Inferno (Leo Valdez x OC) (2)

The beginning of the great mini cheddar war

The crew compared notes on what had happened in Salt Lake City but even Leo's ridiculous story about how he tricked Narcissus wasn't enough to cheer up the rest of the group.

"So where to now?" Leo asked with a mouthful of pizza. "I did a quick repair job to get us out of the lake but there's still a lot of damage. We should really put down again and fix things before we head across the Atlantic."

Percy was eating a piece of pie which, obviously, was completely blue – filling, crust, even the whipped cream. "We need to put some distance between us and Camp Jupiter. Frank spotted some eagles over Salt Lake City. We figure the Romans aren't far behind us."

That didn't improve the mood around the table.

Piper shifted uncomfortably. "I don't suppose we should go back and try to reason with the Romans? Maybe- maybe I didn't try hard enough with the charmspeak."

Jason frowned. "It wasn't your fault, Pipes. Or Leo's." He added quickly as I shot him a glare. "Whatever happened, it was Gaia's doing, something to drive the two Camp's apart."

Piper smiled gratefully but the sentiment didn't quite reach her eyes. "Maybe if we could explain that-"

"With no proof?" Annabeth interrupted. "And no idea what really happened? I appreciate what you're saying, Piper. I don't want the Romans on our bad side but until we understand what Gaia's up to, going back is suicide."

"She's right." Hazel said. She still looked a little queasy from seasickness but she was trying to eat a few saltine crackers. The rim of her plate was embedded with rubies which I was fairly sure hadn't been there at the beginning of the meal. "Reyna might listen but Octavian won't. The Romans have honour to think about. They've been attacked. They'll shoot first and ask questions posthac."

I stared down at my own dinner. The magical plates could conjure up an incredible variety of my favourite foods from back home in Wales. I especially liked the Laverbread however the attempts at Welsh cakes were a little too close to home as their taste was far too similar to the one's my mother made for my liking. 

What would my mother think of me now? She'd always told me to go out of my comfort zone as most parents do but how far should I be going? I was terrified.

I felt a warm hand cover my own. I looked up to see Leo continuing to look between the others as if nothing was happening.

A tapping caught my attention, Leo's other hand was lightly drumming his fingers on the underside of the table.

You ok?

I smiled and tapped on my chair.

Yeah. I paused. Well, as ok as one can be on a warship running from angry demigods so we can go save the world.

Leo's lips twitched up into smile.

"You're right." Piper said. I glanced back to the others. "We have to keep going, not just because of the Romans though."

Hazel nodded. "Nemesis said we have only six days until Nico dies and Rome is destroyed."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You mean Rome Rome, not New Rome?

"I think." Hazel said. "But, if so, that's not much time."

"Why six days?" Percy pulled a face. "And how are they going to destroy Rome?"

No one answered.

"There's more." Piper said hesitantly. "I've been seeing things in my knife."

Frank froze with a forkful of spaghetti halfway to his mouth. "Things such as...?"