Dead Man's Sea (PJO & POTC)

Deals With the Devil

"Did he even mention setting Elizabeth or you free?" Cordelia asks desperately to stop Will. He slips his shirt over his head. "He needs me to work for him."

"That's not an answer. The only thing he promised was Jack's freedom. He never promised yours or Elizabeth's."

"There were multiple papers."

"Oh, that makes me feel loads better. Will, Beckett is going to have you do his dirty work and then kill you. He is all about what is useful to him as soon as you stop being useful he will get rid of you." Will stops his frantic packing for a minute releasing a deep sigh. "I don't have another choice." Cordelia shakes her head. She tosses him her packed bag. He looks at her confused. "You're not leaving without me." He looks like he is about to protest but she stops him. "There is no way in Tartarus I'm letting you go alone so don't even suggest it. 

Besides, Jack likes me better anyway." Will stands there with his mouth opening and closing like a fish. She can't help but laugh a bit. "You look like an idiot." Will puts a hand to his chest in mock offense. "How you wound me, Lady Caldwell." 

"I'll meet you at the dock," She tells him before ducking out of the forge and heading to the fort. She dusts off her skirt to keep her mind off of her worries. This plan has to work. If it doesn't then Jack will die and the entire sea enslaved to the greed of men. 

She feels like she will be sick as she enters the fort and asks for Beckett. The soldiers are very accommodating, eyeing her figure. She tried to choose a modest but revealing dress. Maybe it was too tight? Too revealing? Before she can overthink, she is led into Beckett's office.

"Lord Beckett, Lady Caldwell is here to see you, sir," The soldier says. Beckett immediately stops shuffling his papers and stands up. "Miss. Caldwell, what an unexpected visit." He dismisses the guard. She ignores the way the soldier's stare lingers. 

She doesn't miss Beckett's refusal to use her title. "Is it?" She says skeptically. The corner of his mouth twitches as though he is suppressing a smile. "Tea?" He asks. "No thank you." She would love tea but she doesn't trust her stomach to not reject it. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" She steps closer to him. She has to be nice. It would be easier to kill him. 

"I'm here to negotiate." She stares at him trying to gauge his reaction. He smirks, pouring himself a cup of tea. They both knew it would come to this. The question is what does he want from her?

...

Percy paces the cabin for the 3rd time. "Quit it seaweed brain," Annabeth tells him from her place on his bed. Percy immediately stops. He looks at her. She's sitting cross-legged surrounded by several stacks of papers. Her laptop is resting in her lap. "What exactly did your dad say again?" She asks. Percy huffs sitting on the ledge of the fountain. "He said Cora wasn't in Tartarus and that she's safe."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, pretty much. He mentioned something about a seashell bracelet and how he would know if anything happened to her."

"What kind of shells was the bracelet made of?"

"Mostly conch and cockle. Why?"

"Because those are most common in the Caribbean."

"So?" 

"It could mean nothing but if shells are connected to a specific place. It seems like a stretch," Annabeth trails off. Her grey eyes storm over. 

"So she's in the Caribbean?" Percy questions hopefully. 

...

"I'm curious Lord Beckett, how likely do you think Jack Sparrow will part with his compass? The compass that points to his greatest desire?" Beckett chokes on his tea. Cordelia pats him on the back. "Not very likely," She says.