invisible string | f. zhang

xvi. jason grace

Reyna plucks an apple from a passing fruit tray, "You propose an expedition to Greece in your warship. You do realize that the ancient lands—and the Mare Nostrum— are dangerous?"

"Mary who?" Leo asks.

"Mare Nostrum," Jason explains, "Our Sea. It's what the Ancient Romans called the Mediterranean."

Reyna nods, "The territory that was once the Roman Empire is not only the birthplace of the gods. It's also the ancestral home of the monsters, Titans and giants . . . and worse things. As dangerous as travel is for demigods here in America, there it would be ten times worse."

"You said Alaska would be bad," Percy reminds her, "We survived that."

"Percy, traveling in the Mediterranean is a different level of danger altogether. It's been off limits to Roman demigods for centuries. No hero in his right mind would go there."

Maribelle feels herself growing queasy once more. Especially when she can feel Reyna's eyes glance at her for a split second.

"Then we're good!" Leo grins over the top of a pinwheel he had been busy making, "Because we're all crazy, right? Besides, the Argo II is a top-of-the-line warship. She'll get us through."

"We'll have to hurry," Jason adds, "I don't know exactly what the giants are planning, but Gaea is growing more conscious all the time. She's invading dreams, appearing in weird places, summoning more and more powerful monsters. We have to stop the giants before they can wake her up fully."

"Eight half-bloods must answer the call," Annabeth speaks up again, "It needs to be a mix from both our camps. Jason, Piper, Leo, and me. That's four."

"And me," Percy says, "Along with Belle, Hazel, and Frank. That's eight."

"What?" Octavian shoots to his feet, "We're just supposed to accept that? Without a vote in the senate? Without a proper debate? Without—"

"Percy!" Tyson the Cyclops bounds towards them with Mrs. O'Leary at his heels. On the hellhound's back was Ella.

"Ella is scared," Tyson says.

"N-n-no more boats," The harpy mutters to herself, picking furiously at her feathers, "Titanic, Lusitania, Pax . . . boats are not for harpies."

Leo squints. He looks at Hazel, "Did that chicken girl just compare my ship to the Titanic?"

"She's not a chicken." Hazel averts her eyes, as if Leo made her nervous.

Maribelle speaks for her, "Ella's a harpy. She's just a little . . . high-strung."

"Ella is pretty," Tyson says, "And scared. We need to take her away, but she will not go on the ship."

"No ships," Ella repeats. She looks straight at Annabeth, "Bad luck. There she is. Wisdom's daughter walks alone—"

"Ella!" Frank stands suddenly, "Maybe it's not the best time—"

"The Mark of Athena burns through Rome," Ella continues, cupping her hands over her ears and raising her voice, "Twins snuff out the angel's breath, Who holds the key to endless death. Giants' bane stands gold and pale, Won through pain from a woven jail."

Maribelle stares wide eyed at the harpy. She glances to Octavian who seemed just as shocked as everyone else who had heard it.

"I know!" Percy is the first to react. He rises, "How about you take Ella to get some fresh air? You and Mrs. O'Leary—"

"Hold on." Octavian grips one of his teddy bears, strangling it with shaking hands, "What was that she said? It sounded like—"

"Ella reads a lot," Frank blurts out, "We found her at a library."

"Yes!" Maribelle and Hazel yell in unison.

"Probably just something she read in a book," Hazel adds quickly.

"Books," Ella mutters helpfully, "Ella likes books."

"That was a prophecy," Octavian insists, "It sounded like a prophecy."

No one answers.

Annabeth laughs, "Really, Octavian? Maybe harpies are different here, on the Roman side. Ours have just enough intelligence to clean cabins and cook lunches. Do yours usually foretell the future? Do you consult them for your auguries?"

The Roman officers laugh nervously. Some sized up Ella, then looked at Octavian and snorted.

"I, uh . . ." Octavian drops his teddy bear, "No, but—"

"She's just spouting lines from some book," Annabeth says, "Like Hazel suggested. Besides, we already have a real prophecy to worry about." She looks at Tyson, "Percy's right. Why don't you take Ella and Mrs. O'Leary and shadow-travel somewhere for a while. Is Ella okay with that?"

"'Large dogs are good,'" Ella says, "Old Yeller, 1957, screenplay by Fred Gipson and William Tunberg."

"Great!" Percy says, "We'll Iris-message you guys when we're done and catch up with you later."

"Fine," Reyna says at last, "Go."

"Yay!" Tyson went around the couches and gave everyone a big hug—even Octavian. Then he climbs on Mrs. O'Leary's back with Ella, and the hellhound bounds out of the forum.

"Well." Reyna sets down her uneaten apple, "Octavian is right about one thing. We must gain the senate's approval before we let any of our legionnaires go on a quest—especially one as dangerous as you're suggesting."

"This whole thing smells of treachery," Octavian grumbles, "That trireme is not a ship of peace!"

"Come aboard, man," Leo offers, "I'll give you a tour. You can steer the boat, and if you're really good I'll give you a little paper captain's hat to wear."

Octavian's nostrils flare, "How dare you—"

"It's a good idea," Reyna says, "Octavian, go with him. See the ship. We'll convene a senate meeting in one hour."

"But . . ." Octavian stops, "Fine."

Leo stands up, "Back soon. This is gonna be epic."

Maribelle notices his hand linger over Jason's shoulder for only a moment before he runs off, Octavian following.

"Uh, Reyna," Jason speaks up, "If you don't mind, I'd like to show Piper around before the senate meeting. She's never seen New Rome."

Reyna's expression hardens and Maribelle wants to facepalm, or slap Jason upside the head. She glances to the pairs fading strings. Her and Jason's had already fully fizzled out. Maribelle tried not to think about it too hard.

"Of course," Reyna says coldly.

"Yeah, me, too. I'd like to show Annabeth—"

"No," Reyna snaps.

"Sorry?"

"I'd like a few words with Annabeth," Reyna says, "Alone. If you don't mind, my fellow praetor."

Nobody protests against her.

"Come, daughter of Athena," Reyna rises from her couch, "Walk with me."

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