The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 10--I Apparently Steal a Book

I want to tell you this right now—if you want to order an extremely hyperactive and stubborn demigod around, you're better off trying to talk to a fish. Unless you're a son or daughter of Poseidon—then the fish would probably make more sense than a demigod. But then you'd be a demigod, a part of the problem . . .

You know what? I think you got what I meant to say.

Anyway,  when Black Eyes told me to go back to bed, I didn't. Instead, I found myself back in Chaos' library ten minutes later. The lights were off, but the door had been left slightly ajar. I shivered—and it wasn't because of the cold breeze leaking out of the room.

Before I could convince myself that it was a bad idea, I was already weaving around the tables, chairs, and bookshelf so deftly that even Erebus would be proud.

Oh help me, End groaned as I tripped over a chair leg and barely avoided knocking a shelf over. In the name of Order, please just turn on the lights.

I'll let the curse slide just this once, Order said grumpily—and I didn't blame him.

I'm not supposed to be here, I hissed. Why in Hades would I tell everyone where I am? I'm fine as is.

Then I ran into the reception desk. 

With a bit of struggle, I eventually got myself to the back of the library—where that stupid magical book was.

Only, it wasn't there.

Okay, I thought. There's no need to panic. Maybe someone put it back. 

But the chair I'd knocked over when I'd run from Aoine was still there. There was a big, fat, and dust-free spot where the book had been—nothing else had been disturbed. I searched the surrounding area, but there was no glowing book—not tucked between the books or thrown above a shelf. It wasn't even in the trash cans. 

Now I really began panicking. The book was obviously important—it had summoned a whole person.

If I had really known how precious it was though, there would've been no library by the time I'd finished my search. But with my limited knowledge at the moment, I had to stick to closing my eyes and desperately hoping it'd appear when I opened them.

 I was on my third repetition of this when the lights flickered on. My eyes locked onto my reflection in a bronze sword. My hair was sticking up everywhere as if I'd been in a storm, and my eyes had a wild look in them.

I heard voices, then the sound of footsteps. Get out of there! End screamed.

I was one step ahead of her, scrambling for a hiding spot—a gap between a bookshelf and a table, just big enough for one person to scoot into. I pulled a sofa chair flush with the spot, making it even harder for anyone to spot me. How is it? I asked proudly.

Looks comfy, Order admitted. 

They don't know that you're in here, End advised. Make sure not to make a peep, and they'll pass right by you.

It took them a minute to find me.

The chair was roughly dragged to the side, and two burly Chaos soldiers pulled me to my feet. They smashed my face into the table, causing a plume of dust to rise into the air. I yelped in pain as they forced my hands behind my back and bound them in glowing white handcuffs that made my skin itch.

It's Chaos Silver, End said. She growled as the two soldiers brutally manhandled me. It's found only in the mines on this planet. It has the power to severely restrict—or in some cases, even injure—primordials.