I want to grab everyone and run. Everything about this place is off and creepy. Piper seems to feel the same way. Her eyes dart around the place nervously.
The princess gestures toward the cosmetics counter. "Shall we start with the potions?"
"Cool." Jason says.
"Guys." I try. "We're here to get the storm spirits and Coach Hedge. If this princess is really our friend-"
"Oh, I'm better than a friend, my dear," She interrupts. "I'm a saleswoman. Don't worry, we'll work our way down to the first floor, eh?"
Leo nods eagerly. "Sure, yeah! That sounds okay. Right Piper?"
Before we can say anything, the princess cuts in again. "Of course it's okay." She puts her hands on Leo and Jason's shoulders, steering them towards cosmetics. "Come along boys."
Piper and I exchange another look, but we don't have much choice except to follow along. I haven't been in a department store since I was a toddler, which I do not remember. Since then I've only seen them on my tv. Obviously, this isn't a normal department store, but I guess it's kinda close? I don't think normal department stores have crazy princesses with glow-in-the-dark eyes. I'm also relieved that we haven't come across anything that's normal to Leo, Jason, and Piper but completely foreign to me. That would be so embarassing. Like, I don't know how taxis work, or school, or grocery shopping.
"And here," The princess shows us her counter, "is the finest assortment of magical mixtures anywhere."
Everything is covered in bubbling beakers and smoking vials on tripods. There are all kinds of beautiful glass containers filled with potions of every color. She pulls out a blood-red vial. "This one will cure any disease."
"Even cancer?" Leo asks excitedly. "Leprosy? Hangnails?"
"Any disease, sweet boy. And this vial-" She points to a deep blue potion in a swan-shaped vial. "-will kill you very painfully."
"Awesome." Jason smiles peacefully. It seems like every time the princess speaks, they fall more and more under her spell. I dig my nails into the palm of my hand. This is infuriating. Jason and Leo have to be under some sort of spell. It bothers me a lot.
"Jason." Piper tries again. "We've got a job to do, remember?" I can hear she's trying to use her charmspeak, but she's too scared. I don't think mine will be much good at the moment either. I'm terrified of whoever this princess is. If we're going to die, it'll be by her hand.
"Job to do." Jason mutters. "Sure. But shopping first, okay?"
The princess beams at him. "Then, we have potions for resisting fire-"
"Got that covered already." Leo says.
Dude, shut UP
"Indeed?" The princess examines Leo's face. "You don't appear to be wearing my trademark sunscreen... but no matter. We also have potions that cause blindness, insanity, sleep, or-"
"Wait." Piper is still staring at the red vial. "Could that potion cure lost memory?"
The princess narrows her eyes. "Possibly. Yes. Quite possibly. Why, my dear? Have you forgotten something important?"
I can tell Piper is thinking hard. I know what it is she wants to do, but now really isn't the time. Besides, if we cure Jason's memory, it could mess with what we need to do now. Hera took it for a reason, as much as it sucks.
"How much?"
The princess thinks carefully. "Well, now... The price is always tricky. I love helping people. Honestly, I do. And I always keep my bargains, but sometimes people try to cheat me." Her gaze drifts to Jason. "Once, for instance, I met a handsome young man who wanted a treasure from my father's kingdom. We made a bargain, and I promised to help him steal it."
