ONE LAST TIME . . . heroes of olympus

15

KAT HAD NEVER felt more helpless. Now she understood what real sorcery looked like. She'd always thought magic meant wands and fireballs, but this was worse. Medea didn't just rely on poisons and potions. Her most potent weapon was her voice.

Leo scowled. "Jason's always the star. He always gets the attention and takes me for granted."

"You're annoying, Leo," said Jason. "You never take anything seriously. You can't even fix a dragon."

"Stop!" Piper pleaded, but both drew weapons — Jason his gold sword, and Leo a hammer from his tool belt.

"Let them go, Piper," Medea urged. "I'm doing you a favor. Let it happen now, and it will make your choice so much easier. Enceladus will be pleased. You could have your father back today!"

What? Kat looked over at Piper, whose mouth curled into a snarl.

"You work for Enceladus," Piper declared, not looking at Kat.

Medea laughed. "Serve a giant? No. But we all serve the same greater cause — a patron you cannot begin to challenge. Walk away, child of Aphrodite. This does not have to be you and your friend Katerina's deaths, too. Save yourselves, and your father can go free."

Leo and Jason were still facing off, ready to fight, but they looked unsteady and confused — waiting for another order. Part of them had to be resisting, Kat hoped. This went completely against their nature.

"Listen to me, girl." Medea plucked a diamond off her bracelet and threw it into a spray of water from the fountain. As it passed through the multicolored light, Medea said, "O Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me the office of Tristan McLean."

The mist shimmered, and Kat saw a study that looked similar to her mama's office. Sitting behind the desk, talking on the phone, was a woman in a dark business suit, her hair swirled in a tight bun.

"Hello, Jane," said Medea.

Jane hung up the phone calmly. "How can I help you, ma'am? Hello, Piper."

"You—" Piper's eyes flashed with anger.

"Yes, child," said Medea. "Your father's assistant. Quite easy to manipulate. An organized mind for a mortal, but incredibly weak."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Jane.

"Don't mention it," said Medea. "I just wanted to congratulate you, Jane. Getting Mr. McLean to leave town so suddenly, take his jet to Oakland without alerting the press or the police — well done! No one seems to know where he's gone. And telling him his daughter's life was on the line — that was a nice touch to get his cooperation."

"Yes," Jane agreed in a bland tone, as if she were sleepwalking. "He was quite cooperative when he believed Piper was in danger."

What the fuck was this woman about? Piper's dad was in danger? That was why she'd seemed so reluctant in mentioning him, Kat realized.

"I may have new orders for you, Jane," said Medea. "If the girl cooperates, it may be time for Mr. McLean to come home. Would you arrange a suitable cover story for his absence, just in case? And I imagine the poor man will need some time in a psychiatric hospital."

"Yes, ma'am. I will stand by."

The image faded, and Medea turned to Piper. "There, you see?"

"You lured my dad into a trap," Piper started angrily. "You helped the giant—"

"Oh, please, dear. You'll work yourself into a fit! I've been preparing for this war for years, even before I was brought back to life. I'm a seer, as I said. I can tell the future as well as your little oracle. Years ago, still suffering in the Fields of Punishment, I had a vision of the eight in your so-called Great Prophecy. I saw your friend Leo here, and saw that he would be an important enemy someday. I stirred the consciousness of my patron, gave her this information, and she managed to wake just a little — just enough to visit him."