𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

131

Jason chatted with the ghosts, though he too looked uncomfortable. Ever so often, a word or name would stick out to Hadrian and he would listen in again, "That scoundrel over there is Hippias, former tyrant of Athens. He got deposed and sided with the Persians to attack his own countrymen. No morals whatsoever. He'd do anything for power."

"Thank you!" called Hippias.

Hadrian recalled stories he'd read- Harmodius and Aristogeiton who had become symbols of resistance against tyranny and oppression because of their role in the assassination of Hipparchus, the younger brother of the Athenian tyrant Hippias.

Remembering history and myths was more of Annabeth's thing. But Hadrian only remembered the name Hippias because of the two lovers who overthrew him.

If Percy were here, he'd say something like: Date idea, overthrow the government with your boyfriend.

Antinous still talked, "Why should you be welcome among us?'

Jason suddenly looked very sweaty.

Then Annabeth appeared at Antinous's shoulder. "More wine, my lord? Oops!"

She spilled the contents of a silver pitcher down the back of Antinous's neck.

"Gahh!" The ghoul arched his spine. "Foolish girl! Who let you back from Tartarus?"

If only he knew Hadrian was the one who came back from Tartarus.

"A Titan, my lord." Annabeth dipped her head apologetically. "May I bring you some moist towelettes? Your arrow is dripping."

"Begone!"

Annabeth disappeared into the crowd.

Then Jason did something stupid. He picked up the nearest steak knife and stabbed it into the table, making the ghosts around him jump.

"Why should you welcome me?" Jason growled. "Because I'm still running messages, you stupid wretches! I've just come from the House of Hades to see what you're up to!"

That last part was true, and it seemed to give Antinous pause. The ghoul glared at him, wine still dripping from the arrow shaft in his throat. "You expect me to believe Gaia sent you– a beggar- to check up on us?"

Jason laughed. "I was among the last to leave Epirus before the Doors of Death were closed! I saw the chamber where Clytius stood guard under a domed ceiling tiled with tombstones. I walked the jewel-and-bone floors of the Necromanteion!"

That was also true. Around the table, ghosts shifted and muttered.

"So, Antinous..." Jason jabbed a finger at the ghoul. "Maybe you should explain to me why you're worthy of Gaia's favor. All I see is a crowd of lazy, dawdling dead folk enjoying themselves and not helping the war effort. What should I tell the Earth Mother?"

From the corner of his eye, Hadrian flashed him an approving smile. Jason was handling himself well. Improvisation was incredibly important for demigods and Jason seemed a master at it.

One of the glowing purple Greek dudes grabbed his waist, pulling Hadrian out of his thoughts. Hadrian almost punched the guy right there. But he didn't want to blow their cover. He tried to breathe evenly, tried to ignore the feeling of unfamiliar hands on him.

The ghost tried to make him sit on his lap. Hadrian just pulled away and walked to another table. He seriously hoped Annabeth didn't have to go through something like that.

"The Acropolis!" Jason said a bit too loudly, making sure Hadrian overheard. "The most ancient temples to the gods, in the middle of Athens. That's where Gaia will wake."