𝐏𝐘𝐑𝐑𝐇𝐈𝐂 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

20 - shadows and sunlight

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

AT THIS POINT, Elia was really tired of things going wrong. She knew it was inevitable. Trouble loved demigods as much as Zeus loves to get freaky with animals. But nonetheless, she really wanted this quest to be over so she could go home.

Daedalus glared at the monsters that had invaded his workshop, his sharp jaw clenched tight. "What is the meaning of this?" he growled, gaze fixed on the crazy snake girl whose name was Karen or Kylie or something.

The empousa's lips curled into a sneer. "Luke sends his compliments," she cooed, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger. Elia's face hardened at the name. "He thought you might like to see your old employer Minos."

"This was not part of our agreement," Daedalus protested.

"No," Kelli agreed smugly, the cruel curve of her lips sending a chill up Elia's spine. "But we already have what we want from you, and we have other agreements to honor. Minos required something else from us, in order to turn over this fine young demigod." She ran a slender finger under Nico's chin. Elia's glare sharpened. "He'll be quite useful. And all Minos asked in return was your head, old man."

Daedalus paled. This didn't seem to be the 'freedom' he had bargained for. "Treachery."

"Get used to it," the empousa grinned, her lilting voice carrying a sickeningly sweet tone.

Elia's hand tightened around Horizon's hilt as she took a slow step forward, focusing on the younger boy in the room. "Nico," she called softly, brushing her blonde hair out of her face. If she had to fight, she was ready. "Are you okay?"

The son of Hades nodded, looking mildly embarrassed. "Yeah— I'm sorry, Ellie. Minos told me you were in danger. He convinced me to go back into the maze."

Percy seemed confused, his hands wrapped around the pen in his hand. "You were trying to help us?"

Nico looked defensive, his pale face flushing pink. "Of course I was," he defended. "But I was tricked. He tricked all of us."

Elia turned her glare on Kelli. "Where's Luke?" She spat out the name like it tasted bad on her tongue. "Why isn't he here, spouting some stupid shit about his cause?"

The she-demon grinned, her eyes twinkling like she knew something they didn't. "Luke is... busy. He is preparing for the assault." Assault. Shit. That was a thing too. "But don't worry. We have more friends on the way. And in the meantime, I think I'll have a wonderful snack!" Her fingers lengthened, sprouting sharp talons and her hair burst into flame, blazing the same color as Rachel's but not nearly half as pretty.

Elia heaved a long breath, shifting her grip on her sword. Rachel mumbled something to Percy as Annabeth's gaze met Elia's. The blonde blinked once, twice, before setting her jaw. She would see her home again.

Percy and Annabeth lunged toward Kelli, their bronze blades refracting the light of the empousa's flaming hair across the room. For a moment, Elia wanted to freeze time, just to memorize each of her best friends' faces. Annabeth seemed to catch light like marble, all hard edges and sloping features, her gray eyes gleaming like stars fallen from orbit. The corners of her lips were pulled up slightly, as if this whole situation was mildly amusing to her. This was Elia's girl, her sister. This was the girl who had the glow and wisdom of the stars in her soul.

And there, shining like the very sun, was him. Well, maybe she was dramatic. Or maybe she was just enamored. Maybe those were the same thing. Beauty is always described in exaggeration by those who truly see it. Elia thought it was a little unfair, how Percy seemed to be cherished more by sunlight than the daughter of the sun god herself, but she was also so endlessly, infinitely grateful. Because if she had to be dull and boring next to the son of Poseidon for him to look like that forever, she'd gladly do it. She could see the curve of his grin in the chaos of the moment, like pure light with sharp teeth. The dimples around his mouth, the slope of his nose, the gleam of his green eyes, like the ocean was right there in the room and not miles and miles away. Drowning was fine if it had anything to do with him. She'd inhale the entire sea if he would stay afloat.