𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

chapter forty-five ☄︎. *. ⋆

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WE RODE THE BOAR cross-country until sunset, which was much longer than my ass could handle. Imagine riding a giant steel brush over a bed of gravel all day; that's about as comfortable as boar-riding was.

I have no idea how many miles we covered, but the mountains faded into the distance and were replaced by miles of flat, dry land. The grass and scrub brush got sparser until we were galloping (do boars gallop?) across the desert.

As night fell, the boar came to a stop at a creek bed and snorted. He started drinking the muddy water, then ripped a saguaro cactus out of the ground and chewed it, needles and all.

"This is as far as he'll go," Grover said. "We need to get off while he's eating."

Nobody needed convincing. We slipped off the boar's back while he was busy ripping up cacti. Then we waddled away as best we could with our sore behinds.

     After its third saguaro and another drink of muddy water (which I couldn't imagine was too yummy), the boar squealed and belched, then whirled around and galloped back toward the east.

     "It likes the mountains better," Percy guessed.

     "I can't blame it," Thalia said. "Look."

     Ahead of us was a two-lane road half covered with sand. On the other side of the road was a cluster of buildings too small to be a town: a boarded-up house, a taco shop that looked like it hadn't been open since before Zoë Nightshade was born, and a white stucco post office with a sign that said GILA CLAW, ARIZONA hanging crooked above the door. Beyond that was a range of hills... but then I noticed they weren't regular hills. The countryside was way too flat for that. The hills were enormous mounds of old cars, appliances, and other scrap metal. It was a junkyard that seemed to go on forever.

     "Something tells me we're not going to find a car rental here," Thalia said. She looked at Grover. "I don't suppose you got another wild boar up your sleeve?"

     Grover was sniffing the wind, looking nervous. He fished out his acorns and threw them into the sand, then played his pipes. It was a nice and upbeat jig. The acorns danced around, rearranging themselves in a pattern that made no sense to anyone but Grover. He looked concerned, which I doubted meant good news.

     "That's us," he said. "Those six acorns there."

     "Hey, nice," Percy said. "Which one's me?"

     "The little deformed one," Thalia suggested. I snickered.

     Grover ignored us. "That cluster to the left... that's trouble."

     "A monster?" Thalia asked.

     Grover looked uneasy. "I don't smell anything, which doesn't make sense. But the acorns don't lie. Our next challenge..."

     He pointed straight toward the junkyard. With the sunlight almost gone now, the hills of metal looked like something on an alien planet. Looking at what was ahead, none of us were too excited to delve into it, so we decided to camp for the night and try the junkyard in the morning. Nobody wanted to go Dumpster-diving in the dark.

     Zoë and Bianca produced six sleeping bags and foam mattresses out of their backpacks. I don't know how they did it, because the packs were tiny, but must've been enchanted to hold so much stuff. I'd noticed their bows and quivers were also magic. I never really thought about it, but when the Hunters needed them, they just appeared slung over their backs. And when they didn't, they were gone. I wished I could enchant my bow; it'd be a lot easier not to lug it around everywhere.

     The night got chilly fast, so Grover and Percy collected old boards from the ruined house, and Thalia zapped them with an electric shock to start a campfire. Pretty soon we were about as comfy as you can get in a rundown ghost town in the middle of nowhere.

     We sat in a circle around the campfire. If I didn't think too hard about where we were, I could almost imagine my cabin was leading us in a song and we were sitting around the fire pit at camp. But then the wind would hit the sand in just the right way, and I'd be reminded of our surroundings. I didn't take much comfort in the fact that our guardians for the night were an old taco shop and some metal scraps.

The others sparked up conversations—about the skeleton warriors, about Pan and his gift, about the way Bianca demolished that skeleton with her dagger. That one caught my attention, because I'd been pondering about it for a while now, and I had no idea how she could have been able to do that. Those skeletons were supposed to be impossible to beat.

"So how'd you do it?" I interjected. Everybody looked to me. I doubted they'd been expecting me to say anything.

"I don't know," Bianca said. "I just stabbed it and it went up in flames."

