Percy Jackson and the Dark Elites

XXXXXVII

Piper

Piper grabbed onto Jason and prayed they didn't get caught by the Riders. The ships swarmed above their heads. In random, terrifying moments, they would swoop to the ground and fire. 

Piper and Jason huddled together in the woods, their hair blowing with every sweep of the enemy ships. Jason was trying to keep quiet, but it was clear how much the wind hurt his battered back. His knuckled were white where he grasps her hand. His whole body trembled against hers. 

"Jason?" She touched his face. "They're going to work this out, I won't let them take you again."

"I could help," Jason insisted, never fond of being the one who needed protection. 

"No," Piper kissed his forehead. "You can barely walk."

"That's not true, I'm feeling stronger by the hour."

"Jason—"

"I mean it. I actually mean it." Jason sat up against the tree, covering his ears as explosions sounded around them. "I have to help—I can't go back. Not for any reason. You're not just stuck with me."

Piper pulled herself closer to him. They sat shoulder to shoulder against the tree. 

"I didn't mean that," Piper explained, feeling a little guilty for saying that earlier, she'd meant it as a joke. "but I just feel so useless sometimes. I have a dangerous looking sword and a persuasive voice. A voice that stopped working the way it used to."

"You stopped believing in it," Jason grabbed her hand. "But I never did."

Piper looked up at the ships. They rained fire down on them, speeding by so fast she couldn't make out their shape. "I'm terrified," She admitted. 

"It's okay, Nico will stop them."

Piper looked at her hands. It was important she didn't ask Jason to put his faith in Ruin, Percy, or anyone else at this moment.

She couldn't help but notice the hatred Jason had for Ruin. And not just Ruin, but Percy. It was like he'd completely forgotten the man they used to know. In fact, Piper had recently seen him. It was scary how quickly he gained her trust after Bianca kidnapped her. Piper had a suspicion she was being fooled—but she wasn't. The truth was, she got lucky. Maybe Jason was right all along. Maybe Percy was too far gone to be trusted—and Piper only got lucky he could fight Sustenance at that moment. He could have easily killed her.

Instead, Percy saved her life and risked the trust of the entire camp because he knew—he knew—that there was no other way to save Jason. Percy knew they wouldn't stand a chance to get passed Chaos' defenses without help. He got them close and stayed behind. He destroyed the entire place and left his radio for Jason—so they could contact him. 

"You're thinking about Percy," Jason deduced. 

"Jason, he did save you—"

"No, Piper. I'm right about this. He's changed. He's dangerous."

"Omega is dangerous. Percy is our friend."

"NO! Percy is a demon, you have no idea what he's capable of. He's too loyal and his loyalties have changed. He'd burn all of us to save his little cutter friends. People like Octavian." 

"And Leo Valdez. And Bianca di Angelo!" Piper shook his arm. "You're injured. And you're just mad he dropped you off a building." Piper started to laugh. "Look at you—wasn't so bad was it?"

Jason smiled, his Jason shook his head. His lips tightened into a thin line, bringing out the small scar on his upper lip. He looked like a completely different person. "No. He threatened you. He threatened to give you to Octavian, to let him rape you. How can you be okay with that?"