𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

38

"Keto!" Porky snapped— literally, since he clicked his fingers to his thumbs like crab claws. "You'll bore our guests with so much information. Less education, more entertainment! We've discussed this."

"But—"

"No buts! We're here to present 'Death in the Deep Seas!' Sponsored by Monster Donut!"

The last words reverberated through the room with extra echo. Lights flashed. Smoke clouds billowed from the floor, making donut-shaped rings that smelled like real donuts.

"Available at the concession stand," Phorcys advised. "But you've spent your hard-earned denarii to get the VIP tour, and so you shall! Come with me!"

"Um, hold it," Percy said.

Phorcys's smile melted in an ugly way. "Yes?"

"You're a sea god, aren't you?" Percy asked. "Son of Gaea?"

The crab man sighed. "Five thousand years, and I'm still known as Gaea's little boy. Never mind that I'm one of the oldest sea gods in existence. Older than your upstart father, by the way. I'm god of the hidden depths! Lord of watery terrors! Father of a thousand monsters! But, no... nobody even knows me. I make one little mistake, supporting the Titans in their war, and I'm exiled from the ocean—to Atlanta, of all places."

"We thought the Olympians said Atlantis," Keto explained. "Their idea of a joke, I guess, sending us here instead."

Hadrian narrowed his eyes. "And you're a goddess?"

"Keto, yes!" She smiled happily. "Goddess of sea monsters, naturally! Whales, sharks, squids, and other giant sea life, but my heart always belonged to the monsters. Did you know that young sea serpents can regurgitate the flesh of their victims and keep themselves fed for up to six years on the same meal? It's true!"

Frank was still clutching his stomach like he was going to be sick.

"Cool" Hadrian smiled politely.

"Keto!" Phorcys grabbed their attention again, "Stop talking about your damned sea monsters. Now, witness our Nereid gladiators fight to the death!"

A mirrored disco ball descended into the Nereid exhibit, making the water dance with multicolored light. Two swords fell to the bottom and plunked in the sand. The Nereids ignored them and kept playing Go Fish.

"Curse it!" Phorcys stomped his legs sideways.

Keto grimaced at Hadrian. "Don't mind Porky. He's such a windbag. Come with me, you're a handsome young fella aren't you? I'll show you full-color diagrams of the monsters' hunting habits."

Hadrian looked over his shoulder at Percy and Frank as Keto led him away. His eyes were wide in panic when he met Percy's green eyes. But he seemed to be a little sure of himself, like he had a plan.

Percy hoped he did.

Before they could object, Keto led Hadrian away through a maze of aquarium glass, leaving Frank and him alone with the crabby sea god. Percy hadn't noticed it before, but Hadrian's presence was actually calming. If anything happened to them, he could simply charmspeak them out of trouble.

Percy didn't like being separated from him.

A bead of sweat traced its way down Percy's neck. He exchanged a nervous look with Frank. This felt like a divide-and-conquer strategy. He didn't see any way the encounter was going to end well. Part of him wanted to attack Phorcys now—at least that might give them the element of surprise—but they hadn't found out any useful information yet. Percy wasn't sure he could find Hadrian again. He wasn't even sure he could find the exit.