LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE . . . pjo

XXVI.

MIA LOVED IT here.

The place was beautiful. All of the attendants were so nice and they showed her around to every pretty space.

But, most importantly, she'd gotten a shower in ( finally ), and the attendants washed her hair and put it up into a pretty bun and braided flowers and gold into it. They'd taught her how to do her makeup so it accentuated her entire face. They'd done some herbal wraps to her face to make it glow. They'd given her a new dress that was pretty and white.

All in all, Mia was in love.

She had been sitting in a chair getting her nails done, talking to one of the attendants — Reyna, who was super nice — when Annabeth showed up in her field of view.

"Annabeth!" Mia grinned, "you look amazing!"

She really did, wearing the same dress that Mia was wearing, her blonde hair washed, combed, and braided with gold, and even with makeup on.

"Thanks," Annabeth said shyly. "You look beautiful as well, Mia. When you're done, can we go and find Percy?"

Percy . . . his unruly black hair, bright green eyes, and crooked smile. Mia couldn't wait for him to see her.

"Yeah, sure," she said, trying not to blush. "This place looks wonderful, don't you think?"

They talked about the pretty rooms while Mia's nails were being done, and while they retraced their steps to the room that Hylla had brought them to. They'd gotten lost multiple times, but eventually they'd made it.

Annabeth opened the door and called: "Miss C.C.?"

When no one answered, she came in, and so did Mia.

Mia looked around the room for sea green eyes and frowned. "Where's Percy?"

C.C. smiled. "He's having one of our treatments, my dear. Not to worry. You look wonderful! What did you think of your tour?"

Annabeth's eyes brightened. "Your library is amazing!"

"And the theater is absolutely divine," Mia added.

"Yes, indeed," C.C. said, "The library has best knowledge of the past three millennia, and the theater has hosted many famous shows over the years. Anything you want to study, anything you want to be, my dears."

"An architect?" Annabeth asked.

"Pah!" C.C. said. "My dears, you have the makings of a sorceress. Like me."

Mia's eyebrows rose. "A sorceress?"

"Yes, my dears." C.C. held up her hand. A flame appeared in her palm and danced across her fingertips. "My mother is Hecate, the goddess of magic. I know a daughter of Athena when I see one. We are not so different, you and I. We both seek knowledge. We both admire greatness. And you, Mia Starfury . . ." C.C. glanced toward Mia, and a corner of her lips rose. "You have power beyond imagination. None of us needs to stand in the shadow of men."

Mia froze. She had power? She's never used them in a dire situation. How could she have power?

"I — I don't understand," Annabeth stammered.

"Stay with me," C.C. told Mia and Annabeth. "Study with me. You can join our staff, become a sorceress, learn to bend others to your will. You will become immortal!"

"But—" Mia protested.

"You are too intelligent, my dears," C.C. said. "You both know better than to trust that silly camp for heroes. How many great female half-blood heroes can you name?"