The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 83--Defusing the Situation

Grace's eyes swept the courtyard. I tried to duck back behind Niyomina, but—yeah. Too late.

She spotted me instantly. Then something much worse than getting caught happened.

She smiled.

Like, actually lit up. Like she'd just a knight in shining armor instead of a suspected criminal.

End, take over, I said frantically.

I'm good. 

What?  You're always complaining I don't let you out enough.

Don't wanna. I could practically see her in our shared headspace, feet kicked up, popcorn in hand, waiting for the disaster to unfold.

Because I was absolutely about to embarrass myself. You are so useless, I groaned, forcing myself to step forward.

Grace hadn't blinked once. "Percy, right?"

"How did you—"

"She said it back on the temple steps." Grace nodded toward Aridne, whose face was a perfect mask. "Right before you attacked us."

"That was, uh..." I scratched my neck. "An accident?"

A soldier with a swollen black eye snarled, "You beat me unconscious."

Grace raised a hand. "I'm sure there's an explanation. Maybe we can... talk it out. Over lunch."

Wow, End crowed. She really wants you. Percy, I see two options here: jail, or lunch with a very pretty girl.

Thankfully, I didn't have to answer.

Because Aridne stepped forward, eyes blazing. "He's not going anywhere. We're innocent."

Grace's smile vanished. "I've been patient," she said coldly, "but you don't seem to understand who's in charge here. Take her to the transport carriage."

Six soldiers grabbed Aridne. She fought them, but chains beat fury every time.

"Wait!" I called. "Don't you want to hear my decision?"

Niyomina snorted. "You think she cares—"

She never finished. The butt of a weapon slammed into her stomach. Niyomina crumpled, wheezing. Grace calmly sheathed her sword and casually turned back to me, as if she hadn't teleported three yards without breaking a sweat. "What were you saying?"

Up close, her eyes were intense enough to make my throat dry. "Look," I said, swallowing. "I appreciate your, uh... interest. But I'm not interested. I already have someone in mind."

Aridne froze.

Grace followed my gaze, frowning. "But she said you weren't together."

"We're... undecided." I stared very hard at the ground.

Why is Aridne's face red? End muttered. You're getting arrested. Focus.

Grace sighed. "So you don't want to eat with me."

"Sorry."

The soldiers shifted awkwardly. Apparently, watching their captain get rejected by a criminal was not on the schedule.

Grace recovered fast. "Probably for the best. Dating someone I might torture would complicate things."

My confidence evaporated. "Torture?"

"You stole one of the Army's most confidential documents." Her voice sharpened. "Where's the book, Percy?"

"I was framed!"