Eleutheromania

9)

NO ONE SAID ANYTHING.
Finally Hazel exhaled. "Piper is right."
"How can you be sure?" Annabeth asked.
"I've met eidolons," Hazel said. "In the Underworld, when I was...you know."
Dead.
I had forgotten that Hazel was a second-timer. In her own way, Hazel too was a ghost reborn.
"So..." Frank rubbed his hand across his buzz-cut hair as if some ghosts might have invaded his scalp. "You think these things are lurking on the ship, or—"
"Possibly lurking inside some of us," Piper said. "We don't know." Jason clenched his fist. "If that's true—"
"We have to take steps," Piper said. "I think I can do this."
"Do what?" Percy asked.
"Just listen, okay?" Piper took a deep breath. "Everybody listen." Piper met our eyes, one person at a time.
"Eidolons," she said, using her charmspeak, "raise your hands." There was tense silence.
Leo laughed nervously. "Did you really think that was going to—?"
His voice died. His face went slack. He raised his hand.
Jason and Percy did the same. Their eyes had turned glassy and gold. Hazel caught her breath. Next to Leo, Frank scrambled out of his chair and put his back against the wall. My eyes widen.
"Oh, gods." Annabeth looked at Piper imploringly. "Can you cure them?"
I nodded. "She was able to over there. She can do it now."
She focused on Leo because I assume he was the least intimidating.
"Are there more of you on this ship?" she asked.
"No," Leo said in a hollow voice. "The Earth Mother sent three. The strongest, the best. We will live again."
"Not here, you won't," Piper growled. "All three of you, listen carefully."
Jason and Percy turned toward her. Those gold eyes were unnerving.
"You will leave those bodies," she commanded.
"No," Percy said.
Leo let out a soft hiss. "We must live."
Frank fumbled for his bow. "Mars Almighty, that's creepy! Get out of here, spirits! Leave our friends alone!"
Leo turned toward him. "You cannot command us, child of war. Your own life is fragile. Your soul could burn at any moment."
I wasn't sure what that meant, but Frank staggered like he'd been punched in the gut. He drew an arrow, his hands shaking. "I—I've faced down worse things than you. If you want a fight—"
"Frank, don't." I rose.
Leo then faced me and chucked. "Son of lorcan, you have made a bargain. What makes you think she will let you go so quickly?"
I felt my blood rush down my body. My heart was beating and was able to be heard in my ear. I hands shook for a moment but I took a breath shaking my head slightly.
Next to Piper, Jason drew his sword.
"Stop!" Piper ordered, but her voice quavered.
"Listen to Piper." Hazel pointed at Jason's sword. The gold blade seemed to grow heavy in his hand. It clunked to the table and Jason sank back into his chair.
Percy growled in a very un-Percy-like way. "Daughter of Pluto, you may control gems and metals. You do not control the dead."
Annabeth reached toward him as if to restrain him, but Hazel waved her off.
"Listen, eidolons," Hazel said sternly, "you do not belong here. I may not command you, but Piper does. Obey her."
She turned toward Piper, her expression clear: Try again. You can do this.
Piper mustered all her courage. She looked straight at Jason—straight into the eyes of the thing that was controlling him. "You will leave those bodies," Piper repeated, even more forcefully.
Jason's face tightened. His forehead beaded with sweat. "We—we will leave these bodies."
"You will vow on the River Styx never to return to this ship," Piper continued, "and never to possess any member of this crew."
Leo and Percy both hissed in protest.
"You will promise on the River Styx," Piper insisted.
A moment of tension—I could feel their wills fighting against Pipers. Then all three eidolons spoke in unison: "We promise on the River Styx."
"You are dead," Piper said.
"We are dead," they agreed.
"Now, leave."
All three boys slumped forward. Percy fell face-first into his pizza.
"Percy!" Annabeth grabbed him.
Piper and Hazel caught Jason's arms as he slipped out of his chair.
        I grabbed Leo because Frank moved to not grab him. Leo still hit himself with the chair.
"Ow!" he groaned.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
Leo stood up. He had a piece of spaghetti in the shape of a 3 stuck to his forehead. "Did it work?"
"It worked," Piper said. "I don't think they'll be back."
Jason blinked. "Does that mean I can stop getting head injuries now?"
Piper laughed, exhaling all her nervousness. "Come on, Lightning Boy. Let's get you some fresh air."
I let go of Leo and looked away. Annabeth stared at me her eyes narrowing. Everyone, but Leo, Percy, and Jason heard what the eidolons said to me. 'Son of lorcan, you have made a bargain. What makes you think she will let you do so quickly?'
I have made a bargain and its now coming back to bite me in the ass.
"Hey, are you alright?" Leo grabbed my hand making me face him.
I nodded and smiled trying to act fine. "Yeah, come," I gripped his hand tighter. "Let's see what coach hedge is up to."
I was with Leo the entire time, but somehow every time we made eye contact I just envision the gold glossy eyes that told me what I was trying to hide from them.
I sat on a couch that Leo had in the engine room. I read a book waiting for Leo to at least give me a little attention. Even though we haven't been dating for super long, I already knew so much about him. He loves to fidget with his gears when he is nervous. His hair would have flames in them when he get excited or his emotions go haywire. He would have his head low and bit his lip when I compliment him. His face would turn red when he moans out loud. He would cover his mouth in embarrassment. He somehow loves when I whisper things to him.
I groaned closing the book. Can't focus anyways. I looked at Leo seeing him sitting down on the chair near a desk as he just works doing whatever, I never understood it anyways.
I stood up and walked up to him. I put my hands on his shoulders kissing his neck. "You busy."
"Depends," he looked up to face me.
I pecked his lips. "Depends, huh?"
He nods turning around so we were face to face. "What do you need?"
I groaned putting both of my hands on the arm of the chair. "So many things, but right now. I want you to take a break and come with me to the couch."
He moves so our faces were inches apart. "What are we going to do on the couch?"
"Well," I kissed him. "There's a lot of things on my mind, but its really whatever you want."
"What I want?" Leo said wrapping his arms around my neck.
I hummed. "Whatever you want."
"What if I want you?"
I groaned. "Trust me, you already have me"
He smiled and stood up. "Well, then. I guess I will take a break." He kissed me pulling me as close as he can.
I grabbed his waist our hips touching each other. We stumble to the couch. I landed in top of him kissing him like my life depends on it. His hands landed on my chest moving up and down feeling everything. His hand went under my shirt and tugged it.
I pulled away smiling at him. "Are we doing this here?"
His ears turned red and looked around. "I—should we?"
I went down and kissed his neck. "Do you feel comfortable here? If not we can move."
I bite his neck and he gasped. "Here, here is fine. Just—don't let anyone in."
I pecked his lips. "Promise."

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