𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

94

Percy recalled how dangerous Kelli had been the last time they'd fought in the Labyrinth. Despite those mismatched legs, she could move fast when she wanted to. She'd dodged his sword strikes and would have eaten his face if Annabeth hadn't stabbed her from behind.

Now she had six friends with her.

"And who's this pretty one?" Kelli hissed with laughter. 

Hadrian must have been terrified, but he did a good job of hiding it, "Darling," He said, "Has anyone ever told you how exquisitely divine you are? Inside and out. Empousa form or not. I'm thinking you need a guy who appreciates your true beauty-"

"He's a child of Eros" said one of the other vampires in a bored tone. The one with the black dress and fishnet stockings. Valentina, Hadrian had called her. "A stupid one apparently since he just tried to charmspeak you"

"Valentina" Hadrian breathed out, Percy wasn't sure if the lovesick look on his face was fake or real. "Obviously you know I only have eyes for you"

"Maybe I should gouge them out so I'm the only one who'll ever have them" She grinned. 

Hadrian looked at Percy in panic.

Percy tried to think. He and Hadrian stood shoulder to shoulder, but neither of them was in good shape for battle. Even if Hadrian could shoot them, they were hopelessly outnumbered. There was nowhere to run. No help coming.

Briefly Percy considered calling for Mrs. O'Leary, his hellhound friend who could shadow-travel. Even if she heard him, could she make it into Tartarus? This was where monsters went when they died. Calling her here might kill her, or turn her back to her natural state as a fierce monster. No... he couldn't do that to his dog.

So, no help. Fighting was a long shot.

That left Hadrian's favorite tactics: trickery, talk, delay.

"So..." Percy started, "I guess you're wondering what we're doing in Tartarus."

Kelli snickered. "Not really. I just want to kill you."

That would've been it, but Hadrian chimed in.

"Too bad," he said. "Because you have no idea what's going on in the mortal world."

The other empousai circled, watching Kelli for a cue to attack; but the ex-cheerleader only snarled, crouching out of reach of Percy's sword.

"We know enough," Kelli said. "Gaea has spoken."

"You're heading toward a major defeat." Hadrian sounded so confident, even Percy was impressed. He glanced at the other empousai, one by one, then pointed accusingly at Kelli. "This one claims she's leading you to a victory. She's lying. The last time she was in the mortal world, Kelli was in charge of keeping Luke Castellan faithful to Kronos. In the end, Luke rejected him. He gave his life to expel Kronos. The Titans lost because Kelli failed. Now Kelli wants to lead you to another disaster."

The other empousai muttered and shifted uneasily.

"Enough!" Kelli's fingernails grew into long black talons. She glared at Hadrian as if imagining him sliced into small pieces. "Hadrian Allaire, as I live and breathe, is it really you? It's been too long"

Percy was pretty sure Kelli had had a thing for Luke Castellan. Luke had that effect on girls—even donkey-legged vampires—and Percy wasn't sure bringing up his name was such a good idea.

"I don't know you" Hadrian furrowed his eyebrows. Percy had a trickle of doubt. They were in Tartarus. Gaea had offered to bring his best friend back to life. What was stopping Hadrian from handing Percy over to them?