Book Cult (New and Improved)

Jason XXXI

"Jason XXXI," Grover read out loud.

Jason would've died five times on the way to the front door if not for Leo.

"Five times?" Thalia echoed in disbelief. 

First it was the motion-activated trapdoor on the sidewalk, then the lasers on the steps, then the nerve gas dispenser on the porch railing, the pressure-sensitive poison spikes in the welcome mat, and of course the exploding doorbell.

"Where would they even buy those things?" Chris said, perplexed.

"Whoever owns this mansion, must have some valuable things in there." Hermes smirked. "Why else would they be so protective?"

"Could be because they're just paranoid." Apollo suggested. 

Leo deactivated all of them. It was like he could smell the traps, and he picked just the right tool out of his belt to disable them.

"I think we just found our way into the Ares Cabin." Connor told Travis, with a smirk.

Travis smirked back, his eyes bright with mischief. Clarisse wouldn't know what hit her.

"You're amazing, man," Jason said.

Leo scowled as he examined the front door lock. "Yeah, amazing," he said. "Can't fix a dragon right, but I'm amazing."

 "He didn't mean it like that." Nyssa told him. "Don't let what he said before get to you. He was being charmspoken, I'm sure he feels bad about what he said."

"Yeah." Leo responded, twirling his pen.

"Hey, that wasn't your—"

"Front door's already unlocked," Leo announced.

"It's unlocked?" Katie said in surprise. "How could you buy all that security, but not do something as basic as locking your door?"

"They're probably really confident in their traps." Leo shrugged.

Leo turned the knob. The door swung open easily. He stepped inside without hesitation.

"Should you be going in there like that?" Will frowned. "You don't exactly know who's in there."

"I didn't really care." Leo admitted.

Before Jason could follow, Piper caught his arm. "He's going to need some time to get over Festus. Don't take it personally."

"Yeah," Jason said. "Yeah, okay."

But still he felt terrible. Back in Medea's store, he'd said some pretty harsh stuff to Leo—stuff a friend shouldn't say, not to mention the fact he'd almost skewered Leo with a sword.

"I tried to give you another concussion, so I think we're even." Leo muttered.

...."Piper," he said, "I know I was in a daze back in Chicago, but that stuff about your dad—if he's in trouble, I want to help. I don't care if it's a trap or not."

Aphrodite smiled sadly.

A couple of her children cooed.

... [Piper] "Jason, you don't know what you're saying. Please—don't make me feel worse.

The goddess of love sighed.

Come on. We should stick together."

She ducked inside.