WINGED ₁

79

THE FIRST THING MADELEINE REALLY HEARD OVER THE CHOP OF THE HELICOPTER BLADES WAS RACHEL SCREAMING. Her pilot had clearly fallen asleep, but she hadn't. Stupid mortal girls and their stupid ability to see through the Mist.

"Get me into the helicopter!" Annabeth shouted in Madeleine's ear. "Hurry!"

Madeleine gritted her teeth. She was very good at flying, but flying this near to a helicopter was dangerous. Mortal instruments were scary and often more unpredictable than magical items. The blades of the helicopter could decapitate Annabeth; and even with Madeleine's invulnerability, she didn't trust them around herself, either. 

"Duck," Madeleine told Annabeth. The other girl hunched inward, curling into Madeleine as she took a sharp dive. Madeleine could feel the wind from the blades whipping at her hair, demanding an answer.

"Now!" Madeleine shouted. Annabeth twisted and lunged, grabbing at the door. She managed to yank it open and Rachel appeared, a head of auburn hair. She pulled Annabeth inside, and together, the two girls disappeared.

Madeleine flew a few feet away from the helicopter, ready to act as emergency control should someone fall. The helicopter continued to spiral toward a skyscraper, uncontrolled in its descent. Madeleine's heart was in her throat.

Then, miraculously, the helicopter righted itself. It spun in a circle and hovered. Very slowly, it began to descend.

Madeleine finally let out a breath. She landed on the street next to Percy, legs shaking with adrenaline. He caught her and murmured, "You're fucking amazing."

Madeleine turned to look as the helicopter landed. "I think you've got the wrong girl in mind, Jackson."

Percy's smile was lopsided and sad.

⎯⎯ ୨ winged ୧ ⎯⎯

Percy and Madeleine ran forward as the rotors spun to a stop. Rachel opened a side door and dragged out the pilot. She was dressed in drawstring shorts, a short-sleeved shirt with paint splatters on it, and sandals. Her curtain of red hair was tangled and she looked mildly nauseous, but she was still standing. That in itself was impressive.

Annabeth climbed out last. She looked only the slightest bit flustered. Mostly, Madeleine thought, she looked upset.

Percy stared at her. "I didn't know you could fly a helicopter."

"Neither did I," Annabeth said. "My dad's crazy into aviation. Plus, Daedalus had some notes on flying machines. I just took my best guess on the controls."

"You saved my life," Rachel said.

Annabeth flexed her bad shoulder. "Yeah, well... let's not make a habit of it. What are you doing here, Dare? Don't you know better than to fly into a war zone?"

"I―" Rachel glanced at Percy. "I had to be here. I knew Percy was in trouble."

"Got that right," Annabeth grumbled. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some injured friends I've got to tend to. Glad you could stop by, Rachel."

"Annabeth―" Percy started.

She stormed off.

Rachel looked at Madeleine helplessly. "I'm sorry, guys. I didn't mean to... I always mess things up."

Madeleine shook her head. "This isn't your fault, Rachel. Annabeth is just wired. The situation right now has us all on edge. I'm glad you're okay." She looked at Percy. "I'll go and talk to her, okay? You talk to Rachel. And... I need to discuss something with you later."

Percy nodded, looking exhausted. "Thanks, Mads."

Madeleine gave Rachel a hug, then went off to find Annabeth.