❝In a fight, they're lethal. Around each other, they melt❞
"I'm fine." I said, trying to hide the frown and tears that threatened to spill.
Percy looked at me once.
"I'm not going anywhere, unless you tell me what's wrong," he declared and I would h...
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They did their summons after dark, at a twenty-foot-long pit in front of the septic tank. The tank was bright yellow, with a smiley face and red words painted on the side: HAPPY FLUSH DISPOSAL CO. It didn't quite go with the mood of summoning the dead.
Caelan had drug me inside to wrap my wrist and force nectar down my throat.
"Gods Caelan I'm not dying!" I sputtered, swallowing the drink. It tasted like mama's , one of my favorite deserts.
"Sure, you'd say that when your wrist is broken." He muttered as I stood up and made my way outside.
The night air felt cold and menacing as we approached the others. The air was humming with spirits.
Sulfurous mist seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms. One blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to drink.
"Stop him!" Nico said, momentarily breaking his chant. "Only Bianca may drink!"
Percy drew Riptide. The ghosts retreated with a collective hiss at the sight of his celestial bronze blade. But it was too late to stop the first spirit. He had already solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes. A circlet of gold wreathed his head, and even in death his eyes were alive with malice.
"Minos!" Nico said. "What are you doing?"
"My apologies, master," the ghost said, though he didn't sound very sorry. "The sacrifice smelled so good, I couldn't resist." He examined his own hands and smiled. "It is good to see myself again. Almost in solid form—"
"Minos!" I exclaimed, marching up and shoving him away from the pit with my good wrist. "What the fuck do you think you're doing talking to my little brother?"
"Mistress!" He hissed, stepping back towards me as the spirits began to stir and mutter.
"Don't 'Mistress' bullshit me." I mocked, glaring at him. "Have we not told you before to stay in the underworld?"
"Yes Mistress but I've only come to-"
"Once again, stop with this Mistress bullshit. I don't care why you're here. Leave."
"They're lying to you!" He exclaimed and I froze, my body fading between translucent and solid.
"What?"
"They're trying to stop you. Did you really think that you could trust them, especially your friend over there?" I glanced back at Percy. "The gods hate your father. You're not supposed to exist. They're only using you then they'll throw you in some prison like they did the Titans. They'll hurt the masters. Is that really what you want, Nova, dear?"
He put a hand on my cheek and I could feel Caelan tense from the pit. I shoved him off. "Don't you have spirits to judge?"
He laughed at my cold tone. "Somebody woke up with an attitude."
