friends in concern.

He nodded appreciatively. "Very ingenious. It would've been better if you'd poisoned that pesky naiad, but no matter."

"Let my friends go," He said. "We had a deal."

"Ah, I've been thinking about that. The problem is, if I let them go, I don't get paid."

"You promised!"

Geryon made a tsk-tsk noise. "But did you make me swear on the River Styx? No, you didn't. So it's not binding. When you're conducting business, sonny, you should always get a binding oath."

Percy drew riptide. Orthus growled. One head leaned down next to Grover's ear and bared its fangs.

"Eurytion," Geryon said, "the boy is starting to annoy me. Kill him."