𝐄́𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒² || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐗

✦ 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 ✦

EVEN AS QUEBEC CITY FADED INTO THE DISTANCE BEHIND THEM, Aurora couldn't shake off her unease. The tension in her posture remained, her gaze distant and contemplative. It was as if a nagging feeling gripped her, suggesting she was overlooking something crucial.

The weight of uncertainty sat heavily on her shoulders, and despite the distance they put between themselves and the city, she couldn't quite relax. The sense of something being amiss persisted, casting a shadow over her usual composure.

"You were amazing," Jason told Piper.

The compliment should've made Piper's day. But all she could think about was the trouble ahead. Evil things are stirring, Zethes had warned them. She knew that firsthand. The closer they got to the solstice, the less time Piper had to make her decision.

She told Jason in French: "If you knew the truth about me, you wouldn't think I was so amazing."

"What'd you say?" he asked.

"I said I only talked to Boreas. It wasn't so amazing."

She didn't turn to look, but she imagined him smiling.

"Hey," he said, "you saved me from joining Khione's subzero hero collection. I owe you one."

As Jason and Piper conversed, discussing their recent encounter, Aurora found herself lost in her own thoughts. She couldn't shake Jason's recounting of their meeting with Boreas. The way he described the god's shift from Greek to Roman, and how Boreas seemed to recognize Jason, replayed in her mind.

Aurora thought about how Jason recalled how Boreas let them go. It had something to do with Jason's past, those tattoos on his arm. Boreas assumed Jason was some sort of Roman, and Romans didn't mix with Greeks. She kept waiting for Jason to offer an explanation, but he clearly didn't want to talk about it.

Jason's words lingered, each sentence weaving deeper into her concerns. The distinction Boreas drew between Greeks and Romans, and the uncertainty about Jason's own identity as a demigod, left Aurora pondering. What if Jason wasn't who he appeared to be? What if he posed a threat rather than an ally?

Aurora's mind raced with questions and doubts, casting a shadow over her usually composed demeanor. The weight of suspicion hung heavy, clouding her perception and making her view their journey ahead with newfound caution.

Leo passed them some sandwiches from his pack. He'd been quiet ever since they'd told them what happened in the throne room.

"I still can't believe Khione," he said. "She looked so nice."

"Trust me, man," Jason said. "Snow may be pretty, but up close it's cold and nasty. We'll find you a better prom date."

Piper smiled, but Leo didn't look pleased. He hadn't said much about his time in the palace, or why the Boreads had singled him out for smelling like fire. Piper got the feeling he was hiding something.