Underground Angels

Chapter Twenty-Seven | Welcome to Demigod Boarding

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Welcome to Demigod Boarding

 

                          The city was covered in an eerie four am fog when the Volvo containing the demigod gang passed into New York, moving down the streets in silence. A huge snowstorm had hit the city just after they left and had continued throughout the next few days, finally ending the night before.

“It’s too dangerous to cross into Canada.” Constantine said as Gabriel rolled down an empty sky scraper lined street. “There’s bound to be tons of monsters.”

“And if your Dad really is after you then we better not take our chances.” Added Stephan. “He’s a scary guy.”

“He is.” Noel said quietly, and the conversation halted.

Gabriel cleared his throat. “Okay. I guess Noel and I will stay in boarding until we get a guide and I can drop you guys off.”

“I can’t stay at home.” Lola announced. “Neither should anyone else. If there’s monsters skulking around there’s no way I’m going anywhere near Ramona and Ollie.”

Constantine nodded. “She’s right. Let’s just stay in boarding, it’ll be safer, at least until you and Noel can cross.”

Sighing, Gabriel nodded. “Okay. Let’s just hope Petra lets us in.”

“Who’s Petra?” Noel asked as they turned down snowy street after snowy street.

“She’s a Nymph.” Constantine told her. “She runs the boarding house.”

“What’s –”

“You’ll see.” Grumbled Lola, crossing her arms and looking out the window.

Noel fell silent.

~*~*~*~

                          They parked the car in front of a tall brownstone, but it didn’t look like all its neighbours. The stone seemed to glow, and it radiated warmth.

Together they climbed the icy steps, bags in hand; huddled on the stoop they waited for the door to be answered. The door opened a crack, and a green eye could be seen. “Gabriel Darcy.” A voice whispered, sounding like autumn leaves underfoot. “I expected to see you here.”

“May we come in Petra?” asked Gabriel. “It’s too dangerous for us to stay with our families.”

The door creaked open, revealing a tiny woman, her skin the colour of dark, petrified wood. Smooth like marble, she could have been a statue anywhere in Greece. A pranked statue though, because she wore a white pyjama set and crazy grandma glasses that Ethel would have died for. “Only because it’s you, Gabriel.” She ushered them in, then closed the door with a thud that echoed down the grand hallway.

The walls, ceiling and floor was all made of stone, different kinds swirling together; wherever Petra walked the stone glowed.