Cecilia Holmes, Daughter of Minerva (Sherlock/Percy Jackson crossover)

Chapter 71

We made it back to the Hecate cabin just as Patricia walked out. Alone.

She sniffed and smiled at us.

"Sorry, uh... Snorri isn't coming. But I am, so, let's go save Harle," she said, forcing enthusiasm as she walked up to us.

"Okay, grab onto me," Nico said. I walked up and grabbed a fistful of his sleeve. Armin grabbed his other arm. Patricia and Claude hesitated.

"Hurry up," Nico snapped. Patricia grabbed onto Armin's arm and Claude grabbed onto mine.

"Be careful, Nico," Will said, sternly. "Don't wear yourself out. And remember, I'm telling Chiron as soon as you leave."

"Whatever. It's not like I'm crossing the ocean, Will," Nico said, sarcastically. "I'm only going a few miles."

"Still."

"I'll be fine, I haven't done this for months."

"That's not a good reason to do anything rash."

"I won't, mother!"

And then he walked toward the Hecate's cabin, pulling us with him. Once he stepped into the shadows of the Cabin, we were plunged into darkness. Before I could fully comprehend the pressure and speed of the darkness all around us, we stepped into the light. I gasped, and my knees buckled, but I quickly leaned against the wall to my left.

"Okay, there's the Empire State Building," Nico said. I shook my head and looked at the rest of us. Nico was fine, if slightly out of breath. Armin and Claude were leaning on the walls of the alley we stood in, and Patricia was on her knees, but rising. She sniffed and wiped her eyes as she did.

"That was... something," Armin said, shaking his arms.

"The first shadow travel is always the worst," Nico said. "Now don't we have a quest to complete?"

"You're coming with us?" I asked, curiously.

"I can't go back to Camp without you guys or Chiron will kill me, so, I may as well hang with you as we confront the god of war," he blew his bangs out of his eyes. "C'mon, let's go."

Armin nodded and walked toward the street. I followed after him, looking back to make sure Claude and Patricia were behind us.

What I saw took me by surprise.

Claude whispered to her. Patricia was still wiping her eyes, even though I didn't see any tears. She tried to shake her head, but then she sobbed and covered her mouth.

"Are... you okay?" I asked, slowly down for them as we walked onto the street.

"Yes, I'm fine," Patricia said, forcing a smile. Claude frowned. She sniffed and wiped her nose, even though I didn't see any snot.

"C'mon, guys!"

I looked forward and zig-zagged through the crowds to catch up to Armin and Nico. "They were in an alley not far from..." Armin's voice was lost in the noise of the crowd. I struggled to keep up with them in all the crowds, but I took comfort in knowing that Armin and Nico were in front of me and Patricia and Claude were behind me.

We walked by the Empire State Building, and I looked up at it, thinking briefly about Olympus.

As I was staring upward, something wet and gooey fell on my face.

"Aaaagh!" I moaned, wiping it off of my nose and cheek in disgust.

And then I realized.