Where You Go ― Jason Grace

xxi. a divine visit from ophelia's grandmother

OPHELIA CLOSED HER eyes for a count of three before she finally muttered, "Why am I not surprised?" 

Mellie squeaked. "But—but, sir! Zeus said to help them. Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes—"

"Mellie!" Aeolus snapped. "Your job here is already on the line. Besides, there are some orders that transcend even the wishes of the gods, especially when it comes to the forces of nature."

"Whose orders?" Jason demanded. "Zeus will fire you if you don't help us!"

"I doubt it." Aeolus flicked his wrist, and far below them, a cell door opened in the pit. Ophelia could hear storm spirits rushing out, spiraling toward them, howling for blood.

"Even Zeus understands the order of things," Aeolus said. "And if she is waking—by all the gods—she cannot be denied. Goodbye, heroes. I'm terribly sorry, but I'll have to make this quick. I'm back on the air in four minutes."

Ophelia and Jason summoned their swords. Coach Hedge pulled out his club.

Mellie the aura yelled, "No!" She dove at their feet just as the storm spirits hit with hurricane force, blasting the floor to pieces, shredding the carpet samples and marble and linoleum into what should've been lethal projectiles, had Mellie's robes not spread out like a shield and absorbed the brunt of the impact.

The six of them fell into the pit, and Aeolus screamed above them, "Mellie, you are so fired!"

"Quick!" Mellie yelled. "Son of Zeus, do you have any power over the air?"

"A little!"

"Then help me, or you're all dead!" Mellie grabbed his hand.

Jason pulled Ophelia close. "Group hug!" he yelled.

All of them tried to huddle together, hanging on to Jason and Mellie as they fell.

"This is NOT GOOD!" Leo yelled.

"Bring it on, gas bags!" Hedge yelled up at the storm spirits pursuing them. "I'll pulverize you!"

"He's magnificent," Mellie sighed.

"Concentrate?" Jason prompted.

"Right!"

Jason and Mellie managed to channel the wind so their fall became more of a tumble into the nearest open chute. Still, they slammed into the tunnel at a painful speed and went rolling over each other down a steep vent that was not designed for people. There was no stopping their rapid descent.

Mellie's robes billowed around her. They all clung to her desperately, and they began to slow down, but the storm spirits were screaming into the tunnel behind them.

"Can't—hold—long," Mellie warned. "Stay together! When the winds hit—"

"You're doing great, Mellie," Hedge said. "My own mama was an aura, you know. She couldn't have done better herself."

"Iris-message me?" Mellie pleaded.

Hedge winked.

"Could you guys plan your date later?" Piper screamed. "Look!"

Behind them, the tunnel was turning dark. Ophelia felt her ears pop as the pressure built.

"Can't hold them," Mellie warned. "But I'll try to shield you, do you one more favor."

"Thanks, Mellie," Jason said. "I hope you get a new job."

The aura smiled, then dissolved, wrapping them in a warm, gentle breeze. Then the real winds hit, shooting them into the sky so fast, Ophelia blacked out.