BABY DON'T CUT - jason grace

Chapter Twenty-One

"Dad!" Piper yelled.

Mr. McLean blinked, trying to focus. "Pipes ... ? Where ..."

Piper drew her dagger and faced Enceladus. "Let him go!"

"Of course, dear," the giant rumbled. "Swear your loyalty to me, and we have no problem. Only these others must die."

Piper looked back and forth between Leo and her dad.

"He'll kill you," Leo warned. "Don't trust him!"

"Oh, come now," Enceladus bellowed. "You know I was born to fight Athena herself? Mother Gaea made each of us giants with a specific purpose, designed to fight and destroy a particular god. I was Athena's nemesis, the anti-Athena, you might say. Compared to some of my brethren—I am small! But I am clever. And I keep my bargain with you, Piper McLean. It's part of my plan!"

Jason was on his feet now, lance ready; but before he could act, Enceladus roared—a call so loud it echoed down the valley and was probably heard all the way to San Francisco.

At the edge the woods, half a dozen ogre-like creatures rose up. Leo realized with nauseating certainty that they hadn't simply been hiding there. They'd risen straight out of the earth.

This is going to suck.

•••

Estella was dreaming.

Everything was so bright, Estella had to squint her eyes.

"Hey there!"

Estella realized that she wasn't alone. Before her, stood a man—looking around twenty-one, with blonde hair and a big goofy grin plastered to his face.

"Who are you?" Estella asked. His skin was practically glowing.

"Don't tell me you don't recognize your own father, pal!"

Estella suddenly realized that this was Apollo. Her father.

Estella had a ton of questions, but she settled to ask, "Why didn't you claim me?"

"Because, kid, you needed to be on that quest, and you could only be if you weren't claimed," Apollo answered, "I know what I'm talking about. After all, I'm the god of prophecy."

Estella hasn't even done anything important.

Estella nodded as if she understood. "Why are you here?"

Apollo narrowed his eyes. "I know we're supposed to be silent and all but," he started, "I'm coming here for an intervention."

Estella blinked.

"What do you mean?"

Apollo snapped his fingers and suddenly Estella's jacket and leggings were gone, leaving her with her blouse and mini skirt. Exposing her cuts. An embarrassed blush appeared on Estella's cheeks.

Apollo walked closer to Estella. "Why would you do this?" Estella wanted to ask why Apollo would even care, since he's a god with many children—all of whom he isn't close to. Apollo has never been in Estella's life. He shouldn't be acting this way.