❝ i thought i lost the only thing
keeping me from going insane, ❞
❝ and what's that? ❞
❝ you. ❞
❝ when death takes
my hand, i will hold you
with the other and
promise to find...
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⇝
THEY TOOK THE ESCALATOR DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE FOUNTAIN. For the first time, Octavia noticed two large bronze sundials—each about the size of a trampoline—inlaid on the marble tile floor to the north and south of the fountain. The gilded oversize canary cages stood to the east and west, and the farthest one held the storm spirits. They were so densely packed, spinning around like a super-concentrated tornado, that Octavia couldn't tell how many there were—dozens, at least.
"Hey," Leo said, "Coach Hedge looks okay!"
They ran to the nearest canary cage. The old satyr seemed to have been petrified at the moment he was sucked into the sky above the Grand Canyon. He was frozen mid-shout, his club raised over his head like he was ordering the gym class to drop and give him fifty. His curly hair stuck up at odd angles.
"Yes," the princess said. "I always keep my wares in good condition. We can certainly barter for the storm spirits and the satyr. A package deal. If we come to terms, I'll even throw in the vial of healing potion, and you can go in peace."
She gave Piper a shrewd look. "That's better than starting unpleasantness, isn't it, dear?"
"We can negotiate," she said.
"Totally!" Leo agreed. "Name your price."
"Leo!" Octavia snapped.
The princess chuckled. "Name my price? Perhaps not the best haggling strategy, my boy, but at least you know a thing's value. Freedom is very valuable indeed. You would ask me to release this satyr, who attacked my storm winds—"
"Who attacked us." Octavia interjected.
Her Highness shrugged. "As I said, my patron asks me for small favors from time to time. Sending the storm spirits to abduct you—that was one. I assure you it was nothing personal. And no harm done, as you came here, in the end, of your own free will! At any rate, you want the satyr freed, and you want my storm spirits—who are very valuable servants, by the way—so you can hand them over to that tyrant Aeolus. Doesn't seem quite fair, does it? The price will be high."
Octavia could see that her friends were ready to offer anything, promise anything. Before they could speak, she played her last card.
"You're Medea," she said. "You helped the original Jason steal the Golden Fleece. You're one of the most evil villains in Greek mythology."
Piper cought on, "Jason, Leo—don't trust her."
Pipers words seemed to have some sort of effect, Jason stepped away from the sorceress.
Leo scratched his head and looked around like he was coming out of a dream. "What are we doing, again?"
"Boys!" The princess spread her hands in a welcoming gesture. Her diamond jewelry glittered, and her painted fingers curled like blood-tipped claws.
