RECLUSE - (n) a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people.
MAISIE ELLIOT WAS ANGRY.
Angry at the world.
Angry at the Gods.
Angry at the demigods who seemed to move on too fast.
And when forced onto a quest with three stranger...
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MAISIE WOKE UP ON LEO'S SHOULDER
She hadn't registered it at first; his body radiated heat, and it was hard to not feel sleepy in his presence.
But then she realized. She was lying on Leo Valdez's shoulder. She jumped like he had burned her, and roughly shoved him away from her, cursing him in German.
Leo, who had already been awake, only turned to look at Jason. He gave him a look that said, I told you so, and Jason responded with a thumbs up.
Maisie didn't notice this exchange through her angry German rant, but when she realized he wasn't listening, she gave up and packed her things.
Once camp had been packed up, the continued down the sewer. It seemed to twist and turn and go on forever. They finally found polished steel elevator doors, each one engraved with the cursive letter M. Next to the elevator was a directory, like for a department store.
"M for Macy's?" Piper guessed. "I think they have one in downtown Chicago."
"Or Monocle Motors still?" Leo said. "Guys, read the directory. It's messed up."
Parking, Kennels, main entrance: SEWER LEVEL
Furnishings and Café M: 1
Women's fashion and magical appliances: 2
Men's wear and weaponry: 3
Cosmetics, Potions, Poisons & Sundries: 4
"Kennels for what?" Piper asked aloud. "And what kind of department store has its entrance in a sewer?"
"Or sells poisons," Leo added. "Man, what do sundries even mean? Is that underwear?"
Dummer junge.
Jason took a deep breath, "when in doubt, start at the top."
The doors slid open on the fourth floor, and the smell of perfume wafted in. Jason and Maisie stepped out first, weapons ready.
"Guys," Jason said. "You've got to see this."
Piper joined him and caught her breath, "This isn't Macy's."
The department store looked like the inside of a kaleidoscope. The entire ceiling was filled with a stained glass mosaic with astrological signs around a giant sun. The sun seemed to be different colors as it hit the glass, hitting the floors below in a sea of colors.
Leo stepped towards the railing, "Check it out."
In the middle of the floor, a fountain sprayed water into the air, changing color from red to yellow to blue. On either side of the fountain sat what looked to be an oversized canary cage.
