The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

twelve

APOLLO TAKES THEM THE WRONG WAY

Apollo sat up in bed, gasping and soaked in sweat. Ariana made a mental note not to hug him whilst he was covered in sweat.

"Evening, Sunshine." Ariana grinned down at him.

"About time," Lu said.

She was on her feet, pacing the cell. Apollo's healing power must have done more than just soothe her amputation wounds.

She wobbled a bit, but she did not look like someone who'd been using crutches and leg braces just a day ago. Even the bruises on her face had faded.

"You... You look better," Apollo noted. "How long was I out?"

"A long time."

"Too long. Gunther brought dinner an hour ago." Lu nodded to a new platter of food on the floor. "He said he'd be back soon to get us for the party. But the fool was careless. He left us silverware"

She brandished her stumps.

Apollo looked at the foot of his bed. Sure enough, his pack was open, the contents scattered about.

Apollo tried to ask how and why at the same time, so it came out as "Hawhy?"

"I promise you I did not help her." Promised Ariana, moving his hair out of his face.

"If you have enough time, some tape and a set of working teeth, you can do a lot," Lu said proudly. "I couldn't wait for you to wake up. Didn't know when Gunther would be back. Sorry about the mess."

"I-"

"You can help." She tested her silverware attachments with a few kung fu jabs. "I tied these babies on as tight as I could, but you can wrap them one more time. I have to be able to use them in combat."

"Er -"

She plopped down on the sofa next to Apollo. "While you work, you can tell us what you learned."

Ariana knew Apollo was not about to argue with someone who could poke her in the eye with a fork.

Apollo wrapped her utensils more tightly in place while explaining what he had seen in his dream drive: Meg trying not to crumble under the influence of Nero, the emperor's fasces floating in its radioactive room, and the leontocephaline, waiting for them to try and take it.

"We'd best hurry, then." Lu grimaced. "Tighter with that tape."

Apollo's efforts obviously hurt her, judging from the crinkles around her eyes, but he did as she asked.

"Right," she said, swiping the air with her utensils. "That'll have to do."

Ariana tried for a supportive smile. She wasn't sure Captain Fork and Knife would have much luck against Gunther or the leontocephaline, but if they met a hostile rib-eye steak, Lu would be queen of the combat.

"And no sign of the other thing?" Ariana asked Apollo.

"Nothing," Apollo said. "But we still have time."

"Yeah," Lu agreed. "Minutes and minutes. Then the party starts and the city burns. But, okay. Let's concentrate on what we can do. I have a plan to get us out of here."

"And I have a plan for what to do when we get out." Apollo said.

Then they both said together, "You're not going to like it."

"Oh, joy." Ariana sighed. "Let's hear yours first, Lu. I don't trust Apollo with coming up with plans."

*•*