HORIZON ⸺ jason grace

viii. violet witnesses her first exorcism

TO SAY THAT the others were a little surprised when Violet and Piper came flying back on pegasi with two unconscious demigods would be a bit of an understatement.

Frank and Hazel tended to Blackjack and Snowdrop, while Annabeth and Leo helped get Jason and Percy to sickbay.

"At this rate, we're going to run out of ambrosia," Coach Hedge grumbled as he tended their wounds. "How come I never get invited on these violent trips?"

Violet nodded. "I'm sure we could've used you, Coach."

She sat at Jason's side. She herself felt fine after a swig of nectar and some water, but she was still worried about the boys. She trusted Blackjack, sure, but she also couldn't imagine that being hit over the head by a magical horse would be a pleasant experience for Percy. And Jason had now been knocked unconscious twice in two days, which probably wasn't great either.

"Leo," Piper said from across the room, "are we ready to sail?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Set course for Atlanta. I'll explain later."

"But...okay." He hurried off.

Annabeth didn't argue with Piper either. She was too busy examining the horseshoe-shaped dent on the back of Percy's head.

"What hit him?" she demanded.

"Blackjack," Violet shrugged.

"What?"

They tried to explain while Coach Hedge applied some healing paste to the boys' heads. Violet had never been overly impressed with Hedge's nursing abilities before (although they had saved her life more than once), but he must have done something right, as they soon both groaned and opened their eyes.

Within a few minutes, Jason and Percy were sitting up in their beds and able to talk in complete sentences. Both had fuzzy memories of what had happened. When Violet described their duel on the highway, Jason winced.

"Knocked out twice in two days," he muttered. "Some demigod." He glanced sheepishly at Percy. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to blast you."

Percy's shirt was peppered with burn holes. His hair was even more disheveled than normal. Despite that, he managed a weak laugh. "Not the first time. Your big sister got me good once at camp."

Violet giggled, making her brother send her a playful glare.

"What? You deserved it!"

"Did not!"

"Did so—"

Jason interrupted. "But...I could have killed you."

"Or I could have killed you," Percy said, which made the three girls roll their eyes, sharing a look.

Jason shrugged. "If there'd been an ocean in Kansas, maybe."

"I don't need an ocean—"

"Boys," Violet interrupted, "I'm sure you both would've been absolutely wonderful at killing each other. I mean, Piper and I would have really loved to see that. But right now, you need some rest."

"Food first," Percy said. "Please? And we really need to talk. Bacchus said some things that don't—"

"Bacchus?" Annabeth raised her hand. "Okay, fine. We need to talk. Mess hall. Ten minutes. I'll tell the others. And please, Percy...change your clothes. You smell like you've been run over by an electric horse."

༄

Leo gave the helm to Coach Hedge again, after making the satyr promise he would not steer them to the nearest military base "for fun."