"Maybe there's something special about your knife," Percy said.

"It is the same as mine," Zoë said. "Celestial bronze, yes. But mine did not affect the warriors that way."

"Maybe you have to hit the skeleton in a certain spot," I said.

Bianca looked uncomfortable with everybody paying attention to her. "Look, I don't know. I just.. I don't know."

"Never mind," Zoë told her. "We will find the answer. In the meantime, we should plan our next move. When we get through this junkyard, we must continue west. If we can find a road, we can hitchhike to the nearest city. I think that would be Las Vegas."

I was about to protest that Percy, Grover, and I had had bad experiences in that town, but Bianca beat us to it. "No!" she said. "Not there!"

I frowned. Thalia glanced at me, arching a dark eyebrow—I could tell she was asking if I knew anything, since I'd been alone with Bianca so much. I gave her a faint shake of my head to tell her I had no idea.

Zoë frowned at Bianca. "Why?"

Bianca took a shaky breath. "I... I think we stayed there for a while. Nico and I. When we were traveling. And then, I can't remember..."

Suddenly I had a really bad thought. I remembered a passing comment Bianca had told me about Nico and her staying in a hotel for a while. I met Percy's eyes, and I got the feeling he was thinking the same thing.

"Bianca," he said. "That hotel you stayed at. Was it possibly called the Lotus Hotel and Casino?"

Her eyes widened. "How could you know that?"

"Oh, great," I muttered, dropping my head into my hands.

"Wait," Thalia said. "What's the Lotus Casino?"

"A couple of years ago," I said, lifting my head, "Percy, Grover, Annabeth, and I got trapped there. It's designed so you never want to leave. We stayed for about an hour. When we came out, five days had passed. It makes time speed up."

"No," Bianca said. "No, that's not possible."

"You said somebody came and got you out," Percy said to Bianca. "What did he look like? What did he say?"

"I.. I don't remember. Please, I really don't want to talk about this."

"Bianca," Zoë said, "can you tell me the name of the president of the United States right now?"

"Don't be silly," Bianca said. She told us the correct name of the president.

"And who was the president before that?" Zoë asked.

Bianca thought for a second. "Roosevelt."

Zoë swallowed. "Theodore or Franklin?"

"Franklin," Bianca said. "F.D.R."

"Bianca," I said after a tense moment of silence. "F.D.R. was not the last president. That was.. decades ago."

"That's impossible," Bianca said. "I... I'm not that old." She stared at her hands as if to make sure they weren't wrinkled.

Thalia's eyes turned sad. I guess she knew what it was like to get pulled out of time for a while. "It's okay, Bianca. The important thing is you and Nico are safe. You made it out."

"But how?" I asked, my brow scrunched together. I looked to Percy and Grover. "I mean, we were only in there for an hour, and we barely made it out. How could you have escaped after being there for so long?"

"I told you." Bianca looked about ready to cry. "A man came and said it was time to leave. And—"

"But who? Why did he do it?"

Before she could answer, we were hit with a blazing light from down the road. The headlights of a car appeared out of nowhere. I was half hoping it was my father, come to give us a ride again, but the engine was way too silent for the sun chariot, and besides, it was nighttime. We grabbed our sleeping bags and got out of the way as a deathly white limousine slid to a stop in front of us.

The back door of the limo opened right next to Percy and me. Before he could step away, the point of a sword was jabbed against Percy's throat. I unsheathed my dagger, ready for a fight, but when I saw who was holding the sword, my blood began to boil.

"Ares," I said, not even bothering to add the 'Lord.' "What brings you here, old friend?"

He spared me a cruel smile, then looked to my friends. "At ease, people." He snapped. All our weapons dropped to the ground, but I know for a fact that I hadn't dropped my knife of my own accord. I clenched my fists.

"This is a friendly meeting," the war god said. He dug his sword a little farther under Percy's chin. I tensed. Ares shot me a sideways glance. "Of course, I'd like to take both of your heads right off your scrawny bodies for a trophy, but someone wants to see you. And I never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"Oh, Ares," I said dryly, "don't flatter me."

