The Underworld's Child

25 | Burritos and Extra Gifts

The headlights of a car appeared out of nowhere. She was half hoping it was Apollo. 

Maybe he was here to annoy her again, she thought. Woah, where did that come from? No, bad Elora. 

But the engine was way too silent for the sun chariot, and besides, it was nighttime. They grabbed their sleeping bags and got out of the way as a deathly white limousine slid to a stop in front of them.

The back door of the limo opened right next to Percy who was beside her. Before they could step away, the point of a sword touched Percy's throat.

She heard the sound of Zoe and Bianca drawing their bows. She too got her weapons out and ready. As the owner of the sword got out of the car, she moved back. Percy did the same albeit slowly considering he had a sword pushing the point under his chin.

He smiled cruelly. "Not so fast now, are you, punk?"

He was a big man with a crew cut, a black leather biker's jacket, black jeans, a white muscle shirt, and combat boots. Wraparound shades hid his eyes, but she knew what was behind those glasses—hollow sockets filled with flames.

"Ares," Percy growled.

"At ease, people." The war god glanced at her friends and focused on her. "Hey little cuz."

He snapped his fingers, and their weapons fell to the ground. Hers turned back before the blades could touch the ground.

"This is a friendly meeting." He dug the point of his blade a little farther under Percy's chin. "Of course I'd like to take your head for a trophy, but someone wants to see you. And I never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"What lady?" Thalia asked.

Ares looked over at her. "Well, well. I heard you were back." He lowered his sword and pushed Percy away.

"Thalia, daughter of Zeus," Ares mused. "You're not hanging out with very good company." Ares looked in her direction and winked. "This little gem excluded."

"What's your business, Ares?" Thalia said. "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 Zoe and Bianca. "Why don't you all go get some tacos while you wait? Only take Percy and Elora a few minutes."

"We will not leave them alone with thee, Lord Ares," Zoe 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 his friends. "I'll handle this."

"You heard the boy," Ares said. "He's big and strong. He's got things under control." He set his gaze on Zoe. "Rest assure, the little princess will watch over things."

Her friends reluctantly headed over to the taco restaurant. Ares regarded Percy with loathing, then opened the limousine door like a chauffeur.

"Get inside, punk," he said. "And mind your manners. She's not as forgiving of rudeness as I am."

☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎

"So, how is our little princess doing?" Ares asked.

"Ooh let's see," she answered. "Hm, I'm on a path that leads to death, freezing my ass, tad bit hungry, and ooh annoyed cause you're here."

"Not peachy then."