Death and Shadows

Ch.8 A Barbecue and a Summoning

A/N. Again, sorry for the weird chapter title. I didn't know what to name this one either. Nothing else to say really, so enjoy! -Anna

~Nico's POV~

As Geryon took us back to the lodge, I learned the Cyclops's name was Tyson, and the others learned who Lia's father was, despite her obvious reluctance to disclose that detail. They were surprised at the information, and Annabeth looked like she wanted to ask multiple questions, but Geryon snapped at us to keep quiet.

I kept an eye on Eurytion in case he tried to do anything more to Lia, but he just relaxed while hiding his face under his hat. Either knowingly or not, he kept Lia's hands pinned to her sides so she couldn't use her powers. Once we made it to the lodge, Geryon made us all get out of the train and onto the porch. Under his orders, Eurytion tied us up like rodeo animals, with our ankles and wrists roped together and our mouths gagged. Then, the cowherd decorated the railing with streamers and balloons, like he was preparing prematurely for our going away party.

Geryon got to work on the food, flipping burgers on a large barbecue cooker made from an oil drum. He was wearing an apron on each chest, with one word on each, so together they spelled out: KISS-THE-CHEF. As he cooked, the two-headed dog sniffed at the burgers that were frying. When he was done decorating, Eurytion lounged at a picnic table, picking his fingernails with a knife. Lia's daggers laid on the table next to him.

The rest of us tried to get out of the ropes, but we couldn't break them at all. As the sun started to sink below the hills, Percy came running full speed at the ranch house.

"Let them go!" he yelled, very much out of breath. "I cleaned the stables!"

Geryon turned. "Did you now? How'd you manage it?"

Percy looked like he wanted to get us all out of there right then, but he told the rancher what happened; how he used sea shells from the dirt to create saltwater springs to dissolve the poop into the ground.

Geryon nodded appreciatively. "Very ingenious. It would've been better if you poisoned that pesky naiad, but no matter."

"Let my friends go," Percy said. "We had a deal."

"Ah, I've been thinking about that. The problem is, if I let them go, I don't get paid."

"You promised!"

Geryon made a tsk-tsk noise. "But did you make me swear on the River Styx? No you didn't. So it's not binding. When you're conducting business, sonny, you should always get a binding oath."

I could just hear Lia groan in annoyance at his words.

Percy drew his sword. Orthus growled. One head leaned down next to Grover's ear and bared its fangs.

"Eurytion," Geryon said, "the boy is starting to annoy me. Kill him."

Eurytion studied Percy. The odds weren't good with him and the massive club.

"Kill him yourself," Eurytion said.

Geryon raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Eurytion grumbled. "You keep sending me out to do your dirty work. You pick fights for no good reason, and I'm tired of dying for you. You want to fight the kid, do it yourself."

It was the most un-Areslike thing I'd ever expect to hear a son of Ares say.

Geryon threw down his spatula. "You dare defy me? I should fire you right now!"