LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE . . . hoo

XXIX.

WHEN PIPER WAS done explaining, the others looked at her uncomfortably. Up on deck, Hedge sang something that sounded like "In the Navy" while Blackjack stomped his hooves, whinnying in protest.

Finally, Mia nodded. "Piper's right."

"How can you be sure?" Annabeth asked, glowering at her.

"I've met eidolons," Mia shrugged, not letting her expression make her falter. "In the Underworld. They're absolutely horrible. Hades sent Nico and I to destroy some of them, and, gods, that was an adventure that I never want to do ever again."

"So . . ." Frank rubbed his hand across his buzz-cut hair as if some ghosts might have invaded his scalp. "You think these things are lurking on the ship, or—"

"Possibly lurking inside some of us," Piper said. "We don't know."

Jason clenched his fist. "If that's true—"

"We have to take steps," Piper said. "I think I can do this."

"Do what?" Percy asked.

"Just listen, okay?" Piper took a deep breath. "Everybody listen."

She met their eyes, one person at a time.

"Eidolons," she said, using her charmspeak, "raise your hands."

There was tense silence.

Leo laughed nervously. "Did you really think that was going to—?"

His voice died. His face went slack. He raised his hand.

Jason and Percy did the same. Their eyes turned glassy and gold. Hazel caught her breath. Next to Leo, Frank scrambled out of his chair and put his back against the wall.

"Oh, gods." Annabeth looked at Piper imploringly. "Can you cure them?"

"Are there more of you on this ship?" Piper asked Leo.

"No," he said in a hollow voice. "The Earth Mother sent three. The strongest, the best. We will live again."

"Not here, you won't," Piper growled. "All three of you, listen carefully."

Jason and Percy turned toward her.

"You will leave those bodies," she commanded.

"No," Percy said.

Leo let out a soft hiss. "We must live."

Frank fumbled for his bow. "Mars Almighty, that's creepy! Get out of here, spirits! Leave our friends alone!"

Leo turned toward him. "You cannot command us, child of war. Your own life is fragile. Your soul could burn at any moment."

Mia bit back a wince as Frank staggered like he'd been punched in the gut. He drew an arrow, his hands shaking. "I — I've faced down worse things than you. If you want a fight—"

"Frank, don't." Hazel rose.

Next to her, Jason drew his sword.

"Stop!" Piper ordered, but her voice quavered.

"Listen to Piper." Hazel pointed at Jason's sword. The gold blade seemed to grow heavy in his hand. It clunked to the table and Jason sank back into his chair.

Percy growled in a very un-Percy-like way. Or, at least, the old Percy. Mia wasn't sure about the new one. "Daughter of Pluto, you may control gems and metals. You do not control the dead."

"But I can," Mia said, raising her eyebrows at him. Sit your ass down, she commanded him telepathically, and he did.

Leo sneered at her, which didn't look natural for his face. "You do not have the right—"