Daylight (A Percy Jackson Novel)

How Do I Explain That I Think I Sent a Cheerleader to Hell

Ginny was not having a Goode day, and wanted to sue the administration for false advertising.  At first, it seemed like she could do it. She could make it through this orientation with no issues. No problems. No beheadings and violence of any kind. But she should have known that to ask the universe to make it through the day without bloodshed was really just asking too much.

That being said, she never anticipated this. The most attractive guy she'd ever seen in her life just coming out and saying that not only was he not human, but neither was Ginny. This scary intense redhead dragging her behind bongos and demanding answers about mythical monsters. She certainly didn't anticipate running into robot-donkey-cheerleaders who were essentially the Greek equivalent of vampires. Or maybe a succubus was a better comparison? Either way, she didn't expect it.

Honestly, compared to everything else that was going on, Percy's pen turning into a sword was the least exciting thing to happen. But Ginny's eyes were still latched onto it, like it was the most important thing to focus on at the moment.

"It's a sword," she repeated dumbly, "and it's glowing."

Percy sent her a small smirk, as if he couldn't help but feel pleased at her being impressed by Riptide, and then turned back to Tammi, the robo-donkey.

"Oh, come on," she cooed, trying to be endearing. Ginny thought she even batted her eyelashes for effect. "You don't need that? How about a kiss instead?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Percy," Ginny shuddered. It was hard, fighting to shake off what Percy had called the mist, but she could just barely see through it, not that she really wanted to. After all, it made Tammi's face a lot more horrific. "Her teeth are huge, and I think she wants to eat you. Literally."

"She's just jealous," Tammi huffed, before turning to Kelli for permission. "May I, mistress?"

Kelli was licking her lips as she looked from Percy to Ginny. She was blocking the band room door, and Ginny was pretty sure it was less to keep the innocent out and more to keep them in.

"Go ahead, Tammi," she cheered, her tone almost motherly in her belief in the other demon. "You're doing fine."

"How encouraging," Ginny couldn't help but mutter. "Is this Tammi's first attack?" Then she made it worse by speaking directly to her.

"Do you get a gold star for each of us that you eat, or is it more of a participation trophy?"

"Actually," Tammi snapped, "I get recognition by our supreme Mistress Hecate. It's a great honor."

"Well, I'd wish you good luck," Ginny said earnestly, "but I think you'd understand why I'd be rooting against you."

"Well thank you-hey! Your words will not distract Tammi!"

Ginny turned to Percy then, "Do they always talk about themselves in the third person?"

"You know," he responded conversationally, "it has been a theme."

"Good to know."

"Uh guys! Little less conversation!" Rachel squealed, gesturing to Tammi who was now getting closer to them.

A little more action, Ginny mentally finished in her head. Then she almost laughed about how apt that whole song was at the moment. Then she saw that Tammi was licking her lips and literally RIGHT THERE.

Focus.

Percy instinctively raised his sword so that it was leveled right at her robo-donkey chest, and ordered, "Get back!"

"Freshman," she snarled with derision, as if that were their problem. "This is our school, half-blood. We feed on whom we choose!"

Then she did it. She revealed her true form, the one that Ginny had been getting glimpses of through the mist but was now on display for them all. The color completely drained from her face and arms, making her skin abnormally white. Like neon white. Her eyes became a solid red, no pupil, iris, or anything, just a nice soothing blood red. Then, there were her fangs.