𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

78

Hadrian considered bolting for the stairs, but when he turned, the doorway had disappeared. Naturally. Nothing was there now but a blank wall. Hadrian suspected it wasn't just an illusion. Besides, he would never make it to the opposite side of the room before the zombie nymphs could jump on them.

"Fuck" he turned around, "What now?"

Jason shrugged, "What else did you see in your dreams and visions?"

"Nothing good"

They turned back to the nymphs. Hadrian decided he was not going to die here, not like this. Die young and leave a pretty corpse? Gods, he had to stop spewing nonsense that later turned out to be true. Did Apollo think he was so hot he was granted the gift of prophecy?

In that case, Hadrian repeated a phrase over and over again in his mind- I'm not dying now, We won't die now, not here. We won't die here. We won't die here.

He swore it. He wouldn't die a virgin. Absolutely not. He refused to.

Jason and Percy stood to either side of him, their swords ready. Hadrian drew his bow tight. He'd seen what would happen in this room. Somehow, these things were going to defeat them.

"Who are you?" Percy demanded.

The central nymph turned her head. "Ah... names. We once had names. I was Hagno, the first of the nine!"

"The nine," Jason repeated. "The nymphs of this shrine. There were always nine niches."

"Of course." Hagno bared her teeth in a vicious smile. "But we are the original nine, Jason Grace, the ones who attended the birth of your father."

Jason's sword dipped. "You mean Jupiter? You were there when he was born?"

"Zeus, we called him then," Hagno said. "Such a squealing whelp. We attended Rhea in her labor. When the baby arrived, we hid him so that his father, Kronos, would not eat him. Ah, he had lungs, that baby! It was all we could do to drown out the noise so Kronos could not find him. When Zeus grew up, we were promised eternal honors. But that was in the old country, in Greece."

The other nymphs wailed and clawed at their niches. They seemed to be trapped in them, Hadrian realized, as if their feet were glued to the stone along with the decorative seashells.

"When Rome rose to power, we were invited here," Hagno said. "A son of Jupiter tempted us with favors. A new home, he promised. Bigger and better! No down payment, an excellent neighborhood. Rome will last forever."

"Forever," the others hissed.

"We gave in to temptation," Hagno said. "We left our simple wells and springs on Mount Lycaeus and moved here. For centuries, our lives were wonderful! Parties, sacrifices in our honor, new dresses and jewelry every week. All the demigods of Rome flirted with us and honored us."

The nymphs wailed and sighed.

"But Rome did not last," Hagno snarled. "The aqueducts were diverted. Our master's villa was abandoned and torn down. We were forgotten, buried under the earth, but we could not leave. Our life sources were bound to this place. Our old master never saw fit to release us. For centuries, we have withered here in the darkness, thirsty... so thirsty."

The others clawed at their mouths.

Hadrian felt his own throat closing up.

"I'm sorry for you," he said, trying to use charmspeak. "That must have been terrible. But we are not your enemies. If we can help you—"

"Oh, such a sweet voice!" Hagno cried. "Such beautiful features. I was once young like you. My voice was as soothing as a mountain stream. But do you know what happens to a nymph's mind when she is trapped in the dark, with nothing to feed on but hatred, nothing to drink but thoughts of violence? Yes, my dear. You can help us."

Percy raised his hand. "Uh... I'm the son of Poseidon. Maybe I can summon a new water source."

"Ha!" Hagno cried, and the other eight echoed, "Ha! Ha!"

"Indeed, son of Poseidon," Hagno said. "I know your father well. Ephialtes and Otis promised you would come."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Not good.

"The giants," Hadrian said. "You're working for them?"

"They are our neighbors." Hagno smiled. "Their chambers lie beyond this place, where the aqueduct's water was diverted for the games. Once we have dealt with you... once you have helped us... the twins have promised we will never suffer again."

Hagno turned to Jason. "You, child of Jupiter—for the horrible betrayal of your predecessor who brought us here, you shall pay. I know the sky god's powers. I raised him as a baby! Once, we nymphs controlled the rain above our wells and springs. When I am done with you, we will have that power again. And Percy Jackson, child of the sea god... from you, we will take water, an endless supply of water."

"Endless?" Percy's eyes darted from one nymph to the other. "Uh... look, I don't know about endless. But maybe I could spare a few gallons."

"And you, Hadrian Allaire." Hagno's purple eyes glistened. "So young, so lovely, so gifted with your sweet voice. From you, we will reclaim our beauty. We have saved our last life force for this day. We are very thirsty. From you three, we shall drink!"

All nine niches glowed. The nymphs disappeared, and water poured from their alcoves—sickly dark water, like oil.