Born To Die

Im the one who almost died this time

Isla's POV

I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the black leather skirt. It's a little longer than the one I wore before, but it still holds that dangerous edge, the slit on the left side giving just enough of a tease. The orange corset top hugs my torso, and the color contrasts perfectly with the darkness of the skirt. I slip on one of Luke's button-ups once again, leaving it half unbuttoned like usual, the fabric falling just the right way. Black heels finish the look, the sharp click of them on the floor echoing in my mind as I move to grab my black headband, slipping it into my hair to hold it back in place.
As I straighten, I can't help but smile a little at how this version of myself feels so... right. I'm not hiding anymore. Not pretending to be someone I'm not. I've embraced this—this new life, this new power, and above all, Luke.

Just as I'm about to make my way toward the billiard room for our meeting, the door opens behind me. Luke steps in, his eyes immediately locking on me as he takes in my outfit, his lips curving into that cocky grin of his.

"Damn," he murmurs, voice thick with admiration. "You look... hot, baby ."

I feel my cheeks flush slightly, but I don't show any sign of weakness. Instead, I turn to face him fully, eyes meeting his, that familiar spark of mischief in my chest.

Before I can speak, Luke steps forward and places his lips on my neck, kissing me lightly just below my ear. His hands find my waist, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. His touch sends a familiar heat through me, that same sense of ownership that makes my heart race.

"You really are something else," Luke murmurs against neck "every time I think you can't get anymore perfect, you do."
"We're going to be late." I tell him
He sighs and pulls away and drags me to the meeting the plan.

The meeting room is thick with tension. Luke stands at the head of the table, his usual confidence present, but there's something more tonight—something sharper, like we're all teetering on the edge of something bigger. His gaze flicks between the group as they discuss the next step. We've come a long way, gathered powerful allies, and now, we have one last piece to secure—the Golden Fleece.

I sit near the end of the table, my legs crossed, arms folded as I listen to the murmurs around me. The group has been quiet for a while, none of them sure how to approach this next part. The fleece is in the Sea of Monsters—where Percy is likely to be heading any moment. We need to beat him to it, but it's not going to be easy.

"Any ideas?" Luke asks, glancing over at the group, his voice cutting through the silence. The faint sound of his voice adds a weight to the room.

Alison, sitting across from me, shifts in her seat, her eyes flicking to me briefly before she turns back to Luke, unsure. "The Sea of Monsters, huh? That's where Percy went last time for the fleece... But how do we get there before he does?"

Evan leans forward, looking confident as he rubs his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. His fingers tap the surface of the table lightly, before he speaks up.

"I've been thinking about this for a while," Evan says, his voice calm but determined. "We can't beat Percy if we're stuck trying to figure out how to get to the fleece after he's already left. We need a head start." He pauses for a second, letting his words sink in. "We should go through the Sea of Monsters before Percy even knows we're there."

A few people exchange confused glances, unsure of what he means. Luke tilts his head slightly, intrigued.

"Explain," Luke prompts, his gaze focused.

Evan leans back, giving us all a sharp look. "We've all heard of the monsters that lurk in the Sea of Monsters, right? The sirens, the hydra, Charybdis and Scylla. But what if we didn't go the same way they did? What if we got there first?"