𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚔𝚒𝚍 - percy jackson x oc

023

XXIII - THE GIRL WITH THE BREAD

THE AIR WAS SOLEMN AND COLD.

It was not easy saying their good-byes. The thunder and lightning were still boiling over Mount Tamalpais in the north. Artemis was so upset she flickered with silver light.

"I must go to Olympus immediately," Artemis said. "I will not be able to take you, but I will send help."

The goddess looked quizzically at Thalia, as if she were not sure what to make of this younger daughter of Zeus. Thalia seemed reluctant to look up, but something made her, and she held the goddess' eyes. Something passed between them, and Artemis' gaze softened with sympathy.

Artemis looked at Darian and said, "For a boy, you were brave." He nodded in gratitude.

The goddess set a hand on Valeria's shoulder and she immediately felt better. The pain slowly left her.

"Your bravery and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed," Artemis said. "I will urge my fellow Olympians to communicate the truth."

Then she turned to Percy.

"You did well," she said. "For a man."

It was the first time she had not called him a boy.

She mounted her chariot, which began to glow. They averted their eyes. There was a flash of silver, and the goddess was gone.

Then they heard the whoosh of large wings. Three pegasi descended through the fog: two white winged horses and one pure black one.

"Blackjack!" Percy called.

Yo, boss! he called. You manage to stay alive okay without ne?

"It was rough," Percy admitted.

"Great, another mysterious animal you can talk to," Valeria commented.

The pegasus turned in her direction. Then he turned back to Percy and said, Boss, your girl smells like death.

"Blackjack, be nice," Percy said. "Wait—"

I brought Guido and Porkpie with me.

How ya doin? The other two pegasi spoke in his mind.

Blackjack looked Percy over with concern, then checked out Thalia, Valeria, and Darian. Any of these goons you want us to stampede?

"Nah," Percy said aloud. However, if Blackjack were to accidentally stampede Darian, Percy would not complain. "These are my friends. We need to get to Olympus pretty fast."

No problem, Blackjack said.

Valeria and Percy mounted Blackjack, Thalia mounted Porkpie, and Darian mounted. Valeria slowly raked her hands through Blackjack's mane, earning a whinny of approval.

Together they soared over the bay and flew toward the eastern hills. Soon San Francisco was only a glittering crescent behind them, with an occasional flicker of lightning in the north.

Thalia was so exhausted she fell asleep on Porkpie's back. She had to be really tired to sleep in the air, despite her fear of heights, but she did not have much to worry about. Her pegasus flew with ease, adjusting himself every once in a while so Thalia stayed safely on his back.

"The truth?" Percy eventually asked Valeria.

Valeria gazed forward, her expression dark. "About my past. It has been a long time coming."

"You think it'll be good?" he questioned softly.

"Anything that needs to be hidden in such a manner cannot possibly be good."