He sneered. "Of course I don't mean you. Though Zeus knows you've grown since I last saw you..."

My sarcasm died in my throat. I shrunk back. I saw Percy's hands clench into fists. He would've decked Ares if the sword wasn't still pointed at his Adam's apple.

"Whatever," I said, trying not to sound as rattled as I felt. "Who's in the car?"

Ares smiled, enjoying the attention. "Oh, I doubt she wants to meet the rest of you. Particularly not them." He jutted his chin toward Zoë and Bianca. "Why don't you all go get some tacos while you wait? Only take 'em a few minutes."

"We will not leave them alone with thee, Lord Ares," Zoë said.

"Besides," Grover managed, "the taco place is closed."

Ares snapped his fingers again. The lights inside the taqueria suddenly blazed to life. The boards flew off the door and the CLOSED sign flipped to OPEN. "You were saying, goat boy?"

"Go on," Percy told them. "I'll handle this."

The war god laughed. It was a loud and angry sound. "You heard the boy. He's big and strong. He's got things under control."

Quick as a bullet, he had his sword under my chin now. Percy reached out like he was going to stop Ares, but the tip of the blade dug into my neck further. Percy took a step back, his hands in the air, but he still looked murderous. I tilted my chin up and tried not to look scared.

"Yeah," Ares growled to Percy. "You'll be good now, won't you?"

Percy glared at Ares, but the god was unfazed. He nodded to the limo. "Get inside, punk. And mind your manners. She's not as forgiving of rudeness as I am."

As Percy climbed into the limo and Ares slammed the door shut behind him, I said, "You call yourself forgiving?"

Ares laughed. "Yeah, no. Take a joke, sweetheart. I'm the god of war. That's like calling Apollo humble."

     "Ha, ha," I said flatly. I jutted my chin to the limo. "Who's inside?"

     "Guess you'll have to find out when you go in."

     "Ooh, you're so intimidating." I scoffed, shaking my head. My gaze shifted to the taco shop over my shoulder and I found all of my friends staring out the window, looking at me worriedly. I gave them a subtle eye roll.

     Ares followed my eyes. "So that emo kid's back, for real?"

     "Thalia?" I raised my eyebrows. "Yeah, she's back. You gonna try and kill her, too?"

     He shrugged. "Only if she gets in my way. She's not keeping good company."

     "She's got better company than whoever's hiding from you," I shot back, nodding to the limo. "I wouldn't wanna spend time with a god who got bested by two kids. By the way, how'd you heal from our little fight? Have to pop an Aspirin or two?"

     "You're flirting with danger, sweetheart." He tossed his sword in the air and caught it by the hilt. "You must have a death wish, or something, huh?"

     "Hades's doorstep would be better than here."

     "You're walking on thin ice, kid."

     I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. "Thinner than your patience, I'm assuming?"

     "Oh, that's it." Ares twirled his sword and lifted it above his head, and I was done for—but then the door to the limo opened and just about saved my life. I was almost glad to see Percy, even if he did look a little rattled.

     He looked at me like I was a ghost. Immediately, all traces of humor were wiped from the air. I said to Ares, "What'd you do to him?"

     "Nothing." Ares shrugged. "It was all her."

     The god nudged me with the hilt of his sword toward the open door of the limousine. I shot him one last glare. Once I was inside, he slammed it shut, just like he had when Percy climbed in.

     When I saw her, my jaw dropped.

     She looked like everyone I'd ever had a crush on, or ever wanted to be. I mean, seriously. She looked exactly like my old crush, red hair and freckles and all, and then she was this actress I used to crush on, then—gods, I couldn't keep up. She was seriously beautiful—that was all you need to know.

     Aphrodite raised her eyebrows. "Well, it's not polite to stare."

     I pursed my lips and nodded, then lowered my gaze to my hands, sitting in my lap flatly. I felt constantly on-edge, appearance-wise; I was almost certain there was something in my teeth, or my posture wasn't straight, or my hair was lying on my head with no volume. Whatever I looked like, it was nothing compared to the goddess.

