Where You Go ― Jason Grace

ix. ophelia becomes an exorcist

FOR A MOMENT, Ophelia feared her friends wouldn't believe her. She didn't have any concrete proof to back up her claim—just her ghost curse and her instincts. Would that be enough?

A few seconds later, Hazel nodded in agreement, putting Ophelia's worries to rest. "Ophelia's right. I've met eidolons. In the Underworld, when I was... you know."

Dead.

Ophelia had only been mildly surprised to hear Hazel's story and learn she was a second-timer. There had always been a quality about the girl that made her seem like she came from a different time.

"So..." Frank rubbed a hand across his hair. "You think these things are lurking on the ship, or—"

"They could be inside any one of us," Ophelia said. "I know they're here, I just can't figure out where. It's like they're hiding from me."

Jason's hand tightened around Ophelia's. "If that's true—"

"We have to take steps," Piper said. "Ophelia, can you command them to leave like the one that possessed you?"

Ophelia bit her lip. "I think so. I'll need you to make them reveal themselves, though. I don't think I'll be able to do anything until they show themselves."

Piper nodded. "Okay, everybody listen."

She met their eyes, one person at a time. "Eidolons," she said, her voice thick with magic, "raise your hands."

There was tense silence. Ophelia held her breath.

Leo laughed nervously. "Did you really think that was going to—?"

His voice died. His face went slack. He raised his hand.

Jason and Percy did the same, Jason's other hand going slack in Ophelia's hand. Their eyes had turned glassy and gold. Hazel caught her breath. Next to Leo, Frank scrambled out of his chair and put his back against the wall.

Ophelia steeled herself, standing up next to Piper. She focused on Leo, unable to bear to see her own boyfriend's eyes turned gold. "Answer honestly," she ordered. "Are there more of you on this ship?"

"No," Leo answered in a hollow voice. "The Earth Mother sent only four. The strongest, the best. You have sent one of our own below, but we three will live again."

"Not in those bodies," Ophelia growled. "All three of you, listen carefully. You are going to leave these bodies."

"No," Percy said. Ophelia felt their resistance, fighting against her orders. The desire to live was the hardest thing to overcome when it came to commanding ghosts, and more often than not, that desire was the strongest part of their spirits. 

Leo let out a soft hiss. "We must live."

Frank fumbled for his bow, his face full of panic. "Mars Almighty, that's creepy! Get out of here, spirits! Leave our friends alone!"

Leo turned toward him. "You cannot command us, child of war. Your own life is fragile. Your soul could burn at any moment."

Ophelia wasn't sure what that meant, but Frank staggered like he'd been punched in the gut. He drew an arrow, his hands shaking. "I—I've faced down worse things than you. If you want a fight—"

"Frank, don't." Hazel rose.

Jason drew his sword.

"Drop your weapon!" Ophelia commanded.

The eidolon reluctantly let the sword fall to the ground.

"Listen to Ophelia," Hazel said, using her power over metals to slide Jason's sword away from the table and out of anyone's immediate reach.