Book Cult (New and Improved)

Jason XXV

"Jason XXV," Nico read out loud.

The demigods grimaced and whispered to each other.

"Com'on guys, this is the same person we've been reading for hours now! Just 'cause he's Roman doesn't make him any different." Leo wished that he didn't sound like he was begging.

"Maybe, but it does explain his weird behavior." Drew said, painting her nails. "I knew there was something wrong about him."

Leo stared at her blankly.

"Didn't you have a crush on him?" he said up front.

Her eyes widened as she nervously looked around the room. 

"Of course not! I would never like some Roman! I was just doing my rite of passage." she said the last part loudly as if to ensure the others would hear her.

Really? Because I don't think you can fake jealousy like that. he sighed.

"There's nothing wrong with liking a Roman," Leo explained. I can't believe I'm having this conversation. I thought she would be into that 'forbidden love' crap. "They're just like us."

Drew glanced at the others before sneering at him. "Figures you would say that. Bet you think you actually have a chance with those Roman girls, don't you sweetie?"

A couple of demigods snickered at this.

Funny. Leo thought dryly, he drummed his fingers on his leg.

Jason dreamed he was wrapped in chains, hanging upside down like a hunk of meat. Everything hurt- his arms, his legs, his chest, his head. Especially his head. It felt like an overinflated water balloon.

"If I'm dead," he murmured, "why does it hurt so much?"

"You're not dead, my hero," said a woman's voice. "It is not your time. Come, speak with me."

Yes! Please! Let's all turn our attention back to Hera! The real person who's responsible for this! Leo shoved his hand in his pocket.

...He found himself standing in an earthen cage.

Hera tightly clasped her hands together.

...Outside the bars, he could see the floor of dry reflecting pool, another earthen spire growing at the far end, and above them, the ruined red stones of a burned-out house.

Next to him in the cage, a woman sat cross-legged in black robes, her head covered by a shroud. She pushed aside her veil, revealing a face that was proud and beautiful- but also hardened with suffering.

Zeus grabbed one of  his wife's hands and squeezed it.

Hera gave him a soft reassuring smile and squeezed back.

..."Welcome to my prison," said the goddess. "You will not die today, Jason. Your friends will see you through- for now."

"For now?" he asked.

Thalia glared at Hera. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means what I said." the goddess told her. "Not everything I say has to be a concealed threat."

Hades gave her a skeptical glance.

Hera gestured at the tendrils of her cage. "There are worse trail to come. The very earth stirs against us."

"You're a goddess," Jason said. "Why can't you just escape?"

"If only it were that easy..." Artemis clenched her hands into fists.