The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

seven

A DUET IS SUNG

Ariana began to lead the way until Calypso took over, darting from hiding place to hiding place like the urban ninja she was.

Ariana spotted the lone Germanus on sentry duty, about fifty feet across the plaza, but he was busy studying the carousel.

He pointed his polearm warily at the painted horses as if they might be carnivorous. They made it to the far side of the crossroads without attracting his attention, but Ariana was still nervous.

For all they knew, Lityerses might have multiple groups sweeping the park. On a telephone pole near the souvenir shop, a security camera stared down at them.

If the Triumvirate was as powerful as Nero claimed, they could easily control surveillance inside the Indianapolis Zoo. Perhaps that was why Lityerses was searching for them. He already knew the trio were here.

Ariana thought about asking Apollo to shoot the camera with an arrow, but it was probably too late.

Calypso's plan was to circumvent the orangutans and cut through the reptile display, skirting the park perimeter until they reached the train depot.

Instead, as they passed the entrance to the ape habitat, voices of an approaching Germanus patrol startled them.

All right... Apollo got startled and dove for cover. Calypso hissed, "No, you idiot!" then followed him inside.

Ariana sighed and followed.

Together they crouched behind a retaining wall as two Germani strolled past, chatting casually about head-bashing techniques.

Ariana gulped, Calypso had shifted next to Ariana meaning the girl was in the middle pressed up right against Apollo.

She could feel the warmth of his skin, something she tried not to focus on.

Apollo glanced to his right and stifled a yelp. On the other side of a glass wall, a large orangutan was staring at him, his amber eyes curious.

He made some hand gestures- sign language?

Agamethus might have known. Judging from the great ape's expression, he was not terribly delighted to see an Apollo.

Calypso nudged Ariana's leg. "We need to keep moving."

They scurried deeper into the display room. Their simian movements must have amused the orangutan. He made a deep barking noise.

"Shut up!" Apollo stage-whispered back at him.

Ariana manage to swallow down her laughter before it escaped.

At the far exit, they huddled behind a curtain of camouflage netting. Ariana tried to steady her breathing but it was hard with Apollo practically hugging her.

Next to her, Calypso hummed under her breath-a nervous habit of hers. Ariana wished she would stop.

Whenever she hummed a tune Apollo knew, he had the urge to sing harmony very loudly, which would have given away their position.

At last, Apollo whispered, "I think the coast is clear." He stepped out and smacked straight into another Germanus.

Honestly, how many barbarians did Commodus have? Was he buying them in bulk?

For a moment, all four of them were too surprised to speak or move. Then the barbarian made a rumbling sound in his chest as if about to shout for backup.

"Hold these!" Ariana thrust her package of griffin food into his arms.

Reflexively, he took them. After all, a man giving up his Tots is a gesture of surrender in many cultures.