You'll Learn to Love Me

Chapter 13: Erebus ACTUALLY Acknowledges Laylana

Laylana had begun to pull shadows towards her, picturing the bottom of the mountain in preparation to shadow-travel. Jason summoned his sword while Coach Hedge pulled out his club. Before Laylana could yell at them to come grab onto her, Mellie the aura yelled, "No!"

She dived at their feet just as the storm spirits hit with hurricane force, blasting the floor to pieces, shredding the carpet samples and marble and linoleum into what should've been lethal projectiles, had Mellie's robes not spread out like a shield and absorbed the brunt of the impact. The five of them fell into the pit, and Aeolus screamed above them, "Mellie, you are so fired!"

"Fuck!" Laylana screamed. "Third time falling to my death! Fuck this!" 

"Quick," Mellie yelled. "Son of Zeus, do you have any power over the air?"

"A little!" 

"Then help me, or you're all dead!" Mellie grabbed his hand. The two of them had to control their fall and head for one of the open tunnels. The storm spirits were following them down, closing rapidly, bringing with them a cloud of deadly shrapnel.

Jason grabbed Piper's hand. "Group hug!"

Laylana, still holding onto Piper and Leo, huddled closer to the group as Gleeson also managed to get closer, hanging on to Jason and Mellie as they fell. 

"This is NOT GOOD!" Leo yelled.

"You can say that again!" Laylana shouted, dispelling the shadows from her body, knowing now was not the time for the dark considering Jason and Mellie needed to see where they were going. 

"Bring it on, gas bags!" Hedge yelled up at the storm spirits. "I'll pulverize you!"

"He's magnificent," Mellie sighed.

"Concentrate?" Jason prompted.

"Right!" she said.

They channeled the wind so their fall became more of a tumble into the nearest open chute. Still, they slammed into the tunnel at painful speed and went rolling over each other down a steep vent that was not designed for people. There was no way they could stop. Mellie's robes billowed around her. Laylana and the others clung to her desperately, and they began to slow down, but the storm spirits were screaming into the tunnel behind them.

"Can't—hold—long," Mellie warned. "Stay together! When the winds hit—"

"You're doing great, Mellie," Hedge said. "My own mama was an aura, you know. She couldn't have done better herself."

"Iris-message me?" Mellie pleaded, Gleeson sending her a wink.

"Could you guys plan your date later?" Piper screamed. "Look!"

Behind them, the tunnel was turning dark. Laylana could feel his ears pop as the pressure built. 

"Can't hold them," Mellie warned. "But I'll try to shield you, do you one more favor."

"Thanks, Mellie," Jason said. "I hope you get a new job."

"Thank you," Laylana smiled thankfully to her, closing her eyes and bracing for the impact.

Laylana felt the aura wrap them in a warm gentle breeze. Then the real winds hit, shooting them into the sky so fast, she blacked out.

***********

Another dream.

When Laylana opened her eyes, she was in what looked to be a rundown apartment. There, she saw the woman in the photo Aeolus gave her, sitting at the dining table, visibly pregnant. Next to her, sat a man that Laylana had also never seen before. He had dark hair that stopped at his shoulders, and a full beard. He wore all black, like he was going to a funeral. He was holding the hand of the woman, and upon looking closer he was looking at her with sympathy. That's when Laylana noticed his red eyes.

"My dear, I am so sorry for what I have done to you." The man said, sliding his thumb across the woman's hand. "If I had known what my sister wanted... I would have never returned to this realm." 

"It's not me I am worried about, anymore." The woman cried. "What of our daughter? What will happen to her? Will Gaea take her too?"

"Not if I can help it." The man's other hand moved to the woman's stomach. "I will mask her as long as I can, but once I return to the Underworld, I cannot take any risks to see her." 

"But what'll happen when you go back? She'll just... go into a foster home? I can't do that to her." 

"Well..." The man's voice trailed off. "Your friend, Sally Jackson? Could you leave our daughter to her?"