Love Against All Odds

Oskar - The Nemean Lion

As we navigated through the Air and Space Museum, a sudden force knocked Thalia sideways, sending her careening into an Apollo space capsule. Without hesitation, I rushed forward, keeping Thalia and the capsule upright.

We turned to see Zoe and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at Percy's chest.

Grover yelped in surprise.

When Zoe realized who he was, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow.

"You! How dare you show thy face here?" Zoe exclaimed.

"Percy!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

Zoe glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!"

"Luke," Percy said, trying to catch his breath. "He's here."

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet. "Where?"

Bianca and Zoe exchanged confused glances, prompting Zoe to question, "Who is Luke?"

My eyes flashed with annoyance, "A treacherous little dick."

Thalia shot me a piercing glare, her defensive posture unmistakable. She had consistently been protective and touchy whenever Luke was mentioned.

Percy then told us about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General.

"The General is here?" Zoe looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

"Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—"

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

"Twelve," Percy said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster."

Thalia and I exchanged looks.

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent... She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

"Zoe," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General—"

"It cannot be!" Zoe snapped. "Percy must have seen an Iris message or some other illusion."

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," Percy told her.

Zoe took a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure. Her expression was uncertain, a departure from the usual expressions I knew: determination and anger. Her worry lines were evident, forming a pattern I hadn't seen before.

An impulse surged within me, urging me to reach out and gently smooth those lines away.

However, I resisted, keeping my hands behind my back. I had a distinct feeling that if I dared touch her face, she would not hesitate to sever any intrusive hands.

Our eyes locked, and for a moment, Zoe seemed unguarded, her uncertainty laid bare. In that brief connection, I saw a side she seldom revealed.

However, she swiftly averted her gaze, the determined expression returning to her face as if she could not afford to show such vulnerability.

"If Percy is telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible... We must leave now."

"Good idea," Percy said.

"I was not including thee, boy," Zoe said. "You are not part of this quest."

"Hey, I'm trying to save your lives!"

"We are down one! We need six to complete this." Thalia argued. "Come on. Let's get back to the van."