invisible string | f. zhang

xix. topeka

Annabeth takes a long breath, "Reyna was about to tell me something right before the ship fired on us. She said there was an old legend among the Roman praetors— something that had to do with Athena. She said it might be the reason Greeks and Romans could never get along."

"Nemesis mentioned something similar. She talked about an old score that had to be settled—"

"The one thing that might bring the gods' two natures into harmony," Hazel recalls, An old wrong finally avenged."

"I was only a praetor for about two hours. Jason, you ever hear a legend like that?"

"I . . . uh, I'm not sure," Jason says, "I'll give it some thought."

Percy narrows his eyes, "You're not sure?"

Maribelle frowns as well, glancing quickly between the two boys.

Hazel breaks the silence, "What about the other lines?Twins snuff out the angel's breath, Who holds the key to endless death."

"Giants' bane stands gold and pale," Frank adds, "Won through pain from a woven jail. "

"Giants' bane," Leo says, "Anything that's a giants' bane is good for us, right? That's probably what we need to find. If it can help the gods get their schizophrenic act together, that's good."

Percy nods, "We can't kill the giants without the help of the gods."

Jason turns to face Frank and Hazel, Maribelle catches his eye once more, "I thought you guys killed that one giant in Alaska without a god's help, just the two of you."

"Alcyoneus was a special case," Frank says, "He was only immortal in the territory where he was reborn—Alaska. But not in Canada. I wish I could kill all the giants by dragging them across the border from Alaska into Canada, but . . ." He shrugs, "Percy's right, we'll need the gods."

"So . . ." Leo pushes his chair away from the table, "First things first, I guess. We'll have to put down in the morning to finish repairs."

"Someplace close to a city," Annabeth suggests, "In case we need supplies. But somewhere out of the way, so the Romans will have trouble finding us. Any ideas?"

"Well," Piper speaks up, "How do you guys feel about Kansas?"

Maribelle shudders and she can hear Frank laugh softly. He looks over at her and she feels her stomach twist as he smiles at her. She wanted to apologize for earlier, for pushing him away after she'd told him she would always come to him when she had a problem. That could wait til they were alone, she decided as he stuffs his face with spaghetti. Normally, she'd turn her nose at messy eaters but she can't help but smile and find it endearing when sauce ends up on the boys chin. She simply reaches out her napkin and wipes it away, enjoying the way Frank easily flushes at her touch.

Eventually, it's only the two of them left. Maribelle was still picking at her salad and Frank was tapping his fingers against the table.

"I'm sorry," Maribelle mumbles to him and she forces herself to take a bite so she doesn't say something else.

Frank only looks at her.

She swallows, "I went to see Jason, obviously he was not conscious but he started to wake up, and I freaked out and I ran. And then, I just got stuck in my head and that wasn't fair to you because I told you I'd talk to you anytime—"

"You don't need to apologize," Frank tells her, "We're working on this together. Besides, I'm glad Hazel could help you if not me."

Maribelle nods and takes another bite.

"I'm proud of you for talking to Jason, even if he was unconscious and probably didn't hear any of it."

Maribelle snorts, but quickly covers it with a cough, "Thanks."