Where You Go ― Jason Grace

xxiii. the rescue mission goes sideways

THINGS WENT WRONG almost immediately, but Ophelia had come to expect that by now. Nothing so far had worked out in their favor so far—not in the beginning, anyway. She just had to hope it all worked out in the end.

And maybe send up an extra prayer to whatever gods were paying attention. 

As Piper scrambled along the ridge, trying to keep her head down and stay out of sight, her friends walked straight into the clearing. Ophelia summoned her sword as Jason flipped his coin, his lance springing to life as he caught it. 

He brandished the weapon over his head and yelled, "Giant!"

Enceladus stopped chanting at the flames. He turned toward them and grinned, revealing fangs like a saber-toothed tiger's.

"Well," the giant rumbled, his voice like an earthquake. "What a nice surprise."

Leo stepped sideways, edging his way toward the bulldozer. Ophelia figured—more like hoped—he had some sort of plan with the construction equipment, so she focused on keeping the giant's focus away from him and Piper. 

Coach Hedge shouted, "Let the movie star go, you big ugly cupcake! Or I'm gonna plant my hoof right up your—"

"Coach," Jason said. "Shut up."

Enceladus roared with laughter. "I've forgotten how funny satyrs are. When we rule the world, I think I'll keep your kind around. You can entertain me while I eat all the other mortals."

"Was that a compliment?" Hedge frowned at Ophelia. "I don't think that was a compliment."

Enceladus opened his mouth wide, and his teeth began to glow.

"Scatter!" Leo yelled.

Jason, Ophelia, and Hedge dove to the left as the giant blew fire. She could see Leo on the other side of the giant's flame, running between the construction equipment.

Jason was the first one up, charging at the giant. Ophelia was close behind as Coach Hedge ripped off his smoking canary yellow jacket.

"I liked that outfit!" the satyr shouted. Then he raised his club and charged, too, rearing to avenge his tacky blazar.

Before they could get far, though, Enceladus slammed his spear against the ground, and the entire mountain shook. It sent all of them sprawling, Ophelia ending up several yards from the giant. Other than getting the wind knocked out of her, she landed without injury. She saw Jason on the other side of the giant, staggering to his feet. A few feet away, Coach Hedge was knocked out cold, his furry hindquarters sticking straight up.

Gross. 

The giant bellowed, "I see you, Piper McLean!" He turned and blew fire at a line of bushes to Leo's right. Piper ran into the clearing like a flushed quail, the underbrush burning behind her.

Enceladus laughed. "I'm happy you've arrived. And you brought me my prizes!"

Ophelia's chest tightened. This was it—the moment Piper had warned them about. They'd walked right into the giant's trap. 

Leo looked like he was thinking the same thing, and the giant laughed again at the sight of his expression. "That's right, son of Hephaestus. I didn't expect you all to stay alive this long, but it doesn't matter. By bringing you here, Piper McLean has sealed the deal. If she betrays you, I'm as good as my word. She can take her father and go. What do I care about a movie star?"

Piper's dad didn't look so good, even from where Ophelia was standing several yards away. She could see that he wasn't completely unconscious, because he lifted his head. There was a nasty cut down the side of his face, and he looked thin and sickly.