Cecilia Holmes, Daughter of Minerva (Sherlock/Percy Jackson crossover)

Chapter 35

"So, let me get this straight..." I said, looking around at the small park we stood in. The air was chilly and a breeze ruffled the autumn trees, knocking a few of the brown leaves to the ground. Further into the park were dozens of folding chairs and tables, a chess set on each one. On the table in the middle of the public park was a trophy that had a shiny, yellow king piece on top. Surrounding the trophy were other things- a brand-new chess set, a checkered coffee mug with chocolate inside, and other miscellaneous things. A table stood off from the rest, and people were standing around it, chatting and talking with the person behind the table who must've been an official for the tournament.

"You... want me... a freaking daughter of Minerva... to enter a chess tournament against a bunch of... a bunch of peasants?" I said, turning toward Nemesis. She clicked her tongue.

"Now, now, Cecilia," she said, taking a deep breath, "you must remember that you are also part peasant."

"I wouldn't call Sherlock a peasant," I snarled, "But I might just call..." Claude, who stood on the other side of Nemesis, gave me a warning glance. I took a deep breath.

"Never mind," I said with forced cheerfulness. "If you want me to crush the mortals with my god-like brains, then I will. Not a problem."

"Not necessarily all the mortals, just the one will do."

"Spencer Wallace," I repeated the name.

"Yup. But I guess you can still crush all of them if you want to," Nemesis shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'll let you get to it, then."

She turned to walk back to the TARDIS. I stared at her back.

"Am I just doing all the odd jobs that you are too proud to do yourself?" I asked, curiously. She stopped.

"Because, you know, these aren't that hard," I went on, wrapping my arms around myself, "And you made it sound like I would be swimming in the River Styx to free them. But no, no, instead I'm sent to beat a small town boy at his local chess tournament. Seriously? What gives?"

"Yes, the majority of these tasks are ones that I would rather not waste my time doing," she said, opening the TARDIS door, "but I have no problem wasting your pathetic mortal time doing. Remember who you're working for and don't ever question me again."

And then she was gone, the door slamming shut behind her.

"Geez," I said, turning back toward the small-town chess tournament. "Someone's grumpy."

I clenched my chattering teeth, wishing I would've had time to change out of my shorts and t-shirts into winter-appropriate clothes. I glanced at Claude, who stood silently in his jeans and hoodie.

"Lucky," I hissed, walking toward the sign-up table.

"You aren't doing much to get Nemesis to like you," Claude said in a low voice, coming to walk beside me.

"Great observation, Claude!"

He was quiet. I glanced at him, but his head was hung and I couldn't see his face.

"Look, a line was crossed the day she captured my family. I don't care about her liking me. I care about getting my family back."

"Getting her to not hate you as much would probably make getting your family back easier," he whispered.

"Friendliness isn't in my nature," I stated, glaring at him from the corner of my eye.

"Yeah. I know," he snapped back.