"My tears ricochet" (book 3 in the Storm Decology)

"No, he never does his dirty work"

Whatever Dr. Thorn was, he was fast.
"What are you doing Jackson?" Dr. Thorn hissed. "Keep moving!" I rolled my eyes and then my shoulders.
"It's my shoulder," Percy said. When did his voice get so deep? "It burns"
"Bah, my poison causes pain. It will not kill you. Walk!"
Thorn herded us outside, and I tried to concentrate on finding a way to free ourselves. Attacking him would not be the smartest move at the moment.
Thorn led us into the woods. We took a snowy path dimly lit by old-fashioned lamplights. My shoulder ached. The wind blowing through my ripped clothes made me feel like I'd freeze in an instant.
"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said. "We will summon your ride"
"What ride?" Bianca said. "What are you talking about?"
"Silence you insufferable girl"
"Don't talk to my sister that way," Nico said. His voice quivered but his bravery was impressive.
Dr. Thorn made a growling sound that definitely wasn't human. No shit, he's not human. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up, but I forced my spine to stiffen so I could look brave.
"Halt!"
The woods had opened up. We'd reached a cliff overlooking the sea. At least I heard it, the waves lapping against the cliffside. But all I could see was mist and darkness.
Dr. Thorn pushed us towards the edge. Percy stumbled but at the last moment I grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Thanks" He mumbled.
"How are we gonna kill his fish face?" I whispered.
"I'm working on that"
"Work faster" I hissed.
"I'm scared," Nico mumbled. He was fiddling with something-a little metal toy soldier of some kind.
"Stop talking!" Dr. Thorn said. "Face me!"
We turned.
Thorn's two-tone eyes glittered hungerly. He pulled something from under his coat. At first I thought it was another knife, but it was just a phone. He pressed the side button and said, "The package-is ready to deliver"
"That was ominous," I said, rolling my eyes. Whatever it was in my shoulder wedged itself deeper. I hissed as I felt the other side of the object exit my shoulder through the other side.
"By all means, Son of Poseidon. Jump! There is the sea. Save yourself" Thorn said laughing
Percy looked at me and then back at the sea. He shook his head. I didn't think he would leave me, but that part of me deep down thought he would. Everyone did eventually.
"What did he call you?" Bianca asked.
"We'll explain later" I said through gritted teeth, the movement of clamping my jaw together was the only thing keeping me awake right now.
"You do have a plan don't you?"
"I would kill you before you reached the water" Thorn said, he shrugged and smirked. "You do not realize who I am, do you?"
"No jackass," I grunted.
"Watch your tongue, Grace" He sneered. "Unfortunately, you are all wanted alive, if possible. Otherwise you would already be dead"
I felt feeling beginning to make its way back up my right arm. Either the poison was wearing off, or the electricity in my bloodstream was burning it all. My hand twitches.
"Who wants us?" Bianca demanded. "Because if you think you'll get a ransom. We don't have any family. Nico and I . . ." Her voice broke a little. "We've got no one but each other"
"Aw." Dr. Thorn said. "Do not worry little brats. You will be meeting my employer soon enough. Then you will have a brand new family"
"You work for Luke don't you?" Percy asked.
Dr. Thorn's face twisted with distaste as Percy said the name of my old brother. "You will have no idea what is happening, Perseus Jackson. I will let the General enlighten you. You are going to do him a great service tonight. He is looking forward to meeting you, but especially you, young grace" He sneered, running the knife across my chin, forcing my head up to look at him. I curled my lip and spat in his face.
"Oh you little bastard!" He yelled, he pushed me till I was mere moments away from falling off the cliffside.
"Do it" I hissed. "I'll fly right back and cut your throat into a million pieces" I said with a sneer.
"Luke said not to hurt the girl, Luke's not here is he?"
"No, he never does his dirty work"
"The general?" Percy asked. "I mean . . . who's the general?"
Thorn looked towards the horizon. "Ah, your rides here."
I turned and saw a light in the distance, a searchlight over the sea. Then I heard the chopping of helicopter blades getting louder and closer.
"Where are you taking us?" Nico asked.
"You should be honored, my boy. You will have the opportunity to join a great army, just like the one on your cards and your little dolls"
"They're not dolls! They're figurines! And you can take your great army and-"
"Now, now," Thorn said. "You will change your mind about joining us, my boy. And if you do not, there are other ways for a half-blood to serve. We have many monster mouths to feed. The Great Stirring is underway"
"The great what?" Percy asked. I know he is not dumb why is he asking so many questions?
"The stirring of monsters," Thorn said, smiling evilly. "The worst of them, the most powerful, are not waking. Monsters that have not been seen in thousands of years. They will cause death and destruction the likes of which mortals have never known. And soon we shall have the most important monster of all, the one who shall destroy Olympus!"
"You seem very passionate about this," I noted.
"Will you shut up?" He said, sounding exasperated. Good.
"Ok" Bianca said. "He's completely nuts"
"We have to jump off the cliff," Percy said. What the hell. This is what happens when you let Percy come up with a plan.
"Oh super idea. You're completely nuts too" I smirked at Percy and then flashed a smile to Bianca.