Book Cult (New and Improved)

Leo XXXVI

"Leo XXXVI," the sun god read.

Are we almost done, yet? Seriously, we should be more than halfway done by now. Leo groaned. He kicked his laceless shoe.

When Leo saw how well Piper and Hedge were being treated, he was thoroughly offended. He'd imagined them freezing their hindquarters off in the snow, but the Hunter Phoebe had set up this silver tent pavilion thing right outside the cave.

Phoebe heaved a sigh of annoyance. "Why would we leave her outside in the cold, when she has hypothermia?"

"How'd you set up a tent that fast?" Travis asked. "They couldn't have taken that long."

Phoebe didn't reply. She just glared at him as if thinking if she glared hard enough he'll melt.

I guess she's still sore about the whole 'poisoned centaur blood' thing. Travis thought quickly looking away and sat behind Connor.

...inside was a kerosene heater keeping them toasty warm and a bunch of comfy throw pillows. Piper looked back to normal, decked out in a new parka, gloves, and camo pants like a Hunter. She and Hedge and Phoebe were kicking back, drinking hot chocolate.

"Excellent work, Phoebe." Artemis complimented.

Said hunter beamed. "Thank you milady!"

"Oh, no way," Leo said. "We've been sitting in a cave and you get the luxury tent? Somebody give me hypothermia. I want hot chocolate and a parka!"

Artemis and her hunters rolled their eyes.

Phoebe sniffed. "Boys," she said, like it was the worst insult she could think of.

"Either that or 'men'." Phoebe spat out.

...Phoebe grumbled, but soon Leo and Jason were also dressed in silvery winter clothes that were incredibly lightweight and warm.

Will nodded his head in approval. 

The hot chocolate was first-rate.

"Was it as good as the Romans?" Athena innocently asked.

Leo bit back a remark and breathed heavily through his nose.

Don't comment, Valdez. he thought. It's not worth it.

He spun his shoelace around like a lasso.

"Cheers!" said Coach Hedge. He crunched down his plastic thermos cup.

"That cannot be good for your intestines," Leo said.

"Only if you're not a satyr." Grover shrugged.

Thalia patted Piper on the back. "You up for moving?"..."She's tough for a child of Aphrodite. I like this one."

"Hey, I could run ten miles too," Leo volunteered. "Tough Hephaestus kid here. Let's hit it."

The other hunters looked at him before they burst out laughing.

"Tough Hephaestus kid?" Naomi giggled. "Where? All I see is a scrawny wet cat!"

The hunters laughed harder.

Hephaestus glared at them.

"A cute scrawny wet cat." Leo corrected over them.

Naturally, Thalia ignored him.

"Aww! Com'on Thalia, he's trying so hard to impress you!" Aphrodite cooed to the daughter of Zeus. "You sure you're not interested? 'Cause he's really interested in you!"