𝕺𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝕬𝖙𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙 - 𝕱𝖊𝖒𝕺𝕮 𝖃 𝕷𝖊𝖔 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖟

Kiera

Leo kept grinning non stop.

He admitted he loved the way everyone's faces were when he flew Festus into camp. 

Festus had been awesome too, even by my standards. He hadn't blowtorches a single cabin or eaten any satyrs, even if he dribbled a little oil from his ear. It's okay, though, he's just a little dragon!

I was happy that Leo didn't tell everybody about Bunker Nine or the flying boat. He appreciated the magic tool belt from the bunker. 

My fingers brushed over the etched waves and flames on Festus's horns. 

'Okay, listen, you can't tell anyone this,'  Beckendorf said.

I nodded along, my curiosity peaked.

'Promise?' He asked.

'Promise.' I repeated.

He held out his hand, but not for me to hold. Flames burst out, they danced along his fingertips. They were comforting, but the same as Leo from my dreams. Leo couldn't burst into fire, but his eyes held the same intense flame. Like he was my own hearth.

'A gift from my father,' Beckendorf said. 'Hephaestus, as you know, is the god of the forges and flames. It's rare that his children get this ability. I've been the first one in years, the last one. . .I don't know.'

'That's so cool!' I started getting excited, and sparks flew off me. I calmed myself before he continued.

'Not to Cabin Nine,' he said. 'It's seen as a curse. I haven't told anyone, but I got a dream last night, and I believe I'm meant to show you, Kiera.'

Oh. . .still cool, though!

He stood up, keeping the flame burning in his palm. Then he reached out, and touched the stone wall.

I knit my eyebrows. 'Um. . .sorry to burst your bubble, but what is this supposed—'

The door creaked and cracked open as flames spread across the stone and the door swung open. My jaw dropped. 'Holy shit!'

'Language, Mini Me.' Beckendorf chuckled.

'Oh, come on!' I argued. 'I'm turning fifteen soon enough!'

He ignored me and brought me inside, and the door shut behind us. 'Welcome to Bunker Nine, Kiera Jackson.'

It still seemed like yesterday when Beckendorf had showed me Bunker Nine. But of course, it wasn't. It was years ago, back when he was still my Big Me. When everyone I loved was alive.

Leo wrapped his arms around me more, warming me entirely.

"Shut up, me," Leo said aloud.

"What?" Piper asked.

"Nothing," he said. "Long night. I think I'm hallucinating. It's cool."

Dead silence.

"Just joking." Leo changed the subject. "So, what's the plan, bro? You said something about catching wind, or breaking wind, or something?"

As we flew over New England, Jason laid out the game plan: First, find Boreas and grill him for information—

"His name is Boreas?" Leo snickered in my ear. "What is he, the God of Boring."

"I'd be careful, Tesoro" I scolded. "Boreas is the God of the North Wind, and gods don't appreciate being mocked. Believe me."

"Why do you sound like you've had an incident with that?" Piper asked from behind Leo.