     "Wh—" I licked my lips, finding my voice to have retreated from me. "Why am I here?"

     Her eyes twinkled—literally. "Because, my dear," she said, and her voice was warmer than honey, "I've just got so much to tell you!"

     My eyebrows shot up on my forehead. My lips parted. Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, billion-time winner of the Hottest God on Olympus contest (followed only by my own father), wanted to have a.. gossip session with me?

     "So much to tell me?" I repeated, scrunching my brow. "Like.. what? I mean, I don't think we have anything to talk about."

     She shifted in her seat. Her hair flowed down her shoulder like a cascading waterfall. Her lips, that were arched in a perfect Cupid's bow at the top and painted a deep red, pulled down at the corners. "Oh, dear. Percy was right about you. But nevermind that," she said casually, and I was too stunned to even ask what Percy was right about. Aphrodite waved a hand dismissively, like she knew I was questioning her, and said, "All I wanted to tell you was how much I've got planned for you. Ooh, I love a good love! Don't you?"

     For a good moment, I couldn't even formulate a reply. "Um," was all I came up with. I blinked. "You mean... What? What do you mean, you have stuff planned for me?"

     "Oh, you know." She smiled. "I don't normally come visit the heroines in my tragic love stories, but I just couldn't keep this a secret. I've already told Poseidon, and Ares, and Athena even thought it was a good plan—which just goes to show my amazing strategizing abilities when it comes to tragedies!"

     Aphrodite squealed, and she looked so proud of herself that it was hard for me to resist applauding her talents. Instead, I shook my head. What I wanted to tell her was that she was talking absolutely crazy, but I figured I'd get turned into a pearl necklace if I said that out loud. I cleared my throat.

     "Lady Aphrodite," I said, with as much respect as I could muster, "with all due respect, what are you talking about? What tragic love story?"

     Her smile shrunk. Her eyes glistened. I was pretty sure I could hear sad violin music playing somewhere in the distance. "You mean.. you aren't in love with him? Oh, now this is tragic! How could I not have seen it? You.. you.."

     I was pretty sure she was on the verge of tears. I couldn't hide the confusion/slight judgment on my face. Even though I had an inkling of who she was talking about, I said, "In love with.. who, exactly?"

     "PERCY!" she wailed, and burst into tears.

     I was in too much of a shock to do anything. When I came to my senses, I procured a tissue from one of the little goody pockets buried in the seats of the limousine and handed it to her cautiously. She took it and blew her nose.

     "I–I'm afraid I've upset you," I said, because what the Styx are you supposed to say in this situation!?

     "Oh, no, dear," she said sadly, her voice snotty. "Oh, it's not you. I was just hoping.. well, I am the goddess of love, after all. You and him seemed to be—"

"With all due respect," I said again, this time in growing anger, "I have a boyfriend. Connor and I are perfectly happy."

I ignored the way my voice faltered when I said happy.

Aphrodite caught it, though, and lifted her head. Her mascara was running and her cheeks were red, but she still looked graceful as ever. Her eyes were wide. "Oh, I can tell you for a fact that you aren't, dear. I would know. After all, I am the one that orchestrated your whole love life, so—"

I was seething by this point. "Please spare me," I told the goddess. "I'd rather not know any of the details. You may have set up my entire relationship with Connor. You and I definitely have a tough past; you know, with my rocky relationship with love. But if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that I do not love Percy Jackson. So keep your perfectly-polished nails out of it."

As I made to climb out of the car, Aphrodite grabbed my wrist. Her grasp was tighter than steel. She got up in my face, no longer the blubbering mess, but definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her running mascara was gone, magically. She did not seem upset anymore—on the contrary; her glare was hard and furious.

"Watch where you step, Theodosia," she said, her voice venomous. "Love can bite. I will be there for every stride of your romantic destiny, and I will make sure that it turns out to be as difficult and as conniving as you are."

     "You know there's more to life than love, right?" I ripped my hand from her grasp. "Have a good night, my lady."

     And I gave the goddess a sarcastic curtsy before slamming the door in her face.