Eye of Hecate

Ozzy

Jason and I fly in uncomfortable silence for a while. I keep my eyes ahead, my mind racing. Medea knew who my mom is. She said she'd be proud of me for studying Greek magic. My mind spins as I try and figure out what that means. Maybe Medea was just trying to get into my head. That has to be it. 

You're probably wondering why I didn't tell everyone about Piper's secret. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty angry. She's been suspicious and accusing me of being on the side of the giants since we met. Now, I know that all along it's been her that's working for the giants. Well, not working for them, but they're holding her dad hostage and trying to get her to betray us. 

Still, she didn't do what Medea asked. In fact, she saved us from Her Craziness. So, I figured I can give her the opportunity to say something. Sometimes, I'm just so nice. 

Also, I secretly feel really bad for her. My dad just came back into my life, and I only see him once or twice a year, but I'd still be pretty distraught if he was being held hostage by a giant. If I was being torn between my dad and my friends...well, I don't know what I'd do either. 

"That was pretty cool," Jason says, "what you did when we were fighting the dragons."

I turn around to look at him. "Huh?"

"The magic stuff." He says. 

I can't help but crack a smile. "The magic stuff?"

"You know what I mean." 

I nod, feeling very awkward. "Well, you're pretty good with that sword, too."

"Yeah, but when that dragon had Leo pinned, and the water shot out of the fountain? That was seriously impressive." 

My smile wavers. "Thanks."

In fact, I'd never done that before. I've been studying elemental magic for ages, but I've always struggled with water and earth. But seeing Leo pinned down, about to be mauled, something twisted in my gut and I'd controlled the water with no problem. I'd freaked myself out. 

He looks down at Piper, checking to see if she's asleep. He speaks quietly. "Do you know what's going on with her dad?"

I bite my cheek. "It's not my place to talk about it." 

"But-"

"Piper will open up when she's ready." 

He raises his hands in surrender. "Alright. I just thought...I dunno. she's clearly upset."

I nod. "You care about her a lot, huh?"

His face reddens. "I mean, I don't really know her, we just met a couple days ago-"

This time, I raise my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright."

"What about you and Leo?" He asks. "You've really known each other for so long?"

"Since I can remember." I admit. "I was being fostered by a family in the same apartment complex as him and his mom. She'd watch me while my foster parents were working, which was like, all the time. Even when I was in other places, I still basically lived there. After his mom died, he got placed into the same home as I was. We ran away together a couple times, and...well, then I got adopted by my uncle. I haven't seen him since then."

"He seems pretty happy to have you back." Jason says.

"I'm happy too." I can't help but smile. "He's always been my best friend."

Jason gives me a knowing look. "I mean, I don't want to overstep, but...you guys seem super close, and...well, he clearly likes you a lot, and..."

I can't help but laugh. "Jason, I know. We're...working on that."

"Good." He nods. 

It feels like the tension has dissolved a bit. We ride in silence for a little while longer before he speaks again. "You should get some sleep. Who knows when we're gonna get to rest again?"

It doesn't sound like a bad idea. I lean forwards on Leo and promptly fall asleep.