You'll Learn to Love Me (Leo Valdez x OC)

Chapter 39: Laylana Almost Dies (she really needs to stop almost dying)

Percy nodded and ran to the mast as Annabeth took the helm. Laylana had seen her brother control full-sized sailing ships before with only his willpower. This time, he didn't disappoint. Ropes flew on their own—releasing the dock ties, weighing the anchor. The sails unfurled and caught the wind. Meanwhile Annabeth fired the engine. The oars extended with a sound like machine-gun fire, and the Argo II turned from the dock, heading for the island in the distance.

The three eagles still circled overhead, but they made no attempt to land on the ship, probably because Festus the figurehead blew fire whenever they got close, and Laylana was shouting various words in both English and Greek, mainly cursing at them. More eagles were flying in formation toward Fort Sumter—at least a dozen. If each of them carried a Roman demigod...that was a lot of enemies. Gleeson came pounding up the stairs with Hazel at his hooves.

"Where are they?" he demanded. "Who do I kill?"

"No killing!" Annabeth ordered. "Just defend the ship!"

"But they interrupted a Chuck Norris movie!"

Piper emerged from below. "Got a message through to Jason. Kind of fuzzy, but he's already on his way. He should be—oh! There!"

Soaring over the city, heading in their direction, was a giant bald eagle, unlike the golden Roman birds. That had to be Frank.

"Frank!" Hazel said

"Oh Gods, Leo..." Laylana grimaced at the sight of her boyfriend. Frank really did not disappoint when he said he'd bring Leo and Jason back safely...

Leo was holding on to the eagle's feet, and even from the ship, Laylana could hear him screaming and cursing in both English and Spanish. She caught a few words that he had taught her which made her chuckle. Behind them flew Jason, riding the wind.

"Never seen Jason fly before," Percy grumbled. "He looks like a blond Superman."

"This isn't the time!" Piper scolded him. "Look, they're in trouble!"

Sure enough, the Roman flying chariot had descended from a cloud and was diving straight toward them. Jason and Frank veered out of the way, pulling up to avoid getting trampled by the pegasi. The charioteers fired their bows.  Arrows whistled under Leo's feet, which led to more screaming and cursing. Jason and Frank were forced to overshoot the Argo II and fly toward Fort Sumter. Laylana could barely get a clear shot at the chariot without hitting her friends and boyfriend. Apparently, Gleeson took that as she couldn't shoot at all.

"I'll get 'em!" he yelled, shoving her out of the way. He spun the ballista that she was at. Laylana, still slightly dazed, went to stop him but it was too late. A flaming spear rocketed toward the chariot. It exploded over the heads of the pegasi and threw them into a panic. Unfortunately it also singed Frank's wings and sent him spiraling out of control. Leo slipped from his grasp. The chariot shot toward Fort Sumter, slamming into Jason.

Laylana could feel herself yelling "No!" as she watched in horror as Jason—obviously dazed and in pain—lunged for Leo, caught him, then struggled to gain altitude. He only managed to slow their fall. They disappeared behind the ramparts of the fort. Frank tumbled after them. Then the chariot dropped somewhere inside and hit with a bone-shattering CRACK! One broken wheel spun into the air. Laylana lunged for the edge of the ship, about to throw herself over so she could go after them before she felt arms wrap around her torso and force her back. Percy's voice filled her ears, whispering things to try and get her to calm down.

"Coach!" Piper screamed.

"What?" Gleeson demanded. "That was just a warning shot! Jackson couldn't make the shot so I did it for her!"