The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 82--Grace is (Not) Graceful

Remember that Chaos squadron that we knocked out and stuffed into a shed right outside End and Order's temple? Well, I didn't have to remember anymore.

Because they had occupied the wall.

And that flirty captain? Her name was Grace. 

She was right in the middle of everything, badge shining in the daylight. A red welt on her forehead where Aridne had socked her was as visible as a tattoo. And she did not look happy. Of all the Chaos squadrons hunting us, it really had to be hers that caught us. 

I couldn't let her recognize me. Otherwise . . . 

I didn't even want to think about it. 

The moment Niyomina reluctantly dumped me back onto the castle wall, soldiers grabbed each of our arms and forced them behind ourselves.

"What are you doing?" Niyomina hissed as I somehow wrestled with the soldiers and pulled all of us behind her.

"Er . . . the sun's a little too strong for my liking," I lied. 

"It's cloudy."

"Gods forbid a guy have sensitive skin," I responded. My eyes widened as the soldiers turned their swords towards me. "Whoa! There's no need for any of that."

"Stop moving then," someone growled into my ear. Not a hard ask—now that I was somewhat hidden from Grace's view, all I could do was pray she wouldn't look this way.

As if hearing my thoughts, she snapped her head my way. I sighed in relief as she narrowed her eyes at Niyomina. "You're . . . why do I recognize you?"

"Probably because I'm one of the most wanted criminals on your planet," she said proudly. 

I groaned as every soldier within earshot paused what they were doing and stared at us in shock. Why'd I ever think I could hide behind the universe's biggest psychopath?

Grace only seemed to become more dissatisfied. "Of course you had to be a villain. Why couldn't this all have been a false alarm, and we all go back to our homes peacefully?"

"Er . . . Captain," the soldier beside her said. "If you take her into custody, Lady Chaos will most definitely give you that promotion you're eyeing."

That seemed like the worst thing to say. "Screw the promotion!" Grace exploded. "I've been transporting prisoners to our base since this morning. I can't feel my feet anymore. And it's not like I'm enduring it for the pegasus races."

The Deeplige Divers are a very entertaining team to watch, End agreed. You can't help but stand with the crowd while you watch them race.

Hold up, pegasus racing is a sport here? I had to ask. 

Sure is. I'll take you one day. 

Er . . . it would be the other way around. You're in my body. 

Be careful, Percy. The first step to the evil side is abusing your power.

I'm not— I didn't have the energy to keep arguing. I focused back on the present.

Not like that was any more productive. Grace was still in the middle of ranting. ". . . and of course those stupid End priestesses had to be the ones to capture them. I wanted to arrest them as well, but the Good Deed law saved their sorry selves . . ."

I love that law, End interjected before I could ask. The premise is that, if you make a sizable contribution to the arrest of any number of Eternity's forces, any crimes—excluding murder, of course—that you committed during that process get automatically excused.