Twins of the Hunt - Book 3: The Rescue ??

3436 words

The pegasi landed in an outer courtyard before two massive silver gates of the Olympian Hall. I dismounted and staggered slightly before Agro, in her cart horse form, rushed to support me. I placed an arm around her neck and leaned my head against her soft fur.

Good luck, my lady, Sunny neighed, and then, the pegasi soared off into the night.

Raiden looked at me. "You good?"

"Fine," I grunted. "Let's just go."

"Yep," she muttered. "Let's just go and suffer through this Minotaur dung with Zeus."

The gates parted for us, and we moved into the Olympian throne room.

Surrounding a center hearth, a dozen immense thrones formed a U-shape. Overhead, the ceiling mirrored the dark vault of the heavens, sparkling with stars. I stared numbly at the constellation of Zoë the Huntress and felt a burning in the corners of my eyes. I blinked furiously. I couldn't cry here, not in front of all the Olympians. All of them were present and at least fifteen feet tall, gazing down at us. If I cried in front of them, no doubt it would demonstrate weakness. And then those who wanted to blast me to smithereens (*cough cough* Hera), would have an excuse to do so.

"Greetings, heroes," Artemis called.

She looked down at me briefly before moving down off her throne. She transformed into her twelve-year-old girl form, the one I knew so well, and approached us. The familiar sight relaxed me slightly, and I limped over to stand beside her. Raiden and Dad followed my lead.

"The Council is aware of your endeavors," the goddess said. "They are aware of the western ascent of Mount Othrys, Atlas's failed escape, and Kronos's converging forces. The Council has voted to take action."

A few Olympians muttered and shifted in their seats, and I got the feeling that not everyone was pleased with the plan, but no one objected.

"Under the orders of my Lord Zeus," Artemis announced, "myself and my brother Apollo shall pursue the most dangerous monsters, aiming to destroy them before they can ally with the Titans. Lady Athena herself shall inspect the numerous confines of the other Titans and ensure they are secure to prevent any potential escapes. Lord Poseidon has been accorded authorization to release his entire fury upon the Princess Andromeda and blast it into the depths of the sea. And concerning you, valiant heroes..."

She rotated to address the other gods. "These demigods have performed a considerable favor for Olympus. Is there any god amidst us who would contend that?"

No immortal objected. I looked around. A woman in a graceful ivory dress, Athena, nodded at me. My eyes flickered over to Hera, and we had a silent glaring contest before Apollo interrupted the quiet.

"I have to admit," he said, "these kids didn't do horribly." He opened his mouth and started to declaim: "Unbeaten heroes-"

"Uh, I agree," interjected Hermes, sparing us all from Apollo's awful poetry. "Who here supports sparing them from disintegration?"

A few gods lifted hesitant hands.

"Hang on," Ares snarled. "These runts-" he pointed at Thalia, Raiden, Percy, and I in turn- "are a threat."

Raiden glared at the war god. "Of course, you'd remember I'm a threat, Ares. Just because you're sulking about me beating your butt in-"

"Ares," Artemis interrupted, shooting Raiden a warning glance, "they are deserving half-bloods. We shall not destroy my daughter and my champion."