My Secret Life

Chapter 21

A/N : I'll be two chapters of the book in this.

 ANNABETH DOES OBEDIENCE SCHOOL

 WE FIND OUT THE TRUTH, SORT OF

The group walked for a few minutes, until they reached the DOA Recording Studios. If she hadn't seen the place earlier on the trip, Thea would have been disappointed with what she saw. DOA Recording Studios sat on Valencia Boulevard, the sign in which stood out against the black marble. On the door read a sign saying: NO SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING. Inside the lobby, the lights were on and there were several people inside, while a man with sunglasses sat behind the security desk at the front.

Pushing open the door, Daria was met with the stark sight of steely grey walls and plush carpets that seemed to absorb sound. The lobby was filled with ghostly figures, their expressions distant and vacant. They lounged in black leather couches and chairs, the silence heavy around them, punctuated only by a haunting melody drifting softly from hidden speakers.

They made their way toward the security guard's desk, they took in the imposing figure behind it. The man was tall and elegant, his tan skin contrasting sharply with his bleached blonde hair. Dressed in a tailored silk Italian suit that mirrored the hue of his hair, he wore a black rose pinned to his lapel, a striking detail beneath a silver name tag that glinted under the muted lighting.

Reading the name tag, Daria looked up in recognition. "You're Charon, the ferryman of Hades," she said, infusing her voice with respect. It wouldn't do to be disrespectful and slow down their progress even more. The man nodded approvingly. "Good lass, finally someone who actually knows me," Charon replied, and though he was wearing glasses, Daria could tell he was rolling his eyes. She was pleasantly surprised to hear his British accent, which had the distinct flavor of someone who had learned English as a second language.

"Well then, how did you lot die?" Charon asked. Grover nudged her, and Daria shot him a meaningful look. "We were all murdered," she said, adding a respectful "sir" for good measure. They needed to get to the Underworld fast, and the only way to do that was to persuade this man to take them there. Charon nodded, clearly pleased by the "sir."

"Murdered?" Charon said, looking mildly impressed, though his tone remained dry. "I don't suppose you have coins for passage, do you? Normally, with adults, I could charge your American Express or add the ferry price to your last cable bill. 

But with children..." He sighed dramatically, as if this were a common inconvenience. "Alas, you never die prepared. Suppose you'll have to take a seat for a few centuries."

"Centuries??" Several people gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"Hold on," Barty Crouch Jr. said, his voice tinged with incredulity. "You three had less than a day to finish your quest, and now you're telling me you had to wait centuries just to pass through the Underworld? How in Merlin's name are you going to succeed in time?"

Daria smirked, leaning back in her seat with a casual confidence that made the others pause. "Just wait," she said cryptically, her eyes glinting with mischief. "We had a free pass."

A hush fell over the room. The group exchanged uneasy looks, curiosity piqued. It was clear that Daria's words held a deeper meaning, and whatever "free pass" she was talking about, it had to involve something... unusual.

"Free pass?" Evan's voice was quiet, but the question hung in the air, as everyone's attention turned back to Daria.

She didn't answer immediately, instead leaning forward with that same smirk. "Oh, you know," she said casually, "just a little business deal with Charon."