The Mist's Misfortune: The Child of Wisdom

12

Nico stepped on cat droppings. He stepped on one the moment we got inside the house. I had to stifle a laugh. He cursed in Greek and went to the bathroom.

The interior looked just about as ancient as the exterior. Even if it looked old, it was well maintained.

There were Chinese words on square plates that hung on the wall. There were also many cabinets filled with fine china tea sets.

Various paintings hung on the walls as we walked. There were all paintings of ancient people wearing ancient Chinese clothing.

"Wow. This all looks wonderful." I marveled.

"Thank you, dearest Annabeth. These are our ancestors who had vowed themselves in our family name." Aunt Chia smiled. "It is said that they shall appear to any member in deep need."

Aunt Chia beckoned us to a room filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves. It interested me more all of a sudden.

"This is their library." Victor went to get a book from a shelf. "I spend most of my time here."

"I would, too." I told him.

"Well, I'll leave you kids here. I'll take some snacks from downstairs." Aunt Chia prepared to leave.

"I'll help you with that, Aunt Chia." I offered.

"No thank you, child. I can manage." She left the room quietly.

With the silence around us, I began thinking of Percy again.

I wonder what's happening to him. He sounded as if he was in trouble. He was asking for my help. What if that girl is doing something completely unimaginable to him?

The thought made my blood boil. I swear on the river Styx that if I found that girl, I'll beat her to a pulp.

I was about to think of ways to torture her when Nico came in the room.

"That was disgusting." He said as he took a seat on a chair opposite of mine.

Victor, who was still holding a book, turned to laugh at him. "I can't believe you didn't see Amaia's special prizes."

"Shut up." Nico rolled his eyes. "What kind of name for a cat is Amaia?"

"Is it just me or did you just name a cat after Amaltheia?" I asked.

"It was dad's idea."

"Your dad thought of naming a cat after the immortal goat the fed Zeus milk when he was a baby?" Nico asked.

"I never said he was reasonable." Victor closed his book.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Victor motioned to open it but Nico got there before he did.

"Is this Amaia?" He asked.

Victor and I went to where Nico was. By the door was a black cat with green startling pupils.

"That's not Amaia. We don't even allow black cats here. We treat them as bad luck." Victor frowned. "How did that get in here then?"

A thought suddenly popped into my head. With two half-bloods with her, they shall find the cat.

"A cat..." Nico thought hard. "Isn't that from the prophecy?"

"You don't say..." Victor watched the cat in amazement.

The cat then walked towards the right hallway. It stopped midway and looked at us as if to say, "Are you coming or not?"

"Should we follow it?" I asked.