Counting Crows

IV; THREE FOR A SERPENT'S MOURNFUL HISS

December 21st, 112 AS

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Winter hit us hard and fast. Last week it was not terribly cold, and there was hardly any snow. But, overnight, we were hit with two feet of snow and some of the coldest weather I've ever encountered. Mr. Robin, one of the older Crawfords, said that these storms only happen every thirty years.

Percy and I sat by the fire, enjoying the quiet without the twins here. They were at the Hawthorne estate, visiting with their Father. Percy and I hardly ever visited Mother and Morana, our sister. The Madlocke house gave him and I the creeps.

It is built on an old burial site, so they get to hear all of the spirits yapping. I'm glad I took after my father. Seeing them is one thing, but hearing them is another. Morana says that she almost goes mad half of the time.

Ione sits on my shoulder, facing the warm, flickering fire. She's grown in the past three years since I got her. Instead of being a small ball of feathers, she's large and can easily take Kalon in a fight. Not that I'd know anything about them fighting.

I look up at Percy, he's violently tapping his foot as he stares out of the window. His book sits open on his lap, but it's clear that he gave up all hope to read.

"Are you alright, Percy?"

He takes his eyes off of the window for a moment. "Elysium is supposed to be coming by today, but I'm afraid that he won't make it through the snow."

Elysium Golding is Percy's partner of four years. They had a daughter, Tempesta. She was one, almost two. The three of them were visiting for the Holidays. After the holidays pass, they'll go back to their little apartment in town.

"I'm sure he will, Percy. You just need to relax. Father made it back home during the blizzard last year, which was worse than this."

"You're probably right."

He keeps staring out the window, looking for any sign of Elysium.

"Would you like to play a game, Percy?"

He reluctantly turns away from the window. "What kind of game?"

"Hide and seek."

"Okay, but only for a little bit." He stands up from his chair.

"I'll count first, you go hide."

I start counting down from sixty, facing towards the wall. Percy ran and hid in the large house, but he's tall and can't get to many places. Plus, I know all of the good hiding spots.

"Percy, I'm coming!" I start looking throughout the house, peeking behind all the doors and curtains. But there was no sign of Percy.

A cold draft passed over me as I walked toward the door. It wasn't unusual to have a small draft throughout the house, but this one made my bones shiver.

I turn the corner and see the front door wide open. The white snow was covering the carpet. Percy was crouched on the ground, looking at something.

"Percy?" I ask. He turns to look at me, and I see Ghost, Elysium's Cat. Percy stands up, throws on his cloak.

"Corby, watch Tempesta and Ghost, please. I'll be right back." I've never seen Percy like this before. He sounds scared. Something bad must've happened.

Percy runs out of the door, shoving Kalon back inside so he can't follow him. Ione walks up and rubs her head against Kalon.

I quickly ran and got my shoes. My cloak was heavy as I threw it over my shoulders.

The cold wind slammed into my face and the front doors opened. I ran after Percy, who was barely visible.

Kalon and Ione were stuffed in my jacket, on my shoulders. Percy needed Kalon, or else the curse would get to him. I needed to get to him.