The Cavalry is Dead

Chapter 12: I Have a Family Reunion With My Dead Cousin

"Percy?" Jax asked.

His voice was hoarse. His cousin's smile grew wider. Percy was wearing the same armor that he'd died in, Jax realized; his bronze breastplate was emblazoned with twin hammers striking a mountain. The Blackwater family crest.

"Are you holding a sword?" Percy nodded to Wind-Singer. "That's adorable."

His heart pounded. "You're not real."

Percy looked amused. "Do you even know how to swing that thing?" He turned to the others. "Did you know he almost cut off his toe once? Uncle Antonius was so embarrassed that he said Jaxy was a stableboy that dropped a horseshoe on his foot. The healer never found out the truth."

"You're lying," Jax said.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Jax swallowed. The cold night air stung his cheeks, and the sword felt sweaty in his palm. Percy was standing close enough that Jax could smell his cologne: tobacco and leather, with just a hint of bitter orange. A perfumer in Exerbury had made a custom blend and called it Champion. He'd sold out in the first week.

"Jaxon," a voice said.

Jax turned. His breath caught in his throat.

"Dad?"

Antonius Blackwater stood in the clearing. His dark hair was rumpled, and the moonlight picked out bits of silver at his temples. He had a soldier's stance: shoulders back, feet planted, hands clasped behind his back.

"I told you not to go," Antonius said. "I told you that you'd never succeed."

A lump rose in Jax's throat. "I am succeeding."

"Not without help." Antonius's eyes were the pale blue of hoarfrost. "Where would you be without your companions? You would have failed your first trial. You'd be rotting at the bottom of the sea."

Jax shook his head. "That's..."

Not true. The words caught in his throat.

Antonius's mouth was a flat line. "You're the weakest link, son. But you know that already, don't you?"

"Blackwater," a female voice said.

A third monster stepped forward. She was shorter than the others, dressed in a formfitting red dress. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and her eyes were the shocking green of acid. Jax felt his cheeks flame. He glanced at Romes, who was staring at the latest addition in horror.

"Okay," Romes said. "Why are there two of me?"

"Your father's right, you know," not-Romes said. "I'm embarrassed that I had to save you." She ran a manicured hand down Percy's arm. "Your cousin would have been able to swim back to the boat."

"Oh, my god," Romes said, looking chagrined. "Please tell me that my chin doesn't actually look like that."

"You're nothing," not-Romes said. "You're worthless."

Romes tilted her head. "And my forehead. Why is my forehead so enormous?"

"And that time you tried to kiss me?" Not-Romes smiled. "I went into my room and laughed about it all night. So sweet. So naïve."

Asa's eyebrows shot up. "Blackwater tried to kiss you?"

For the first time, Romes looked vaguely discomfited. She pulled at her white sleeves. "He was hypnotized by siren magic."

"Did he use tongue?" Asa asked.

Romes frowned. "Is that relevant?"

"No." Asa shrugged. "But I'm curious."